The kitchen is the heart of the home and where most of the holiday season action takes place. So, it makes sense that it’s the one area where you accumulate most of the junk in your house.
Luckily, the new year brings with it a season of renewal and an opportunity to start afresh. Take advantage of this by getting rid of items you’re not using around the house, particularly those that populate the kitchen.
1. Scratched non-stick pans
Non-stick pans can be a delight to cook with. But, once you scratch them, their usefulness plummets. Not only do they become a nightmare to cook with, but you also have to contend with the fact that the scratched-off coating can chip away and mix in with your food. This can lead to health problems because the human body is not meant to ingest the chipped off remains of non-stick metal.
Make sure to throw away any non-stick pans with scratches on them. Replace them with high-quality cookware sets that can handle high temperatures without flaking.
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2. Chopping boards and wooden utensils
It’s not hard to tell when your chopping board and wooden spoons aren’t up to par – they get frayed at the edges and faded in color. If yours are looking haggard, it’s an indication that you should probably replace them.
One way to prolong the lifespan of wooden utensils and chopping boards is to use a different one for each food group. This means you’d have a chopping board for cutting meat, another one for chopping vegetables, one for fruit, and so on.
Be sure to wash your wooden chopping boards with detergent and hot water after each use, and season them with mineral oil to prevent staining.
3. Dishtowels
Whenever you dry your hands with a dishtowel, an invisible army of germs is transferred onto its surface, especially if you leave it wet. The moisture-rich environment in a dish towel makes it a hotbed for bacteria and gastric diseases.
One study found that almost 90% of dishtowels have the E.coli virus. That’s why it’s important to replace your dish towel regularly instead of waiting for them to disintegrate before you toss them out.
4. Cleaning products
Unused cleaning products should be replaced at least once every two to three years. Throw out empty containers and check the bottom of other bottles for the expiration dates of unused products. If you can’t find it, test the product to see how well it’s working.
5. Water filters
Depending on the brand, most water filters have a three to six-month lifespan. Check the paperwork that came with your filter to find out how often you should change it. If you’re not sure, replace it with a new one just in case.
6. Expired foodstuffs
Right before the holiday season starts, most home cooks have a tendency to stock up on all sorts of snacks, condiments, and sauces in preparation for the upcoming festivities.
Look through your cupboard, pantry, and fridge for expired items that are taking up unnecessary space. You’d be surprised at just how easy it can be to forget about things like unopened sauce packets and chocolate bars. If they’ve reached their sell-by date, toss them in the bin.
The new year is the perfect time to spring clean and detox your house. As they say, “the kitchen is the heart of the home,” and de-cluttering this space is an excellent start to creating a clean and healthy living environment.
