I have approx. 9 linear feet of kitchen counters, in an L shape (slightly more when measured along the wall as it takes the corner). The short arm of the L is broken up by the stove: 1 1/2 ft. of counter, stove, 2 ft. of counter. The longer arm of the L is broken up by the double sink: 1 1/2 ft. counter, sink, almost 4 ft. counter (part of which is taken up by the microwave).

For some reason, I have a hard time KEEPING MY COUNTERS CLEAR!

By necessity, certain appliances live on my counters: the microwave, the toaster, the rice cookers, etc. In addition, there are other implements which stay permanantly on the counter: the copper kettle which holds my cooking spoons and spatulas, the pot of boiled water we use for drinking, a glass platter which holds condiments and the mug of cutlery for daily use, the napkin holder, the copper collander which I use as a fruit bowl, etc. All these live lined up along the back of the counter, which is about 2 feet deep. These things don't bother me - I need them to be out and within easy reach on a daily basis.

It is the area in front of them - the approx. 1 ft. deep space along the front edge of the counter - that is my problem. SOMEONE (surely not MOI?!) puts things on them, which tend to remain to clutter up the counters.

For example, tupperware-type containers that ought to do in the dishpan in the cabinet but haven't dried enough to be put away (I air dry them upside down in the dish drainer and water tends to collect under the rims, and then drip when I turn them right side up! So I leave them on the counter to dry further and they stay there!)

Soon they are joined by drinking glasses, an almost empty can of soda with 1/2 in. soda left in it (too drunk up to put in the fridge to keep for another time, not empty enough to rinse and put in the recycle bin!), empty water bottles (I wash and refill them for DD and I to take to school/work with us), a sandwhich bag of snacks that were sent for lunch and returned uneaten (to be sent again the next day), and so on.

Until the counters are cluttered!

I cleaned the kitchen yesterday and cleared the counters and wiped them down. I have challenged myself to try and keep the counters cleared. I intend to do a final ETEing last thing in the night before I go to bed.

Anyone wants to join me in the kitchen counter challenge?

Want to share tips on HOW to keep them clear?

I'm in ~ just not today Last week I did a major counter overhaul and have mostly been keeping up on it. Mostly now I just have the literature I brought home from the hosp and mail that I plunked down on it to clear off.

Part of the issue lies in whether or not you have "separation of rooms." For instance, we have a large enough house to be able to be firm when it comes to a kitchen being the kitchen, the office being the office, etc. My bedroom is my bedroom and I don't want anything else in there. The very few times a year I take some work in there to do, it must be taken out and returned to the office as soon as I'm done.

What does this have to do with counters? I'm obsessive about my kitchen being used for cooking. No mail, no medications, no stray stuff. EVER. I've found that is what works for us. Sometimes you have to make a rule and stick to it. Won't work for everyone.

Bless, rather than removing the containers to drip dry, why not just flip them over but leave them in the drying rack?

My kitchen is definitely used only for cooking. There isn't space for a kitchen table, so there's no eating in there, unless one eats standing up!

I generally wash the dishes (by hand) and empty the dish drainer (set into one side of the double sink) at least twice a day, often 3 times.

I leave the washed dinner dishes to dry overnight and empty the drainer first thing in the morning while I wait for the water to boil to make coffee.

That's when I leave the containers on the counter. I want them out of the drainer because I usually wash the morning coffee mugs, etc., before I leave for work. I guess I fear that if I leave the containers in the drainer, the newly washed mugs and milk pan, etc. might drip water into them, again.

I don't mind them sitting out on the counter during the day when I am at work. I just have to train myself to PUT THEM AWAY when I come home from work and not leave them out for the rest of the evening!

Ah, but having them out on the counter makes it that much easier to pack the next day's lunches later that night...

Now do you see what's at the root of my counter clutter? Laziness, masquerading as step-saving work efficiency!

Before:

AFTER:

Bless:
Put a towel on the counter with the containers upside down on them, if the water still drips wipe them off and put them away right away.....no excuses! LOL

Maureen:
GREAT JOB! WHOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Thank you Diana!

As you can see the kitchen counter is the first place to put things down when we come in the house. Usually, we're in a hurry to get our boots off and let the next person(s) in. I have to walk across carpet to put anything down on the freezer or on the kitchen counter ~ the only other clear places available to put things.

more later ~DD asleep in mt arms and df on way over...

I absolutely cannot stand clutter on my kitchen counters. I do not allow it to happen. The only appliances on the counter tops are my toaster oven and coffee maker. We do not have an electric can opener, and our microwave oven sits on its own cart. My kitchen counter is also home to my knife block, two potted plants in the window sill, and a fruit bowl. Sometimes my husband might leave some food items on the counter, but I promptly put them in the pantry or fridge.

Now, my kitchen table is another story. Mail, newspapers, car keys, etc.

My catch all is the desk, and I try and straighten that each day. I just have the toaster oven and tv on one island counter.
The main counter has the coffee maker, microwave and in a corner the electric can opener and a spoon rest. I try and keep it cleared, so that is why the desk gets the papers!

I do place things on the island counter as I come in, but that is put away as promptly as possible. It is just a staging place for the bags. I generally unpack and put it into frig or pantry piles, and then put them away, and the bags go back into the car for the next trip to the store.