Photograph Credit: Free Range Stock (Adamophoto)
Keeping the kitchen clean is an on-going task. Having a routine in place after each meal helps to keep me organized. I go on auto-pilot as I complete the routine and end with clean surfaces and rinsed-off dishes.
The after-breakfast routine was covered in Part 1, with the after-lunch routine shared in Part 2, and today, I will complete this 3-part series with my after-dinner routine. By the end of the dinner routine, my goal is to have a clean kitchen which will await me at breakfast the next morning.
Dinner Routine:
- Clear off the table. My two older children ask to be excused and then take their dishes to the kitchen. I have a designated spot for their dirty dishes: on the counter by the sink. My children will then help clear off easy items while Paul and I clear off the rest of the table.
- Wipe down the table.
- Put away any leftover food.
- Rinse each dirty item and place it in the left-hand side of the sink.
- Unload the dishwasher. If the dishes are clean, then put away the clean dishes.
- Load the dishwasher. Add all the rinsed-off dirty dishes from the left-hand side of the sink into the dishwasher. If the dishwasher is full, then run the dishwasher.
- Clean all the countertops.
- Spray the kitchen sink and wipe it clean.
The routine is basically the same as my after lunch routine. Having similar routines keeps me on-task and helps me to use my time wisely. Though this routine works for me, it may not work for you. I share my routine to inspire you to find a system that meets your needs where you are. By finding a routine and sticking to it, you can arrive home or enter your kitchen without being met with a To-Do pile of dirty dishes. If you struggle with a messy kitchen, then try adjusting one part of your current routine until you find a system that helps you stay organized as you spend your time wisely. Wishing you time spent wisely creating a kitchen routine that fits your schedule.