How to Keep Kitchen Counters Clean and Clutter-Free

[@joelandstephanieg3574]

I accidentally discovered this 7 years ago when we put our previous house on the market. I had researched all the tips for staging a house and everything said to clear everything off the counters, so I did it. And after a month of living with empty counters and simplified cabinets, I realized my little kitchen felt more peaceful and cooking was much easier. Once we moved into our new (and larger house) I kept the clear counters. It has been a game changer in my kitchen!!

[@ERICA850]

I have been trying to simplify my house for a good 3 years now. After the birth of my 4th baby last week and all the nesting hormones, something finally clicked! I've had an aaa-ha moment that minimalists describe. I love it! It brings me so much joy that I can clearly see what needs to go! But What really needed to change before I could get rid of things, was the condition of my heart. My heart was changed by the love of God, telling me to let go of the things I didn't use and give to others around me. The more things I declutter that I don't use, the more free I feel!!

[@lunagabriella213]

Definitely! ❤️🙏 If I'm wavering on something, I'll get full gratification knowing I'm about to bless someone :)

[@fwebster6226]

I love the fact that your whole family does the weekly reset together - just how it should be

[@itsacarolbthing5221]

Your loaves are luscious!!

[@MrsBullfinch]

I have my worktops cleared for a while now although the kettle and toaster are still in one corner. Someone called recently and told me that the house looked as if I was preparing to move out. I didn't know whether to be pleased or offended, but it works for me. Plus I find when the worktops are clear that I can set things there that I need to take out with me as I leave the house and I never forget anything and the kitchen always looks tidy. Thank you for all your encouragement.

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

Busted! I have two cake plates in my buffet that I haven’t used in years! Lol I’ve been thinking about moving that cup of pencils into a drawer. The only thing remaining on the counter would be the paper towel holder. Little by little, I’m Decluttering. Today, I thought about these two bowls in the cupboard that I might declutter. Yesterday,, I sold a cast-iron griddle. The person getting it is thrilled to have it, while I didn’t use it for years

[@yesiownfrodo]

I hear what you're saying, but I take the view that things that bring me joy get to stay. I have my mom's china and just looking at it makes me so happy. I plan to use it this fall with my mom, dinner in front of my fireplace. Getting rid of something beautiful to replace it with something plastic, a no for me. I couldn't look at those plastic things on that top shelf behind you every day, although they are probably something you use all the time. I get it. Some of what you say is spot on - I totally got rid of my microwave in 2015 and I don't miss it at all. But, my air fryer/toaster oven stays on the counter. I use it multiple times a day. I used it five times yesterday. I have to say, I have open shelving and now regret most of it. It never looks as perfect as I'd like for long. Thank you for your videos! I really enjoy them. Very inspiring.

[@momof2momof2]

I use my cake stand on my counter top to hold fruit, I also keep my dish soap and a few other things on a cake stand right next to the sink .I decluttered my cookbooks from about 50 down to 4. Any new recipe I can get online. Our home came with a built in microwave over the stove, we use once or twice a day, usually for heating up milk for my coffee . I do like my toaster, Keuring and counter top convection oven on my counters because they are retro aqua and look great. I like a bit of classic vibe in our kitchen :) Our kitchen is part of our great room, so everything is visible all the time, so the counter tops always have to look nice. I keep it so everything is always clean and available to make anything 24/7. I love walking out, every morning , to a clean kitchen. Have a lovely day Rachel. 🥰💐🌱🌞🌛🍒🏜💗✝🪐

[@raymondmonaghan4112]

Hi there sweetie pie hope you are well great ideas I clean my kitchen lounge room and bathroom before I go to bed it is good start to the day love from Eugenie your friend xxx from Australia xxx 🌻🌞🏡🌹

[@linsey5]

Always so excited to see a new video from you. Thanks Rachel. 🌷

[@marthalrodriguez.2209]

Love. Love this video

[@heartsandmindsathome]

Thank you! I had been going by the “rule of 3” which is visually pleasing when looking at a space. Or counter section… but recently (after a few more of your videos), I decided, no… ONE thing per section of counter is all I’ll allow now! It’s so much easier to wipe and have space to work. 👏

[@joanneconnor4319]

I love seeing your face Rachel in videos like this. You can tell how proud of yourself you are in becoming minimal. I love that!! How passionate you are to help other people become this way too. I love being "minimalish" (Erica Lucas' word) even if my husband and daughter aren't on board. Everything but their personal belongings is minimal. Love your videos. Jo xxx

[@Nourishingminimalism]

🥰🥰🥰

[@username00009]

Minimalish is a great word to strive for- it encourages intentionality without causing pressure of “needing” to get rid of nearly everything.

[@RachelElizabeth79]

This is an excellent, practical video by a real housewife who actually cooks and bakes. Subscribed!

[@lanageorge5865]

I appreciate your videos. We have individual coasters for each family member. If you use a cup, put it on your coaster. It really helped with all the dirty cups.

[@debbiefaulkner7889]

This makes so much sense. I appreciate your thoughts and examples on decluttering and minimalism.

[@texasstardust6010]

....I can appreciate some of these concepts, however, it also depends on ones " Organizing Styles ". I like things out where I can see them, or else they're just forgotten about. And I'm not meaning " everything's out on a counter "... it's nice looking open storage shelves for my glassware , cups, and bowls. I have a plate rack for my plates. Putting plates on top of one another puts stress on the plates. I adore my cookbooks, and I have quite a few that are Vintage and Antique. Those bring me joy . I don't think minimalism is for everyone. ...but there is a balance. I always stored my toaster OFF the counter. Same with my blender . It also depends on how much actual counter space and cabinet storage one has. :)

[@uzmaijaz7821]

Darling I love your views about imperfection. Thanks for making a Wonderful video.

[@GradKat]

These are excellent guidelines. My kitchen is very small (but cute). So I have to keep a close eye on what I store and what I buy. I’ve managed (with your help, I might add) to get it as minimalist as I can - but I like stuff on the counters! I think it makes my kitchen look pretty, and it’s not as if clearing the counters would make the place much bigger. Just a case of personal opinion - very good video as usual.

[@Katy_living_simply]

Yes!!! Dont put it down, put it away. Picking up after yourself is a game changer. I have been doing this since the beginning of the year. And a house with 4 kids I have saved A LOT OF TIME. Its part of our house rule now especially with our tween. If you dont want to spend time cleaning later pick it up now.

[@juliemix3373]

Rachel, This was good. I love how you explain your reasons. Very clear. I have a large walk-in pantry where I store all my appliences. So helpful to have. I too got rid of my food dehydrator. I bought a lovely expensive one and after a year realized I just wasn't using it that much. It took up a lot of space, so I passed it on. Same with a lovely mandolin and a fermenting kit. I too always made popcorn in a pan on the stove. Now I just don't eat it. Thank you for another excellent post Cheers

[@easygoing6397]

Thank you Rachel!!

[@sarahsmom1002]

Excellent tips and perspective, Rachel. Thanks for this. Very helpful! I plan to rewatch as needed, for reminders & motivation. Including the reminder to not be too hard on myself i.e. to not expect quick, dramatic results or perfection, which can be frustrating & lead to paralysis & feelings of failure. Your approach is so reasonable, do-able & encouraging!

[@jessicabulloch5302]

I also have nothing on my counters. We do use the blender and toaster daily , the toaster is on a tray and we just put it in a bottom cabinet. I struggle with visual clutter it really overwhelms me so that has probably been my motivation for being minimal. Thank you Rachel you are a very special lady!

[@dhmill761]

That’s great video!!! I’m fixing to rid myself of that crockpot. Lol

[@sfowler1017]

Such good reminders! Great video.

[@lunagabriella213]

I love the healthy thinking ❤

[@bonniewoodard2771]

Brilliant ... thank, thank, thank YOU !!!

[@NLY1WAY4U]

Yes, always looks peaceful when counters/kitchen are clean. I also have tables with extra kitchen devices. I whittle down some, but thru time have found out there is more! Thank you Rachel...Always look forward to your insight.

[@Justno-hm3vk]

Boy, I really liked this info. Thank you.

[@colleenmeyer4797]

Great motivation, thank you 😊

[@cathyjarmon6863]

This video really resonated with me. I am a visual person so many things live on my counters, but I also assure large spaces are clear to do kitchen things. I'm still working through the appliances and kitchenwares I keep versus those I really use. If I judged based on the past 2 years, I don't need half of it; if I consider my hopes for the next 2 years (when family/friends start gathering here again) I will need some of it. I'm choosing to keep and wait and hope! Thanks for your channel, Rachel, you help keep me grounded.

[@marshavesta7091]

Totally agree with you, and have also done the same! Actually made room in our cabinets for a small microwave so its out of site, but to use easy if i need it. Just had a friend comment on my bare countertops. 😊 Less is so much easier to maintain!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That's great you found a way to keep the microwave in the cupboard! 😊

[@aking3624]

Our microwave died 3 years ago.. Thought i'd save up for a new one. I found, without it, more counter space, food tastes better & saved a ton of $$, time cleaning it and eat healthier! 😀

[@jom6320]

I have learned donating can help others. If I never use it simply don't need it. Your videos Rachael help me every time I watch them. I became inspired to declutter from past life. At 64 retired in hills I simply don't need junk and refusing to deal with it anymore its too taxing. Thank you I am trying to catch up with your videos I missed out on before found your channel.

[@Shiryone]

I have found that I do not dread cleaning as much with clear surfaces. Nothing much to move around in order to wipe or dust. It's so liberating. Books are the only thing that I will allow a high quantity of (we enjoy our books) on the shelves, and I just get out the vacuum to deal that once in a while. Another great video. Thank you.

[@sabihakhan2463]

Love the reset❤ use it and put it away is what I am really working on. Thanks Rachel I really look forward to these posts always learn something

[@sandraann4868]

Love the zones concept. I think we could find an alternative spot for the microwave thus freeing up some much needed counter top space 🙂

[@randommam58]

This was helpful thanks

[@cherylkalsch5107]

Great video. I love clear countertops. BTW, you look very pretty in this video. Are you letting your hair grow?

[@Nourishingminimalism]

I am… ready for a change 😊

[@27sparkle73]

Just found your channel and I love it. But I do have a kitchen aid mixer and I suffer from osteoarthritis and it’s to heavy to put away so I leave it out and I hate leaving it out because I have very little counter space. Anyway thanks for all the great tips.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Ah, yes, they are super heavy, which makes it difficult. ❤️

[@andrzoo3]

Me too, I have back problems, its crazy heavy. I have a fabric cover for it. But I noticed when I Bake it's so easy to use compared to hand-held mixers, that I'm keeping it.

[@annemorph]

My popcorn popper drives me crazy! I'm constantly knocking the stupid top off lol. This is my sign to get rid of it. When we renovated our last house we built a pantry room with countertops with plugs for coffee maker, toaster, blender, etc. And we built a space for the microwave underneath the counters. We're going to do something similar in our current renovation. It's so nice to have nothing on the counters. My mother actually does pull their toaster out every day and then puts it away! So I know that method works, too.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

I love the kitchens set up like that- such a cool idea! 😎

[@carolgeorge6409]

I would love a pantry to put those items. I want them out but out of kitchen sight like yours

[@carolgeorge6409]

This reply was to Annie D

[@udhe4421]

@@Nourishingminimalism. Your glasses is so pretty plus ur hairstyle! Can u show us how to make ur yummy bread? Tia

[@charlenebrownlow4677]

PTL Rachel…thank you for sharing; I used what I call restart daily. I appreciate how you know what you like and works for you. Just want you to know, it’s working for me 💌💯!

[@poodlegirl55]

I have a cake pan of my Grandmas that I only use once a year, with her recipe. My family would not be happy if it was gone. So it earns it's keep in my cupboard...I keep my toaster in it and it catches the crumbs. I have a small wine rack in my bathroom with towels and a pedestal stand with items on it and I put them both to use in the kitchen on holiday.

[@danicegewiss862]

I'm in the process of decluttering my cupboards. I love my crockpot. My dehydrator is no longer in my kitchen. I do use it on occasion.

[@takebackyourlife3852]

Helpful information :)

[@lindabourketempleton4040]

I love my microwave I use it twenty times a day for my heat pack and heating premodern food, I have it up off the bench in a microwave hole

[@Katy_living_simply]

We also got rid of the microwave many years ago. It's really not needed when you mostly cook from scratch. As far as the heat pad I use those old school reusable ice bags and fill it with hot water works great.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That’s a good idea! Thanks Katy!

[@booklassygarrahan3929]

We put our toasters on trays and in the cupboard. I am going to have to find storage for some of this other stuff.

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

I like the idea one clear counter. Just curious, where do you keep your paper towels? Because we have a paper towel holder that sits on the counter

[@rosepetal9748]

💗💗💗

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Yep … need to declutter cabinets again because too much is still getting left out.

[@barbarabruce7648]

I'm going to do a huge kitchen declutter in a week ..school holidays. My counters are covered in stuffffffff. Arghh. But I will keep my microwave. We heat baked beans and tinned spaghetti or oatmeal. Also poppodums puff up easily in the microwave. And I steam potatoes in it before baking. We use it a lot. I have too many cake pans, coffee cups..etc. Wish me luck.

[@julietannOsfan1972]

I get really stressed when my worktops are untidy. For me, the worst time is after I’ve been food shopping. I try & put everything away as soon as I get home but it doesn’t always work out that way. I couldn’t get rid of my microwave, as I use it every day. Just curious, are kettles used much in a US kitchen? They’re the norm in a British kitchen & it’s really strange not having one. I have a single sized dishwasher & put it on once a week. It’s only me at home, so it doesn’t really need to be put on more than once a week. Before I had a dishwasher I would wash up & then wipe up & put all the stuff away straight away. I hated it all on the draining rack, as it made the kitchen look untidy.

[@username00009]

Most of the US doesn’t drink a lot of hot tea, and a lot of people just use the microwave or a hot water dispenser (such as the one attached to commercial coffee makers at the office, or the one that you use with five galling jugs if you have water delivered). Tea aficionados will be more like to have electric kettles.

[@michelesusanne1]

When my kids leave things on counters/ steps or not where they belong, I give them a day Grace then it goes into a bin and they have to buy it back!. 25, .50 or $1 depending on how important it is to them. It doesn't take long and they keep their things picked up.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That’s a great idea!

[@bgbell3049]

An air fryer is supposed to reheat leftover pizza better than microwave. It keeps the crust crisp.

[@lauratempestini5719]

Where did you get your bamboo lid covered jars? I hope they are glass.

[@turtlelina_kitesurf]

Me: stands up in the middle of the video to do a reset.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

🎉❤️

[@bubblesnap]

Do you put hot appliances away? Like toaster, kettle, etc?

[@laureln56]

I love this video and I also love the bird mobile in your kitchen window. Is it handmade or can I get one somewhere?

[@fionashearer394]

I have one too. I think they come from Fairtrade suppliers.

[@kimberlybrown5462]

I love my clutter-free counters! Toaster goes in the pantry, and it literally takes five seconds to get it out. I got rid of two punch bowls and their associated little cups. Got rid of a blender. Got rid of my bread machine (the bread always tasted funny to me when cooked in there - not sure why). I do love my crockpot, but I have a very small, two-person one that stays in the high cupboard when I'm not using it. I don't cook an entire meal in it, though, just usually chicken that I can shred and put barbecue sauce or some other seasoning in, with the rest of the meal cooked on the stove. I can't really get rid of my microwave because it's a mounted one, and there would be a really awkward, strange space if I removed it. But I don't use it a whole lot. Most recently I banished my paper towels from their place on the counter to a cabinet, and I discovered I use fewer paper towels if I have to pull them out of the cabinet.

[@sandradisclafani6725]

What are those hand dusters❤️👍🏻

[@lindabourketempleton4040]

Shat is the difference between the crockpot and a slow cooker ?

[@otunbaress]

None really... other than "Crockpot" is a brand of slow cooker. Many companies make slow cookers but everyone calls them crockpots:-)

[@lisaann6267]

I don't eat bread anymore. Its highly inflammatory and raises insulin high. I sandwich glucose shoots to 150-160 and stays there unless I exercise. So I don't do bread anymore.

[@gwenj5419]

There's even a method for making popcorn in a paper bag in the microwave.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

😂 Yes, there's that too. I never think of it - I'm not a fan. 😊

[@gwenj5419]

@@Nourishingminimalism I've never tried it. Too good to be true I guess.

[@terrilloyd3691]

I deleted my popcorn maker from my kitchen. It shot popcorn all over the kitchen.... it was such a pain. I may try a silicone one that I can use in the microwave, but for now I am not making popcorn. If anyone has experience with the silicone PC makers, let me know. 🙏

[@shirleyann3344]

I bought one a year ago for my husband because he is always making microwave popcorn, so I thought just using that with regular popcorn would be great! … It is in the cupboard and has never been used once! 😂 … guess I should dig it out and try it myself.

[@clarisahernandez5280]

I only have two counters so everything's put away.

[@gracewaterlilly8023]

My man Loves all His gadgets. He IS a good Cook, but He only cooks at special occaisions, I am the everyday-cook in Our house and all his gadgets drive me crazy on a daily Basis. One word: egg cooker It comes in 4 parts that are all Hand wash! If you cook the egg (that we have for breakfast maybe 2-4 Times a year) in a pot, it goes in the dishwasher and is only 1 piece!

[@robinpresley2349]

Boy i really needed this! You’re right!! My counters are full of the bits i/we arent putting away as we go. And we dont put them away because the cabinets are junky. 🫤🙈 Could you tell us about your dish routine? I saw you hand washing but didnt see a dish drainer - and i handwash mine - do you use a drainer and put up later? Dry them by hand before bed? i like my small sink drainer because my handicapped son uses some things i need to hand wash or my special tea cup, etc.