One thing our Flower Mound custom home builders know for sure – with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, the kitchen will be the hub of activity. Preparing meals, gathering with the family, entertaining, there is a lot going on. Before the holidays actually arrive, there are a few things you can do to get the kitchen ready so that you can relax and enjoy the season.
Clear out the clutter. We all tend to let things pile up, whether a stack of bills on the counter, magazines on the table, or “stuff” sitting on the counter that needs to be put away. You will need all the counter space you can get, so put anything away that isn’t necessary.
Clean out your refrigerator. Old condiments, unused leftovers, we all have things in the refrigerator that we don’t use or are out of date. You will need a ton of space for all of those Thanksgiving pans and dishes, so make room. Be sure to wash down shelves, replace any lights that may be burned out, and check to ensure gaskets are tight.
Make sure the microwave sparkles. What’s the word that comes to mind when you open the microwave door? For many of us it’s “gross.” We all overlook the microwave, but it will probably get heavy use throughout the holidays so make sure it’s clean.
Inspect the dishwasher. This is another appliance that will get heavy use, so clean it up, make sure the door gasket is clean, check the drain for residue, and take a close look for any forks/knives/spoons or other items in the bottom.
Prepare all of your serveware. Make sure to sharpen the knives and have all of your large spoons, spatulas, pie servers and other large utensils you may not use often ready to go.
Wash down the trash containers. The kitchen trash can is a lot nastier than you might think. Food and goo tends to accumulate around the top edges and in the bottom no matter how tough your trash bags are. Take the trash containers outdoors along with some dish soap and rag, and hose it down with the water hose. Be sure you have plenty of trash bags on hand, you will certainly need them!
These are a few of the things you can do in the days leading up to the holidays so that you don’t find yourself exhausted by the time your guests arrive. The kitchen and dining room will be the most popular rooms in the house, so be ready!
Are you thinking of a custom home in Flower Mound? Give the family of builders at Bud Bartley Homes a call today.