By Temo Mpodi
The kitchen is the heart of the home – a space for family, conversation, and creativity. But when clutter takes over, it quickly shifts from homely to chaotic.
According to Bronwyn Ragavan, brand manager for Personal Touch, a clean and organised kitchen doesn’t require a complete renovation – just a few smart strategies.
Clear Out Before You Organise
The first step to order is knowing what you have. Empty your cupboards and sort items into three categories:
- Keep: items you use regularly and love.
- Donate: duplicates or anything untouched in the past year.
- Bin: expired, broken, or beyond-repair goods.
Group by Category
Create zones for essentials like baking ingredients, tinned goods, pasta, snacks, cooking oils, and spices. Grouping items makes everything easier to find and keeps daily cooking smooth and stress-free.
Use Clear Storage
Transparent containers are a game-changer. They stop duplicate purchases and make pantry staples easy to spot. Airtight jars for rice, flour, and lentils also extend shelf life, keeping food fresher for longer.
Maximise Vertical Space
Don’t waste cupboard height. Add stackable shelves, tiered organisers, or under-shelf baskets to double your storage without adding clutter.
Store Cleaning Products Safely
Keep cleaning items tightly sealed, stored in a cool, dry place, and out of children’s reach. Baskets or caddies help group products (for example, bathroom cleaners or floor care items).
Compact options like Personal Touch Washing Powder Sheets are practical and space-saving, with one A5-sized box offering up to 18 washes.
Make Use of Doors
Cupboard doors are valuable real estate. Install hooks for measuring spoons, racks for spices, or slim baskets for foil and sandwich bags.
Rotate and Refresh Regularly
Adopt the “first in, first out” rule – older items go to the front so they’re used first. Every few months, take 15 minutes to refresh and reset your system.
A Kitchen That Works for You
A clutter-free kitchen is about more than aesthetics – it saves time, reduces stress, and creates a space where cooking feels effortless. The best part? You don’t need a bigger kitchen, just a smarter one. With a few tweaks, your kitchen can feel open, functional, and ready for whatever life serves up.
