14 Clever Kitchen Tips You Need to Know
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home—a place where we prepare meals, gather with family, and even get creative. But it can also become a source of frustration, especially when it comes to clutter, time-consuming tasks, or the never-ending struggle with kitchen maintenance. Fortunately, with just a few clever tips and tricks, you can make your kitchen run more efficiently, save time, and even enjoy cooking more.
Here are 14 clever kitchen tips that will help transform your cooking space into a more organized and enjoyable place to be.
Unlock These 14 Kitchen Tips to Make Your Life Easier
1. Maximize Counter Space with Multi-Functional Tools
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One of the biggest challenges in most kitchens is limited counter space. The key to overcoming this is investing in multi-functional kitchen tools. Think about items that serve more than one purpose—like a food processor that chops, slices, and grates all in one, or stackable containers that help organize both dry goods and leftovers.
Examples of multi-functional kitchen tools:
- Mandoline slicers that also julienne and grate.
- Blenders that double as food processors.
- Collapsible kitchen gadgets that save space when not in use.
Not only do these tools save space, but they also reduce the number of items you need to store, making your kitchen feel less cluttered.
2. Label Everything for Easy Access
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In a well-organized kitchen, labels are your best friend. Whether it’s jars of spices, pantry items, or even Tupperware containers, clearly labeling everything ensures that you can find what you need quickly and avoid wasting time searching.
Labeling tips:
- Use chalkboard labels for containers you might need to change often.
- Clear tape with printed text for quick, readable labels on glass jars.
- Magnetic spice labels for metal spice tins, which allow you to easily see and organize by type.
Labeling also helps reduce food waste by ensuring you can track expiration dates, ensuring ingredients are used before they spoil.
3. Use Baking Soda for Easy Clean-Up
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Cleaning up after cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. Baking soda is a versatile, eco-friendly cleaner that can be used in many areas of the kitchen, from removing grease to tackling tough stains.
How to use baking soda:
- Oven: Mix baking soda with water to create a paste. Apply it to greasy oven surfaces, let it sit, then wipe off.
- Microwave: Heat a bowl of water and baking soda in the microwave to loosen up food splatters for easy wiping.
- Stovetop: Sprinkle directly on stove-top spills and scrub away with a damp sponge.
By using this simple, affordable ingredient, you can make your kitchen look sparkling clean without harsh chemicals.
4. Prevent Potatoes from Sprouting with an Apple
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Potatoes tend to sprout quickly when stored incorrectly, but did you know that storing them with an apple can keep them fresh longer? Apples release ethylene gas, which slows down the sprouting process in potatoes.
How to store potatoes with an apple:
- Place a whole apple in the potato storage bin, ensuring it doesn’t touch the potatoes directly.
- Make sure both the apples and potatoes are stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
This easy tip can help extend the shelf life of potatoes and reduce waste.
5. Organize Your Kitchen Drawers with Dividers
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Messy kitchen drawers can quickly become a breeding ground for chaos, making it hard to find anything. Drawer dividers are an inexpensive and simple solution. These organizers help keep cutlery, kitchen tools, and even junk drawers neat and easily accessible.
Drawer divider options:
- Adjustable dividers for customizable compartments.
- Stackable trays for separating silverware, small gadgets, or even pens and notepads.
- Magnetic drawer inserts for organizing knives securely.
Having designated spaces for every item makes it easier to find what you need and makes your kitchen feel more organized.
6. Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil for Quick Flavor Boosts
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Herbs can go bad quickly if not used in time. An excellent way to preserve them is by freezing fresh herbs in olive oil. This method not only extends the life of your herbs but also creates convenient, pre-portioned servings that can be used directly in your cooking.
Steps to freeze herbs:
- Chop fresh herbs.
- Place them in an ice cube tray.
- Fill each compartment with olive oil (or another oil of your choice).
- Freeze and pop out cubes as needed for soups, sauces, and stir-fries.
This hack is ideal for basil, thyme, rosemary, and parsley, and it cuts down on food waste while ensuring you always have fresh herbs on hand.
7. Use Ice Cube Trays for Leftover Broth and Sauces
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Leftover broths, stocks, and sauces can be difficult to store and often go to waste. A simple solution is to freeze them in ice cube trays. This allows you to store small portions that can be easily used when needed.
How to freeze broths or sauces:
- Pour the leftover liquid into an ice cube tray.
- Label each tray with the type of broth or sauce.
- Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in labeled freezer bags for easy access.
This method not only saves space but also makes meal prep a breeze, as you can grab exactly what you need for a recipe.
8. Keep Bananas Fresh Longer with a Plastic Wrap Trick
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Bananas ripen quickly, and their shelf life can often feel too short. To help them stay fresh longer, simply wrap the stems of the bananas in plastic wrap. This will reduce the amount of ethylene gas released, slowing down the ripening process.
How to wrap bananas:
- Take a small piece of plastic wrap or foil.
- Wrap it around the stem where the bananas are connected.
- Store the bananas in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.
This simple hack can keep your bananas fresh for a few extra days, so you don’t have to rush to eat them before they spoil.
9. Peel Garlic Easily with a Jar
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Peeling garlic can be time-consuming, but there’s a quick and easy trick that requires just a jar. Instead of using a knife or a peeler, you can shake garlic cloves in a jar to peel them in seconds.
How to peel garlic with a jar:
- Place the garlic cloves in a jar (no lid needed).
- Close the jar tightly and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Open the jar, and you’ll find the garlic cloves peeled and ready to use!
This method eliminates the mess and the effort of manually peeling garlic.
10. Use a Tension Rod for Extra Pantry Storage
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A tension rod can serve as an inexpensive yet effective kitchen storage solution. Place it underneath your pantry shelves to hang pots, pans, and lids—freeing up valuable shelf space for other items.
How to use a tension rod for storage:
- Install a tension rod inside a cabinet or pantry at an appropriate height.
- Use it to hang pot lids or smaller kitchen tools, like strainers or oven mitts.
- This creates more room on shelves for other items like spices or dry goods.
Tension rods can be used for many purposes and are perfect for small kitchens looking to maximize space.
11. Clean Your Microwave with Lemon Steam
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Cleaning a microwave doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals. Lemon steam can loosen grime and make the process easy and natural. Simply use the power of steam to loosen food splatters and grease.
How to clean with lemon steam:
- Cut a lemon in half and place it in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Fill the bowl with water, ensuring the lemon slices are submerged.
- Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, allowing the steam to loosen grime.
- Wipe down the microwave with a clean cloth.
The lemon leaves your microwave smelling fresh, and the steam helps lift any stubborn stains.
12. Stop Your Salad Greens from Wilting with a Paper Towel
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Wet greens are more likely to wilt, but there’s an easy way to keep your salad greens fresh for longer. Simply place a paper towel in with your greens to absorb excess moisture and keep them crisp.
How to store greens:
- Line the bottom of your container with a paper towel.
- Place your greens on top, and fold the towel over to cover them.
- Store the container in the fridge, ensuring it’s tightly sealed.
This simple trick can extend the life of your salad greens, ensuring they stay fresh for up to a week.
13. Use a Silicone Baking Mat to Save Time on Cleanup
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Baking with silicone mats is a game-changer. Not only do they prevent food from sticking, but they also save time during cleanup. There’s no need for parchment paper or cooking sprays, and your baked goods come out perfectly.
Benefits of silicone baking mats:
- Reusable and durable.
- Easy to clean—just wash with soap and water.
- Non-stick, so no need for extra oils or sprays.
These mats are great for baking cookies, roasting vegetables, and even baking pizza.
14. Repurpose Old Jars for Kitchen Storage
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Instead of throwing away glass jars, why not repurpose them as storage containers? From jam jars to sauce containers, these glass vessels can be used for everything from holding spices to organizing dry goods.
Repurposing tips:
- Clean jars thoroughly and remove any labels.
- Use them for storing beans, grains, or nuts in your pantry.
- Label them so you can easily identify their contents.
Repurposing jars reduces waste and provides a simple, affordable way to organize your kitchen.
Conclusion
By incorporating these 14 clever kitchen tips, you’ll not only save time and money, but you’ll also create a more organized and efficient space. Whether it’s maximizing your counter space, simplifying clean-up, or finding ways to store and preserve food, these tips will help streamline your kitchen routine.
Start implementing one or two of these hacks today, and see how much easier—and more enjoyable—your time in the kitchen can be. Happy cooking!
