Transform Your Kitchen With TikTok's 3 Layer Rule For Easier Decluttering

By Katie Barton
Cluttered kitchen decorated in green and gray Vukass/Getty Images

The kitchen is the hub of the home, where everything from cooking to enjoying meals to tackling homework happens. Since this room is often one of the most used in the house, it's not only a hotspot for dirt, but also for clutter, leaving the kitchen looking a constant mess. There are many simple tips for decluttering your kitchen without going overboard, but one idea, "the 3-layer rule," from TikToker @MaiZimmy, makes the process clear and easy to follow. What are those rules? Declutter, clean, and then organize and decorate.

What makes the kitchen so hard to keep clean is not only the items family members leave on the counters, but also the accumulation of dishes, cups, containers, and food that eventually get crammed into or spill out of cabinets. A thorough kitchen declutter about twice per year can prevent this buildup, and the 3-layer rule can help you maintain it.

The 3-layer rule that will whip your kitchen into shape

@maizimmy

🚨DETAILS BELOW🚨 Layer 1: Declutter: This can take a LONG TIME and it is not a one and done deal. What I have learned over the years is that decluttering is sort of a life long journey. You will acquire new things and you will outgrow some things. It took me a LONG time to learn how to let things go. But making time for this step and prioritizing it will make everything else so much easier. So that is why I stress having it be the first focus. Layer 2: Clean: This is obviously not a one and done layer either 😅 but it does get easier the less clutter you have. What is the easiest room to clean?? An empty one. Now obviously, we are not living in empty homes. But the point is the less stuff there is, the easier to clean. Building habits around this will make it easier on a day to day basis. Cleaning routines, “closing shift” every night for the kitchen, or forcing yourself to do 10 minute tidies each day are all options. Layer 3: Organize, Decorate, and Beautify. I’m not gonna act like a pro here. I’m not. I’m still finding what inspires me here and hope to share more of that as I take my baby steps into this space :) #momlife #moms #motherhood #tidyhome #cleanhome #declutter #organize #cleaningtips #cleanwithme #cleaningmotivation @Walmart @Stanley 1913 @Procter & Gamble @Clorox @Clorox Scentiva @YETI @Ninja Kitchen @Shark Home @Tineco shop @Tineco @Best Buy @KitchenAid @target

♬ original sound - Mai Zimmy | MomLife & Cleaning

The first step to achieving a clean, organized kitchen is decluttering. To do this, take everything out of the cabinets and drawers and get rid of what you don't want, need, or use. While you're at it, you can also declutter your pantry and fridge to get rid of expired food items. Keep trash bags and boxes nearby. Then, as you go through your stuff, throw away broken or damaged items and place the rest in a box to drop off at a donation site later that day.

Once you've gone through your entire kitchen and gotten rid of the clutter, it's time for the second layer. Pull out your cleaning supplies and give the counters, cabinets, appliances, and floors a thorough clean. Now, you'll have a blank slate for the final layer: organizing and decorating. You should always organize after decluttering, as this gives you an idea of the systems you need to put in place to keep your kitchen clutter-free going forward. You can choose specific organizers based on your kitchen's needs (e.g., racks to keep water bottles in place or Tupperware lids from getting lost), or opt for budget-friendly ideas to organize your kitchen using what you already have. Then add whatever decorative flair you like as the final touch.

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