How to Organise Kitchen Cabinets — A Fresh Start | Simply Maid

If opening your kitchen cabinets feels like playing Jenga with Tupperware, you are not alone. For busy families, kitchen cabinets quietly become the place where mismatched containers, expired spices, and mystery items go to hide. The clutter builds until the whole kitchen feels heavier than it should.

**Quick Answer:** To clean and reorganise your kitchen cabinets, work through one cabinet at a time: empty everything out, declutter ruthlessly, clean the interior with warm soapy water, then put items back using a zone-based system with matching containers. The whole process takes 2-3 hours for an average kitchen.

Why Kitchen Cabinets Deserve a Proper Reset

Disorganised cabinets don't just look messy behind closed doors. They waste your time every morning, they push items onto your benchtops, and they hide expired food you forgot you bought.

When storage spaces aren't working, things that could be tucked away neatly end up cluttering every surface in the kitchen. A proper cabinet reset gives you back that space — and the calm that comes with it.

As [Peter Walsh](https://peterwalshdesign.com/), one of Australia's most experienced professional organisers, puts it: "You'll never get organised if you don't have a vision for the life you want." This isn't just about tidying. It's about creating a kitchen that works for your family.

Before You Start: Clear Your Benchtops

You'll need somewhere to sort through everything, and your benchtops are the best workspace for this. Move anything currently sitting on the counters to a temporary spot — a dining table or a few large baskets on the floor work well.

**Tip:** If you have items on the benchtop that belong inside a cabinet, leave them out. They'll go into the reorganised cabinets later.

Keep a few rubbish bags nearby: one for bin, one for donation, and one for items to store elsewhere (like the garage or loft). Having these ready makes the decluttering step much faster.

Step 1: Empty One Cabinet at a Time

This is where most people go wrong — they empty everything at once and end up overwhelmed by the chaos. Instead, **work through one cabinet at a time** from start to finish before moving to the next.

As you unload each cabinet, sort items into three groups:

**Keep** — items you use regularly (at least once a month)
**Relocate** — things you want but that belong elsewhere (spare appliances, seasonal items)
**Let go** — expired products, duplicates, chipped items, and anything you haven't touched in a year

According to Sydney-based professional organiser [Anita Birges of Mise en Place](https://mise-en-place.com.au/): "So often people say to me, 'Oh, I've bought this for storage, and I bought that', but how do you know what you need until you've cleaned it all out?" Declutter first, buy organisers later.

What to Check for While Sorting

**Expiry dates** on spices, oils, sauces, and pantry staples
**Rust or damage** on baking trays, tins, and utensils
**Duplicate items** — do you really need four wooden spoons?
**Items you've never used** — that spiraliser from three Christmases ago

Step 2: Clean the Cabinet Interior

With the cabinet empty, this is the perfect time to give it a thorough clean. Kitchen cabinets collect grease, crumbs, and dust — especially in the corners.

What You'll Need

A clean paintbrush (stiff-bristled for corners)
Warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap
A microfibre cloth
A dry cotton cloth
Fresh shelf liners (non-adhesive recommended)

Interior Cleaning Method

**Remove old shelf liners** and discard them. Liners should be replaced every 1-2 years.
**Dust corners and crevices** with a dry paintbrush — this is a trick professional cleaners swear by for getting into tight spots.
**Wipe all interior surfaces** (walls, ceiling, shelves) with a damp microfibre cloth dipped in your soapy water solution. Wring the cloth well — it should be damp, not wet.
**Spot-clean stubborn marks** with a little extra dish soap and gentle pressure.
**Dry thoroughly** with a clean cotton cloth before laying down fresh shelf liners.

[Bob Vila's home care experts recommend](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-kitchen-cabinets/) mild dish soap and warm water as the safest all-purpose cleaner for every cabinet type — wood, laminate, and painted finishes alike.

**Safety note:** A 50/50 vinegar-and-water mix works well on **laminate and painted** cabinets, but avoid using vinegar on natural stone, raw wood, or waxed surfaces. [Research published in *BMC Microbiology*](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7447605/) found that household vinegar concentrations are effective for general cleaning but don't fully disinfect surfaces. Stick to dish soap for an all-round safe choice. — Zinn & Bockmuehl, 2020

**Important:** Don't skip the drying step. Standing moisture inside cabinets can cause warping, peeling, and even mould — particularly in humid Australian climates.

Step 3: Clean the Cabinet Exterior

While the interiors air out, tackle the outside.

**Dust the tops of upper cabinets first.** Hold a dustpan at the edge and sweep accumulated dirt into it, then wipe with a damp cloth.
**Wipe down cabinet fronts and sides** with the same warm soapy water. For stubborn grease — common around the stove area — add a little extra dish soap.
**Don't forget the handles.** These are high-touch surfaces that collect grime quickly. An old toothbrush works well for detailed hardware.
**Buff dry** with a cotton cloth for a streak-free finish.
**Wipe the inner sides of cabinet doors** before closing them.

For a deeper look at tackling greasy kitchen surfaces, see our guide to [cleaning stainless steel appliances](/cleaning-101/kitchen/a-cleaning-guide-to-sparkling-stainless-steel-appliances).

Step 4: Reorganise Using a Zone-Based System

Now comes the satisfying part — putting everything back in a way that actually makes sense. The goal is a system your whole family can follow without thinking about it.

Think in Zones

Organise your cabinets around how you use your kitchen:

**Cooking zone** (near the stove): oils, spices, pots, pans, cooking utensils
**Prep zone** (near the benchtop): chopping boards, mixing bowls, measuring cups
**Baking zone** (if you have one): flour, sugar, baking trays, cake tins
**Everyday zone** (easiest to reach): glasses, mugs, plates, everyday bowls
**Storage zone** (higher or deeper cabinets): appliances, bulk items, rarely used dishes

Six Tips for Smarter Cabinet Organisation

1. Use 3-5 Matching Container Sizes

Mismatched containers are the enemy of tidy cabinets. A set of 3-5 standardised sizes stacks neatly and fits together without wasted gaps. Kmart and IKEA Australia both sell affordable matching sets.

2. Fill Vertical Dead Space

The gap between a shelf and the items sitting on it is wasted space. Use tiered shelf organisers (available at Kmart from around $10) or stackable bins to reclaim that vertical room.

3. Add a Spice Rack or Turntable

A turntable (also called a lazy Susan) makes [deep cabinets far easier to navigate](/cleaning-101/kitchen/order-in-the-kitchen-organisation-tips-that-you-cant-miss) — no more losing jars at the back. Kmart's round pantry turntables are a popular choice.

4. Label Your Containers

Labels do more than look tidy. They help everyone in the household put things back in the right spot. A simple label maker or a strip of masking tape and a marker does the job.

5. Nest Pots, Pans, and Utensils

Stack pots and pans with a sheet of felt or a paper towel between them to prevent scratching. Place lids upright in a simple rack or file organiser — this alone saves a surprising amount of space.

6. Keep Heavy Items on Lower Shelves

Cast iron pans, Dutch ovens, and stand mixers belong at waist height or below. [Ergonomic research confirms](https://memic.com/workplace-safety/safety-net-blog/basic-kitchen-ergonomics) that storing heavy items between knee and waist height reduces strain and the risk of dropping something on yourself. Lighter, everyday items like glasses and mugs go on upper shelves where they're easy to grab.

Keeping It That Way: A Simple Maintenance Plan

The biggest challenge isn't the reset — it's keeping it tidy afterwards. A realistic maintenance plan makes all the difference.

**Daily (2 minutes):** Put items back in their zone after cooking. Wipe up any spills inside cabinets.
**Fortnightly:** Quick wipe of cabinet fronts and handles with a damp cloth.
**Every 3-4 months:** Open each cabinet, check for expired items, and re-tidy anything that's drifted out of place.

This isn't about perfection. A system that works 80% of the time is infinitely better than no system at all.

For a full kitchen cleaning routine that pairs well with organised cabinets, see our [systematic kitchen cleaning guide](/cleaning-101/kitchen/a-systematic-way-to-clean-your-kitchen).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I organise deep kitchen cabinets without losing items at the back?

Use turntables (lazy Susans) or pull-out baskets to bring the back of the cabinet to you. Alternatively, store less-used items at the rear and everyday items at the front. Kmart and Bunnings both sell affordable solutions that fit most standard cabinets.

Q: What should go in upper cabinets vs lower cabinets?

Keep heavy items (pots, pans, appliances) in lower cabinets at waist height. Upper cabinets are best for lighter, frequently used items like glasses, mugs, and plates. Top shelves work for rarely used or seasonal items.

Q: How often should I deep clean inside my kitchen cabinets?

A thorough deep clean every 3-4 months is a good target for most households. In between, a quick wipe-down of shelves fortnightly keeps grease and crumbs from building up. If you notice sticky residue or crumbs, clean that cabinet right away.

Q: Should I use shelf liners in my kitchen cabinets?

Yes — shelf liners protect surfaces from spills, scratches, and stains, and make cleanup easier. Choose **non-adhesive liners** over self-adhesive ones. Adhesive liners can leave residue and damage cabinet surfaces when you try to remove them. Replace liners every 1-2 years during a deep clean.

Q: How do I keep kitchen cabinets organised with kids in the house?

Designate one low cabinet as the "kids' zone" with their cups, plates, and snack containers. Use labels and clear containers so children can find (and return) things independently. Keep anything fragile or sharp on higher shelves. The goal is a system simple enough for the whole family to follow.

Sources & References

**Peter Walsh**, professional organiser (30+ years, Network 9's *Space Invaders*) — [peterwalshdesign.com](https://peterwalshdesign.com/). Referenced for motivational framing on decluttering with purpose.
**Anita Birges**, professional organiser, Mise en Place (Sydney) — [mise-en-place.com.au](https://mise-en-place.com.au/). Cited for the "declutter before buying organisers" principle.
**Zinn & Bockmuehl** (2020) — [Evaluating the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral efficacy of acetic acid for home care procedures](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7447605/), *BMC Microbiology*. Referenced for vinegar cleaning effectiveness and limitations at household concentrations.
**Bob Vila** — [The Dos and Don'ts of Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-kitchen-cabinets/). Referenced for dish soap as the safest universal cabinet cleaner.
**MEMIC Workplace Safety** — [Basic Kitchen Ergonomics](https://memic.com/workplace-safety/safety-net-blog/basic-kitchen-ergonomics). Cited for safe storage height guidelines for heavy kitchen items.
**Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)** — [Cleaning and Sanitising Guidelines](https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/cleaning-and-sanitising). Referenced for best practices on cleaning food-contact surfaces.

*If keeping on top of the kitchen feels like one thing too many, our friendly team is always here to help.*

*Thoughtful care for the spaces that matter most.*

How to Clean and Reorganise Your Kitchen Cabinets (The Stress-Free Way)