“Baking Day at Home: How to Keep Your Kitchen From Becoming a Disaster Zone”

I love baking, but I used to dread the cleanup afterward. Flour covered the floor like snow, bowls stacked up in the sink, mixing tools spread everywhere — by the time cookies were done, I was exhausted before even tasting them.

Everything changed when I started using a simple system called “clean as you go.” Rather than waiting until the end, I clean small things step-by-step while baking. A damp microfiber cloth and a bowl of warm soapy water make a huge difference.

Here’s what I now do every time:

• Wash mixing tools immediately after use

• Keep trash and compost bins open nearby

• Wipe the counter after each ingredient step

• Place dirty utensils in warm water right away

It seems small, but the results are huge. By the time cookies come out of the oven, the kitchen already looks tidy — and I can relax with a warm cookie and a cup of tea instead of scrubbing for an hour.