chuckmum6 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I have just mucked out my baking cupboard, due to finding yucky little grey beetles, when I went to open brand new bag of flour . They were stuck under the fold and moving about , so I have had a major clean out and bleach. I have thrown away four carrier bags of out of date stuff, dating back to 2005, I was shocked at how slovenly I have been. One bright note was I didn't find any more beetles, they must have been an added extra when I bought the flour and I now have a completely empty shelf! I did a recent clear out of the family medicine cupboard and went back to 2002 there, what a bad mum! I may now tackle the 'stuff' cupboard at Christmas, as I am on a roll! Am I the only one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 No your are not the only one. I am not confessing to any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 No your are not the only one. I am not confessing to any more. Ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Considering that I moved into my house in 2006, and therefore everything must have been packed and repacked at that point, I was slightly embarrassed to discover some stuff dated 2005 earlier this year! I take a rather cavalier approach to 'use by' dates, but that was worse than I expected. I had a thread in the 'All Things Nice' section about flour beetles - the trick apparently is to freeze your flour for a day or so when you bring it home from the shop, and I've not had a problem since I have been doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I always thought that the beetles got in after the flour becomes damp? I always decant the flour into a tupperware box when I get it home. I've never worked out why it's sold in paper. I had a big sort out of the cupboards this year & I was shocked at some of the vintages! Though I'm still hanging on to the spices circa 2002 as they still smell fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Phew not just me then, I had googled flour beetles and read about freezing it, unfortunately my freezers are packed just like everywhere else. I have bought replacement flour that comes in a box, fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I keep mine in plastic boxes which is why I was so surprised to find beetles in the flour; apparently they are in there when you buy it and freezing breaks the cycle. I just stick mine in the freezer for a day or two when I buy it. I'm having the kitchen painted this weekend and have got to clear everything off the worktops, windowsill, dresser ... and that's without going through the cupboards, I need to do some serious decluttering in my baking cupboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Interesting Olly, does the flour not get damp when it comes out of freezer? I understand the eggs are in the flour when you buy it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 They are just extra protein... No??? (My cupboards scare me... Therefore I prefer denial...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 No, the flour doesn't get damp when it comes out of the freezer. I actually prefer to use the plain straight from the freezer when making pasty as it is very cold *brr* By putting bags of flour into the freezer for a few days, or at least 24 hours, it kills any eggs that might be present and breaks the cycle. I then store my flour in old icecream tubs as they fit a whole bag in each - if you don't take it out of the bag that is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 They joys of having an unemployed teenage daughter who needs cash for Christmas. I paid her £20 the other week to totally gut the Kitchen,including a total clear & wash out of the cupboards - she did a brilliant job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I don't know how often I clean out my kitchen cupboards but I did empty them all gave them a good clean a couple of weeks ago. It took me 4hrs, won't be doing that again in a hurry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 They joys of having an unemployed teenage daughter who needs cash for Christmas. I paid her £20 the other week to totally gut the Kitchen,including a total clear & wash out of the cupboards - she did a brilliant job! I wish you lived near me! I'd gladly pay £20 for that sort of service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I was just going to say the same thing Olly! Sadly, if one of mine did it, I'd never find anything again, especially if their putting away of the dishwasher stuff is anything to go by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 They joys of having an unemployed teenage daughter who needs cash for Christmas. I paid her £20 the other week to totally gut the Kitchen,including a total clear & wash out of the cupboards - she did a brilliant job! I wish you lived near me! I'd gladly pay £20 for that sort of service! me too, I can't see Rosie doing it, paid or not... she can't even manage to pick up her dirty laundry from the floor and put it in the linen basket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I just had a bad cupboard experience just a moment ago. My bags of flour are being nibbled! I've just noticed that there is a hole in the back of the cupboard left by electricians. Although I have 3 cats who'd love to help, I think I'll get a humane trap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 They joys of having an unemployed teenage daughter who needs cash for Christmas. I paid her £20 the other week to totally gut the Kitchen,including a total clear & wash out of the cupboards - she did a brilliant job! I wish you lived near me! I'd gladly pay £20 for that sort of service! Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I am terrible with dates - i found a tin of baked beans going back to 2009 a few months back! OH spilt some treacle in the baking cupboard and left it, things have stuck to it and i can't shift it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Do we all stand up on our base units and clean the tops of the wall units too or am I the only idiot that does that I don't know why it gets so greasy up there, I've got to the stage now where I put a load of kitchen roll on the top so that I only really have to clean around the edges. I also hate cleaning the top of the fridge/freezer as that is so high up. Then there's the awful job of cleaning the cooker hood which gets very greasy. I would love to be able to pull my washing machine, dishwasher and 2 freezers out so that I could give them a good clean underneath but I can't see OH being willing to pull them out and put them back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I know what you mean... however I can't see them so get Phil to do it when he's visiting he does a lovely job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 It is quite shocking if you have to pull out an appliance and you see what is underneath and around the edges, how does it all get there My kitchen is fairly clean most of the time whereas my BIL & SIL's kitchen is dreadful, I dread to think what it's like in the hidden areas We only eat there once a year. Mine needs a deep clean at the moment, this may inspire me to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Sorry Mercedes, I think it might be just you! If it's on top of the cupboard ... I don't know it's there, I'm never going to see it so it doesn't worry me. I am fairly confident from a quick straw poll of trusted friends that I'm not alone in this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Sorry Mercedes, I think it might be just you! If it's on top of the cupboard ... I don't know it's there, I'm never going to see it so it doesn't worry me. I am fairly confident from a quick straw poll of trusted friends that I'm not alone in this! I agree Olly you are not alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I do clean the tops of my cupboards and fridge freezer about once a year. I stand on a chair though as I don't want to test my base units strength Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Mine only get done once in a blue moon too, usually when the Christmas decs come down and I do a spring clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
