You love a clean kitchen—but, to find the time to clean it can be complicated. Don’t worry. You will find here some of our best tips to make clean your kitchen easier and have it done in much less time.
Before we continue, let’s not forget that this is not only a matter of appearances, it is about your family health. It is always important to clean and sanitize (killing disease causing bacteria) the utensils, dishes, and all surfaces of the kitchen. it may be hard to believe but, if you do a little research you will confirm, a dirty kitchen sink has more bacteria than your toilet seat. I know, I know…
Here are our 8 kitchen cleaning tips for you:
Circle Your Way Around
Always begin on the right side of your stove, and then move clockwise around the room. The stove is typically the dirtiest part of the kitchen, so ending with it keeps you from spreading dirt and grease. (First, soak drip pans and knobs in warm soapy water. By the time you’ve worked your way around, they’ll be easier to clean.)
Sanitize the Sink
To disinfect, clean your sink with soap and water first, then spray a mist of vinegar followed by a mist of hydrogen peroxide, and let air-dry. (Don’t mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together—spray one after the other.) If your sink is stainless steel, make it sparkle afterward by putting a few drops of mineral oil on a soft cloth and do a little buffing. This prevents water buildup, which deters mold and keeps the sink looking clean longer.
Do Dishwasher Duty
Once a week, shake baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe around the machine’s edges to remove stuck-on food or stains. To clean the inside, run an empty cycle with Dishwasher Magic, a product designed to kill bacteria like E.coli. During cold and flu season, add a quarter-cup of bleach to the regular dish cycle to kill bacteria, the dishes will be safe and sanitized after the rinse cycle is finished.
Love Your Oven
Keep the heart of your kitchen clean by lining the bottom with a nonstick oven-liner. It can be wiped with a paper towel, put in the dishwasher, and reused over and over.
Disinfect the Disposal
To get rid of odors, drop in a cut-up lemon, some salt and a few ice cubes. The lemon deodorizes, and the ice and salt clean away residue.
Avoid Paper Towels
Use microfiber cloths instead. When wet, they sanitize and clean floors, counters, glass and tile, and eliminate the need for other cleaning products. They’re reusable (machine-wash, hang to dry) and they are not expensive.
Clean as You Go
Another great idea is to clean as you go. By the time your done cooking you can have half the mess cleaned. Fill up your sink with hot soapy water as you start dinner. Place used dishes and pans in the filled sink so they’ll be soaking while you eat. And don’t forget to wipe up any spills immediately—don’t give sauces, oils or spices a chance to sit around.
Sanitize The Sponge
We all know that sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing it out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it’s shredded and smelly, replace it.
Love and high fives,
Jeane
