Do you make a mess in the kitchen? The average American spends 67 minutes a day in their kitchen, or more than 400 hours every year.
One reason for this enormous amount of time is cleaning. Many homeowners do not know how to clean their kitchens, and they waste time doing things they don’t need. But if you can familiarize yourself with kitchen cleaning tips, you can find time for other things.
What are the first things you should do when cleaning your kitchen? How can you schedule your kitchen cleaning? When should you clean your dishwasher and windows?
Answer these questions and you can have a spotless kitchen in far less time than you think. Here are five essential kitchen cleaning tips.
1. Get Rid of Clutter
The best way to start cleaning is to remove all unnecessary objects from your kitchen. After you’re done with the newspaper and mail, you should recycle them. You should also remove decorations after parties are done and store them elsewhere.
If you have appliances, check to see that they are still usable. If they are broken, you should throw them away or get them repaired.
It’s okay to store food in your pantry, but you should only have food you will eat. If you notice cans that you don’t want, you should bring them to a homeless shelter and revise your shopping list so you don’t buy them again.
Food scraps can go in a compost bowl, and you can peel your vegetables and fruits in the bowl to save time. But you should bring the bowl into your garden before it overflows.
2. Clean as You Go
Before you start cooking, you should put your ingredients out in a line. Put them in order of how you will use them, then place measuring cups and bowls in front of them. You can then place bowls, plates, and cookware down.
After you are done with your ingredients, you should put them back right away. This will reduce the risk of knocking the containers over, and it will let you keep track of where you are in your recipe.
Clean up spills as soon as they occur. Use a paper towel or an absorbent rag to soak up the spill, then spray a cleaner to remove any residue or odor. Do not use water, as this can make your cooking surface or floor wet.
3. Create a Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning your home is easy when you break tasks down day by day. This lets you focus on the chore in front of you and prevents you from rushing. It also helps you remember what you need to do that day.
Write down what tasks you need to do and assign them to yourself over the course of a week. If other people live in your house, you can assign them chores as well.
You can also plan out when you will cook meals. If you find cooking and cleaning during the week difficult, you can cook batches during the weekend and heat up your meals before eating them. You can then focus on cleaning.
You can do some things before you start to cook, but you may need to clean afterward. If you want to clean your sink, you should let the water drain before scrubbing it with soap.
4. Start With High-Touch Areas
When you don’t know where to start cleaning, you should focus your attention on high-touch areas. If you use your microwave every day, you should clean the control panel, interior, and door. Find a cleaner that is specifically for microwaves and wait until your device has cooled off before you start to clean.
You should also clean your sink, including the handles on your faucet. Use an antibacterial spray to kill pathogens growing on the metal or plastic.
Your cabinets can have bacteria and grease on them. You can make your own degreasing solution by mixing a small amount of dish soap with hot water. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution, wipe the handles and areas where you see grease, and then let them air dry.
You should clean your own countertops, but you should use products specifically for your material. You can use bleach to clean after you’ve diluted it, and you should never use it on quartz and marble.
5. Do a Deep Clean Every Few Months
Even if you follow a good cleaning schedule, you should expect your kitchen to get dirty. Deep cleaning your kitchen every four to six months will help keep the entire room clean, even in areas that are hard to reach.
During your deep clean, you should clean your fridge and pantry shelves and doors. Make sure the shelves are even and will not spill ingredients over.
You should also clean the interior of your dishwasher and remove bits of food and other substances. If you have curtains, you should take them down and launder them. You can then clean your windows.
If you have trouble with kitchen cleaning, you can ask a cleaning service to come in and do a deep clean. Someone can also inspect your kitchen and let you know about problems like mold that need fixing. You can order a one-time cleaning before the holidays so you have a spotless kitchen for parties and formal dinners.
Incorporate Kitchen Cleaning Tips Into Your Life
Kitchen cleaning tips can make the difference between a nice night at home and a stressful one. Remove all clutter and remove your ingredients once you are done with them. Clear away any debris or spills so you don’t leave stains or odors.
Create a schedule so you know when you need to clean essential areas. Start with your countertops, essential appliances, and sink. Do an in-depth cleaning every few months, including cleaning your windows.
If you ever need help, call a professional in your area. Tops Mops Cleaning Service serves the Lexington area. Get a quote today.
