Other than the living room, the kitchen is probably the most used space in most houses. Your kitchen is likely a mess after cooking or baking, from food spills on the stove to sauce stains on the counter. Not to mention the floors. Every drop of water is a dirt magnetic.
When was the last time you deep cleaned your kitchen? Whether you have a demanding job or you’re a busy parent, you might not have the time to thoroughly clean your kitchen every day.
But it’s not impossible either! Check out some easy ways you can make your kitchen sparkling clean in no time.
Table of Contents
1. Get a Lazy Susan
All those tiny spice containers strewn over your shelves can make cooking a nightmare. Save yourself the frustration and get a lazy susan to organize your spices. You can also place a lazy susan in your refrigerator to organize various condiments. Arrange your spices in alphabetic order. You will be surprised by how easy it is to find them. Don’t forget to check the dates. The older they get the less flavor they have.
2. Buy a Label Maker
When you’re buying containers to store pantry items and leftovers, make sure you pick transparent containers. This will ensure you can easily find what you need without having to open every container.
On the other hand, if you have opaque containers, you can improve them with a label maker’s help.
3. Lemon Is Your Best Friend
When it comes to keeping your kitchen looking clean and smelling fresh, there is no better ingredient than lemon. If your garbage disposal is smelling funky, drop a few lemon ice cubes in to make it better. To clean your microwave oven, put a slice of lemon in a bowl of water and microwave for a minute or two. You can also use lemons to clean cutting boards and other surfaces.
4. Always Keep a Scrub Sponge Handy
A scrub sponge has many uses other than cleaning dishes. Keep a separate sponge to quickly wipe things down after you’re done cooking. You can also use scrub sponges to clean the inside of microwaves, ovens, and other kitchen appliances. Sponges should be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly at the end of the day to keep them from having a bad smell. Depending on the sponge you can place a wet sponge on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it for a minute. This will kill the bacteria that are growing in the sponge.
Better than a sponge, buy or make a scrubby. Use a different one each day. They can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer and you will always have a clean one on hand. Red Hart yarn sells scrubby yarn that is gentle on the hands but tough on cleaning. There are many free patterns, sizes, and shapes that you can find on the internet. I like the round ones. I made a bunch several years ago and am still using them. They make great Christmas gifts. They can be used in the bath, facial scrub, etc.
5. Stock Up On Cleaning Supplies
Make sure you have dish towels, cleaning cloths, sponges, multi-purpose cleaning solutions, and other essential supplies on hand. You should store them conveniently under the sink or in a cabinet for easy access. Wore out washcloths made great cleaning rags. They are small and easy to use.
6. Line Fridge Shelves
Spilling food or drink in the fridge is inevitable. To avoid the inconvenience of taking out the shelves, line the shelves with silicone or plastic mats. These will also help keep your fridge odorless.
7. Clean As You Go
Do you usually clean up after you’re done cooking? This is not the most efficient practice. Instead, try cleaning as you go. If you’re waiting for something to come to a boil, use this time to put back the things you’re done using. Also, a great time to empty the dishwasher so it is ready for the next meal.
8. Use a Scrap Bowl
Going and opening the trash can every time you have to throw peels or packaging can get annoying. Keep a scrap bowl by your side when you’re cooking. And when you’re done, toss everything in the trash or compost. I live in a condo so I don’t have a garden with a compost pile. I like to use the plastic bags you get from the grocery store (when you forget to bring your reusable ones in). This way I tie up the scraps and throw them in the trash. It keeps the odor from the garlic and onion peels from smelling up the trash can.
9. Wipe The Stove Every Night
As soon as you’re done cooking, take a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe down your stove. It just takes a few minutes, and you will have a freshly cleaned stove the next day. If food boiled over, you may need to do a little extra scrubbing. A plastic scrubber with a little soap works well.
10. Soak Pots & Pans
If you have overcooked food, don’t waste your time scrubbing the burnt pots and pans. Let them soak in soapy water overnight, and you’ll be able to wash them effortlessly the next day. You may need a plastic scraper to get off the really stuck-on burnt food. The plastic scraper is great for both non-stick pans and regular pans.
Using a Quick Clean Checklist to Get Everything Done Fast
Featured Image by Solomon Rodgers from Pixabay
