Your kitchen can be one of the hardest places to keep clean, since it’s the hub of your family’s activity and the place you prepare most of your meals. But keeping your kitchen clean doesn’t have to be hard work or add hours to your weekly schedule. Try these 10 kitchen cleaning tips and make your life easier!
#1 Keep your sink clean
Keeping your sink clean may seem like a simple task, but it’s important to actually maintain it. It’s possible for a sink to look dirty even though you wash it regularly. To avoid problems like these, make sure you thoroughly clean your sink as well as its surrounding areas every day. If you use bleach in your cleaning routine, be careful of splashes and work in an area where children and pets cannot reach.
#2 Get rid of odors
Avoid overloading your garbage disposal—if you’re trying to get rid of odors in your kitchen, it’s best to avoid putting smelly items down there. If you want to dispose of leftovers and food scraps, toss them in a sealed plastic bag before tossing them into your trash can. Just be sure not to use too much force with these bags as they might rip or tear open.
#3 Shine those appliances
To keep your appliances clean, remove built-up grime with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Be sure to wipe them down after use so you don’t have extra leftovers in there waiting to stick. Once every week or two (or as needed), it’s also smart to give your stovetop a deep clean. For example, boil a pot of water and sprinkle baking soda in it.
#4 Have food scraps go down the garbage disposal
Having food scraps go down your garbage disposal can cause it to get clogged. In addition, if you have a septic tank, food leftovers can damage it. Put them in a container and throw them out as part of your next garbage collection day.
#5 Deal with spills immediately
If you spill something on your floor, clean it up before it has a chance to soak in. This will make cleaning easier and less time-consuming later. And don’t forget to clean up drips from countertops and other places in your kitchen; these can add up over time as well. If you have children or pets, be extra vigilant about spills—they’re more likely to ruin your hard work if left for days or weeks at a time.
#6 Remove splatters from countertops
Sprinkle some cornstarch over a splatter of sauce or oil and let it sit for a few minutes. The cornstarch will soak up any excess oil, leaving your countertops clean. And if you notice sticky residue remaining on your countertop, just put some soap and water on a sponge to get rid of any remnants.
#7 Stay organized
One of our favorite tips for how to keep your kitchen clean is to be sure you keep it organized at all times. Storing food properly and cleaning up after each meal will help make cleanup time a breeze.
#8 Set up a cleaning schedule
Set aside specific times during your week for kitchen cleaning. If you’re living in a house or apartment with other people, get them on board with your schedule so you can keep your kitchen clean in a timely fashion. Don’t let one person own kitchen clean-up. Each person should take responsibility for their areas of responsibility on a regular basis. For example, if someone cooks and makes messes, they should be tasked with cleaning their own messes.
#9 Use gloves when cleaning messy areas
Gloves protect your hands from infection, so wear them when cleaning up raw chicken and other messy, food-related tasks. If you don’t have disposable gloves on hand, try wiping your hands down with an alcohol-based sanitizer to kill germs. You should also wash your hands before you begin cooking (with regular soap and warm water) in order to remove bacteria.
#10 Don’t use harsh chemicals
Harsh chemicals can be tempting for disinfection purposes, but they can cause damage to your skin. Rather than reach for harsh cleaners, use vinegar and water. Vinegar has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can kill most common germs in your kitchen. It’s also a cheap alternative to harsher cleaning solutions, and it has a fresh scent.
