The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, but it can also be the messiest room. With busy schedules, it’s easy to let kitchen cleaning slip, but maintaining a sparkling kitchen doesn’t have to be daunting. Below are some quick and easy ways to ensure a clean and sparkling kitchen with minimal effort.
Daily Dish Duty
Soak Dishes Immediately:
Rather than letting dirty dishes pile up, take a few minutes to soak them as soon as you finish. This step will make dishwashing easier by preventing food from drying and sticking to the plates.
Use a Dish Rack:
Instead of leaving wet dishes on the counter, invest in a dish rack. It allows dishes to air dry and eliminates the need for towel drying, saving time and effort.
Wipe Down Surfaces
Clean Spills Immediately:
Whenever spills occur on countertops, stovetops, or appliances, wipe them up promptly to prevent stains and stickiness. Immediate action can make all the difference between a quick wipe-down and a tedious, deep cleaning task later on.
Keep Surfaces Clutter-Free:
Cluttered countertops can make a kitchen look messy and disorganized. Take a few minutes each day to clear away unnecessary items and put things back in their designated places.
Tackle the Fridge
Check Expiration Dates:
Regularly check your fridge for expired food items. Discard anything that has gone bad to keep your fridge clean and odor-free.
Use Fridge Liners:
Consider using fridge liners on shelves and drawers. These liners can easily be removed and cleaned, saving you from the hassle of scrubbing spills and stains.
Speedy Oven Cleaning
Use Self-Cleaning Function:
Many modern ovens have a self-cleaning function. Take advantage of this feature to effortlessly remove stubborn grease and grime. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using this function.
Place a Baking Sheet Under Food:
To prevent spills and drips from dirtying your oven, place a baking sheet under dishes that tend to bubble or overflow. This will catch spills and make cleanup a breeze.
Regularly Clean Daily-Use Kitchen Appliances
Clean the Microwave:
Microwaves can quickly accumulate food splatters and stains. To keep it clean and fresh, place a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and a slice of lemon inside and heat it for a few minutes. The steam will help loosen up any stuck-on food, and the lemon will leave a pleasant scent.
Clean the Coffee Maker:
Do this by filling the water reservoir with equal amounts of vinegar and water, then run a brew cycle. Afterward, run two cycles with clean water to rinse out any remaining vinegar taste.