The Kitchen Spring Clean You Ought To Get Out Of The Way
Spring is upon us, which means that things are going to get both hotter and brighter, meaning that dirt, grime, and dust become a lot more visible. It also means that any unclean parts of the home can start to become a lot more noticeable through their smell now. As such, it’s time to get cleaning. Let’s start with a kitchen spring clean!
The kitchen is the one room of the home that might feel like a monumental challenge. However, here are some of the big tasks that you should get out of the way early so that it’s much easier to keep the room clean throughout the spring and summer.
How To Spring Clean Your Kitchen
Use A Checklist for Spring Cleaning
As more and more of us are looking for ways to save time, it makes sense that we try out a checklist when attempting to clean our homes. To get the job done efficiently without having too much on your plate, you can put together an all-purpose list with everything you need to take care of in one go.
Cleaning Produces You Will Need To Spring Clean Your Kitchen
- Microfiber cloth
- All-purpose cleaner or disinfectant spray
- Soapy Water
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Rubber Kitchen Gloves
- Scouring Pad
Cleaning out the appliances
There are a few appliances that we don’t often tend to clean manually, but rather use products that get the trick done. You do have to clean your dishwasher and your washing machine by hand every now and then. Similarly, you might want to take the time to empty and deep-clean the fridge and wipe it all down to make sure it’s smelling and feeling fresh.
Giving the cooker some TLC
The cooker is the part of the kitchen that takes the most punishment and throughout the year doesn’t get as much attention as it should. Take the time now to clean spills and grease out of the oven, as well as steeping and thoroughly cleaning any oven trays. Don’t forget to wipe down the hobs up top, too.
Getting your drawers in good order
Drawers accumulate a lot of dust and debris throughout the season and it’s important to clean it out now and then. Go drawer by drawer, emptying them entirely and brushing away any debris. You can use a drawer tray to make it much easier to start organizing the items that you’re going to keep, but don’t be afraid to throw away any utensils or items you’re not using. You can easily donate a lot of them if they’re in decent condition.
Taking care of the surfaces
You might wipe down the kitchen top on a regular basis, as well as the floor, but there are other surfaces that often miss the love that they should get. You can create an easy DIY cleaning solution using lemon and vinegar, and spray it on the backsplash as well as the cupboard doors to help refresh them for the season. Don’t forget to empty and re-sort your cupboards to get rid of what you don’t need, too.
Clean The Kitchen Floor
Grab a mop and a bucket of soapy water and clean the floor. You can also use baking soda to scrub your kitchen floors instead of using chemicals. It will give you great results, but don’t forget to wear gloves while cleaning with baking soda, as it is an abrasive substance.
Clean The Kitchen Countertops
Keeping kitchen surfaces clean is crucial for a hygienic food preparation area. Regularly wiping them down removes spills, crumbs, and bacteria, ensuring a safe and tidy cooking environment.
Clean The Kitchen Table
Wipe down the table with all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant spray.
Clean Windows
Clean the windows with a good window cleaner and a clean cloth, to leave sparkly clean windows. Maintaining clear and streak-free windows enhances the aesthetics of any space, allowing natural light to shine through. Using a quality glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth ensures a gleaming finish without smudges or residue.
Clean The Coffee Machine
Empty The Coffee Maker. Remove the filter and discard it.
Clean the chamber where you put the coffee grounds: scrub off any residue with a brush or toothbrush that has been dipped in vinegar, then rinse thoroughly and dry out completely before replacing to prevent mold from growing inside your machine.
Clean The Kitchen Cabinets
Cleaning out kitchen cabinets of old food items not only frees up space but also ensures that you’re not consuming expired or potentially spoiled products.
Replace Old Kitchen Towels
Keep dish towels clean and dry by replacing them every couple of months. Make sure to replace your dirty kitchen towels often with clean towels.
Clean The Range Hood
Remove the grease from your range hood by using a cloth dampened with all-purpose cleaner or vinegar to wipe away any residue, then dry thoroughly.
Clean Out The Fridge
Go through your refrigerator and freezer, removing items that are expired or spoiled. Throw them out immediately in the trash can rather than trying to store them – this will save you from having to deal with any unpleasant smells!
Clean Out The Junk Drawer
Empty the contents of your junk drawer onto a table or countertop. Sort through it, throwing away any items that are unusable and organizing the rest into different categories so you can easily find what you need when cooking in future.
Deep Clean the Microwave:
Place a microwave-safe bowl filled with a mixture of water and a few slices of lemon or a splash of vinegar inside. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. This will help loosen any dried-on food and eliminate odors. Afterward, wipe down the inside with a cloth.
Clean and Organize the Pantry:
Remove all items, check expiration dates, and discard expired goods. Wipe down shelves and consider using shelf liners. Organize items by type (cereals, canned goods, baking supplies, etc.) for easy access.
Check and Clean the Garbage Disposal:
Freshen it up by running a few lemon or lime rinds through the disposal, followed by cold water. You can also freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and run those through the disposal for a deep clean.
Clean and Sanitize Cutting Boards:
For wooden boards, scrub them with a paste made from salt and lemon juice. For plastic boards, they can often be sanitized in the dishwasher or by soaking in a bleach solution.
Clean Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans:
Dust and wipe down any overhead lights or fans. They can accumulate a surprising amount of grime over time.
Check and Replace Batteries:
This is a good time to check the batteries in your kitchen’s smoke detector and replace if necessary.
Clean The Kitchen Sink
Regularly cleaning the kitchen sink is essential to prevent bacterial growth and maintain a hygienic cooking environment. A sparkling sink not only enhances the overall appearance of the kitchen but also ensures that dishes are washed in a clean space.
Clean and Refresh the Garbage Can:
Empty and wash out your garbage can. Let it dry thoroughly and consider adding baking soda to the bottom to help absorb odors.
Clean and Sharpen Knives:
Use a honing rod or get them professionally sharpened. Dull knives can be more dangerous than sharp ones because they require more force to use.
Refresh and Replenish:
Restock any cleaning supplies that are running low. Consider adding fresh plants or herbs to the kitchen for a touch of greenery and freshness.
Create A Schedule To Stay On Top Of It
One of the big hassles of cleaning the kitchen is that we tend to do it all at the same time. Instead, do it once a week, but break each week up into different tasks to go along with the regular clean. That way, you’re not doing it all at once and it can feel much more manageable.
Cleaning a kitchen takes work, there’s no getting around that. However, with the tips above, you can at least get the band-aid off and take care of the most demanding bits first. This kitchen spring clean guide will help set you up on a road to a beautiful clean kitchen!