Do you want to make your kitchen shine like a professional? Are you tired of scrubbing and wiping down surfaces for hours? Look no further – we’ve got the perfect solution for you! This blog post will show you how to clean your kitchen quickly and efficiently, just like a pro!
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Clean as you go
The first step to cleaning your kitchen like a professional is to “clean as you go”. This means that instead of waiting until the end of the day to do a deep clean, you should try to clean up messes and spills as they happen. Ensure all dishes are washed and put away, and all counters and surfaces are wiped down and free from food particles. Doing this throughout the day will help keep your kitchen cleaner for longer periods.
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Use the eye-level test
After you clean a surface, it’s always important to do the eye-level test, bending down to see it at eye level and looking for any overlooked grime or dirt. This is especially important when cleaning the kitchen, as it allows you to spot any hidden mess that might have been missed otherwise. Use a soft sponge or cloth with a solution of warm, soapy water using a mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid for regular washing. Get every last crumb by checking your countertops at eye level after you’ve cleaned them, and then crouch down to do an eye-level test underneath the appliances and other items around your kitchen for a thorough clean.
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Clean out kitchen cabinets
After completing the eye-level test, it’s time to move on to cleaning out your kitchen cabinets. Empty everything and take stock of what you have. This is a great time to inventory leftovers and conduct a reliable sniff test. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to clean. Make a cleaning solution by mixing white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Leave the abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes to your sink; harsh scrubbing can damage kitchen cabinets’ finish or paint. Instead, prepare a lint-free cloth with a mixture of dish soap and warm water and wipe down the shelves and drawers. For stains such as coffee, tea, grape juice, and cranberry juice, try a paste of baking soda and water or baking soda and lemon juice. Use your vacuum to clean out cabinets for another kitchen cabinet cleaning hack. Finally, as you circle the room, wipe the doors and pull of the upper cabinets and anything else (frames, hooks, vent grates) you encounter. Pro Tip: Instead of relegating cabinet cleaning to the end of your task list, consider cleaning it daily to avoid build-up.
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Make an inventory of the leftovers
It’s important to make a kitchen inventory of all the leftovers you have around. This will help you plan meals better, use up what you have, and avoid wasting food. To take an inventory, start by listing all the food items in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Take note of expiration dates so you can prioritize using certain items first. You can also get creative and come up with delicious recipes that use ingredients you already have. This is a great way to save money and limit food waste in your kitchen.
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Carry out the reliable sniff test
Now that you’ve gone through all the steps, it’s time to ensure your kitchen is clean and free from any lingering odours. To do this, carry out a reliable sniff test. Give your kitchen a good smell and see if any lingering odours need to be addressed. If you notice something, try using natural air fresheners like lemon or baking soda to help neutralize the odour. Additionally, make sure to keep your dishcloths and sponges fresh and clean so that they don’t become sources of unpleasant smells in your kitchen.
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Mop the floor
Now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of kitchen cleaning: Sweep and mop the floor to clear crumbs, dust, and other things you’ve dropped during cooking. To keep your kitchen floor clean, you don’t necessarily have to use a mop and a bucket. Instead, use Reichert’s spritz-and-dry mop technique for weekly cleaning. Gently mix 1/4 cup vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle filled with warm water and lightly mist the kitchen floor. Then go over it with a microfiber mop or cloth and allow it to air dry. Your mop and bucket should always be cleaned after each use to avoid re-soiling your floors. A dirty mop or bucket will reapply grease and other types of dirt onto the surface, so make sure they’re clean before you start!
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Clean stainless steel
For stainless steel, use a soft cloth and a gentle cleaner like Bon Ami or Bar Keeper’s Friend, being sure to address nooks and crannies with a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice for particularly stubborn scratches. Keep rubbing to buff away the scuffs, then rinse and wipe it dry. You can also steam clean the surface with a nozzle attachment for a deeper clean. Always scrub in the direction of the grain for the best results.
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Forget the prep bowls
In addition to cleaning and sanitizing your kitchen, don’t forget to clean out your prep bowls. Prep bowls are great for keeping ingredients handy while cooking, but they can easily get cluttered. To keep your prep bowls organized, wash them after each use and store them in an easily accessible place. This will ensure that your kitchen is neat and tidy and that all your ingredients are fresh and ready to use.
- Sanitize it with a bleach mix
After cleaning the kitchen, it is important to sanitize it with a bleach mix to ensure that all surfaces are properly disinfected. A maximum of one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water is an effective sanitizer and should be left on surfaces for about two minutes for optimum results. You can also prepare a sanitizing solution by mixing one tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of warm (not hot) water. For extra precaution, you can also soak appliance parts that cannot be boiled, such as wood, in a large pot filled with nine parts water and 1 part vinegar. Finally, create a new diluted bleach solution daily, as bleach solutions will not be as effective after being mixed with water for over 24 hours. Keeping your kitchen clean and sanitized is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment at home.
- Maintenance routine for your kitchen
Once your kitchen is sparkling clean, it’s important to establish a regular maintenance routine to keep it looking its best. Set aside time for periodic deep cleaning tasks, like wiping down surfaces and cleaning out cabinets and drawers. Additionally, you can wash down any stainless steel surfaces with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Finally, keep up with the reliable sniff test – if something has gone bad, get rid of it! Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your kitchen clean and organized.
