Many consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home. It is the place where meals are prepared and eaten and for these reasons it is important that it is kept clean and hygienic. A kitchen must be kept clean to prevent and eliminate foodborne illness and must look and smell good at all times.
Saving time, energy and money
Gather your cleaning supplies and keep them within easy reach, as this will make your job easier and faster. Wear gloves to protect yourself against harsh chemicals. If you prefer, there are many websites that offer recipes for home cleaning remedies that can protect the environment and save money.
Prioritize which areas need to be cleaned first. Generally these areas are the dirtiest. Once they’ve been taken care of, you can work on those other areas that require just a quick wipe down or wipe down.
Starting from the top of the kitchen, work your way down toward the floor. Clean high places first, including light fixtures, above the refrigerator, and above kitchen cabinets. Then, using a damp cloth and cleaning solution, remove built-up grime from trim, handles, books, and the like.
Move to the sink next, rinsing it out first to remove any residue. Spray with a cleaning solution and leave for about 5 minutes. Rub if necessary and rinse well with warm water. While the sink is ‘soaking’ move your attention to something else.
Tackling the microwave and stove takes a little more time and a little more energy. To ensure your microwave is safely cleaned, remove the glass plate and wipe down the inside. However, cleaning solutions for use inside microwaves need careful attention and harsh chemicals should be avoided.
Remove the burners from your stove if possible and soak them in a cleaning solution along with the knobs. Using a mild cleaner, wipe down the stove top, then with a clean, damp cloth, wipe off any cleaner residue. Clean, rinse and dry burners before replacing them.
Take care of the small appliances next door as well as the refrigerator. Perhaps because items inside a refrigerator are kept out of site, it is an item in a kitchen that is often left unattended. However, it is necessary for the sake of good health that you clean yourself at least once a week. Old and expired food should be removed and the shelves washed with a warm soapy solution. This will keep your refrigerator looking clean, smelling good, and free of many germs.
Small kitchen appliances are often not easy to clean after use. One in particular is the blender or food processor. Cleaning consists of removing the attachable parts and letting them soak in hot, soapy water for a few minutes. Thereafter, a gentle wash will pry loose any food particles and leave your appliances looking clean and hygienic. If possible, keep small appliances behind doors to reduce dust and dirt.
The next items to be taken care of are kitchen counters and kitchen cabinet doors. Using a damp cloth and cleaning solution is all that is needed to remove dirt, grease and dust. Finally, the kitchen floor must be taken care of. Vacuum sand and dust, then mop to remove any dirt or stains.
Daily tasks
An important tip for kitchen cleaning is: in your kitchen, attend to spills and masses immediately. Prevention is the first step in keeping your kitchen clean and tidy. House cleaning doesn’t have to be an unpleasant chore; attending to cleaning on a daily basis will reduce time and energy. However, cleaning a kitchen must be precise, thorough and consistent.
Don’t let dishes pile up or get dirty in the sink. It is best to get into the habit of washing dishes after eating. Before you tackle the dishes, make sure the sink is clean, and once you’ve lathered and scrubbed, make sure you rinse them thoroughly. Employ an automated system when washing dishes; fill one section of the sink with hot soapy water and leave the other empty. Put clean, soapy dishes in the empty sink to rinse them. When you rinse them, put the dishes in the rack to dry or use a clean cloth to dry immediately and store.
Keep kitchen counters clean and tidy. This will not only provide a hygienic work environment, but also give you more work space. Clean spills from floors, countertops, stoves, and appliances as they happen.