Cluttered cabinets, greasy stovetops, and dusty appliances make for a less-than-ideal kitchen. If this describes YOUR kitchen, it’s time for a kitchen spring cleaning.
I know. You wash the dishes right after meals, or fill the dishwasher. You sweep the floor daily, mop the spills, and wipe the countertops every evening. But how often do you clean the rest of your kitchen?
For most homes, the kitchen is the dirtiest room in the house. Did you know that? A kitchen harbors more germs than a bathroom, so keeping yours clean is important.
Here are five ways to make your kitchen sparkle and shine.
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Kitchen Spring Cleaning
With the first day of spring only weeks away, now is a good time to deep clean your kitchen. A clean kitchen will make you feel better about your entire home.
Last week, I gave our little kitchen a good scrub and the whole apartment feels cleaner. We spend more time cooking at home now, and less time dining at restaurants. Not only is our home cleaner, but we eat healthier and save money, too.
Ready to give YOUR kitchen a good cleaning? Grab your planner (here’s a good one) and block off an hour, an afternoon, or even a whole day. Whatever it takes to get your kitchen in shape for spring.
Then see the following tips.
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Make Your Kitchen Sparkle
Now that kitchen spring cleaning is on the calendar, let’s get started. Gather your cleaning supplies and slip on the rubber gloves. You’re about to have a cleaner, shinier, healthier kitchen!
1. Your Refrigerator
Your refrigerator is a good place to start your spring cleaning. Remove everything from the fridge. Throw away anything that is questionable or expired.
Remove the shelves and drawers, and wash them with soapy water. Wipe the inside of your fridge with soapy water or an antibacterial kitchen cleaner. Or, go green with a homemade cleaning product.
Finally, wipe the outside of your refrigerator (the doors and sides). Don’t forget about the layer of dust on top of the fridge!
OPTIONAL – If your refrigerator dispenses water, it likely uses a water filter. Now is a good time to replace the filter.
2. Your Range and Oven
Range and oven cleaning is a messy job, but someone has to do it! Try your best to clean drips and spills when they happen. This can make seasonal deep cleaning a little less messy.
For tough jobs, you might need a pumice stone or scouring stick, along with some elbow grease. A kitchen degreaser makes the job easier.
Be mindful of your cleaning products, though. Some are toxic to your health; others can damage your appliances. Always follow package directions, and keep your kitchen well-ventilated as you work.
Don’t limit your cleaning to appliance surfaces. Clean the oven racks, drips pans, and other removable parts.
And don’t forget the oven glass, stove knobs, and vent hood. They are a magnet for kitchen grease and grime.
OPTIONAL – Replace the drip pans under your stove burners. This will give your kitchen even more sparkle and shine.
3. Your Cabinets and Pantry
The cabinets in our small kitchen stay organized and clutter-free out of necessity. If you have a large kitchen or a big family, your cabinets may need a good cleaning.
Remove everything from your cabinets, drawers, and pantry shelves. Sweep away the cobwebs and crumbs, then wipe the shelves and drawers with a damp cloth.
Return your dishes, food packages, spices, and other items to their logical places. Spend a little extra time arranging and organizing everything to your liking.
Finish cleaning your cabinets by wiping the doors (inside and out) as well as the handles, knobs, and pulls.
OPTIONAL – Place new non-slip liners on the shelves before you restock your cabinets and pantry.
4. Your Sink and Dishwasher
Your kitchen sink is a workhorse. It sees a lot of action when you cook, clean, and craft. Keeping the sink clean is an important part of kitchen maintenance.
Whether porcelain or steel, your sink is susceptible to splotches and stains. An eraser-type sponge can remove splotches, and lemon juice works well for stains.
For a healthier kitchen, sanitize your sink with an antibacterial cleaner. Wipe the faucet and handles, too. Another option is to fill the sink with water and a splash of bleach to disinfect it.
Make it a habit to sprinkle baking soda on sink stains before they set in. Wait a while, then wipe and rinse with water. Baking soda not only fights stains, but also cuts drain odors.
If you have a dishwasher, run it on the deep-clean cycle. Add a cup of white vinegar to clean the gunk, grease, scum, and smells that build up over time.
OPTIONAL – To make stainless steel sparkle, use a quality stainless steel cleaner. Buff with a microfiber cloth.
5. Everything Else
When you do your kitchen spring cleaning, don’t forget about the small kitchen appliances. Things like your coffee maker, toaster, and microwave oven.
Remove the light fixtures and wash them with soap and water, or wipe them with a damp cloth. Sweep or vacuum under and behind your appliances, and follow up with a wet mop.
Clean and disinfect your garbage cans and recycle bins, too. All these “little things” will put the finishing touch on your kitchen spring cleaning.
Step back and admire your work!
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Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Is kitchen spring cleaning on your to-do list? How do you make your kitchen sparkle and shine?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll to the end to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
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Also, remember about preventive cleaning of drains. Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Next, pour a cup of baking soda and 1 cup of water/1 cup of vinegar solution. Cover with the drain plug and wait for 5 to 10 minutes. Then pour boiling water down the drain again. Don’t spend money on commercial drain cleaners. Although they may be effective, they can corrode the pipes.
Thank you for sharing this tip. Harsh chemicals are also harmful for your septic system, if your home has one. They disrupt the good bacteria there. I’m very careful with the cleaning products I use in the sink, tub, toilet, and washing machine.
Excellent point! I also find it necessary to add one important thing about garbage disposal cleaning. Some plumbers say eggshells help sharpen and clean the garbage disposal unit, and the coffee grounds help eliminate odors. While this may be true, it is also true that eggshell membranes and coffee grounds can clog your drains and pipes, especially if you have a septic tank. So it’s best to avoid putting eggshells and coffee grounds in the disposal. Use ice and citrus instead.
Since you started talking about the sink, I want to add a few words about the drains. Neglecting regular cleaning with vinegar and baking soda and pouring down things like grease and oils can cause clogs in your drains.
Thanks for the tip, Regina. Your advice is particularly important if you live in a house with a septic tank. Not only can grease, oil, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc. clog the drains in your home, they can also damage your septic system and cause expensive repairs.