Introduction
Having a clean and tidy kitchen is so important to me. As someone who loves to cook and bake, I want my kitchen to be a welcoming and inspiring place, not a messy disaster zone! Over the years, I’ve discovered some secrets that help me keep my kitchen sparkling clean even with all the cooking and prepping I do on a daily basis. In this article, I’ll share my top tips for maintaining a pristine kitchen. From organizing techniques and cleaning schedules to the best products and tools, I’ll cover everything you need to know to get your kitchen looking shiny and new. With a little effort, you can have the clean kitchen of your dreams!
Daily Cleaning Habits
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Clear clutter – I start each day by clearing all clutter off my counters and surfaces. I put away appliances, wipe down counters, and make sure everything has a home. Clutter is the enemy of clean!
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Wash dishes – I wash dishes and utensils right after using them. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter is a recipe for mess. I find it’s so much easier to clean as I go.
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Take out trash – At the end of each cooking session or meal, I tie up the trash bag and take it out right away. Letting trash pile up stinks up the kitchen fast.
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Do a quick wipe down – I keep antibacterial wipes on my counter and do a quick wipe down of surfaces at the end of each day. This keeps grease and crumbs from building up.
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Sweep the floors – I try to sweep the kitchen floor each evening to stay on top of dropped food and debris that can attract pests and make floors feel grimy.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
To supplement my daily cleaning, I set aside time each week for a deeper clean:
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Clean appliances – I use a stainless steel cleaner and scrub pads to clean the exterior of appliances. For the stove, I remove burners and clean under and around them.
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Clean inside microwave – I remove built up food splatters by mixing lemon juice and water in a microwave-safe bowl, microwaving it for 2-3 minutes, then wiping down the interior.
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Clean cabinets – I wipe down cabinet fronts and clean inside cabinets, reorganizing and removing expired food as needed.
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Clean the fridge – I throw out old food, wipe down shelves, clean drawers and bins, and scrub the interior. A clean fridge prevents bacterial growth.
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Mop floors – I use a steam mop on vinyl floors and regular mop for tile floors. This removes stuck on debris.
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Disinfect surfaces – I spray down all counters, cutting boards, sinks, appliances and backsplashes with a non-toxic disinfectant spray.
Top Cleaning Products
Having the right cleaning tools makes cleaning easier. Here are some of my cleaning kit essentials:
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Dish soap – I use Dawn Ultra dish soap to cut through grease when hand washing dishes. A little goes a long way.
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All-purpose cleaner – Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day multi-surface spray is great for wiping down most surfaces. It has a light, pleasant scent.
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Disinfecting wipes – I keep a container of Clorox disinfecting wipes on my counter for quick cleanups. They kill 99.9% of bacteria.
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Baking soda – Baking soda is a versatile, non-toxic cleaner. I use it for scrubbing stainless steel, freshening drains, and deodorizing the fridge.
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Vinegar – Vinegar’s acidity cuts through grease and grime. I mix it with water to clean windows, appliances, and countertops.
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Steel wool – For tough stuck on messes, nothing beats good old steel wool pads. I’m careful not to scratch surfaces though.
Organizing Strategies
Organization is key for maintaining cleanliness. I implement these strategies:
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Store dishes/food closest to where you use them. Daily plates and cups go in the cabinets nearest the dishwasher. Cooking tools hang right by the stove.
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Use clear bins so you can easily see contents. Label everything clearly.
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Only keep items you use regularly. Donate unused gadgets and dishes.
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Group like items, such as baking supplies, oils, spices, etc. Designate spaces just for them.
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Keep lesser used items on high shelves or in low traffic zones. Reserve prime real estate for essentials.
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Have a donation box. When it fills up, drop it off so clutter doesn’t accumulate.
Conclusion
With consistent cleaning habits, the right tools, and an organized space, you too can have a stunningly clean kitchen! It does take some work but the results are so rewarding. A clean kitchen makes cooking and prepping food a pleasure rather than a chore. And there’s nothing better than sparkling clean, clutter-free counters to welcome you in the morning. Give some of these secrets a try – your kitchen will thank you!
