The kitchen should be the cleanest place in your house because the hygiene conditions of kitchen affect the health of the family members. Everyday use of oils and other cooking products lead to the deposition of grease and dirt on the kitchen cabinets, counters, floors, and walls. You cannot avoid the build up of grease and dirt, however, regular cleaning helps keeps this buildup down. Also cleaning a kitchen is not any herculean task as common household ingredients are quite effective for cleaning kitchen.
Complexity level: Moderate
Time required: 1-2 hours
Resources required:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Bucket
- Rag
- Spoon
- Sponge
- Terrycloth rag
- White distilled vinegar
- Household ammonia
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the cleaning solution for wooden surfaces
Pour a gallon of warm water into a bucket and to this, add 1 tbsp. of baking soda. Stir water well so that the baking soda is dissolved. Wet a rag in this baking soda mixture. Make sure that the rag is wet and is not soaked.
Step 2: Wash all wooden surfaces using this cleaning solution
Wash the counters, cabinets, and wood-paneled walls using the wet rag. When the dirt from the cabinets and counters become visible on the rag, rinse it again in the baking soda water, and wring it out again. Wash the entire wooden surfaces using following this step. Now, take a second rag and wet it under warm running water. Wash all the cabinets and counters using this second rag as you did in the previous step in order to prevent the baking soda build up. If required, rinse this rag again under running water. Allow the counters, cabinets, and walls to dry completely.
Step 3: Prepare cleaning solution for non-wooden surfaces
Wet a sponge with warm water and wipe down all the cabinets, counter, and appliances thoroughly so that the entire residue from daily kitchen use is removed. For cleaning the floors, use a clean rag or clean mop. Pour 1/2 cup of household ammonia into a bucket. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 gallon of water into the bucket. Stir the mixture so that they mix up properly.
Step 4: Wash the non-wooden surfaces with this mixture
Using your vinegar mixture and a terrycloth rag, wipe down the cabinets, counters, wall, and appliances. Again, keep in mind that the rag must be wet, not soaked. Start with the top of the cabinets and work your way down. Do not forget to clean the crevices and corners of the cabinets and counters. To clean the floor, use the same mixture along with a clean rag or mop. Using a sponge or rag wet with water, clean the vinegar off all surfaces. For the floors, use a clean mop head wet in water. Dry off all the surfaces using terrycloth.
Step 5: Remove all the items from the refrigerator
Before cleaning the refrigerator, you have to remove all the items from inside the refrigerator and place them on the counter. Remove drawers and shelves from the refrigerator. Make your sink full of water and liquid dish soap and place these drawers and shelves in it. To remove the built up food on them, wash them thoroughly using a sponge or dish scrubber. Now, rinse them under running water and dry them using a clean towel.
Step 6: Clean the inside walls of the refrigerator
Soak a sponge or clean rag in warm water and liquid dish soap. Using this sponge or rag, clean the inside walls and doors of the refrigerator. If required, rinse this sponge in clean water. Replace all shelves and drawers inside the refrigerator. Place all the food items back into the refrigerator. Follow these steps to clean the freezer.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How can I clean my old kitchen sink?
A. Old kitchen sinks have been filled with everything from baby baths and soaking laundry, to dirty pots and pans. There are methods that can be used on old sinks for restoring them without damage or harsh fumes. The instructions for cleaning an old kitchen sink are given below:
- First, rinse the sink with hot water and use a sponge to rinse the faucet and the edges of the sink.
- Take baking soda and sprinkle it over the sink’s surface generously. Using the sponge, scrub the baking soda into the sink, concentrating on stained areas. Once you are done with scrubbing, rinse the sink of the baking soda.
- Add 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 cup of lemon juice in a sink full of hot water in order to sanitize the sink and then scrub with a sponge. Rinse the sink thoroughly with clean water.
Q. How can I clean the kitchen tiles effectively?
A. For cleaning the kitchen tile, follow the instructions given below.
- Pour warm and clear water in a bucket and dip your mop into it.
- Clean the tiles floor suing this mop in a methodical pattern. Make sure that no one walks on the just-mopped section.
- Throw away the water in the bucket once it starts looking dirty.
- Use a rag in place of mop for cleaning the back splashes and counters. This method for cleaning the tiles must be used at least once in a week.
Quick tips
- In case you are dealing with glass surfaces such as windows, you can use a commercial glass cleaner. This commercial cleaner can also be used to return shine to a flat top range.
- Remove the dust from the top of appliances, cabinets, and furniture on a regular basis.
- It is much better to wipe down the spills as soon as they happen, otherwise it will become very difficult to remove, once it dries up.
Things to watch out for:
- For cleaning your oven, follow the manufacturer’s specific directions as proper cleaning instructions vary for different ovens.
- You will be required to follow a different approach when you are dealing with heavy grease build up. Sprinkle borax powder on a clean, damp rag. Now, rub the surface with this rag to remove the grease.
- Make sure that all the cleaning agents are stored at a place which is out of the reach of your children.
