8 Habits For A Cleaner Kitchen

Today I will go over easy cleaning routine that I use in the kitchen. These steps are so quick and simple that you can easily pick up!

1. Microwave

While heating up milk this morning, I noticed how dirty the microwave was. Microwave is easily overlooked small appliance that needs regular cleaning. Sometimes we forget to put a lid on the food, and the unfortunate egg explosion happens. Normally I wipe it off as soon as the mess is created, but there are also times when we forget.

Take a whole lemon, cut it in half. Partially squeeze its juice into a bowl. Add just enough water, and microwave for 5 minutes. After it’s done nuking, let the mixture sit in the microwave for 3 minutes. This will allow the moisture from the steam to work into grease and grime in the microwave. Use the steam in the microwave to wipe surfaces clean. For harder stains, use a small tooth brush to work the dirt out.

2. Drying Rack

Drying rack collects dust easily because it is constantly holding moisture on the bottom tray. An easy soap with water scrub will be just enough. Be sure to use a small tooth brush to scrub the dripping racks. The mineral deposits will collect in the dripping tray.

3. Sink Drain

You can use the rest of the lemon solution heated up from microwave to clean the sink drain. Sprinkle some baking soda into the drain, and pour in the hot lemon solution. This will remove odor and unclog grease from kitchen drain.

4. Cupboards, Counter top & Backsplash

Vinegar is the go-to natural cleaner for most surfaces. Use a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle to clean the cupboards. Mist on cabinets, let it sit for a minute, and then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Please make sure the finish on your cupboards is not made out of wood. The vinegar may damage the finish on your wood surfaces!

Another tip is to go from top to bottom when cleaning up surface area, so dusts will not be picked up again from the bottom.

5. Dishwasher

Although it’s a cleaning machine, dishwasher needs a good cleaning from time to time. There is usually a filter at the bottom of the dishwasher (depending on your model). Food gets trapped in here after a cycle. It’s best recommended to clean them every once in a while. If you scrub food off plate before loading them into the dishwasher, this filter should normally be clean. However, if you live your life on the dangerous side, and like to place your dishes into the dishwasher dirty, the filters will need regular scrubbing and cleaning.

I use gentle cleaning solution for the dishwasher. For the sides on the dishwasher door, use a small tooth brush dipped with some baking soda paste to scrub clean the sides.

After 5 minutes, use water to wipe off the excess soap and baking soda.

*mix a little water into a bowl with baking soda to make a baking soda paste.

6. Sink

Our sink gets the most use on a daily basis. It is important to scrub it down with disinfectant regularly. Citric acid is great for cleaning the sink. It will take away soap scum; hard water stains and disinfects the area. Mix 1 table spoon of citric acid and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray it on areas in the sink and gently scrub with a sponge.

7. Dish cloth

Add the rest of the baking soda in a large bowl and add some hot water. Place dish cloth that I just used to clean the area inside. This solution will help deodorize the dish cloths. After soaking for 10 minutes, rinse and wash well with soap.

8. Garbage bin

The smelliest area in the kitchen is usually the garbage can. We compost everything we can, but sometimes there will be plastic wrappings for meat that gets smelly really fast especially in the summer.

I let garbage can sit under the sun with soap for a while, and wash it down with a hose.

If there is any leftover odor, you can sprinkle a light dust of baking soda at the bottom of the can before you put in garbage bag.