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How to Get Your Kitchen Sparkling Clean

It's key to clean up your act in this part of your pad. Just follow our easy plan.

When you think about it, you practically spend as much time in your kitchen as you do your bedroom -- and it can get just as messy. Follow our easy plan to keep it looking more fab than frat-house.

Clean Weekly:

  • Appliance faces: Use a mild cleaner or make a paste of baking soda and water to clean. Dissolve grease on the stovetop with a sponge soaked in white vinegar.
  • Microwave: Soak the turntable in sudsy water while you wipe up interior splatters. Or try a steam clean: Fill a microwave-safe glass with 2 cups of water and either 1 teaspoon of vanilla or a few slices of lemon. Run on high for 5 minutes and wipe the sweet-smelling interior clean with a paper towel.  Here's some more expert advice on cleaning your microwave.
  • Countertops: Spray on an all-purpose cleaner (or run disposable wipes over the surface) and let it sit 10 minutes. 
  • Sink: Pour down several quarts of boiling water to flush out grease. Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar and scrub the basin with baking soda.
  • Floors: Wash tile or stone floors with 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water. For icky grout, mix 1 Tbl. bleach and 2 cups warm water. Scrub with an old toothbrush.

Clean Monthly:

  • Oven: If you don't have a self-clean oven, sprinkle salt on the residue while the oven is still warm. When it cools, scrape it up with a spatula and wipe clean with a cloth. Got stuck-on crud? Use a nylon scrubby sponge dipped in soapy hot water.
  • Fridge: Wash the interior with a solution of baking soda and warm water, about 1/2 cup of baking soda for every gallon of water. Clean the drain pan and vacuum underneath the refrigerator. Read more fridge-cleaining tips here.
  • Garbage can: Hose it down with hot water; then spray with a disinfectant.
  • Cabinets: Wipe them down with 1/2 cup white vinegar or a solution of 1/4 cup liquid oil soap and 1 gallon of warm water.
  • Dishwasher: Run a complete cycle with an empty machine (just detergent) for a clean, deodorized space.

Nestperts Jerri Farris, author of Home Improvement 101, and Donna Smallin, author of Cleaning Plain & Simple

-- Grace Jidoun

Jul 21, 2009

See More: Cleaning & Organizing , Decor Trends , Decor Tricks

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I swear, you can clean anything with white vinegar or baking soda!

by ajans43 on Jan 15, 2011

I use a bleach water solution, mixing one part bleach to nine parts water, it is safe for use food surfaces (most disinfectant cleaners are not)it works very well and gives a nice clean scent with out being too overwhelming, this trick is used in schools, daycares and health departments/dr offices the only thing is that it is only a disinfectant for 24 hours and its alot cheaper than buying the exact same thing in the store

by shonda marie on May 16, 2011

It’s great that there are different cleaning tips for you who are cleaning weekly or monthly. Some people have it hard keeping their kitchen clean and it could be because you are constantly using it for cooking food and putting your dishes. Thank you for sharing some good advice. Matt - hardwood flooring Winston Salem

by MattKent on Jul 29, 2011

Others might think that maintaining a clean and bacteria-free kitchen, or the entire home for matter, can be time-consuming but it would not be the case if we do it regularly. You do not even have to spend as much, just get the green cleaning products and they will last for more than a month depending on how often you would use them. For the collected oil in the kitchen, do not forget to dispose of it properly so that it will not clog your sink or leave a stain on your stove - you may consider the assistance of a grease collection Texas service provider as well. The important thing is to establish a workable cleaning habit for you and the family so that you can easily comply and it will not be take much of your time. You can have a great looking household and well-maintained kitchen with the help of your housemates.

by dianneselink on Sep 02, 2011

I always advise to use a professional cleaning company if you have the money but not to worry if you dont. My house cleaners in chester always recommend having a good declutter in each room before starting to clean. Be very careful with bathroom and kitchen as these harbour the most germs. Try to be as eco friendly as possible. Look forward to my next post on some house cleaning tips ;]

by Clean Queen on Sep 20, 2011

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it's practically become my bedroom, because I change in the kitchen, I work there on my laptop, I brush my teeth while I'm waiting for the coffee to be done. Recently I've seen I have "roommates", and I mean ants. All those solutions pest control make me feel like a little murderer, sometimes..

by CheyanneEdith on Oct 30, 2011

I clean a room every day after work. It only takes a few minutes to clean one room & the house stays clean. I do any big cleaning projects that need done on one of my days off, so I have my second day off open for what I want to do. But I'm single & have no children.

by debbylee55 on Nov 01, 2011

Our kitchen is known to be one of the most busiest place in our house that is why we should be able to maintain cleanliness all the time so that we can be able keep them attractive. With proper cleaning techniques we can be able to utilize more of these things for longer periods of time. Also, in the event that you will be having problem with your sink you can always call Metro Atlanta plumbers for they can be able to help you out with it. They are expert on this that is why it is a guarantee that you will be having a good service.

by dianneselink on Dec 08, 2011

True enough, the kitchen is one of the busiest areas in one's household and with proper maintenance its presentable appearance and functionality will remain for many years to come. With every aspect related to having a well functioning kitchen - from the counter tops, sink, thermowell installation, flooring and cabinets - their neatness and organization should be kept in mind.

by dianneselink on Jan 19, 2012