Effective Ways to Clean Around the Kitchen

For all the time we spend cleaning around the house, have you ever wondered if there is something you can do differently that could be more effective?

Take the kitchen for instance, we can’t make it any more fun to clean but we can give you a few cleaning tips to get your dishes cleaner and make it smell a bit fresher.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the five kitchen cleaning tips we have for you.

Tip #1 – Soak Items before Putting Them in the Dishwasher

Some meals we make require the use of multiple pots and pans. When I’m done cooking and we are ready to eat our meal, I fill one side of the sink with hot soapy water, rinse and put the items in to soak.

After dinner all I have to do is lightly clean and rinse, put them in the dishwasher then put the dinner dishes in to soak. This can help make meal time clean up a bit easier.

I also keep a strainer over the drain, this way when the water is draining, pieces of food stuffs that shouldn’t go down the drain – don’t.

Tip #2 – Don’t Overload the Dishwasher

I know it seems a waste of space and time if you can’t get all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher in one load. I know how many of us overload the dishwasher because we don’t want to do two loads.

I also know no one likes to empty the dishwasher only to find half of what was just washed is still dirty – then you either wash by hand or soak to loosen the now stuck on dinner from last night then wash again.

If you don’t jam dishes in the dishwasher but give them a little room for the water and soap to do its job, you will find it is more efficient.

Tip #3 – Cleaning the Kitchen Sink Garbage Disposal

With all the meals we cook and what is allowed down the drain, over time the garbage disposal should be cleaned. Here are some of the best ways to clean the disposal safely.

Note: Use cold water when using the disposal. Turn the water on first before using the disposal and turn the disposal off first when finished.

Baking Soda

Start with about 1/4 cup baking soda and pour down the drain. Turn on the cold water then the disposal and let run for a few seconds. Now pour in 3/4 cup baking soda and let sit at least an hour but longer if you can. Run the water and disposal again.

If baking soda gets stuck around the drain as you are pouring it in, use a spoon or spatula to push it down.

Ice Cubes

Place about 4 ice cubes down the drain. Run cold water and turn on the disposal to grind the ice cubes. Ice cubes not only clean and help keep odors at bay, they also help dislodge and loosen oil and bits of food and help to sharpen the blades.

You can also fill an ice cube tray with white vinegar and use these frozen cubes to clean and freshen the disposal.

Tip #4 – Cleaning the Range Hood Filter

How many of us actually think to look up and under the range hood? Hardly ever I’m guessing, but we should as the grease that accumulates can be another place where odors are lurking not to mention it will not work as effectively as it should with all that grease stuck to it.

1. Fill the sink as full as you need it to cover the filter with hot soapy water. While it’s filling with hot water add in a few squirts of Dawn dishsoap. Swish with a spatula, if necessary, to mix the soap in.
2. Carefully remove the filter and set it in the sink to soak. Depending on hot dirty it is will determine how long to soak. Start with 15 minutes then see how easy it is to clean.
3. Use something like a dish brush to carefully scrub the filter. If necessary, add a little dishsoap to the filter and continue cleaning. The water should have cooled some after 15 minutes but if it’s still hot, use a pair of dish gloves.
4. Rinse and let air dry before putting back on.
5. If you cleaned the filter and it’s still a little dirty, repeat the hot water and soap treatment.

Tip #5 – Cleaning Kitchen Blinds

I know that cleaning blinds can be a pain but hopefully this will help make it a little easier. What you will need is a pair of tongs and microfiber clothes.

1. Wrap the microfiber clothes around the end of the tongs, overlapping the tip of the tongs.
2. Secure the clothes with rubber bands.

Close the blinds, then open them so the slats are straight or flat (and you’re looking threw them).

1. Spray a little of your cleaner (appropriate for the type of blind you are cleaning) on the microfiber.
2. Grip the tongs on the slates and pull down or across (depends on the blinds you’re cleaning).

These are just some of the ways to clean around the kitchen that are effective and time-saving ideas.