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.

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Food and Expiration Dates, What Do They Mean?

Are you someone who diligently watches the expiration dates on food and other products you have in the house for the safety of your family? It’s OK if you do but – do you really need to worry about these expiration dates?

I don’t like the taste of sour cream, milk or mayonnaise when they’ve been opened and in the refrigerator for too long; and some yogurt products taste sour when opened just slightly past the expiration date, while other yogurts taste pretty good a few days after the expiration date.

I have found that all the above items can last longer than the suggested date on the package if you store them properly. If my refrigerator settings are off a little, the milk won’t last as long, same with the yogurt.

Most meats, for example, lunch meats, ground beef, chicken, steaks, bacon, etc., I find the Sell By and Use By dates pretty accurate. And meats are one of those products that you can visually see and smell if they’ve gone bad.

What are Sell By, Best if Used By, Use By Dates?

Manufacturers put a Sell By date on their products that suggest a date retailers should pull products from the shelf. The Sell By date is determined by manufacturer product testing (various methods that have not been standardized) and used so the consumer can enjoy the quality, flavor and freshness of a product.

The Sell By date does not mean a product is bad after this date; some products will actually remain fresh and good well beyond the Sell By date when unopened.

Best if Used By and Best By dates are there to inform the consumer when to use or freeze an item for quality freshness, flavor, etc.

Some bread when stored properly can have a longer shelf life than the Best if Used By date. Same with honey, some sugars, table salts, cornstarch, vinegar, dry pasta, crackers and chips. Even lettuce can keep longer than the Use By date, eating it when it’s a little wilted is OK just don’t it if it’s started to decay.

Meats, fruits or vegetables frozen before the Best if Used By or Use By date can extend the life of the product.

What Else can Cause Food to Spoil before an Expiration Date?

There are however, circumstances that can cause foods to spoil even before any of the suggested dates on packages. For instance, if you leave a loaf of bread open on the kitchen counter, chances are it will go stale more quickly than if stored properly. Fresh bakery breads may only stay fresh a few days before mold sets in.

Incorrect storage can cause fruits and vegetables to spoil more quickly. I don’t know about you but I like my onions, peppers and celery crunchy not soggy. We typically eat our fruits and vegetables quickly so they don’t tend to spoil before we’ve finished them but there have been times I’ve stored them incorrectly or they stayed in a container too long, but you know what they say …. “Nothing lasts forever”.

That being said I don’t like wasting food. Have you ever tossed out wrinkled tomatoes? I use mine, as long as there is no sign of mold. I’ll throw some in a pan with oil, a little salt and pepper and cook them until they are soft and the skin breaks. Either cooking them in a pan or in the oven brings out the natural sweetness. I add them to other vegetables, eat them as I’ve cooked them, or add them to the pasta sauce, they’re great.

One thing I’ve learned is the Sell By, Use By and Best if Used By dates are suggested dates.

Environmental conditions can make a difference to the expiration of foods. Refrigerator settings, packaging and storage can all make a difference in how well and how long foods can be stored.

If in doubt, toss it out. If unsure or if there happens to be no date – use your eyes and nose. If it looks icky and smells icky changes are it is icky – throw it out.

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Getting Creative in a Small Kitchen

If you live in a small home or apartment and are limited on kitchen storage, have you thought about looking to your vertical space for additional storage options?

This can be a creative way in your kitchen to utilize wall space to store pots and pans, utensils, accessories, etc. If this is something you are open to, here are a few ideas that might be a solution you can work with:

Using Steel Scaffolding Pipe in the Kitchen to Hang Pots and Pans

You can find these reclaimed steel scaffolding pipes in a salvage yard and possibly a local antique shop. If you have that industrial vibe going on in your kitchen décor, this can add a nice little pop of interest to a wall. You can use S-hooks to hang your pots and pans.

Hang Pots and Pans on Old and Rustic Picket Fencing

If you’ve got a little country charm going on in your home a rustic old piece of reclaimed picket fencing can be used in the kitchen to hang your pots and pans. Look for fun coat and hat hangers to attach to the fencing to hold pans and accessories.

If you can’t find a piece of old fencing, take a look at your local big box craft store as they have all sorts of great finds.

Wood or Metal Pegboard for Kitchen Storage Options

Pegboard can be found in sheets of wood or metal. You can find these in your local Home Depot type of stores and they can cut them down to size for you as well. If industrial is your style, the metal pegboard might be a good option for you. Wood pegboard can be painted to match the colors of your kitchens décor.

There are accessories you can find for pegboards like hooks and baskets that can be used to hold pots, pans, cooking utensils, herbs and more.

Use Shelving in the Kitchen for Storage

There are many shelving options available as well that you can use in the small space of your kitchen. There are free standing shelves or sturdy shelves for hanging on a wall. If you have kitchen appliances of a particular color, it can be a nice way to display them and matching baskets can hold pantry items.

If counter space is limited, shelving can hold the toaster, and you can create a nice little nook for holding wine bottles and glasses.

Grow Herb Garden on Towel Rail in the Kitchen

If you like to grow some of your own herbs, have you thought about using a towel bar? They come in many finishes and sizes. Hang these in an area of the kitchen that gets plenty of sunlight streaming through the window or hang it across the window itself.

You can use steel hooks to hold decorative metal baskets and buckets for your kitchen herb garden.

Just because you are limited to a small kitchen space does not mean you can’t overcome the storage issue. There are many creative ideas and these are just a few.

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Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless steel appliances are very popular in homes today where years ago, they were only found in commercial and industrial kitchens.

Stainless steel appliances are sleek and beautiful – and have you noticed – they are hardly ever stain-less.

If you have stainless steel appliances, you already know the pros and cons and you may equally know the frustration with keeping them clean and fingerprint free.

From the time we got our new stainless steel appliances, I can’t remember when I wasn’t cleaning them or taking a towel to polish them up after using them. Ho Hum!

By following our time saving tips, your stainless steel appliances can be easy to clean and have a flawless, factory finish look once again.

It Doesn’t Have to Be a Losing Battle

I love my pretty appliances and I’m not the kind of person to throw in the towel. No way! Don’t you give up, either; it doesn’t have to be a losing battle, especially when you paid the high price.

Clean Your Stainless Appliances Regularly

Think about how many times a day you and your family use the refrigerator. How often is the microwave opened and closed? Then there’s the toaster and stove.

I’ve gotten into the habit of wiping down the appliances at the end of the day. With the five of us, we’re using our appliances quite a bit.

Important: remember to clean stainless steel in the direction of the grain. And never use anything abrasive as it can scratch the surface.

General Cleaning

Wet a lint free cloth (we use cotton cloth rags such as baby diapers) with warm water and wring it out so it’s just damp, then wipe down the appliances. Dry and polish with a dry lint-free cloth.

You can also use plain white vinegar to wipe down your appliances. Just apply some to your clean lint free cloth, clean and dry.

For larger appliances like the fridge and stove, I clean in sections so I don’t have to worry about water drying and leaving spots before coming back to dry and polish.

Cleaning Grimy Fingerprints

This has got to be one of the most complained about things for any of us that own stainless steel appliances. The dreaded fingerprint marks.

Again, you can use plain white vinegar as we mention above. But what else can you use in place of vinegar?

Liquid Detergent

I use a few drops of Dawn dishwashing detergent mixed in a small mixing bowl with warm water. Dip your cleaning cloth, wring it out, and clean the grime.

Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.

Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner

Here’s another product you can use to clean fingerprints from your stainless steel appliances. There are many on the market, the one I purchase happens to be Seventh Generation. It’s a multi-surface cleaner.

I apply the cleaner I’m using to the cleaning cloth first, then clean the appliance. If the fingerprint is particularly grimy or greasy, I will spray a little directly on the offensive print and wipe it clean.

Be sure to dry immediately so you’re not left with any spots.

Cleaning Burnt or Caked on Food

Here’s a quick tip for getting caked on, burnt on food off the stovetop:

Dab a little liquid dishwasher detergent (again, I use Dawn) on the spot and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the burnt on or caked on foodstuff.

Use a nylon scouring pad to gently rub and get the spot off. Repeat with the dishwashing detergent if necessary.

When the food has come off, rinse the area with water and dry.

Polishing Stainless Steel

When you’ve finished cleaning your stainless steel and you want an extra pop of shine, here’s the trick:

Mineral Oil

Apply mineral oil to a clean, dry, lint-free cleaning cloth and buff it in to the stainless steel for a great look.

Don’t overdo the oil though; you only need a thin layer to make it shine.

Stainless Steel Wipes

Another option isCerama Bryte stainless steel cleaning & polishing wipes. They are ready to use and are easy for touch-ups and spot cleaning.

With just a little loving maintenance and a little bit of effort you’ve cleaned your stainless steel. Now you can stand back, look at your kitchen and enjoy the shine of your appliances again!

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Cleaning Tips for Stainless Steel Sinks

Everyone I know (except for my kids) gets a little crazy when there is dirt or fingerprints on their stainless steel appliances.

I know that the smudges and streaks bother me, so I wipe down my stainless steel every night to keep it clean and shiny.

Our sinks take a beating every day. We toss silverware in the sink, we put hot pans in the sink to soak, and food gets dried and stuck on the surface and that’s something I don’t care to look at.

A dirty sink can really make the entire kitchen look dingy. This is never a place to neglect when cleaning especially when the kitchen can be the gathering place when you have family gatherings or company over.

How to Naturally Clean a Stainless Steel Sink on a Regular Basis

You probably bought a stainless steel sink because it is popular, durable, and goes with most home decors – so on that note – don’t neglect it.

Cleaning it each night can help keep it looking great for a long time. And you really don’t need to use a commercial product when you most likely have natural cleaning products in your home already.

When we’re done cleaning the dinner dishes, we give the sink a quick clean each night. All you need is a little baking soda and water.

Baking soda is abrasive enough to clean water spots, stuck on food particles, and it’s a natural deodorizer.

1. While the sink is still wet, sprinkle a little baking soda in the sink.
2. Use a soft, nylon brush, or if you don’t have that a dish rag will work, and scrub the whole sink. If the baking soda is a little too dry and clumping, add more water to make a paste.
3. When you’re finished cleaning, rinse clean with water.
4. To disinfect, pour white vinegar on some paper towel and wipe down. Or if you’re like me and keep a bottle of vinegar and water under the sink, spray the sink and wipe down.
5. Dry with another piece of paper towel.

You’re done! And it only takes a few extra minutes.

Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Sink Cleaning

1. In a container, mix 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt with 1/4 cup baking soda.
2. Add 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide. Stir well (it will make a bubbly paste).
3. Use a sponge or dish rag to apply the paste to the sink area. Be sure to get in the crevices and don’t forget to clean the sink strainers.
4. Allow the mixture to remain on the surface for 3-5 minutes.
5. Using a toothbrush or soft scrub brush, make small, circular movements with the brush to remove dirt, grime, grease and stains.
6. It can take some time to clean the sink if it has not been done regularly.
7. Rinse the entire area with clean water.
8. Dry using paper towels.

Shining Your Stainless Steel Sink

To give your stainless steel sink a nice shine follow up with this stainless steel cleaning tip.

1. Apply a small amount of olive oil to a soft cloth.
2. Rub the entire surface of the sink and faucet. Don’t use too much oil or the sink will look and feel oily and will attract dust and dirt.
3. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and spray the sink area.
4. Polish the sink with a Sham-Wow or other cloth until it shines. Now it will look like it was just installed in your kitchen.

Keeping Your Stainless Steel Sink Looking New

• To help keep your sink clean use a perforated rubber mat in the sink. This will cut down on scratching and marks that can be left by pans and tableware.
• Keep a small container in the sink where silverware, knives, rags or sponges can be deposited. I use an old Tupperware container. Before meals I add a couple drops of liquid dishwashing soap and some warm water to the bowl. By the time the dishes are put in the dishwasher, any stuck on food, rinses right off.
• Never use steel wool or harsh, abrasive cleaners as it can scratch the sinks surface.
• Don’t scrub against the grain lines, this will damage the original finish and could cause permanent scratching.
• You shouldn’t leave steel or cast iron cookware or implements on the surfaces for extended periods of time. This can cause corrosion and staining.

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Cleaning Dirty Dusty Refrigerator Coils

Cleaning your refrigerator not one of the most fun cleaning jobs. But, it is a necessary one if you want to keep your refrigerator running at peak performance.

And this is important!

A refrigerator that is not running at its best is dangerous and costly.

If your refrigerator does not maintain the proper temperature, then you run the risk of contaminating your food with bacteria and other nasty stuff that can make you and your family very sick.

Also, a refrigerator with dirty coils will use more electricity. And, who wants to pay a higher electricity bill? Well…. Not me for sure!

Now that we have established that cleaning your refrigerator coils is a necessary evil, the good news is that it’s not such an evil process after all.

In fact, you only have to do it twice a year to be most effective and it doesn’t take as long as you may think. Okay, it does involve getting down and dirty, but it’s over quickly.

And it’s so easy even a girl could do it, yes it’s me! (Mrs Clean) I’m not much of a girl any longer and before a few to many more years I could even be a grandmother- But I still do clean the condenser coils, it’s not a big deal and it only takes a few minutes.

So were you going to give my instructions to your husband (which is fine) or are you going to give it a go yourself. It really isn’t hard at all, as long as you have the ability to bend down and reach. The coils are on the bottom of the refrigerator, so if you have back or neck problems, then let’s get the younger ones to help you out with this..

I just wanted to point out just how nicely we talked you all into doing all that. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really great, because the coils need cleaned. We’re just used to having to cajole our readers, but you all look like a very sensible bunch. Congratulations for being so sensible!

Power Off Your Refrigerator:

You need to turn off your refrigerator. You don’t want to get electrocuted while cleaning those coils.

This can be done by pulling it out away from the wall and unplugging it, or, if you have a model that is built in, then you can simply turn off the circuit breaker to the refrigerator.

If you have to turn off the circuit breaker, just be sure the refrigerator is off before you begin. You don’t need any fancy equipment to check the circuit–just open the door of the fridge and make sure the light is out (that is if the light wasn’t out to begin with).

Remove The Kick Plate:

You will need to expose the coils under your fridge to clean them. This means you will have to remove the kick plate at the front bottom of your frig.

You may find this easier to do with the door open. On some model refrigerators, the kick plate is held on with two little screws and on other models it is held on with clips.

If you don’t know or can’t tell, consult your owner’s manual. By the way, this is the down part. You pretty much have to get on your hands and knees to have access to the refrigerator coils.

Vacuum Up All Loose Dirt:

Okay, now for the dirty part. You should start by vacuuming out any loose dust and dirt. The crevice tool, the long skinny one that you never really use on your vacuum, this is where it comes in real handy.

Go Over The Coils With The Refrigerator Brush Tool:

You are now going to want to clean the coils off. The best tool for this job is a refrigerator brush.

It is like a bottle brush, but made specifically for this job. You will want to brush the coils lightly so you don’t damage them, but with enough effort to dislodge any built up dirt and grime.

Clean out the Crevices:

Use that crevice tool again to vacuum up any dirt you dislodged from the coils.

Replace Kick Plate:

Finally, the dirty part is over and you can replace the kick plate.

Power It Up:

The last, and most important step, don’t forget to turn the circuit breaker back on or plug the refrigerator back in before you push in back into place.

Congratulations To You!

Awesome Job. A well done job always gives a good feeling.

So, mark your calendar and schedule this put for the future too (Spring and Fall — when you usually do all your major cleaning projects) and follow these steps and you will be done in no time.

Now, your refrigerator has clean coils, your food is safe, and your electric bill won’t be unnecessarily expensive. You can put this down & dirty job out of your mind for the next six months.

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Tips for Tidying Up the Kitchen

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s true for most of us. It’s a busy place with people buzzing in and out all day long.

The kitchen is a hard working room and a room that seems to get messy real fast. If you’ve got kids, you know how a kitchen can be perfectly clean at 3:00 and at 3:15 when the kids get home from school, it looks like a bomb hit.

From cooking messes to paperwork, to mud tracked in from an early morning dog walk, the kitchen sees it all. And I’m guessing if you’re like me, you probably pick up and clean it often throughout the day.

Keeping the kitchen clean is not a losing battle, although I know it seems that way at times! With the following kitchen cleaning tips, you can streamline your efforts and enjoy a clean kitchen most of the time.

Get the Kitchen Organized and Clean!

Maybe the kitchen is not as dirty as you think? Maybe the problem is one of disorganization more than anything else?

The first step in organizing your kitchen is to purge. Take a hard look at what you have. If you have gadgets that haven’t been used in years, do you really need them? Keep only the things you use on a regular basis.

Go through all drawers and cupboards. Throw out all broken and useless items. In the pantry, toss out-dated items and organize by food types – breakfast cereals, snacks, canned foods, etc.

Instead of keeping every appliance on the countertops, create storage space in cupboards and the pantry. Only keep out the items that make sense and are really used on a daily basis, like cooking utensils, stand mixers, etc. I know this isn’t the kind of thing that will work for everyone but figure out what will work for you. You’ll be amazed how this alone can make the kitchen look clean, bright and roomy.

Plan to clean out the fridge the night before trash pick-up and the day before grocery shopping.

Mop the floor on Monday if you’ve got kids, so you can enjoy a clean floor while they are at school during the week. Making your cleaning schedule fit your life will make you more likely to clean and make it seem less like a chore.

Don’t Just Stand Around

If you’re in the kitchen preparing a meal and you’re waiting for the stove to heat up or water to boil, don’t just stand around and wait – clean counters, go through the refrigerator, empty the dishwasher, clean the sink and meal prep items.

I like playing music if I’m making a big meal, so I grab my wireless speaker and turn on my favorite tunes. Listening to mush and cleaning in between wait times can help the time you spend in the kitchen less mundane.

Cleaning with White Vinegar

The very best cleaner; that you may already have in your pantry, is vinegar. That’s right, white vinegar is good for cleaning most kitchen floors and countertops, the appliances and even clean the coffee pot.

You can clean windows and glass, the shelves in the refrigerator and more with this powerhouse cleaner. Just have a spray bottle at the ready with half and half water and vinegar and you will be ready to clean just about anything your kitchen can dish out.

Vinegar cleans wood, linoleum, tile, glass and sealed surfaces. Vinegar is not safe for use on stone floors such as marble or travertine.

Vinegar is mildly acidic and can cause surface damage to delicate types of stone. It can also remove the shine and make the stone look dull and spotty.

Articles of Interest

The following articles may be of further interest to you and the use of cleaning with white vinegar. These links will open in a new browser tab.

Cleaning Hard Surface Floors

Cleaning Windows and Glass with Vinegar

Cleaning without too Much Effort

There are many ways to keep your kitchen clean without having to put forth a lot of effort or elbow grease.

1. Wipe down messes as they happen.
2. While making meals, clean as you go.
3. Keep one side of the sink full of warm soapy water to soak utensils, cooking items and dishes. Makes rinsing and putting dishes in the dishwasher a breeze.
4. Buying a Sh-Mop is well worth the investment. After meals, go over floors for quick cleanup.
5. At least once a month run the dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar. Just set it upright on the top rack.
6. To easily loosen splatters in the microwave, fill a microwave safe bowl with warm water and a couple of citrus fruit slices. Start with one minute and wipe down. If necessary, repeat.

Having a clean kitchen is essential and really does make cooking meals more relaxing and the time you spend cleaning is worth it.

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Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink

Stainless steel is very durable, it’s resistant to blemishes, discoloration and other imperfections. Does that mean it’s resistant to stains and scratching? No, just like most any other, it will get scratched and it will stain. But if a scratch happens and cleaned correct, those scratches can become less obvious over time.

Stains will also happen and just like other surfaces, a spill or mess should be wiped up as soon as possible and not left to sit. But fortunately it’s possible to minimize wear and tear.

There’s a couple rules when it comes to keeping them clean and bright. Follow these cleaning tips from professional house cleaners at Mrs. Clean and shine and remove stains from your sinks for good!

How NOT to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink

• Don’t use Cleaners with Bleach: Regular bleach whether it’s straight from the bottle or included in cleaning products like comet with bleach will stain stainless steel because of a chemical reaction from the metal and the bleach. Stainless steel oxidizes and a gray or gold stain will be the unfortunate result.
• Don’t use Abrasive Cleaners: Stainless steel sinks have a polished finish. It will scratch and show scrapes if they are cleaned out with gritty/abrasive cleaning products. Always scrub with the grain when cleaning.
• Don’t use Steel Wool or Brushes: Just like using abrasive cleaning products, steel wool or steel bristle brushes will scratch the the sink deeply and permanently.

Every Day Sink Cleaning

With kids and three full meals a day, our sink gets it fair share of use. So at the end of the day, I’ll give it a quick clean. Fill the sink with hot water and add a squirt or two of your favorite dishwashing liquid. I like to use dawn dishwashing soap. It’s cheap and does a great job on grease.

When the sink is about 1/3 to 1/2 full, turn off the water and use your nylon brush or scrubber side of a sponge and scrub each side of the sink- don’t forget the bottom. When you have scrubbed each side thoroughly, empty the water from the sink.

Get your scrubber again and clean out the drain area making sure to remove the gunky build up that’s trapped there. Build up in the drain can cause odors and is frequently overlooked. The drain area should shine too. Rinse the sink completely with cold water and dry with a microfiber cloth.

When cleaning, scrub in the same direction as the polished grain. Scrubbing against the grain will scratch the highly polished finish. Make sure to rinse the sink completely to remove all cleaning agents. You can disinfect and further deodorize the sink by pouring plain white vinegar on a clean paper towel and wiping all sides.

Heavy Duty Sink Cleaning

If there is food items or oil adhering to the sink, dust a little baking soda inside it and then scrub it with a soft wet sponge. Baking soda is a deodorizer and mild abrasive. Remember to scrub lightly and with the grain. Your sink will sparkle when you’re finished.

Scratched and Stained Stainless Steel Sinks

Clean the sink using the heavy duty cleaning process I have outlined and then pick up a stainless steel polisher and conditioner. I like Cerama but there are other products like Scratch-B-Gone that work as well. It doesn’t remove scratching completely but it will help hide them and make the stainless look much less worn.

Barkeepers Friend is a good option for light cleanings.

Shining Stainless Steel

All types of stainless steel appliances shine up well with a bit of baby oil. Pour a little of the oil on a paper towel and wipe the sink. Don’t overdo the amount of oil used. The smallest amount will make the stainless shine the best. Wipe off excess oil with a soft cloth when finished.

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Cleaning The Coffee Maker

I love my coffee. What I don’t love is the off-taste that ruins a good cup of coffee when the machine needs cleaning.

There’s oil both naturally present in the beans and also added by the coffee makers when they roast the beans that build up in the coffee machine over time.

The oils in the coffee beans go rancid, and small bits of residue left in the coffee filter start to spoil which results in a very unpleasant cup of coffee in the morning.

The good news is that cleaning your coffee maker- the pot, the filter and the inside of the machine itself is a snap. You don’t need any expensive or specialty cleaning products- just plain white vinegar that you probably already have in your cupboard already.

How To Clean The Coffee Maker With Vinegar:

• Fill your sink with warm soapy water.
• Wash the coffee pot, the lid, the coffee filter and any other removable items with soft nylon bristle brush.
• Use the green side of a scrubby sponge and make sure any oily residue on the coffee pot has been removed completely.
• Rinse the items with warm water to remove any soap residue and place on the counter.
• Unplug the coffee maker and using a sponge go over the exterior of the machine to remove any drips of coffee or other stains.
• Dry the machine with a soft clean towel.
• Fill the coffee pot 1/4 full of vinegar and then up to the top of the pot with plain cold water. On a 8 cup coffee pot this would be 2 cups vinegar and 6 cups water.
• Pour the vinegar and water cleaning solution into the water reservoir in the coffee maker.
• Reassemble all the the pieces you have just washed. Put everything back in it’s normal place in the machine.
• Plug in the coffee pot and turn it on to start the brewing cycle.
• The coffee maker will go through it’s brewing cycle and the smell of hot vinegar will fill the air. (Open the window if this bothers you.) As the hot vinegar is brewed, the acids will work to dislodge any build up that has occurred on the inside of the coffee maker.
• When the brewing cycle has completed, carefully pour the hot vinegar down the drain and repeat this process once more time using 2 more cups of vinegar and 6 cups of fresh cold water.
• After the 2nd vinegar cycle, rinse the coffee pot completely with fresh cold water and fill the water reservoir with clean cold water only. Run the clean water through the coffee maker in a brewing cycle.
• When the clean water cycle is finished you can do a sniff test to see if any vinegar remains. It should be gone, but you can run another cycle with fresh water if you want to be extra careful.

Removing Hard Water Spots:

If you live in an area with hard water, white spots accumulate in your coffee maker from high mineral content naturally present in the water, which can eventually cause your machine to run slower and your coffee have a different taste.

Vinegar will dissolve mineral spots, but you can also use denture tabs;

• Just drop two tablets in the coffee pot and fill with water
• let the tabs fizzle out then pour in the reservoir
• Put a filter in the basket and run a cycle through the coffee maker.
• Run two more cycles using plain water.

The post Cleaning Coffee Maker appeared first on House Cleaning Central.

Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink

Stainless steel is a very durable metal made from chromium and iron. It has a natural resistance to rust and staining, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of it. A stainless steel sink is a great complement to other stainless steel appliances and a beautiful addition to give your kitchen a modern and attractive look.

And when properly taken care of, scratches and most types of stains can be easy to clean. Once you know how to clean a stainless steel sink, you’ll wonder why you didn’t replace your ceramic sink earlier.

Things you Should Know Before Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink

• Abrasive Cleaners: Stainless steel is polished and will scratch if cleaned improperly with gritty or abrasive cleaning products and scratches are permanent.
• Steel Wool or Brushes: As with using abrasive cleaners stainless steel is polished and steel wool or wire brushes will scratch the surface and do permanent damage to the sink.
• Bleach/Chlorine/Chloride: Household bleach whether straight from the jug or as an ingredient in cleaning products cause a chemical reaction to happen on the stainless steel itself. The bleach causes the steel to oxidize leaving you with a golden or grayish colored stain. And, once again the damage is permanent.
• Always Rinse Sink Thoroughly: You’re ahead of the game if you always rinse the sink completely after cleaning it or using it. Not only will it stop any wayward cleaning chemicals from causing problems, a properly rinsed sink will have less gunk you need to scrub off later.
• Scrub With the Grain, Not Against It: Polished stainless steel has a grain that you can see. It’s the direction that the polishing disk was rotating when the sink was being finished at the factory. Always scrub in the same direction as the polishing disk was going (with the grain) rather than against it or even in a haphazard circular motion. Not following the grain (or using harsh abrasives, or steel wool) can result in unsightly scratches on the stainless steel finish.

Regular Cleaning of Stainless Steel Sinks

If your sink is only in need of a light cleaning, fill it with hot water. Add several drops of dishwashing soap (Dawn works great if the sink has grease in it or if you’ve recently rinsed poultry) while the water is running to build some suds.

If you’re going to put your hands in the water, wear gloves to protect them from the hot water. Once the suds have reached the top of the sink turn the water off and use a soft nylon brush or a soft cloth to clean all four sides and the bottom of the sink. When you’ve done this, let the water drain and rinse it with cool water.

To disinfect, pour distilled white vinegar on a cloth or paper towel and wipe out the sink then dry with a soft cloth.

How to Heavy Duty Clean a Stainless Steel Sink

If there’s food or grease clinging to your sink, you can try softening it by adding a little dish liquid and letting it sit about 15 to 20 minutes. If there is still stuck on food, sprinkle some baking soda in the sink and scrub (with the grain) gently with a wet sponge (make sure the sponge is wet, you do not want to scratch the sink).

Baking soda provides a way to clean a stainless steel sink naturally, it’s also a natural deodorizer so the sink will smell fresh when it’s done too. Rinse with clean water.

Baking soda can also help remove rust stains from a stainless steel sink.

Removing Stains from Stainless Steel

If you have cream of tartar you can use it along with hydrogen peroxide to clean the sink. Here’s how to clean and remove stains with these two natural ingredients:

1. Add three parts cream of tartar to one part hydrogen peroxide.
2. Depending on the size of your sink, start with 3 tablespoons cream of tartar and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide.
3. Dip a cloth into the solution and rub it around the sink in the direction of the grain.
4. Rinse and dry sink when finished.

You can also purchase a commercial polish made especially for stainless steel. Be sure to read the directions carefully and use only a cleanser that is safe for stainless steel. Although very durable, stainless is vulnerable to scratching and the shiny finish you love so much could be ruined if you use the wrong cleaners.

Shining and Removing Streaks on Stainless Steel

If you have a lemon in the refrigerator that’s a day or two from being tossed, don’t throw it away. Cut it in half and rub the cut ends on the sink after you’ve cleaned it. Not only will the lemon make the sink shine, it will add a fresh, clean lemon scent to the kitchen.

You can also keep stainless steel clean and shiny by applying baby oil. Just use a clean soft cloth and wipe down the sink.

Maintaining Stainless Steel

Here are a few things that can be done to keep your stainless steel sink looking good:

• Use a raised mat to keep utensils, dishes and pots and pans off the bottom of the sink. Mats come in rubber or metal. If you opt for a rubber mat, you may have to lift it to rinse trapped food.
• If you keep sponges and other cleaning supplies in the sink, use a plastic container, a sink caddy or other holder for keeping these items off the surface of the stainless steel.
• Rinse and dry the sink after each use to prevent water marks.
• Avoid harsh chemicals.

The post How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink appeared first on House Cleaning Central.