Have you ever wondered which one’s cleaner: the kitchen or the bathroom? Because, whether you believe it or not, the bathroom might win. The kitchen sink is known to have more germs than your toilet.
Even if the vast majority of people stow the food in the fridge and wipe the kitchen counters at least once a week, most kitchens aren’t properly cleaned. Well, if that’s the case for you, don’t worry; you’re in good company.
We talked with a couple of experts about clever ways to tackle some of the germiest, grimiest parts of your home, and we’re extremely thrilled with what we’ve got.
Two keywords? Maintenance and daily upkeep Okay, so maybe three keywords. But trust me, the benefits will last longer, especially since nothing makes you feel better than a clean kitchen. If you’re curious to know which objects are the dirtiest, read this:
Refrigerator
Timing is everything when you’re cleaning a big appliance, as many experts believe. Also, when it comes to your fridge, it’s much easier to clean if it’s almost empty. Just wipe out the inside before you go grocery shopping, because that’s usually when you don’t have a lot in it.
This might help you with basic upkeep. However, the fridge might need twice-yearly deep cleans, and that’s a completely different story. The best time to do these cleans is during the fall, right before the holidays, and then again in the spring.
Just take everything out of the fridge and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. It will be less wasteful than paper towels and more efficient. Besides, fibers are like little mini scrubbers that loosen things up.
Microwave
Whether you believe it or not, the microwave is generally one of the grubbiest spots in the kitchen. If you want to clean it, just fill a two-cup Pyrex measuring cup with some water and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.
Then, put the cup in the microwave and run it for no more than five minutes. The water has to turn into a vigorous boil, so don’t open the door. Just let it sit for five minutes.
The steam will slowly build up and loosen the gunk, and then all you have to do is wipe it down. You will notice that it will get cleaner but also smell fresher.
Oven
The oven is another germ-infested place in your kitchen. If you want to give it a thorough clean, you might want to make a thick paste from baking soda and water and slowly “paint” it onto the oven’s walls and floor, avoiding the heating element.
Then, let it dry for a while, and fill a spray bottle with some white vinegar. Carefully spritz the oven interior. It might fizz like crazy, but this is a good sign because it means she is dislodging the grime. Carefully wipe it away with a warm, soapy rag as the fizzing stops, then go over that with a clean and damp rag.
Dishwasher
Sometimes, we might forget that all the things we use to clean our dishes might also need a good cleaning. At least that’s the case with the hard-working dishwasher.
Bauer suggested a much-needed monthly check of the filters, which can be generally found at the bottom of the unit. Take it out and give it a good rinse under warm running water.
If you want to clean the interior, you could take a Pyrex cup and put it on the top rack. Then, add 1 cup of water and another cup of vinegar, and run a cycle.
Toaster
Toasters actually collect a shocking amount of crumbs and debris. If you want to properly clean your toaster, start by unplugging it and turning it upside down over the sink.
Then, tap the bottom to dislodge any crumbs that might have been stuck in the slots. Then, turn it right side up, and take a pastry brush or even a clean toothbrush to remove all the stubborn bits that might be stuck inside the slots.
Towels and mops
Kitchen towels are a wonderful cleaning tool for your kitchen, but you have to remember to clean them every other day. You might want to wash your kitchen towels every three to five days.
This way, you’ll know for sure they are squeaky clean enough to wipe your counters. If your mop has a detachable head, you might want to wash it after every use on the hot water setting. Afterward, let the mop head air dry completely before you reattach it to the mop handle.
Kitchen trash can
Truth be told, it’s not that glamorous to clean your kitchen trash can, I know. But it’s still very important. If you keep it free of grime, you also eradicate odors and unwanted pests.
Take the trash can outside and fill it with several inches of warm water. Then, add a splash of dish soap. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then use a long-handled brush that you set aside for the task and scrub the interior.
Carefully dump and rinse it, then let it air-dry in the sunlight. If you want the can to stay as fresh as possible for longer, line the bottom with some newspapers or junk mail and sprinkle some baking soda on top.
Then, add the trash bag. The trick is that the soda will catch any mess that’s dripping through holes in the bag, which will keep the can cleaner for longer.
Small cookware (slow cooker, air fryer)
Wipe the exterior of your cookware with a damp microfiber cloth after each use. Also, it’s worth mentioning that most inserts can be washed in the dishwasher. Also, very important: don’t forget to clean the cord!
You must be careful if you notice any odors from the silicone gasket in your instant pot. If so, you have to make a paste of baking soda, rub it on, and let it sit. It might be a great absorber, and then you can rinse it off once it has done its work.
Coffeemaker
Running a tank of half vinegar and half water is a sure-fire way to descale your coffee maker. Then, continue with another tank of plain water, unplug the machine, and let it cool.
Wipe the nonremovable parts with a warm, soapy rag, and go over everything once again with a clean, damp cloth. You can wash the movable parts in the sink or in your dishwasher.
And if you want to get rid of the crusty buildup in your coffee pot, just sprinkle a thick layer of salt on the inside and scrub it with half a lemon. The combination will instantly loosen the burned coffee and deodorize the funky smell.
Now, if you felt inspired by this article to deep-clean your kitchen, you might need a couple of things, right? Here’s a good set of micro-fiber cloths, but also a kitchen cleaner that we highly recommend.
Also, if you’re interested in reading other articles, we recommend you continue with this one: 11 Minimalist Home Organization Tips for Easier Living
