Keeping your kitchen clean doesn’t have to be a huge chore! With a few simple hacks, you can maintain a sparkling kitchen without spending hours scrubbing. Below are some smart, time-saving tips that will make your kitchen shine, from countertops to appliances.
1. Freshen Up Your Sink and Garbage Disposal
Your kitchen sink and garbage disposal can collect odors quickly. Here's an easy way to keep them fresh:
Lemon and Vinegar Cubes
- How to do it: Cut a lemon into small pieces and place them in an ice cube tray. Fill the tray with vinegar and freeze.
- To use: Drop a couple of cubes into the garbage disposal and run it with cold water. The combination of lemon and vinegar deodorizes and cleans your sink effortlessly.
2. Degrease the Stovetop with Baking Soda
Grease splatters on the stovetop can be tough to remove, but baking soda makes it easy.
- How to do it: Sprinkle baking soda over the greasy spots and add a few drops of water to form a paste. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- To clean: Wipe the area with a damp sponge. The baking soda breaks down the grease, leaving your stovetop sparkling.
3. Clean the Microwave with Steam
Don’t scrub endlessly to remove food stains from your microwave! Try this simple steam cleaning hack.
- How to do it: Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add a few slices of lemon. Microwave on high for 3–5 minutes.
- To clean: Let the steam do its work! After the timer goes off, wipe down the inside of the microwave with a cloth. The steam softens stuck-on food, making it easy to wipe away.
4. Shine Stainless Steel Appliances with Olive Oil
Stainless steel appliances can lose their luster over time, showing fingerprints and smudges.
- How to do it: Dab a soft cloth with a small amount of olive oil and wipe it on your stainless steel surfaces.
- To finish: Buff with a dry cloth to get a smooth, shiny finish. The oil helps prevent future smudges too!
5. Quickly Clean Cutting Boards with Salt and Lemon
Wooden cutting boards can absorb odors and stains, but a natural remedy can help keep them clean and fresh.
- How to do it: Sprinkle coarse salt over the surface of the cutting board. Cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub the board, pressing down as you go.
- To finish: Rinse with warm water and let it air dry. The salt scrubs away residue while the lemon naturally disinfects.
6. Tackle Cabinet Grease with Vinegar
Cabinet doors, especially those near the stove, can get sticky and greasy. White vinegar is the perfect solution.
- How to do it: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the greasy surfaces.
- To clean: Wipe with a microfiber cloth. For tough spots, let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping.
7. Keep Your Floors Gleaming with Tea
Did you know that black tea can help make your floors shine?
- How to do it: Brew a few tea bags in a quart of water and let it cool. Dampen a mop or cloth with the tea and clean your hardwood or laminate floors.
- To finish: Buff with a dry cloth. The tannins in the tea add a beautiful shine to your floors.
8. Organize with Baskets and Bins
A sparkling kitchen isn’t just about cleanliness; it’s also about organization! Using baskets and bins can help reduce clutter on countertops and in cabinets.
- How to do it: Group similar items (e.g., spices, snacks, or cleaning supplies) in labeled bins or baskets. This keeps everything organized and easy to access, making your kitchen feel more orderly and spacious.
Kitchen Cleaning Hacks for a Sparkling Space