Kitchen Spring Cleaning Tips

It is that time of year again, time for spring cleaning and the kitchen is a REALLY great place to start. When the kitchen is fresh and clean, the whole house feels clean. Use these tips to get yourself motivated and started . . .

Microwave
 Fill a microwave-safe mug two-thirds full of water and add a few splashes of lemon juice or some fresh lemon slices. Microwave it on HIGH for 4 minutes. When it's done, leave the door closed and keep it in there for another 4 minutes. The moisture from the steam and the acid from the lemon will loosen the food particles. After 8 minutes total, remove the mug and wipe down the interior with a wet paper towel. Take out the glass plate and give it a good washing with soap and water. To finish up, wipe off the outside of the microwave with a surface-appropriate cleaner.

Refrigerator

Remove everything from your fridge and take out the bins and shelves. Wash them in hot, soapy water to remove any food bits and get them clean. If you want to disinfect, or if the mess is really caked on, add a little bleach to your water as well. While they're drying, use disinfecting wipes to scrub the walls, floor, inside door, and wire shelving. If any spots are discolored, mix some baking soda, lemon juice, and water to make a paste, and scrub at these spots. They should come clean and whiten back up.

To finish, use your vacuum hose and clean the bottom vents and coils in the. This will help your refrigerator to run at its peak capacity, keeping your energy bills down and your food cold. Finally, use a surface-appropriate cleaner for the front and sides, and you're done! Keep up with this every month or so, and you'll be on your way to a continually clean kitchen.


Stove and Oven
Start by cleaning your stovetop to get rid of cooked-on food particles and film that can build up over time.

Electric Stoves
For food on the coils, use a mild soap and water mixture and clean them. Make sure they are fully dry before reattaching them. Take out the metal trays under the coils and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub off all food stains with an abrasive sponge and clean them thoroughly. If they seem beyond repair, you can buy new trays for a small cost. Using a soapy sponge or antibacterial wipes, clean off the stovetop and get any food bits and crumbs out of underneath the coils.

Flat Top Stoves
When it comes to cleaning kitchen appliances, these are the easiest to clean and keep clean. For a quick cleaning, use a soapy sponge and wipe off any residue. For tougher stains, use a specially-formulated Flat Top Stove cleaner such as Scotch-Brite Scratchless Cooktop Cleaner.

Gas Stoves
Many gas stoves now have removable grates that can be washed in hot, soapy water or even put in the dishwasher. Check your manufacturer's instructions and wash them accordingly. Then, take a soapy sponge or antibacterial wipes and scrub the stove surface clean.

Oven

Most ovens now have a self-cleaning feature so you don't have to work so hard. However, the fumes are strong, so open up the windows and stay out of the kitchen while it's going through the cleaning cycle. When spring cleaning your kitchen, save this task for last and relax in another part of the house. For small messes that don't require an entire self-cleaning cycle, a spot cleaner like Easy Off® Fume Free Oven Cleaner works well.

Coffeemaker

Depending on the quality of your water, mineral deposits can build up inside the water reservoir over time, affecting the taste and quality of your coffee. To clean it, mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water and run it through the coffeemaker without any coffee. Depending on how much buildup your machine has, you may need to repeat this. Finally, run a pot of just water through a brewing cycle before making coffee to clean out any vinegar residue.

Cabinets

One cabinet at a time, take out the contents and wipe down the shelves with antibacterial wipes. Clean out any expired food, and make sure dishes are arranged in a way that best serves your daily life. If you use shelf paper, replace any paper that's too dirty or torn. Finally, use a mild dish detergent and water to wipe down the fronts of each cabinet. Clean the handles and pulls as well. And use glass cleaner to polish up any glass-front cabinets. The results will give you a clean kitchen that shines.

*Note: Check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand for any special cleaning precautions for your particular cabinet finish.

Pantry

Since the pantry is behind closed doors, it's east to constantly take food out and put more in without giving much thought to its order (or the food wedged in the back). But over time, things can become so disorganized that you forget what you have, and food goes bad or you end up buying more of something you don't need. Begin by removing everything from the pantry and following the kitchen cleaning tips for cabinets, above. Lay everything out on a countertop or table, and take stock of what you actually have. Start by throwing out any expired foods. Then, organize foods into like groups, like canned goods, spice packets, and cereals. For smaller items, wire shelving like these from the Container Store can help you get organized. If you have a lot of small items like dry soup mixes and spice packets, try hanging a plastic shoe organizer on the inside of the door. The compartments are the perfect size for smaller odds and ends that tend to get lost.

Follow these kitchen cleaning tips for spring cleaning your kitchen and enjoy a neat, organized, and clean kitchen all year long.