Kitchen Cleaning Tips

This room seems to get the most traffic.  Kitchen cleaning should be done on a daily basis due to the bacteria from food that could be spread.  If you have any other kitchen cleaning ideas, please feel free to share.

Microwave Cleaning

• Remove spills as soon as possible by using wet paper towels to saturate dried or cooked on food. 
• To deodorize and clean your microwave wash the inside surface with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda per 1 quart of warm water. 
• Do not use commercial oven cleaners in a microwave or metal tools on the inside or outside of the microwave to remove food because they can cause damage. 

Counter Tops

• Got stains?  Stains such as mustard, tea, coffee, or fruit juice can be removed by rubbing baking soda with a damp paper towel or sponge. 
• A little bit of chlorine bleach may be needed for those pesky subborn stains. 
• Dab a little lemon juice sit on the stain for a couple of minutes then scrub the stain with some baking soda.  Don't let the lemon sit for too long, it can bleach the countertop.

Stove / Oven Cleaning

• Place a small bowl of ammonia in the oven and close the door.  Let this sit for the night.  The next morning, remove the bowl and the grease should wipe off effortlessly.

Refrigerator

• That grimy dust on top of the fridge can be removed with hot water, but if it is really bad try 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water.  Let the solution sit for a bit then wipe it off with a paper towel or a sponge.   
• Baking soda in a tub of warm water is all you'll need to get the basic grime and odors from the interior.  Wipe down the shelves and then rinse.  For extra fresh scent add a dash of lemon extract to the rinse water.  Don't forget to clean the gasket and the rubber seal around the door.  These can be wiped down with the baking soda.  An old toothbrush is great to get into the creases. 
• Be sure to place a fresh box of baking soda on one of the shelves.  A cotton ball soaked with a little vanilla will also freshen the fridge.

Sink  

• To remove stains from a porcelain sink, fill it with lukewarm water, add a few ounces of chorine bleach and let stand for an hour or so.  If stains are stubborn, line the sink with paper towels saturated with chlorine bleach and let stand 10 minutes then drain and rinse.  Do not use chlorine bleach on old, porous or cracked porcelain surfaces.  The bleach can penetrate to the iron base and cause further discoloration by rusting.   
• Stainless steel sinks can be scrubbed with a baking soda paste and rinsed with clean water.  Make a habit of drying the sink with a towel to reduce water spots.  Vinegar or club soda will help the sink shine.

Drains

• Freshen the drains by pouring some baking soda, about 1/2 cup, into the drain then add some vinegar, about 1 cup.  Close the drain tightly and let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes.  This will cause a fizzing action.  Kids love to watch it.  Follow this with very hot water.  Note:  Never poor grease down the sink drain and unless you have a disposal try not to let food particles fall in the drain.

Garbage Disposal

• There are so many ways to freshen the disposal.
• Lemon or oranges are great.  Just place the rinds into the disposal and grind while running water. 
• Another way to clean the disposal is to add a few inches of hot water in the sink and adding about 1 cup of baking soda.  Let this sit for a few minutes then turn on the disposal while draining.
• Place a 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar, let it fizz for about 10 minutes then rinse with very hot water.

Dishwasher

• Clean the interior of a dishwasher by pouring 2 cups of vinegar or 1 cup of citrus flavored beverage without any detergent into an empty dishwasher.  Run the washer on a full cycle wash.  To freshen and clean the dishwasher - fill soap cups with baking soda and run an empty load.

Cutting Boards

• Remove odors and stains by washing with baking soda or lemon juice.

Plastic Containers

• Remove odors from plastic by adding very hot water and baking soda.  Let this sit anywhere from 5 minutes to overnight, depending on how bad the odors are.  This is great for removing that milk smell from sippy cups.  It also freshens a thermos or sports bottle.
• Stains can usually be removed by making a paste of baking soda and water.  Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit.  Again, depending on how bad the stain is will make a difference in how long you let it sit.

Silver

• Be aware of the items that will tarnish silver.  These include salt, eggs, mayonnaise, contact with rubber, and especially plastic wrap.  Never wash stainless steel utensils with silver.  Silver can pit from the contact.

Stainless steel

• A clean, soft cloth dampened with white vinegar will remove water spot on stainless steel then wipe dry.

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