The kitchen of any home is a hub of activity: it’s where you cook your favorite meals, sit down and eat with your family, do the washing up, etc. It’s no wonder that keeping the kitchen clean may seem like a daunting task at times. However, cleanliness in this space is necessary – and deep cleaning every once in a while goes a long way.
Without regular maintenance, kitchen cabinets get covered in a layer of grime, morsels in the oven get baked in, and the fridge becomes home to all kinds of fuzzy science experiments. The sink and garbage disposal occasionally require deep cleaning because they are prime breeding grounds for bacteria, and the kitchen floor could always benefit from professional hard surface cleaning.
That’s why we’ve compiled this quick guide to help you deep-clean your kitchen in an hour or less.
Wipe the Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinets are subjected to all kinds of food spills and spatter. They also have a knack for accumulating a stubborn layer of dust and grease.
Giving the cabinets a good scrub with some diluted liquid Castile soap and a microfiber cloth should be sufficient. However, if your cabinets are grimy, cut through the grease with a vinegar and water solution to leave them looking spotless.
Sanitize the Sink and Garbage Disposal
Although it’s natural to think that the spot where you do the most cleaning doesn’t need to be cleaned itself, think again.
Food scraps accumulate on the sink and in the garbage disposal, leading to bacteria buildup in the drain and around the faucets. Scrubbing the sink with lime and baking soda will kill any microorganisms and sanitize the area.
To disinfect the garbage disposal, try soaking a loaf of bread in vinegar and stuffing it in the canister. Let the bread sit there for 15 minutes or so, then turn the disposal on and flush it with cold water. You can also insert frozen citrus rinds to eliminate any lingering odors and leave it smelling lemony-fresh.
Scrub the Oven
Your oven is where food spatters and the ashy remains of gooey cheese get baked in and become difficult to remove – that’s why you should aim to deep-clean it every few weeks and wipe up any messes right after they happen.
Remove the wire racks and soak them in a sink full of hot, soapy water. While the racks are soaking, scrub the inside of the oven thoroughly with a homemade cleaning paste made from baking soda and vinegar. This eco-friendly cleaning product is less harsh than commercial oven cleaning solutions and won’t leave harmful chemicals in your oven.
Clean the Floor
Because your kitchen floor is a high-traffic area that accumulates dirt and grime quickly, you should clean it thoroughly at least once per week. The cleaning products and techniques you use will depend on the type of flooring you have (tile, stone, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, screed, etc.).
Generally, you will need to sweep or vacuum your floor before cleaning it with the appropriate cleaning product. For wood, vinyl, and laminate floors, wring your mop out thoroughly before mopping to prevent bubbling, warping, and peeling.
It’s recommended to have your hard surfaces professionally cleaned and disinfected every few months – especially if you have a crawling baby.
