There’s nothing less relaxing than walking into your kitchen and finding it filthy. Preparing your meals in a dusty, grimy environment is not terribly hygienic either. Every few months, it’s a good idea to give your kitchen a good cleaning using these tips for deep cleaning your kitchen.
Organize Storage Areas
Organizing and cleaning go hand in hand, so get started with these less intensive organizational tasks.
Pantry, Refrigerator, and Freezer
Most of the food in your house is kept in your pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. These storage areas can quickly become dirty and disorganized, so it’s important to sift through and clean them frequently. Take everything out of the storage area, shelf by shelf. Wipe down each shelf thoroughly. Organize your food by category, throwing out any expired items as you go, and return the items to their places.
Cabinets and Drawers
Kitchen cabinets and drawers also tend to become cluttered over time. Remove all your dishes and kitchen supplies from your cabinets and drawers, wipe them down, and place your items back inside in an organized manner. If you want to go the extra mile, get rid of any items you know you never use.
Clean Appliances
Next, gather your cleaning supplies and prepare to clean your kitchen appliances. This step will require a little elbow grease but will be well worth it once you’re done.
Oven
Ovens get dirty quickly and can be a chore to clean. Buy some oven cleaner to help with the task, or run your oven’s self-cleaning cycle.
Range Hood
Range hoods are often overlooked in the cleaning process, but they are important appliances to clean. Clean your range hood filter at least once a year to avoid the buildup of grease in your ducts and keep the air quality in your kitchen good.
Stove
Wipe down your stove to remove any crumbs or grease that have accumulated during cooking. If your stovetop is particularly greasy or dirty, you may need a stronger cleaner to cut through the grease.
Microwave
You know how things always seem to explode in the microwave? Yeah, it’s going to need a good wipe down. Wipe both the inside and outside of your microwave using a cleaning solution and a sponge or washcloth.
Dishwasher
Clean the inside and outside of your dishwasher, especially if it has started to smell. If your dishwasher has a food trap, empty that while you clean.
Clean Surfaces
To complete your deep cleaning, clean all surfaces in your kitchen. Wipe down the countertops to eliminate crumbs and grease and make it sparkle! Wipe the exterior of all your cabinetry including handles, as it has probably accumulated dust and grime. Wash your sink, and don’t forget about your backsplash. Sweep and mop the floor, and scrub it if it’s really dirty.
Following these tips for deep cleaning your kitchen every few months will help you to keep your kitchen clean and organized. With a little time and effort, completing the process will be a breeze.