Deep Clean Your Kitchen

We’re all focused on keeping things clean and as germ-free as possible during these pandemic days. The kitchen is the room in the house that seems to have the most traffic. It’s a gathering place for family and small (safe) groups of friends. With that in mind, it’s important to ensure your kitchen is as clean as possible.

Drawers

Empty the drawers, cabinets, pantry, and other spaces you are cleaning. Take everything out so that you can thoroughly clean the inside. You may be surprised at the dirt and dust you find! Removing all of the items is the only way to get the inside totally clean.

Cabinets

Using a clean cloth with mild dish soap, gently clean your cabinetry. Make sure you dry each surface with a clean cloth. Never use harsh cleaners, abrasive sponges, detergents, or bleach.

Hardware, Sinks, and Faucets

You may not notice it, but your kitchen hardware can get quite dirty before it shows. Drawer and cabinet handles get used every day, so wipe them down weekly to ensure that there’s no grime buildup.

Clean your sink daily with dish soap and water, and clean it weekly with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.

Countertops

Stone countertops require specific care. Do not use ammonia, white vinegar, or commercial cleaners on stone countertops. Use a cleaner that is made specifically for marble, granite, or quartz, or ask one of the designers at Kitchens by Countryside what cleanser they recommend.

Microwave

Do you dread cleaning the microwave? It’s not as difficult as you think. Simply place ½ cup water and ½ cup white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for about three minutes or until it comes to a boil. Wait for the microwave to cool, and then wipe down the inside with a clean, damp cloth.

Oven

Many ovens have a self-cleaning feature that makes it the cleaning process easy. Run the self-cleaning cycle and, when the oven cools, wipe it out with a damp cloth.

For ovens without a self-clean option, make a paste of baking soda and water. Spread the mixture all over the inside of the oven, including the door and racks. Let sit overnight. In the morning, spray the interior with distilled white vinegar. This will cause the dried baking soda paste to fizz. Leave this for another two to three hours, then wipe away the grease and grime with a wet sponge or cloth.

Refrigerator

As with the cabinets, remove everything from the refrigerator. This is an excellent opportunity to check expiry dates and discard expired items. Remove magnets and papers from the outside of the fridge to clean the outer panels as well.

Remove drawers and shelves and clean with mild soap and water. Wipe down the inside of the fridge with a multipurpose cleaning spray. Rinse with a wet cloth before replacing drawers and shelves.

Floors

Any crumbs or debris from the oven, refrigerator, cabinets, or counters may wind up on the floor, so cleaning the floor last just makes sense. Damp mop or use a cleaner that is approved for your flooring.

Not sure what cleaners are safe for the various surfaces in your kitchen or bath? Call Kitchens by Oaks at 585.349.8100 and ask to speak with one of our designers. They will be happy to steer you in the right direction.