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Got a big mess in the kitchen? We’ve all been there: after-cooking cleaning is no fun. So, you want to get it done fast and easy.
But, reaching for a sponge and a toxic chemical-filled cleaner for a quick rubdown is not the most healthy and effective solution.
Using simple ingredients and items already laying around your home, you can keep your kitchen shining like new. This will make clean up after meals easier on you and the environment.
Read on to see how these 8 clean kitchen hacks save you time and get the really nasty grime out of your kitchen.
In This Post:
1. Renewing Old Baking Sheets
We all have baking sheets handed-down from our moms that have seen the inside of an oven more times than can be counted. This means they contain stains of oil, grease, and food residue. Scrubbing even the surface takes time.
Avoid all the muscle put into cleaning your baking sheets each time you use them by making them like new again. But, what to use to clean this big mess?
A simple sprinkle of baking soda followed by a little hydrogen peroxide and topped with another layer of baking soda requires little effort. All you do is set it and forget it for a few hours. Gently wipe the contents away for a shiny finish.
2. Keeping Granite Beautiful
Granite countertops have many benefits, from durability to resistance to heat. But, what really makes them attractive are their looks.
To keep your granite like new, you will have to keep the sealant intact. The polish on granite ensures that all the wonderful features continue to function. Breaks in the sealant will allow water to be absorbed and cause staining.
At all costs avoid harsh acidic cleaners and rough scrubbers. Instead use a solution of 2 ounces of rubbing alcohol, 14 ounces of water and a few drops of gentle dish soap added to a 16-ounce spray bottle.
Using a microfiber cloth to clean and wipe the counter dry is the best way to clean your kitchen granite.
3. Making Faucets Fantastic
Kitchen cleaning would not be complete without some attention to the sink. But, this is still a neglected area when it comes to daily tasks.
As a result, faucets build up with water stains and left-over food particles. Cleaning it occasionally with a distilled vinegar solution will break up the stains and make daily wiping much easier.
Simply soak a clean rag in the vinegar and wrap it around the faucet for an hour or so. Then wipe the area with a dry cloth. All those hard to reach crevices won’t seem like an impossible task once the stains are loosened up.
4. Blenders Clean Themselves
In the mood for a low maintenance lunch or snack? You might think that blending a smoothing will be no trouble at all. That is, until cleanup time. Blenders make easy meals a burden when you need to clean the kitchen.
But, you can make it easy with this hack. All you need to do is turn on the blender again. Just add a few cups of soapy warm water and let the blending action work for you. In 10-20 seconds you blender will just need a rinse.
5. Taking the Splash out of Backsplash Tiles
You might never even notice grease shooting out of your pan and onto the tiled backsplash. Then one day you give it a wipe with your finger and you can’t believe the buildup of grease.
Getting into the habit of wiping down your tiles after you cook, just like you would the counter, can save you from this nightmare.
Keep a spray bottle on hand with 1/4 cup of baking soda, 2 tbsp of dish soap, and 2 cups of water. Then spray and wipe daily. It takes only a few seconds when you have your solution ready.
If your backsplash is outdated or beyond repair learn more about upgrading your tile and giving your kitchen a fresh look.
6. Cutting Board Woes Solved By Sunshine
Think about the juices being soaked into your cutting boards every day. No matter how much you scrub, it seems there is always something lingering inside those small cracks.
Make sure your cutting boards are sanitary by using the power of lemon and the sun. Lemon is a natural antibacterial agent and attracts the sun. The sun also cleans naturally and makes stains disappear better than bleach.
7. Stubborn and Stuck Grates
Sometimes getting the remnants of grated cheese and vegetable out of your grater seems like a job for a professional. It can be a dangerous operation when trying to get in between super sharp blades.
Prepare for this task by spraying some cooking oil spray on the grate before you begin shredding. This will make grating easier and clean up faster. A water rinse will create a slip and slide for lingering food to fall off the grater.
8. A Final Finish of Freshness
No matter how to clean a kitchen, smells can linger in the air. Put the final touch on a whole-kitchen clean with a pleasant scent. And you won’t need any perfume or candles.
Naturally freshen your kitchen by boiling a cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of cloves. This will eliminate remaining smells from potent meals and replace it with a subtle organic scent.
A Clean Kitchen is a New Kitchen
You will be surprised how a little tender, love, and care can create that clean kitchen look and make you enjoy cooking again. Cookware can be made new again, and sinks will shine like they were an upgrade.
Yes, you can renovate your kitchen without spending a dime!
If you are looking for more ways to spruce up your kitchen without going all out on a remodel, check out these cost-effective tips.
