Whether you’re a messy cook or one who tidies up as you go along, no kitchen is ever without a few hidden grubby spots, and it isn’t just the chef who makes a mess!
But tackling a grimy kitchen need not be a mammoth task if you break it down into different areas, such as the refrigerator, the dishwasher and the stove. You can then clean all three in one go, or gradually over the course of the week, giving you an immaculate kitchen in time for the weekend and those impromptu guests!
- Tackling the refrigerator
Cleaning your fridge is easier if you remove the shelves, but if you can’t be bothered or the task is too fiddly, then simply leave them in.
Make a paste out of equal parts baking soda and hot water, then, with an old toothbrush, lightly scrub at all the seams where the glass partitions and shelves meet the edges of the fridge. The grime should lift off easily, and then the rest of the interior and exterior of the fridge can be wiped down with a damp, soapy sponge.
If you have removed the glass shelves, wash them with hot, soapy water, dry and return once the rest of the fridge has been cleaned.
The refrigerator or freezer door gasket is notorious for gathering crumbs and other food debris, and sometimes this is best tackled with a small dustpan and brush. This will get rid of the dry particles of food, making it easier to then wipe the gasket’s creases with a cloth soaked in white vinegar and water. The vinegar is great for cutting through grease and tough stains and it will also neutralise any nasty whiffs. Do make sure that the solution is suitably diluted though, otherwise you could damage the gasket.
- Stubbornly stained stoves
The metal or iron grates on most stoves are prime areas for getting grubby, and it really does pay to use a high strength cleaner and degreaser solution on them. Simply spray the strong substance onto the grates and leave it for a few minutes, then you should be able to wipe them all clean with a wet sponge or cloth. Check that all of the solution has been rinsed off before you attempt any cooking, as this could cause damaging fumes and strong odours.
Should the solution you’ve used not have done the trick on the very most stubborn stains, you could always mix up a paste of equal parts salt, baking soda and water and apply it with a toothbrush. After at least half an hour, simply wipe it clean with a damp cloth or rinse it under the faucet and dry it off before putting it back.
- Dirty dishwashers
The seal of any dishwasher is bound to gather muck and food waste and can quickly begin to smell, too. Cleaning it however, is quick and easy if you use a cotton swab soaked in white vinegar. That should enable you to get into the nooks and crannies and thoroughly remove all stains and food debris.
A vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose can be a wonderful tool for cleaning many areas of the home, and the dishwasher is no exception. Vacuum the crumbs and food stuffs up, before wiping over the parts of the dishwasher that are grimy, and that you can reach; the rest can be cleaned by running a hot water and bleach cycle.