Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Kitchen
Those sparkling clean kitchens we see on our inspirational Pinterest boards often seem like just that – a dream that seems impossible to maintain, or even attain! Even right after a renovation that brings your dream kitchen to life, the question quickly becomes – how do you keep your dream kitchen from turning into a messy nightmare? Kitchens really are essential to the home, and remain a highly-functional space. So much so, that it often seems like just when we’re done wiping down a countertop or washing an appliance, there’s something else that needs to be done. While it can seem never-ending, here are a few of our favourite tips and tricks that will keep your kitchen looking and feeling like it came to life from the pages of an interior décor magazine.
De-clutter your way to a new space
When someone cooks frequently, there is often a perception that it’s much easier when we have everything we need within easy sight and reach. And so our countertops get filled to overflowing with spices, commonly used dry ingredients, and even pots and pans! But the truth is – constant clutter is known to be quite stressful, making what might be a peaceful meal into a harried endeavour because you’re constantly fighting for space in your own dream kitchen! Many of us have a lot more space than we give our kitchens credit for – and if not, it might be time to ask yourself how many of the things you store in your cabinets you actually use? Taking the time to store everything in its rightful place can do incredible things for the space, and make it feel like a brand new kitchen!
How do you keep your dream kitchen from turning into a messy nightmare?
Lovin’ that Lemon & Lime
Lemon and lime are a powerhouse couple when it comes to kitchen cleaning tips. If you love eating seafood for example, but hate cooking it because of the smell it leaves behind, have no fear! These citrusy fruits will eliminate all that odour for you. First rinse off your knives, chopping boards and pans in the sink, and then soak them in hot water with lemon and lime wedges. After an hour or so, wash them out with soap the way you always do. They’ll be clean, fragrant, and you won’t have to toss your sponge after! You can also rub wedges of lemon and lime over and around your sink to manage the smell of raw seafood or meat.
Another quick kitchen cleaning tips – if you were to squeeze the juice of a handful of lemons and limes, and mix that up with vinegar in a spray bottle – you would be left with a family-friendly and cost-effective cleaning spray that disinfects in a way that is true to nature, and will leave your kitchen smelling like a citrus orchard.
Essential Oil to the Rescue
If the garbage sometimes begins to smell a bit more pungent than you’d like, you can also soak cotton balls in essential oil and place them at the bottom of the bin. They neutralise any bad smells and are especially useful when you have a large group of guests over.
Essential oils can also be used as a natural way to ward off pests. Pick essential oils that specifically work for this purpose, such as lemongrass, citrus, eucalyptus, lavender etc, and place soaked cotton balls in specific spots. A couple of pro cleaning tips – place these cotton balls on small paper plates or in plastic cups, to keep them from staining your cabinets. Also be sure to avoid sweeter fruit and flower oils which may not have the effect you’d hope for!
Baking Soda does Cleaning Wonders
Older kitchens tend to come with one of the biggest issues homeowners have to deal with– tough stains! But baking soda has consistently come up as the champion of stain removal. The thing with baking soda is – patience is key. Mix baking soda with water until you have a paste, spread it over any tough stain, and leave it overnight! The next day, wipe it down with a damp cloth, and presto! Most stains would come off pretty easily. If your stubborn stains aren’t budging, spray the area with vinegar, which will then react with the baking soda. Give it a few more minutes and wipe down again to have that sparking kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.
Easy-to-Maintain
If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen, one of the advantages of planning ahead means that you can choose materials that are easy to clean. While some traditional kitchen materials can be beautiful to look at, they can also be hard to maintain over time and are known to stain easily. There are plenty of newer innovations that make kitchen cleaning a breeze, including kitchen splashbacks that are designed with frequent and long-term use in mind.
We hope you enjoyed our cleaning tips and tricks to keeping your sparkling kitchen spotless! Any more tips to add? Be sure to share with us @alusplash!
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