February is just around the corner, and it may be time to give that kitchen a little extra attention this season. After the holidays are over and the humdrum of winter settles in, you want a sparkling, clean space for Valentine’s Day, family gatherings, and creating those nostalgic memories of warm food and happy stories that will last for generations.
While you’re preparing your house cleaning task, be sure to look at what in the kitchen needs the most attention. This could involve the various appliances around the workspace that can get dusty or have caked-on food debris.
In this article, let’s go over some of the more critical areas you should consider when giving the kitchen a solid once-over.
The Heart of the Home: Why Your Kitchen Needs Special Attention
The kitchen is where all the activity of the home is centered. Everyone loves a fresh snack or cool drink and then a little bit of neighborhood gossip after a long day of work. This is where we mourn the loss of family, celebrate new births, and compile all those graduation cards during an end-of-high school cook-off.
Winter is a crucial time for house cleaning around the kitchen. This is when there is:
- Increased indoor cooking and activity because of the cooler weather outside.
- Added mud, dirt, and moisture from rainy and snowy days.
- Limited ventilation as the windows are closed, so you stay warm.
- Added clutter from shopping trips and holiday gifts.
- Seasonal appliances come out due to the increase in cooking.
- Large amounts of grease from oven use.
- Added potential of flu and cold germs ending up on common surfaces.
The better you maintain the kitchen, the higher the likelihood of a healthy, cooking-ready area for your friends and family to enjoy during the coldest winter months.
Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen: Step-By-Step Guide
Countertops and Surfaces
Different countertops have different needs. What you use on natural granite will be much different than what you may apply on laminate or stainless steel.
An excellent place to start is using a gentle mix of natural or organic soap with a little bit of water. This will get all the dirt and stains off. Then, follow that up with a gentle disinfectant for germs, and be sure to look for any chips or scratches as you go.
Sinks and Faucets
This is one of the most complex parts of the kitchen to keep clean. There is always moisture, so you want a disinfectant to eliminate all those germs.
After you wipe down everything around the sink, de-clog the drain to prevent odors or excessive build-up from increased cooking. A little trick of the trade is to use a small amount of toothpaste on the faucet for that extra glow.
Appliance Cleaning Made Easy
Okay, you’ve gotten your kitchen in much better shape by wiping down and deep cleaning surfaces and storage areas. Next, you must address the appliances you use more often because of the cold outside weather.
Refrigerator
Start by emptying everything (and that means everything!) out of the fridge. Toss out, recycle, or compost anything that is expired. Wipe down the shelves with a safe and natural mixture of baking soda and water.
As you return your items, put them in grouped categories like sauces, fruits, vegetables, etc. Be sure to set some unique settings on your fruit or meat drawer. Wipe down the exterior and clean out the ice maker as well. Make sure to put a box of baking soda in the fridge to control future odors.
Oven and Stovetop
Many ovens will include a “self-cleaning” feature that you can utilize. While this is a good starting point for your kitchen and house cleaning process, it only removes caked-on oils from the sides of the oven. You’ll still need to get in there for a solid wipe-down.
The stove top is much easier. If you have an electric range, you can simply wipe it down. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove and clean the various cooking elements individually.
Dishwasher
When not properly maintained, the dishwasher can quickly get a little gross. For example, every dishwasher has a filter that you need to periodically rinse out. This will be nasty, but it is a “must-do” for house cleaning.
To make the unit smell and operate efficiently, you should also place a cup of vinegar on the top rack and run an empty cycle. This will help with any unseen mold, sitting water, or odors.
Small Appliances
There is no way to know what appliances you’ll have in your home, so let’s cover the basics.
- Microwave: Remove the turntable and run that through the dishwasher while you wipe down the interior using a mixture of water and vinegar.
- Toaster: Unplug first, then remove the crumb tray and wipe down the entire appliance with a damp cloth. You can use a small brush to clean inside the slots.
- Blender: Unplug, then disassemble all the parts, and wash them in warm, soapy water. Wipe down the motor and let everything air dry before putting it back together.
- Coffee Maker: Clean the pot out with warm, soapy water, and run a brewing cycle using equal parts water and vinegar. This will decalcify the appliance. Just be sure to run another water cycle afterward, or you’ll end up with some funky-tasting Joe.
- Slow Cooker: Remove the lid and pot and wash them in some hot, soapy water (if safe, use the dishwasher). Wipe down the exterior and heat element with a damp cloth, and check the gasket or sealing ring to ensure it is working correctly.
There are many other types of appliances, like hand mixers, electric kettles, and panini presses. They all come down to unplugging, disassembling, and cleaning each piece. Take your time and maybe do one a day so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the number you have to finish.
Natural Cleaning Solutions for Your Kitchen
Natural cleaning in your kitchen is easier than you may think. Every surface can use a specialized formula, but the four main ingredients you’re going to want to have ready are:
- Warm Water
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Mild Liquid Soap
If you want an added touch, squeeze a little lemon into any mixture, and you’ll get a fresher scent profile as you finish your house cleaning. For example:
- All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner: 1 cup distilled water mixed with 1 cup white vinegar and around 20 drops of essential oil or lemon juice. Mix them all into a spray bottle and go.
- Oven Cleaner: Mix ½ cup of baking soda with water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Microwave Cleaner: 1 cup of water with 1 chopped lemon and several tablespoons of vinegar. Place them all in a microwave-safe bowl and run on high until the mixture boils and steams away the grease.
Maintaining Kitchen Cleanliness
Once you’ve completed your February house cleaning ritual, it’s time to consider maintaining this newly freshened space. You may want to create a calendar with weekly, monthly, and annual activities.
Involve your family members in this routine. Maybe your son cleans out the refrigerator once every two weeks, or your partner degreases the microwave every week. Write down the items you know will need the most attention and then build a schedule that is practical based on the time your family has available and effective because of the increased seasonal use of your kitchen.
If that entire process feels a bit overwhelming, contact our team at Unique Cleaning Solutions. We use eco-friendly house cleaning products and years of experience to deep clean and maintain your home.
Instead of trying to be a superhero on your own, let our team be the perfect solution and supplement for your annual, monthly, and weekly cleaning schedule. Book your cleaning today and experience peace of mind from a safe, hygienic, and sparkling-clean kitchen.
Final Thoughts
When the cold of February kicks in, and the kitchen becomes an even more active space in your home, you’re going to need to do a little extra cleaning.
Using our house cleaning tips and building a customized schedule for your circumstances goes a long way to a happier, healthier home all year round. Use these tips and enjoy a kitchen that always feels ready for cooking, snacks, and incredible family memories.
