Probably, cleaning the kitchen is one of the tasks we least like to do. As a space that we use daily (and for many hours a day), it tends to get dirtier more frequently than other areas of the house. In addition, we also have to deal with the aromas that become embedded every time we prepare a meal. It is a job that takes a lot of time and requires considerably more effort than cleaning the rest of the areas in the home.
In the kitchen, you have to deal with leftover food, grease and bacteria buildup, and the hardness that sticks to the surfaces of utensils. That’s why we’ve compiled some tips and recommendations for cleaning your kitchen.
Cleaning sticky oil splatters from kitchen surfaces
Usually, as a result of cooking, oil splatters can be very hard to deal with. Even worse, over time these splatters dry up over time and turn your kitchen surfaces into a sticky mess.
However, there’s a very simple cleaning method that can make your life easier when dealing with sticky oil stains. To top it off, it’s entirely eco-friendly. All you will need to return your sticky oven and splashback surfaces to their former glory is, surprise, more oil! Although this might sound illogical, it’s just simple chemistry based on the rule that “like dissolves like”.
All you will need for this cleaning method is:
- mineral (or vegetable) oil
- paper towels (or clean cloths).
Start the cleaning by adding a few drops of oil onto your paper towels and wiping the sticky oil splatter. In just a couple of minutes, you will see the gunk come off. When it’s all cleaned, take an unused cloth and scrub the surface thoroughly to get that good shine back.
Cleaning burnt-on grease from stovetops.
The burnt-on grease accompanied by food can harden and become one with the stove’s surface, making it a huge pain to remove. Fortunately, there’s a way to clean your stovetop to perfection, and it doesn’t take more than 30 minutes. The only tools and materials you’ll need are:
- a clean cloth
- hydrogen peroxide
- some baking soda.
Start by preparing your cleaning mixture. Pour half a teacup of baking soda into a bowl, then slowly add the hydrogen peroxide. Mix the solution until it forms a slightly watery paste. Once it’s done, pour the paste onto the parts of the stove you want to clean.
Next, take your trusty cleaning cloth and begin scrubbing diligently. If, after this, there are still some spots that require cleaning, re-apply the paste and let it sit for around 10 minutes. Then repeat the cleaning process.
How to make your burnt pots look like new.
In general, stainless steel pots are resistant and easy to clean containers. Still, their outer walls and bases can lose their shine and acquire more opaque colours, the result of years of use, exposure to heat, and contact with food, especially greasy. These stains may be fine for cooking with your pots, but they can make the utensil look dirty, even after washing it.
Some cleaning methods to remove them do not require too much time or money. For the trick explained below, only white vinegar and baking soda are needed, and the result is more than satisfactory.
What do you need to do is:
- Dissolve baking soda in a bowl with vinegar. Stir well to mix the ingredients until obtaining a paste.
- Impregnate the pot base and walls with the resulting mixture. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the stains on the utensil.
- Wet the sponge with vinegar and scrub the pot’s walls thoroughly. A metal sponge can be used if the stains resist.
In case the stains are still there, you can repeat the whole process as many times as necessary.
This system can also be used to clean pans or other types of containers. Similarly, baking soda and vinegar can be beneficial for cleaning some appliances, such as the oven.
The trick to clean wooden kitchen spoons that will surprise you.
Wooden utensils are ideal for giving a rustic touch to our kitchens, but their porosity and tendency to retain moisture can complicate their maintenance. Nevertheless, it is possible to extend their useful life if they are adequately cared for using cleaning methods that do not damage their varnish.
Putting them in the dishwasher, for example, is one of the options experts reject. This appliance reaches very high temperatures that can easily damage the varnish that covers them. And it is not recommended to expose them to chemical dishwasher detergents. In general, they tend to be too strong and damage the wood of our utensils.
For day-to-day cleaning, washing wooden utensils by hand in hot water is recommended. If they have stains, rubbing them with a lemon can also be useful, as it helps to degrease them. And above all, they should be thoroughly dried after each wash. If they remain damp, it is very easy for microorganisms to settle in.
The simplest and most economical trick to unclog the kitchen sink
The kitchen sink is one of the installations in the house that accumulates the most germs. Hence the importance of cleaning and disinfecting it regularly, not only to get rid of dirt and bad odours but also to avoid possible clogs.
In this sense, it is necessary to remove food scraps before washing dishes or other utensils, making it more difficult for debris to accumulate and block the pipes. It is also not recommended to pour cooking oil down the drain, as it is not eco-friendly and can solidify and cause a blockage, especially if it contains food scraps.
Throwing in other chemicals beyond dishwashing detergents, such as paint or disinfectants, is also not advisable. These tend to be very greasy and can cause blockages.
What to do:
- Just pour a cup full of baking soda down the drain, ensuring it filters well through the sinkhole and another cup of vinegar, and let it sit for half an hour.
- After that, pour plenty of hot water and check the results.
- If you don’t get rid of the blockage on the first try, you can repeat the operation several times.
This alternative is much more respectful of the pipes than chemical drain cleaners, as most of them are very corrosive and can cause considerable damage. It is true that there are some of high quality and easy to use, as well as milder, but they are also considerably more expensive.
To summarise
Although cleaning up the kitchen can be somewhat of a chore, it is important for it to remain tidy and healthy. This article has provided several tips on how to deal with difficult tasks such as cleaning oil stains, getting rid of burned grease marks and polishing stainless steel pots. Additionally, it has highlighted simple steps for cleaning wooden utensils.
By following these suggestions and making them part of your kitchen routine, you can ensure that your kitchen is clean without having an arduous experience.
Counting on cleaning services from a specialist is also an option and definitely will save you time for other activities.
