How to Clean Your Kitchen

3. Clean and organise the cabinets

• Empty all the contents of the top cabinets, including organisers or tension rods, if any.
• Sweep and mop the area inside the cabinets to remove the accumulated dust and dirt. Use the multi-surface cleaner or all-purpose cleaner to scrub away stubborn stains.
• Clean the organisers and rods, and re-install them in the cabinets.

• Wipe the jars and boxes before storing them back.
• Use the multi-surface cleaning solution to wipe the doors (inside and outside), knobs and handles of the cabinets.
• Repeat the above steps with the drawers and cabinets located below the counter.

Organise the cabinets and drawers by grouping and placing items according to use. Consider adopting clever organisation solutions like pull-out racks, swivel shelves, drawer inserts and pegboards to not only maximise the available space, but organise it better as well.

Frequency of cleaning: Deep cleaning should be done once a month, depending on the dust and humidity in your area. However, cleaning of the cabinet doors, drawer panels, knobs and handles should be carried out at least twice a week.

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4. Clean the appliances
Cleaning the appliances regularly is not only an essential hygiene practice, but it also adds to the efficiency and life of the machines.

• Unplug the appliances and empty all the contents.
• Remove the detachable parts (grates, in case of the microwave or oven; shelves, baskets and drawers, in case of the refrigerator) and soak them in warm soapy water. Use a brush to thoroughly clean them and leave to dry.
• Gently wipe the outside of the appliances with damp cloth,. For the inside, clean the respective appliances as per their standard cleaning instructions.
• Install the detachable parts back in the appliance. In case of the fridge, put the containers and food items back after discarding the stale ones.
• Finally, employ the multi-surface cleaner to wipe off stains on the outside of the appliances – the top, the sides, regulators, handles and so on.

Frequency of cleaning: Spills and splatters should be taken care of instantly. Thorough cleaning of all appliances must be done every month or as per your usage.

5. Clean the backsplash
The backsplash faces daily splattering from cooking activities, especially the area around the stove top, which is prone to more stubborn stains and grease.

• Stone-based backsplash tiles can be cleaned effectively using warm water and dish-washing solution. Ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, glass and other composite materials can be sprayed with the all-purpose cleaner and wiped with microfibre cloth.
• Use a brush with a paste of baking soda and water to clean all the tile grouts and remove harsher stains and grease around the stove area.

Frequency of cleaning: Ideally, the backsplash should be wiped clean with a multi-surface spray at the end of every day. Additionally, the tiles deserve comprehensive cleaning after every heavy cooking session or every week.

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6. Clean the countertop and stove top
The countertop is the busiest area of the kitchen and keeping it spotless can be tricky.

• Acidic cleansers can discolour and etch the stone, engineered stone and wooden countertops. Universally, a mix of dish washing liquid and warm water works best. Spread detergent and warm water over the counter surface and stove, and leave it till the water cools down.
• Scrub the stains away, wipe the entire surface with a microfibre cloth and then wipe again with a clean, damp cloth.
• Oil-based stains or spills can be removed using a thick paste of baking soda and water, or any other suitable cleaner that will not harm your particular countertop type.

Frequency of cleaning: It is advisable to wipe the counters after every cooking session. Spills should be cleaned instantly to avoid permanent damage of the material. Thorough cleaning of the countertops should be done at least twice a month or as needed.

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8. Lastly, put everything back

• Remember you took down all the stuff from the walls? Wipe and clean the containers, baskets and boxes, and place them back where they belong.
• Wipe and clean the containers, trays, cutting boards, appliances and other equipment that were removed from the counter earlier and replace them as per their use.
• Plug the appliances to their respective power sockets and you are done!

A few bonus tips:

• Bring in clever organiser racks (hanging shelves, magnetic strips, wire racks and the like) to designate space for all kitchen essentials.
• Consider setting up extra storage and organiser products such as a trolley, corner racks or a multipurpose cabinet to keep the kitchen clutter-free.
• If space permits, add a kitchen island to punch in extra storage and functionality.

Read more:
Kitchens: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
7 Foolproof Tips to Create the Perfect Kitchen

Tell us:
How often do you deep-clean your kitchen? What hacks do you always follow? Tell us in Comments below.