Kitchen Guides
Kitchen Cleaning Tips: 7 Ways to a Spotless & Fresh Cooking Space
From dusty corners to grimy surfaces, here are some serious kitchen cleaning tips to keep grime and stains at bay
Our Indian style of cooking with the desi tadkas and all that frying makes it hard to achieve a utopian fresh, mess-free kitchen. Grime is a fact of an Indian kitchen’s life and it is the biggest cause for staining on the walls, chimney and cabinetry. Grime is a sticky residue produced when the vapours of cooking grease settle on surfaces, on which smoke and dust particles attach themselves. Cleaning grime on a regular basis can be very time-consuming and frustrating and most of us want to do this exercise as infrequently as possible. Here are some clever tips to combat the dreaded grime and keep your kitchen sparkling clean.
2. Turn on the exhaust or chimney while cooking
We can stop the grease from accumulating within the kitchen by switching on the exhaust or chimney as soon as we start cooking. In case your kitchen does not have a chimney, it is recommended you install one.
Note: This is an important kitchen cleaning tip. Regularly wipe the oil that settles on the chimney with a microfibre cloth dipped in hot water.
Find out which chimney is right for your kitchen
We can stop the grease from accumulating within the kitchen by switching on the exhaust or chimney as soon as we start cooking. In case your kitchen does not have a chimney, it is recommended you install one.
Note: This is an important kitchen cleaning tip. Regularly wipe the oil that settles on the chimney with a microfibre cloth dipped in hot water.
Find out which chimney is right for your kitchen
3. Clean the tile grout
If you have white or light-coloured kitchen backsplash tiles, any dirt that accumulates on the grout will be visible. Keep in mind that the porous and uneven surface of tile grout is an ideal place for mould and mildew to thrive.
If you have white or light-coloured kitchen backsplash tiles, any dirt that accumulates on the grout will be visible. Keep in mind that the porous and uneven surface of tile grout is an ideal place for mould and mildew to thrive.
- Baking soda makes a great scrubbing agent for the tiles. Make a thick paste of baking soda and a little water, and apply it to the grout. Spray some vinegar on the surface. After a few minutes use a toothbrush to clean and scrub.
- Another way to remove the grimy residue is with steam cleaners. It is an efficient way to remove dirt and stains from the kitchen countertop and all kinds of floor and wall tiles.
- Additionally, periodic vacuum cleaning is effective in sucking up dust that may be present on the hard-to-reach corners and areas of the walls and ceilings of the kitchen. However, it is not suitable for removing grime.
4. Disinfect the floor
Dirt spills and particles of leftover food can give rise to germs on the floor. It is advisable to not only clean but disinfect the floor regularly.
Dirt spills and particles of leftover food can give rise to germs on the floor. It is advisable to not only clean but disinfect the floor regularly.
- A combination of 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup hot water and the juice of a lemon should be used to sanitise the floors and make them shine. The acidic nature of lemon and vinegar makes this solution a natural disinfectant.
- Hydrogen peroxide is also a very good fungicide and whitening agent for the floor. Add 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide to 4 litres water and use it to mop the floor.
5. Remove stains from natural stone countertops
Natural stones like marble and granite are porous, so it is essential to use a penetrating sealant to prevent liquids from seeping into the counters. In case of any liquid spills, clean the spillage immediately.
For routine cleaning, use warm soapy water, for stubborn stains use a solution of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning.
Note: Say no to harsh acidic cleaners for the countertop – they can etch or dull the polish and degrade the stone’s sealer.
Natural stones like marble and granite are porous, so it is essential to use a penetrating sealant to prevent liquids from seeping into the counters. In case of any liquid spills, clean the spillage immediately.
For routine cleaning, use warm soapy water, for stubborn stains use a solution of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning.
Note: Say no to harsh acidic cleaners for the countertop – they can etch or dull the polish and degrade the stone’s sealer.
6. Clean the cooktops
Isn’t the cooktop subjected to maximum spills and stains while cooking? Clean the cooktop and grills regularly with warm soapy water.
For more stubborn stains, sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda on the cooktop. Dip a clean cloth in 1 cup hot vinegar and spread this cloth over the baking soda and wait 5 minutes. Remove the cloth and scrub away the loosened grime.
Isn’t the cooktop subjected to maximum spills and stains while cooking? Clean the cooktop and grills regularly with warm soapy water.
For more stubborn stains, sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda on the cooktop. Dip a clean cloth in 1 cup hot vinegar and spread this cloth over the baking soda and wait 5 minutes. Remove the cloth and scrub away the loosened grime.
7. Maintain the kitchen sinks
Kitchen sinks are one of the most abused areas of the kitchen, as they have grease and grime passing through them every day. Make it a point to scrub the sink daily so that the grime doesn’t build up.
Additionally, use baking soda to clean the sink; it breaks down dirt and grease. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 1/4 cup lemon juice, pour it over the surface of the sink and let this mixture stand for 10 minutes. Rinse it with hot water. Do this at least once a week.
Read more:
4 Sure-Shot, DIY Ways to Clean Grout on Tiles
Tell us:
Do you have more kitchen-cleaning tips? Share in the Comments section below.
Kitchen sinks are one of the most abused areas of the kitchen, as they have grease and grime passing through them every day. Make it a point to scrub the sink daily so that the grime doesn’t build up.
Additionally, use baking soda to clean the sink; it breaks down dirt and grease. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 1/4 cup lemon juice, pour it over the surface of the sink and let this mixture stand for 10 minutes. Rinse it with hot water. Do this at least once a week.
Read more:
4 Sure-Shot, DIY Ways to Clean Grout on Tiles
Tell us:
Do you have more kitchen-cleaning tips? Share in the Comments section below.
For cleaning greasy kitchen cabinets use vinegar, because it is a natural cleanser that inhibits the growth of mould, mildew and bacteria.
Create a cleaning solution with 1 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon baking powder and 2 cups warm water. Spray this solution on the cabinets – let it remain for two minutes and then clean it with a sponge. This homemade cleaner is not only non-toxic but it cleans well, which makes it a better option than manufactured cleaners.