Arguably the most important room in the house, our kitchens see a buzz of activity and a steady stream of traffic each day. It stands to reason, therefore, that the kitchen is also the room that gets dirty most frequently and requires consistent attention to keep it clean.
While everyone has their preferred products and strategies for cleaning the kitchen, there are some important “don’ts” when it comes to kitchen cleaning. Consider the following not-to-do’s from Southern Living magazine.
Don’t clean that sponge. If you’re periodically throwing your sponge in the dishwasher or microwave in the hopes of cleaning it for continued use, it’s time to stop. When a sponge is sufficiently dirty, it’s time to toss it. Use it for the jobs where it’s really required, not to clean your counters every day. Use a soft cloth for countertops instead and throw them in the wash when done. Otherwise, you’ll just be spreading bacteria around your kitchen.
Don’t rinse your dishes. It’s tempting to thoroughly rinse your dishes before popping them in the dishwasher but most modern dishwashers won’t work as hard if they sense cleaner dishes. You also might be wasting up to 6,000 gallons of water a year!
Don’t use harsh cleaners on your countertops. Granite or other natural stone countertops need special treatment. Stay away from citric acid-based cleaners, vinegar, bleach and other abrasive products that can cause damage. Look for cleaners specially made for granite or research a home-made recipe online.
Don’t skip the inside of the dishwasher. Dirt and grime can clog the drain and inner workings of your dishwasher causing it to work poorly and emit a foul odor. Plan to clean your dishwasher at least once a month. Clean the entire interior, door, gasket and filter by putting one cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe bowl on the top rack and running the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on the shortest cycle to clean its inner workings. Be sure to do these steps separately and open the door as opposed to leaving it on the drying cycle. Check with your manufacturer’s manual to make sure these methods are safe.
Don’t put knives in the dishwasher. Preserve your blades and knife handles by never placing them in the dishwasher. Wash them by hand with warm soapy water instead to preserve their appearance and functionality
Don’t skip these areas. Cleaning your kitchen should include cleaning all light switches, cabinet and appliance handles and any door knobs. These high touch areas can be a breeding ground for germs so be sure to give them a good wipe down frequently.
