8 Hacks for Cleaning your Kitchen

Cleaning your kitchen can be a hassle, especially when there are so many stains, grease spills, and burnt food on the bottom of your oven. Some of these tasks are a real chore to tackle, but there are many quick hacks that you probably didn’t know about to get rid of those pesky stains.

1. Clean the stovetop with baking soda and water

You don’t need any professional tools to tackle those stains on your stovetop. Whether you have a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, there are many household items you can use to make your appliance look in tip-top shape once again.

Firstly, make sure your appliance is cool. Sprinkle some baking soda over the stove, and then spray with vinegar. After ten minutes, wipe off with a damp cloth and watch the grease and stains disappear.

If you have a gas stovetop, remove the metal grates and gas caps and soak in hot soapy water for ten minutes. While you wait, make a paste of baking soda and water. Take the grates out of the water and apply the baking soda, paying particular attention to the toughest spots. Sit for thirty minutes, then use a damp cloth to remove the excess paste.

Check out our range of freestanding cookers to help improve your kitchen.

2. Remove grout from tiles using a toothbrush, baking soda and vinegar 

Tiles have been commonplace in kitchens for decades. While the tiles are easy to wipe down with soapy water, the grout can often be stained with food and grease splashes.

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste, and apply to the grout with an old toothbrush. Scrub effectively to work the paste deep into the grout. 

Spray some vinegar over the pasted grout, and watch as the solution begins to froth and bubble as it works into the dirt.

Lastly, scrub away with the old toothbrush and watch as the stains are removed. Rinse excess paste with warm water. 

3. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean out the inside of your oven

The bottom of your oven is prone to collecting all sorts of food debris. Old chips, crumbs, and burnt cheese are commonplace at the bottom of household ovens. 

Instead of scooping out with an old cloth, take the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner to clear all excess debris. This will alleviate the need to clean your floor afterward, and allow you to get straight to work on cleaning the oven’s interior. 

4. Clean your microwave with water

It’s true! I don’t mean just wiping the interior with a wet cloth. That will never tackle soup splashes and other stains that persist within. I mean microwaving the water.

Fill a microwavable bowl with water. Squeeze slices of either lemon or orange into the bowl and mix. If you have white vinegar on hand, then add a couple of tablespoons to the solution.

Place inside the microwave and dial to full heat for approximately 5 minutes. 

Let the water cool before taking it out. Then wipe the inside with a damp cloth.

5. Wipe down the inside of your fridge with vinegar

This should be done once every few months. Wiping the interior of your refrigerator with vinegar helps prevent bacteria buildup, keeping your food safer and fresher for longer.

Remove all shelving and drawers from the refrigerator and place them into hot soapy water for ten minutes. Empty the rest of the contents of the fridge onto a clean surface.

Spray the inside of the fridge with a solution of water and vinegar, concentrating on dirty and stained areas. 

Tackle the shelves and drawers with a hot sponge and washing-up liquid. Whilst they are drying, return to the fridge and wipe away the vinegar, and dirt in the process, with a damp cloth.

Reinsert dried shelves and drawers and reorganise the contents of the fridge.

6. Clean your refrigerator coils 

The best way to make your refrigerator work harder is by cleaning the coils at least once a year. This will help keep food from spoiling too quickly, and save you money on energy bills because it won’t need as much of an adjustment to maintain temperature levels when cooling.

Turn off the power supply and unplug your fridge from the wall. If your coils are situated at the back of the fridge, pull out about one metre to allow you easy access. 

Modern fridges tend to have their coils at the base of the front. If so, unclamp the coil guard and place it safely elsewhere.

Taking a soft-bristled brush, remove as much of the dirt and grime as possible. Then, using a vacuum cleaner, suck up any excess dirt and dust that you have disturbed. Repeat this process until all excess dirt has been removed. 

Place the refrigerator and coil guard back in place, plug back in, and restart your fridge.

This should be repeated twice a year for maximum efficiency.

7. Use a squeegee on surfaces that are prone to water stains

One of the best hacks for cleaning your kitchen is to use a squeegee on surfaces that are prone to water stains, like your stovetop or oven door. This can be an easy way to keep them looking their cleanest for longer. Using a squeegee on solid countertops can also help prevent any water stains from occurring.

After wiping down your stovetop and oven door, take a squeegee and wipe away the excess water. This will leave your glass appliances looking as though they have been freshly polished.

After washing the dishes, or using the sink for any other reason, splashes may occur. Instead of dampening a clean cloth, and inviting bacteria into the kitchen, use a squeegee to rid of any excess water.

8. Get in-between all those hard-to-reach places using toothpicks 

Grime buildup is common around the sink and taps. It gathers deep around plugholes and other hard-to-reach areas where water lays stagnant. 

Spray the gunk around taps and drains with water and washing-up liquid solution. This will help break up the grime internally. Using the toothpick, scrape away the gunk from in and around the affected areas.

What is the fastest way to clean a kitchen?

The fastest way approach to cleaning your kitchen is by methodically planning the steps that you must take. Approaching a big cleaning task is always easier when things are done in order.

• Tidy away any clean dishes from the drying rack and/or dishwasher. Keeping these away from the rest of the dirty kitchen will help prevent the spread of bacteria and also leave you with enough space to tackle the dirty dishes.

• Gather all dirty dishes and wash them. Now that your kitchen is clear of any clean dishes, you will have the space to wash those pots that have been gathering all day (or longer). The earlier you do this the better, as they will dry whilst you clean the rest of your kitchen.

• Clear the sides of any rubbish. Empty crisp packets, chocolate wrappers and other food packaging should be next on your list, allowing you to differentiate between the products that want putting away.

• Tidy away! Anything else that is left out; any shopping, cooking implements, and other utensils that haven’t been put away yet should be now. By now your kitchen sides should be looking clear and lacking clutter.

• Lastly, using an anti-bacterial spray and kitchen towel, wipe down the surfaces. This will leave your counters shining and spotless, ready for the next time you need to prepare any food.

How can I make my cabinets shine?

After years of enduring greasy cooking, excessive handling and less-than-often cleaning, kitchen cabinets can start to appear dull and faded. There are many ways to help restore your cabinet’s character, depending on what type of cabinets you have. 

Firstly remove any excess dirt and grease. Clean your cupboards of any cobwebs and dust before beginning. Using a solution of vegetable oil soap and water, gently wipe the cabinet doors with a cloth. This will break down any surface grease that has caked onto the cabinet. Remove any residue with a damp warm cloth.

Kitchen cabinet polishers are also available. These should be spot-tested on an inconspicuous area before applying to the entire cabinet, as they can instead cause discolouration. The manufacturer’s instructions should be followed closely.

In the end, it’s all about making a kitchen clean and organized for optimal use. We hope these tips have helped you with your own cleaning process or inspired you to make some changes in how quickly your kitchen is cleaned. Though it may be a daunting task, there are many quick and effective approaches to cleaning your kitchen.