The kitchen is often the busiest room in the house, serving as the heart of the home. Therefore, it requires thorough care and attention when it comes to cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. We have consulted with an expert to provide guidance on how frequently to clean each surface in our kitchen and how to do so effectively in order to maintain a safe and sparkling cooking space.
Meet The Expert: Sarah McAllister, CEO and founder of GoCleanCo.
Our kitchens should always be kept clean, whether we prepare elaborate meals daily or simply reheat takeout favorites. Certain surfaces in the kitchen are used frequently and require regular cleaning, while others can be cleaned less frequently. Here is a breakdown of how often different surfaces in your kitchen should be cleaned:
Fridge:
Exterior
Frequency: Clean the exterior of your fridge at least weekly, or more frequently if you have pets or children.
How To: Simply use a warm cloth and dish soap to clean the exterior. For stainless steel fridges, a material-specific cleaning spray can be beneficial, ensuring to wipe in the direction of the grain to prevent streaks.
Interior
Frequency: The interior surfaces of your fridge can be cleaned less frequently. A monthly wipe down of the entire inside is recommended, while a deep clean should be done twice a year, including removing drawers and shelves for a thorough cleaning.
How To: For a deep clean, let the shelving reach room temperature before cleaning with warm water. Disinfect with hot water and bleach or clean with dish soap and hot water.
Freezer:
Frequency: A twice-yearly cleaning is typically sufficient for the freezer.
How To: Thaw out the freezer before cleaning it with hot water and bleach. If there are lingering odors, fill the freezer with crumbled newspapers to absorb them.
Stovetop:
Frequency: For avid home cooks, routine cleaning at the end of each day is recommended.
How To: Wipe down the stovetop with Dawn Power Wash and a microfiber cloth. For stubborn spots, try using Easy Off and an S.O.S. steel wool pad. Polish the surface with Windex for a sparkling finish. Clean the oven front weekly with a damp cloth and dish soap or stainless steel cleaner.
Microwave:
Frequency: Clean the inside of your microwave at least once a week with dish soap and hot water on a microfiber cloth.
How To: Microwave a bowl of vinegar for a minute to help loosen stuck-on food and deodorize the appliance. Wipe away the grime with a cloth.
Dishwasher:
Exterior: Follow the same cleaning schedule as the fridge.
To keep your dishwasher clean, use a microfiber cloth with dish soap and hot water for most materials, or Windex for stainless steel. The GoCleanCo. team suggests cleaning the filter weekly with hot water and a scrub brush, and removing hard water buildup by soaking it in vinegar. To maintain the interior, pour a cup of bleach in the bottom and run a hot cycle monthly.
For sinks, clean with dish soap and hot water weekly. Stainless steel sinks can be buffed with Bar Keepers Friend and polished with Weiman, while porcelain sinks benefit from the same treatment but require a scrub brush. Silgranit sinks can be cleaned with a mixture of dish soap and vinegar, then buffed with olive oil for extra shine.
Countertops should be wiped daily and deep cleaned weekly. Laminate, quartz, and granite countertops can be cleaned with liquid detergent and hot water, and bleach for tough stains. Butcher block countertops need a mix of hot water and bleach, while marble countertops require a mix of dish soap and hot water.
Don’t forget to clean items on your countertops, such as small appliances and decorations, to remove dust and grease buildup weekly.
Clean floors weekly and mop every other week. Use a spin mop with liquid laundry detergent and hot water for best results.
Garbage cans should be freshened weekly by taking out the trash, emptying crumbs, and using a disinfecting wipe inside and out.
Cabinets can be cleaned with soap and water to restore their appearance.
As a journalist, I must adhere to journalistic ethics, which include accuracy, fairness, and honesty in reporting. Here is a rewritten version of the given text in a journalistic style:
In order to maintain the cleanliness of your kitchen cabinets, it is essential to give them a thorough cleaning every few months. To effectively tackle this task, it is recommended to start from the top and work your way down. Begin by dusting the tops of your cabinets to remove any accumulated dirt or debris. Next, use a cloth dampened with warm soapy water to wipe down the fronts of the cabinets on a weekly basis. Be sure to pay attention to the cracks and details of the cabinet doors by thoroughly wiping them with a clean, dry cloth.
These simple yet effective cleaning tips will help ensure that your kitchen cabinets remain in top condition. Remember, a clean and well-maintained kitchen not only enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your home but also promotes a healthy living environment for you and your family.
For more home improvement and cleaning tips, be sure to check out the original article on Southern Living.
