The Heart of the Home
Let's start with the heart of most homes, the kitchen. Sure, we regularly wash the dishes, wipe down counters and sweep up crumbs. And sometimes it feels like a never ending task. Today we will share our method to deep clean your kitchen efficiently so you have a fresh start to setup your routine.
Check out our master list to tackle most areas of the kitchen. Short on time? We suggest breaking the sections down into manageble areas to fit your schedule.
1. Declutter
Go around the kitchen and place EVERYTHING that doesn't belong in a bin to put away later. (Stay tuned for our weekly organization tips where we will share how to transform your "junk drawer." )
Throw out all trash, place dirty dishes in sink, clear all items/appliances from countertops. Either put away in cupboards or place on the dining table temporarily while you clean up.
2. Dust & Wipe Down
Start from the top and work your way down. Now is the time to dust and wipe down the top of cabinets and fridge. Live Life Green Tip- For quick clean ups later on, stick pieces of plastic wrap or Glad Press'n Seal on top of cabinets and fridge.
Spray and wipe down blinds, remove any window treatments to
launder, clean windows and tracks. Wipe down countertops, backsplash, walls, cabinet doors and knobs (we're saving the interior of the cabinets for our kitchen organization series). After countertops are cleaned, wipe down and place small appliances/items back in their place.
3. Appliances
Spray and wipe down all appliances - refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, stove and trashcan. If you're able to, now would be a great time to move the fridge and stove to sweep behind them.
Go through the fridge and throw away old leftovers and expired food. Wipe down and disinfect all shelves and drawers.
4. Sink
Clean any dishes in the sink or load in dishwasher. Make it a habit to clean dishes right after use and put away immediately after they are clean. Wipe down and disinfect sink, faucet and drain.
5. Pantry
Place any food that you won't use in a bin to donate. Throw away
anything that is expired. Starting from the top, spray and wipe down each shelf.
6. Floors
Sweep up and mop floors. Get in the habit of sweeping up floors daily and mopping at least once weekly.
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Whew, now you have a sparkling clean kitchen. Pick some fresh flowers for a vase on the counter or light a nice, scented candle and relax!
