Spring Cleaning Challenge: The Kitchen #SpringCleaning12
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Follow these 10 steps to get your kitchen clean enough for a food inspector’s seal of approval, just in time for spring cleaning!
photo credit: BHG
Today is the first day of Spring, everything outdoors is starting to look fresh and new again, which gets me in the mood to do the same indoors.
Last week I mentioned today would start the Spring Cleaning Challenge and I’m tackling the kitchen.
Spring cleaning is especially important in the kitchen. I stay on top of my kitchen on a daily basis, but a least once a year I follow these extra steps to get my kitchen clean enough for a food inspector’s seal of approval.
Table of Contents
10 Steps for Spring Cleaning in the Kitchen
Start by removing all clutter and disinfecting counter-tops and dishtowels and then crank up some music and follow these extra steps:
1. Dust and wipe down walls
use this time to clean the grease, grime, and spilled food from your walls. Check corners for cobwebs and dust down corners and trim.
2. Dust and clean items hanging on walls and on top of cabinets.
Wipe down frames and glass and anything hanging on the walls. Don’t forget air vents, doorknobs, doors, switch plates. If you have items on top of your kitchen cabinets, they may need a good scrubbing, as those items tend to get a grease and dust stuck to them. Fill a sink with hot water and dish washing soap to help cut thru grease.
3. Dust and clean light fixtures.
Take down any light fixtures and gently wash and dry them before replacing. If you have a light with exposed light bulb, turn the light off and when it’s cool, dust light bulbs too.
4. Clean windows and window treatments.
Vacuum and clean windowsills. Wash windows, inside and out. Be sure to take down and rinse off screens, before replacing. Remove window treatments and blinds/shades and clean according to manufacture’s instructions. How to clean blinds. My easy window cleaning tip.
5. Clean inside of cabinets and drawers.
Remove everything from inside cabinets , wipe down shelves, and replace and reorganize items. Do the same for drawers. This is a good time to go thru and clean out unused and expired items.
6. Clean appliances.
If you don’t have a self cleaning oven, spray oven cleaner and let it work while you clean other appliances. Don’t forget to open windows in the kitchen to avoid the overpowering smell.
- Refrigerator – Throw out expired food, and remove everything, placing the items to keep on the counter or table. Remove refrigerator shelves and drawers. Wash them down, being careful with glass shelves. Wipe down the entire interior of the refrigerator and freezer with the baking-soda solution, and wipe it dry before replacing shelves and food. Pull refrigerator out, if you can, and unplug and clean behind and underneath. See my favorite tool for this, my refrigerator coil brush.
- Microwave – Start with a damp rag and wipe out any lose crumbs from interior. Then, fill a microwave safe bowl or cup with 4-5 tablespoons baking soda or one-half cup lemon juice and water and heat mixture on high for two to three minutes. When time is up, let it sit for five minutes, then carefully remove cup or bowl and wipe down interior effortlessly with a damp cloth. If you still have stains, try damping your rag with vinegar or a little baking soda to gently scrub away stains. Don’t forget to remove and wash glass turntable. Once everything is sparkling again, leave the door open to air out for bit. Clean exterior and door with only warm, soapy water and soft cloth. Wipe control panels with a barely damp (not wet) cloth; moisture behind the panel could ruin the oven.
- Dishwasher – run empty dishwasher with vinegar. Read my full post on how to clean a dishwasher.
- Oven/Stove – Wipe down and clean out the oven according to the directions on the oven cleaner. Remove, knobs, burners, burner covers, and spill catchers off of the stove and wipe off food spills and splatters, for glass cook tops use a dab of commercial cooktop cleaner on a dry paper towel, and then wipe off the cleaner with another dry towel.
7. Wipe down and clean small appliances.
Unplug all appliances first.
- Mixer – Wash beaters by hand, wipe down base with a damp cloth. If the vent is clogged, loosen the dirt with a toothpick or toothbrush, then vacuum it out.
- Toaster/Toaster oven – clean out crumbs and wipe down the interior and exterior. Be sure to remove racks; wash them in warm, soapy water.
- Coffee Maker – Pour equal parts white vinegar and water into the tank, and run the machine. Empty out carafe and run two or three cycles with fresh water before brewing coffee. Wash carafe and any other removable parts in hot soapy water and wipe down exterior of machine. For any hard water build up on outside of machine, use a cloth soaked in vinegar to removed hard water crust.
8. Clean and shine sink and drain.
Clean your drain with baking soda and vinegar, If you have a garbage disposal, put ice cubes through the disposal to sharpen the blades. Read my post on how to clean/freshen or unclog a drain with vinegar and baking soda. Make you sink shine, by filling your sink to the rim with HOT water and 1 cup of bleach, let it sit for one hour, then remove plug (using tongs or wear gloves), rinse then scrub your sink and faucet with a mild abrasive, I LOVE Barkeepers Friend, rinse thoroughly and finish with a little window cleaner and a paper towel. How to make your sink shine with the Fly Lady.
9. Clean garbage cans.
Wash inside and out with a strong bleach solution (about 3/4 cup per gallon of water).
10. Sweep and mop the floors.
Although this is a step you already do on a regular basis, use spring cleaning to do an extra good job, move furniture to get underneath, get corners, baseboards and even get down on your hands and knees if you can for even a closer clean.
Distilled White Vinegar | Bar Keepers Friend | Bleach | Baking Soda
Count Down to Clean Series (with free Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annual cleaning checklist to print)
Need other Spring Cleaning Tips
Spring Clean : The Why :: Home-EC 101
Spring Clean: Bathrooms :: i Dream of Clean
Spring Clean: Floors and Windows :: Amy’s Finer Things
Spring Clean: The Kitchen :: Tidy Mom
Spring Clean: Home Office :: Untrained Housewife
Spring Clean: Declutter Around the House :: Live Renewed
Spring Clean : Main Living Area :: Biblical Homemaking
Spring Clean: Conquering the Kids’ Room :: Living Well Spending Less
Spring Clean: Outdoor Living Spaces :: The Greenbacks Gal
Spring Clean: Garage and Cars :: Organize365
Now it’s YOUR turn! Let’s see what Spring Cleaning you’ve been up to!
EDITED: GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED
Disclaimer: Giveaway prizes are provided by GE Appliances, The Stow Company and Shark Clean. I was asked to join the Spring Cleaning Challenge by Christine of I Dream of Clean, and was not compensated for this post.
Tidymom is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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I have dozens and dozens of windows in my 1920’s home. It would be the windows…uggggg
My least favorite place to clean is anyplace that has to be DUSTED!
I HATE cleaning baseboards!!
Do what I do, use the furniture attachment on your vacuum wand and vacuum right over the baseboard! It sucks up all that dust (and dog hair!) and leaves your knees and fingers free from grime and pain!
My least favorite place to clean is the bathroom, especially the toilet.
Luv to clean/purge/organize both the fridge and the pantry as both are so rewarding when complete and seem to remain clean longer than the “thankless” tasks that are everyday-type cleaning jobs such as the bathroom and kitchen sink areas. Would so enjoy one of your fab prizes to make the “thankless” tasks so much sweeter 🙂
Okay, since I’m a goof and don’t know how to leave a comment with Rafflecopter, I’ll leave you one here letting you know that my least favorite thing to clean in the house is the oven!
Terrific give-away (but aren’t they all!?)
xo
omg amazing giveaway! You rock!
I hate cleaning anything in the kitchen. I’m more of an organizer than a cleaner. I have to clean before I organize, though, so it gets done.
I hate cleaning the bathroom!
I hate to clean the grate of the air conditioner filter on the ceiling! There is no easy, effective way.
The worst place to keep clean is the rest room.
My least favorite cleaning area is undoubtedly the bathroom ! But y favorite chore I think is doing laundry! I love hanging out the clothes on the line . If they are really thick, like jeans, and get stiff, I just pop them in the dryer for 5 minutes then fold . Uses WAY less energy, and gives me some quiet time hanging clothes or bringing them in
The area around the toilet is the worst — BOYS! Ugh.
ok, color me confused… I left my comment above , but I dont know how to “grab the rafflecopter widget ” for it to count? Help,lol !
Okay, this is really weird but… my favorite thing to clean is TOILETS!!! It doesn’t take much time and they look SO MUCH BETTER after they’re cleaned!!! 🙂
Weird, I know, 🙂
My least favorite place to clean is the bathroom. :o( My favorite is the kitchen – I usually clean as I cook & I love to cook & I love walking into a clean kitchen.
Great kitchen tips- covers everything! I’m also enjoying the other post you’ve featured.
Hi. I’d have to say that my least favorite thing to clean would be our toilets and my favorite thing to do is vaccum. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!!!
really hate cleaning the bathroom living with boys 🙁
I’m not a fan of cleaning the bathrooms.
my favorite thing to when it comes to cleaning is vacuuming , It is very relaxing to me
My least favorite cleaning is cleaning the mini blinds!!!
My least favorite is the bathroom, but honestly, I’ll clean any part of my house before I have to put gas in my car. THAT is my least favorite chore!
I hate cleaning the bathroom!!!
My least favorite thing to clean? That’s easy…..the bathroom! I HATE doing that.
The tub! It takes a good bit of elbow grease to get that soap scum out of the tub and it’s difficult to reach all the places. Truly, back breaking work.
I Hate cleaning n organizing my Fridge and Freezer. It can take a lot of time–if I do a thorough Job.Taking everything out and a part.,cleaning,sanitizing,disposing out of date items. I ,so totally hate it.Then putting everything back.
I hate washing windows and scrubbing the shower!! I do love what they look like when they are all nice and clean though 🙂
I detest cleaning the bathrooms… hate it. But I do love having a clean bathroom – it is one place where there is instant satisfaction!
i hate cleaning the bathroom
I would have to say that cleaning mini blinds would have to be the worst thing to clean during my spring cleaning splurge. Its a good thing that they are cheep so I end up getting frustrated and throwing them out about everyother year.
I hate doing the wash. I have 3 teen daughters that love clothes and it seams like they chane all the time by the amount we have lol. Soo I pick wash!
Oh, I don’t like to clean things up high since I’m so short…lights, the fridge, stove hood, wall corners…
I hate moping and dusting anything !!!
My least favorite job is cleaning the oven followed by mopping the floor. Love your blog!
My least favorite chore has got to be washing light fixtures, so tedious and breakable. Second on the least favorite list has got to be curtains. You mentioning them both in this post makes me realize I have a lot of work to do if I am going to spring clean my home these next few weeks.
I HATE cleaning the fridge and freezer!!
I actually hate cleaning the floor! But I do it anyways…
I despise having to mop. I don’t mind cleaning toilets or vacuuming, but I hate to mop!
I’m joining your challenge! My favorite place to clean is floors, my least favorite is the oven.
I hate to clean closets. There might be a spider or two hiding in there.
I hate cleaning the bathrooms, ugh! I don’t laundry too much, but bathrooms are horrid!
I do LOVE cleaning my oven….it’s self cleaning! ROFL!! On the flip side, I really despise cleaning dried globs off of my cabinets…I’m always nervous that I’m going to chip the wood + why didn’t this get cleaned up when it happened? grrr !!
I strongly dislike cleaning the shower. I don’t know what it is about it, but I try hard to avoid it and get my husband to do it. Typically my avoidance tactics work!
I’ve told you before and I’ll you again – I absolutely love these cleaning posts of yours. They always inspire me to get moving. My least favorite place to clean? The blinds! Ugh!
i hate cleaning the bottom inside of the fridge and freezer. just can’t get down at the right angle to get it done. AND behind the toilet….same reason.
My least fave … putting away laundry!!
My favorite room to clean is the living room. My least favorite is the bathroom.
As a mom of triplets and, oh yes, a grandbaby boy, I can go through a lot of laundry. My front loader is about six years old and is on its last leg! I swear sometimes it is going to walk right into the living room during spin cycle! I could really use a new washer & dryer! 🙂
Dusting any shelf on any kind!