Home & Garden
Kitchens are the most prone to becoming disorganized. A kitchen requires regular and thorough maintenance, whether new or old. Living in a neat, clean, and well-kept environment will also benefit your mental state, preventing you from becoming overwhelmed. These kitchen maintenance tasks take only a few minutes but can do a lot to keep your home looking nice and prevent it from losing value. Here are some pointers to help you maintain your kitchen in good condition.
Keep the counters clean and maintained.
It can be inconvenient to remove all the jars and utensils every day to clean the counters. Try storing jars, appliances, and whatever else you have in the cabinets rather than on the counters. Keeping your kitchen counters empty is a great way to keep them clutter-free and easily cleaned. You can, of course, leave the jars and equipment you use every day out. However, keep them simple and well-organized.
Clean the grouting.
Dirty and discolored grouting will make your kitchen appear old and grubby, but a thorough cleaning can completely transform its appearance. Take into consideration the type of tile you have. Natural stone tiles, for example, are porous and must be handled with care because they stain easily. For these, use less abrasive cloths or brushes. Use vinegar and warm water for a gentle approach. Scrub it with a brush; a soft old toothbrush will suffice. To remove tougher stains, you can use baking soda and vinegar.
Prevent clogging of pipes and drains.
Is your kitchen sink draining slowly? Is there an unpleasant odor in your kitchen? Don’t ignore these tell-tale signs of a clogged drain. But prevention is always preferable to cure. Don’t wash food chunks or coffee grounds down the drain; instead scrape them into your food waste, compost, or bin before washing up, and get a drain protector to catch any residue. Also, never pour cooking oil down the drain. It can congeal in your pipes and cause a blockage. Hot water and soap will not dissolve oils and fats, and the soap may cause the oil to harden, stick to other items in your pipes, and aggravate the problem. Instead, let it cool and solidify before throwing it away.
Remember to wipe the cabinets regularly.
We frequently fail to clean the cabinets. Cooking scum, spills, and stains left by young children and pets can all damage your cabinets. Taking a few minutes to wipe down cabinets can keep your kitchen looking new and delay the need for cabinet replacement or repainting. A solution of water and dishwashing liquid usually works well for this.
Clean the sink regularly.
Keeping the sink clean can be challenging, even if you don’t cook frequently. Just the dishes you use for eating can quickly accumulate, so it’s best to wash them after each meal or every two meals. When you’re finished with the dishes, add a few drops of cleaning liquid to the sink and wipe it down with a sponge, followed by some water and dry clean cloth. If you leave the sink wet or dirty overnight, you’ll have a tough time cleaning it in the morning. You should properly maintain the sink if you want your sink to last a long time.
