The kitchen, in a variety of ways, functions as an essential part of the house. It’s where you store, cook, and perhaps even eat your meals. In the same way, your kitchen could be among your home’s most filthy, clutter-filled rooms.
Establishing and sustaining an ongoing cleaning and disinfecting routine will help ensure that everything is going smoothly (and stop the spread of dangerous germs) in this vital area. However, before launching an entirely new routine, be aware of how specific actions (or practices that are not followed) could cause problems in the kitchen to become messier and more complex.
To make things easier for everyone, Here are the top 10 items professional cleaning professionals hope you didn’t make in the kitchen.
Cleaning is delayed
It’s the same in all rooms. The longer you put off cleaning, theory, and elbow grease, the more you need to accomplish the task. In addition, when you cook in your kitchen, you can attract pests and bacteria that cross-contaminate. That’s why Rebeca Medina, the owner of Clean Home Cleaning Services, suggests wiping down countertops and appliances each time they are utilized. “You don’t have to pull out your cleaning kit every time you cook, but you should keep a damp cloth and dry towel handy to wipe up spills and crumbs,” she suggests.
Let the dishes accumulate
More dishes mean more work (nobody wants to scrub the hardened food particles from the pans and pots). However, according to Medina, there’s a reason not to let dirty dishes in the sink too much due to foul odors, bacteria, and pests from settling in your kitchen. It is recommended to clean (or, at the very least, thoroughly clean) your dishes immediately after you’ve used them.
The dishwasher is overloaded
While discussing dishes, take care not to overload this crucial appliance. “It may be tempting to cram in all your dishes at once, but this can prevent proper cleaning and can even cause your dishwasher to work overtime and eventually lead to accelerated wear and tear,” says Karina Toner, the operations director for Spekless Cleaning. Instead, run several cycles (or hand-wash the dishes you cannot fit).
Let your oven and stove become filthy
Your oven and stove are your kitchen’s primary appliances, so it’s crucial to treat them with love periodically. Food debris and grease are likely to build up quickly, making them difficult to clean if left too long. “Regular cleaning will not only keep them looking great, but it’ll also ensure that they’re working as efficiently as possible,” Toner states.
Don’t let old food go to the refrigerator
Old and expired foods could create unpleasant odors and draw unwanted bugs. Even while it’s a chore, Toner recommends taking regular inventory of your fridge and getting rid of anything that is inedible. While doing that, take some time to clean off the refrigerator’s interior, too.
Make sure you clean your floors before you start
When you’re cleaning the kitchen, it’s essential to keep things in order. It’s recommended to begin with higher surfaces. “If you start by sweeping and mopping your floors, not only are you going to step on wet floors, but all the food crumbs and dust from upper surfaces will fall to the floor, and you will lose all your work,” says Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids.
Keep more storage space than you’ll ever require
Another of Varela’s pet peeves is how people pack too many cups and plates within their cupboards. “It’s not necessary, because you never use all of them, and the only thing they do is occupy space and create more dust and more utensils to clean,” Varela declares. Take a regular inventory and keep only the utensils, cups, and plates you use.
Don’t use the wrong cleaning products
This all-purpose cleaner is helpful, but it’s not the most effective option for all surfaces within your home. “Some surfaces require special solutions or cleaners to keep them shining like new,” says Justin Carpenter, owner of Modern Maids. For instance, you can use a specific glass cleaner on windows, stainless steel cleaners for stainless appliances, and stone cleaners when you have quartz or granite counters. Always use a disinfectant instead of a cleaning spray to keep germs at bay!
Use the same sponge and the same rag for all
The same scrubber to clean countertops, dishes, and appliances is an excellent method of spreading bacteria, Rocky Vuong, the co-founder of Calibre Cleaning. Instead, choose distinct sponges or clothes to perform various tasks and swap them often.
Store cleaning supplies haphazardly
Unorganized cleaning supplies can make unpleasant chores even more challenging (which could mean you’ll be less motivated to complete these chores). Vuong suggests keeping your cleaning supplies in order and easily accessible to facilitate regular cleaning. “Store them in a designated area, like a cabinet or under the sink, and consider using a caddy to keep everything together,” he suggests.
