Cleaning Kitchens


It is all too easy for the kitchen to become messy, grimy, and smelly. However, it is equally easy to keep it clean if you wipe up after yourself and spend a little time on frequently used appliances and sides. Wash up your utensils as you cook and mop up spills as they happen, and your kitchen will instantly become a tidier and more manageable room.

A good multi-purpose cleaner that can be applied all around the kitchen can be made from water and a liquid dishwashing detergent combined in a spray bottle. Do not squeeze too much liquid in though, or the solution will be too foamy to spray.

Do not mix ammonia and bleach as it will create toxic fumes.

Stain removal -

Most stains can be removed by blotting with a solution of 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water. Leave it to work for half an hour, and then scrub with a little baking soda if required.

Shaving cream is also an effective agent against harsh stains, and water with baking soda paste has been known to work well against coffee stains.

Marble -

Kitchen MarbleOnly clean marble surfaces with a detergent and water solution, as harsh cleaners like vinegar or orange based products contain acids which can damage them.

Whenever it is washed or cleaned, always dry it thoroughly to prevent water spots from forming. Marble stains easily, but you can still use a peroxide/water blotting solution to clean it safely.

Tile -

Tile grout is a porous substance which is unfortunately prone to staining, and absorbing cleaning products without removing the stains. Use a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle; apply to the stained area and leave to work for half an hour. Repeat the process if necessary.

Do not use peroxide on coloured grout or it will remove the colour.

Shaving cream can be an equally effective stain remover on problem areas.

Cupboards -

To get streak-free white kitchen cupboards, baking soda and water are a good cleaning combination. Baking soda will not damage the surface, but does remove all grease and splatters.

Streaky cupboards are often caused by the built up detergent used when cleaning them. A thorough rinsing should be sufficient, but a vinegar and water solution is guaranteed to finish the job. Vinegar is an excellent degreaser. A window cleaner can also be used here.

Stainless steel -

If food residue has been burned on to a stainless steel cooker or work surface, simply boil some water and pour it onto the spillage. Leave it for a few minutes to loosen the food with its heat, and then can scrape or rub it off.

Water spots can be wiped away with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. Wipe the area dry after treating with a clean cloth to avoid further marking.

Sinks and taps -

Kitchen SinkThe water stains and mineral build up around your kitchen taps can be treated by wrapping vinegar-soaked paper towels around them and leaving for about an hour. Rinse and buff dry with a clean paper towel for shiny chrome taps. Chrome can also be cleaned with dry baking soda.

Clean a porcelain sink by using a paste comprising cream of tartar and water. Superficial scratches to the porcelain surface that are caused by washing up or cleaning can be smoothed with a pumice stone. First fill up the sink with water and then use the pumice to gently scour and smooth the porcelain bowl. Deep scratches cannot be treated in this manner.

The sink should be filled water to ensure that the pumice stone remains soaking wet, or else you run the risk of scratching the sink with the stone itself.

If it is the sink's plughole that is causing you problems, you can flush it out with simple home ingredients. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the plughole followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Allow the solution to foam for several minutes and then rinse out with hot water.

Ovens and cookers -

Ovens and cookersKeep the bottom of your oven lined with tinfoil so that any food spillages and drips are caught.

If food has already bubbled over and burnt to the oven floor, shake some salt onto it. It will make less smoke and be easier to clean in the cooled oven.

For an easy overnight clean, put a large bath towel soaked with ammonia into the oven. Close the door, leave it overnight and then wipe clean with fresh water. For an immediate solution, a commercial foaming cleaner is good for vertical cleaning. It will stick well to the walls, allowing the product time to work and dissolve the dirt.

Grime-encrusted grill pans and oven shelving that cannot be cleaned by normal means can be salvaged by spraying with ammonia and sealed in a bin bag for 4 hours or more. For the oven window, coat it with a paste of baking soda and water and wash off after 10 minutes.

Microwaves -

Scrubbing inside your microwave can be tricky, so make the job easier by cooking a ½ cup of water on high for 2 minutes. The steam loosens the dried spills and splatters so you can spray with a detergent and water solution and wipe dry.

Refrigerators -

The fridge should be given a regular and thorough clean. Empty it of all foodstuffs and then wipe down the insides and separate compartments with a baking soda, vinegar and water mixture. A foaming cleaner can be used where necessary to thoroughly dissolve the grime on the fridge walls.

Make sure to clean under the rubber gasket, as trapped food debris here can cause odours. To counteract smells, leave an open pot of baking soda in the fridge.

Floors -

FloorsVinyl flooring can be kept clean and fresh with a regular mopping from a detergent solution. Vinegar can also be used on vinyl, as it is a good degreaser.

As a result of all the cooking, and perhaps even from some strong smelling cleaning products, the kitchen can play host to some unpleasant smells. To eradicate kitchen odours, you can:

If it is your chopping board that is retaining bad smells from fish, garlic etc, simply rub it with half a lemon and then wash normally.