Getting ready to move can be overwhelming at times. Before packing up all your belongings, you need to give your house a thorough clean! Last week we covered the living room. Many of those tips also apply to the kitchen: dusting ceilings, mopping floors, etc. In part 2 of our Spring Cleaning Series, we’ll be covering kitchen-specific cleaning, breaking it down task by task.
The Kitchen
Start with the fridge.
First, throw out any expired or unwanted food and put the rest in a small cooler. Next, use a non-toxic cleaning solution and a sponge or cloth to clean the inside. Remove the shelving and clean them separately over the sink. Then attack the fridge walls, making sure to get inside all the nooks and crannies in the door. When the inside is clean, replace the newly cleaned shelves and put back your food.
Cabinets
Do the same with your cabinets, throwing out expired food and setting aside the rest. Make it easier to sort by spreading the food on your counters or kitchen table. With the food removed, clean and wipe out the shelves and doors of the cabinets. Only return the food you want to keep. Consider donating unwanted items to a food bank or food drive.
Stove
Glass top stoves need a specialty cream cleanser, and you may need to let it sit for a minute before scrubbing off stains. If you have coil burners, give them a gentle tug and they should come right out. You can clean these with basic soap and water, or use a bit of baking soda for stubborn stains. Don’t forget to clean the surface and face of the stove, including the inside of the burners and all the knobs and dials.
Oven
You’ll need to put some elbow grease into this one! Remove the racks and leave them to soak in the sink. Then start scrubbing away on the walls of the oven. Once the scrubbing is done, clean and wipe down the interior. Do the same for the racks, and replace them when dry.
Counters, table and small appliances
Remove small appliances and kitchen gadgets, setting them aside on the kitchen table. Scrub away stains and wipe down the counters. Before putting each appliance back, give it a thorough clean and wipe down over the sink. When the kitchen table is cleared, clean and wipe it down, too.
By now your kitchen should be in much better shape. The cleaning process can seem like an insurmountable chore, but if you take it step by step, it’s a piece of cake! Speaking of baked goods, didn’t we see some sugar and flour hiding in the back of your cupboard…?