Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Hey, it’s your kitchen and you can clean it — or not — however you’d like. But if you want a kitchen that’s neat and clean, without slaving away at it every day, here are a few things you might actually want to skip. Let’s hear it for the DON’Ts of kitchen cleaning!
1. DON’T Forget the Windows
Most of us have a kitchen window that lets us look out to the front or back yard. Want to keep an eye on the kids or dogs while loading the dishwasher? Then make sure you clean that window, so you can actually see. With all the steam, splatters, and splashes that go on in there, the kitchen window probably gets dirty faster than most other rooms. It’ll only take a few minutes, and it’ll definitely change your “outlook.”
2. DON’T Neglect the Microwave
We have busy lives, and the microwave can be a big time saver. Sadly, this also means it gets grimy pretty fast. To clean it easily, squeeze some lemon juice into a large, microwave-safe measuring cup full of water, then drop the rinds in, too. Cook on high for about 3 minutes, then let it sit there for another 5 minutes without opening the door. The steam will condense to wet the inside of your microwave, so food is loosened and you can wipe it right off.
3. DON’T Use Rugs
What?? No kitchen rug? Okay, you can if you really want to, but do you honestly need one? Think about this: carpet of any kind is likely to become home to dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and stains. Do you really want all of that in your kitchen? Bare floors are usually easier to sweep or mop, and it’s pretty quick to stoop down and wipe up any drips. On a rug, you’ve got to bother with the vacuum and stain removers. Go bare for a week or two and see how you like it. You know you want to. 🙂
4. DON’T Let Dishes Lie
I know, I know. The last thing you want to do after prepping and eating a big meal is to stand there and do the dishes. But think of how you’ll feel if you leave them for the morning. UGHH… Make it easier on yourself by soaking pots and pans in hot, soapy water while you eat. And in my house, we make sure the dishwasher is emptied out before dinner, so everyone can rinse their own dish plus two or three other things, and load them. Then nobody has to do the whole job.
5. DON’T Obsess
Everybody likes a clean kitchen, but try not to obsess over it. A little maintenance with every cooking session will keep things under control. Sit down and enjoy your dinner with family and friends, then let everyone help you with the mess. Believe it or not, they aren’t there to critique your housekeeping. If you stew over the cleanup, you’ll rob yourself of the joy of having the perfect company and the perfect meal. Relax!
Leave a Reply