Deep cleaning a kitchen is essential, but what is the best way to do it?
By Hanna Van Den Einde
A dirty kitchen can make it tough to prepare a meal in a sanitary way. Even if you are cleaning your kitchen after every time you use it, dust, grime and bacteria can still build up over time, so it is essential to periodically do a deep clean every now and then.
Many young adults have roommates and share a kitchen space with multiple people. This can make it more difficult to keep a kitchen clean.
Kathryn Twomey, a nursing student, shares a living space with four other roommates and said she has experienced this struggle firsthand as a college student.
“Sometimes it gets difficult to keep up with cleaning. Sometimes after I make myself a meal I wait to do my dishes because I’m doing other things,” Twomey said. “It happens with my roommates too, so our kitchen just becomes messy over time because no one wants to clean after a long day with class and homework.”
So when the mess has become too much and you finally get down to it, here are some ways to deep clean efficiently and effectively.
Get the right Supplies.
The first step to deep cleaning is to gather the correct supplies. It is important to gather the correct supplies to get the best clean possible.
These supplies include:
- Sponges
- Duster
- Rags and paper towels
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Broom
- Mop or a Swiffer Wet Jet
- Trash bags
Lorelei McInerney is a chef at the culinary school, Crooks of Crocus Hills. For day-to-day cleaning, McInerney recommends using an E-Cloth, which is a microfiber rag that is activated with water.
Tips for an effective deep cleaning
Clear away clutter. Before starting a deep clean, do any dishes that are left in the sink. Also, go through your fridge and pantry to get rid of any food that may have gone bad or is on the verge of expiration. Put any waste in a trash bag and bring out any trash to a dumpster or trash can outside of the house. Remove small appliances, decorations and any type of storage components from countertops.
Dust all surfaces. Use a duster to get rid of all dust that may have settled on countertops, on top of the fridge and within the pantry. If surfaces are not dusted, they could appear even dirtier than before, because the dust will become wet and cling to the surface.
Clean the countertops. McInerney recommends creating a solution of ¼ cup white vinegar, 2 ½ cups of water and one teaspoon of Dawn Dish Soap into a reusable spray bottle. Then, spray countertops and wipe down with a cloth.
Clean the stovetop. If you have a electric stovetop, be sure to use a glass stovetop cleaner. If you have a gas stove, remove the panels and place them in a sink full of water and soap to soak off grime.
“I use Bon Ami or Baking Soda and a toothbrush or scrubby to really get stuck on stuff, and a lot of elbow grease,” McInerney said.
Clean the oven. Remove the oven racks and place them in the sink. Use a sponge, dish soap and the cleaning to scrub the racks. Then, use the same cleaner to wipe down the inside of the oven.
Clean the microwave. Remove the plate and use dish soap, water and a sponge to clean the grime off the plate. Use the mixture in the spray bottle and a rag to wipe down the inside of the microwave.
Clean the sink. Make sure the sink is empty, then use the same mixture to spray down and wipe the sink. If your sink is clogged, use a product such as Drano to get rid of the clogs. Follow the steps listed on the bottle, and the sink should be back to normal.
Sweep and mop. Using a broom, sweep up any crumbs that are on the floor into a dustpan and discard. Make sure to get all crumbs off the floor before sweeping, otherwise they will become wet and stick to the floor. Use a mop and bucket or Swiffer to clean the floor.
Final steps. Use a room spray or candle to improve the scent of the kitchen. Put all decorations and small appliances back onto the countertop.
McInerney said she deep cleans her kitchen about once a month, and throughout the month, keeps it as clean as possible.
For shared kitchen spaces, McInerney said it is important to communicate expectations with those you are sharing the space with.
“Your idea of a clean kitchen may be different than others,” McInerney said. “In my mind, a clean kitchen means the counters have all been wiped down and the garbage/recycling has been taken out.”