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Most people already know how to do basic kitchen maintenance and cleaning. Wipe down surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner, throw out the old stuff in the fridge before it becomes rotten, and mop the floor every once in a while.
However, that won’t be enough to keep the kitchen a sterile and welcoming environment for you and your family. The minimum amount of cleaning is never enough because the kitchen is the place where you’ll be cooking and dining.
Let’s see what other things you can do to improve the situation.
Descale Your Dishwasher
If you live in any developed country, chances are you’re dealing with hard water on a regular basis. Small amounts of it won’t do any harm. But run enough dishwasher cycles using unfiltered hard water and you’re in for a world of hurt.
With that said, we recommend searching for the best phosphate free dishwasher detergent for hard water to avoid future limescale buildup.
As for descaling existing buildup, all you have to do is place the equivalent of half a cup of white vinegar at the bottom of the dishwasher and run a regular cycle without dishes inside of it.
While you’re at it, we also recommend washing your dishwasher according to the user manual. That way, you’ll guarantee that your dishes come out super clean more often than not.
Eliminate the Stench Coming from Your Garbage Disposal
If you take the garbage out regularly and clean the kitchen just as much but can still feel a foul smell coming from somewhere, the garbage disposal is most likely at fault.
Seeing that so many gross things pass through the garbage disposal, it’s no wonder that smells can occur from time to time.
Fortunately, you can cut up a lemon into small pieces, drop the pieces down the drain and run the garbage disposal until it sounds like it’s gone through.
You should also remember to clean the drain’s splash guard with a toothbrush dipped in soapy water. And don’t forget to scrub its underside rubber flaps as well.
Clean the Range Hood Filter
The range hood filter can get pretty greasy, so it’s a great idea to clean it once in a while to avoid nasty buildup. It’s important to sift through the manual (if it comes with one) and see if your particular model is dishwasher-safe. If yes, then you know what to do.
If not, fill the sink with boiling water (or close to boiling) and dish soap plus a quarter cup of baking soda.
Afterward, remove the range hood filter and submerge it in this mixture, letting it soak for around 10-30 minutes. Now scrub the filter and rinse. Finally, leave it to dry before putting it back in place.
The Bottom Line
Once you start applying these maintenance tips, you’ll notice a drastic improvement in your everyday experience inside the kitchen. Remember, this is the place where you cook and eat, so hygiene is of utmost importance. Best of luck to you!
