As winter fades away and the spring blossoms start to reappear, rejuvenating our living spaces can give us a fresh start for spring! Spring cleaning is more than just tidying up, it’s about giving new life to our surroundings for a fresh and renewed space. Here are some tips for tackling your kitchen spring cleaning!
Declutter & Organize
Decluttering and organizing your kitchen is the first step before you start scrubbing away. Start by emptying out any expired or stale foods from your pantry, fridge or cabinets. Get rid of anything that you no longer use. This is a great time to donate unopened non-perishable items to local food banks.
Next, organize your kitchen supplies by grouping similar items together in a tidy fashion. You can also invest in storage bins, baskets or drawer organizers to maximize your space and keep everything orderly!
Scrub Surfaces
Countertops, cabinets and backsplashes tend to be magnets for spills and splatters. Use a gentle cleaner to wipe down all countertops and backsplashes. For stubborn stains or grease splatters, create a paste using baking soda and water and gently scrub your surfaces with a soft sponge.
Refresh your cabinet exteriors by wiping them down with a warm water and vinegar solution and polish your cabinet hardware and drawer pulls to remove any stains and fingerprints.
Floor Refresh
Kitchen floors endure a lot of dirt, spills and crumbs which can dull their appearance. Give your floors a thorough cleaning to restore their cleanliness. Start by sweeping or vacuuming to catch any dirt and crumbs and then mop with a gentle cleaner that is fitting for your specific flooring type.
For tile grout, use a mixture of baking soda and water or a specific grout cleaner that will help to brighten grout and remove any stuck-on stains.
Applying a coat of sealer during your spring cleaning process can protect your grout and prevent future stains or discoloration.
Deep Clean Appliances
Your kitchen appliances work hard year-round, so giving them some extra attention during your spring cleaning is crucial. Clean your oven and stove top by removing burnt-on grease and food residue using a specialized oven cleaner of baking soda and water paste. Don’t forget to clean the hood vent and filters to prevent grease buildup over time.
To clean the inside of your oven, start by removing any loose debris with a damp cloth. Next, mix a paste of baking soda and water and spread it all over the interior surfaces of your oven and let it sit overnight. When you wake up the next morning, wipe away the paste with a damp cloth and follow up with a vinegar-water solution for a thorough clean! Now is also a good time to run an auto-clean cycle on your oven if that feature is available.
Next, clean your refrigerator inside and out, wiping down shelves, drawers and door seals with a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent. Remove the refrigerator’s kickplate and vacuum it out to improve energy efficiency and avoid buildups.
Lastly, run a cleaning cycle on your dishwasher to remove any built-up grime and odors. This can be done by running an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner. Now is also a great time to clean out your dishwasher filter!
The Little Things
There are plenty of details you might miss when deep cleaning your kitchen – so don’t forget the little things! Clean any light fixtures or ceiling fans to remove dust. Wash your windows and window sills to allow more natural light into your kitchen. Dust any blinds or clean the curtains for a windowsill refresh. Finally, give your kitchen sink a deep clean by scrubbing with a mild cleaner and disinfecting with a solution of bleach or vinegar. Pop a disposal cleaner in your garbage disposal, light a candle and enjoy your refreshed kitchen!