White vinegar is a natural disinfectant. It contains 5% acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties. It's also great at cutting through grease and grime, so it's perfect for cleaning kitchen surfaces like stovetops, tables, and counters.
Typically, kitchens are cleaned by hand with manual scrubbing and by using harsh oven degreasers and disinfectant sprays. The residue from sprays and chemicals can spread across ovens, food prep areas, countertops, and even floors.
Dish soap mixed with warm water would do a fine job on most types of cabinets, including painted wood, plastic laminate, and even metal. This mild soap solution is tough enough to tackle gunky buildup with ease, but it won't ruin cabinet finishes.
All-Purpose Cleaner: Combine 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle and shake well. Add essential oil for fragrance if desired and add 1 teaspoon borax for extra cleaning power.
The Kitchen
The oven, in particular, can be an absolute nightmare to clean. The burnt-on food, grease buildup, and hard-to-reach corners can quickly become overwhelming. To make things worse, the added heat from the oven can make it even harder to clean.
White vinegar is effective at cleaning soap build-up and mineral deposits, which are highly unlikely to be a problem in kitchen cabinets. But white vinegar and baking soda are abrasive and are more likely to do more harm than good.
The majority of kitchen cabinets, no matter whether they are made from wood, metal, laminate, glass, etc. can be thoroughly cleaned with liquid dish soap mixed with warm water. Also, you can use an all-purpose commercial cleaner.
They Clean up Right Away
Not only do people with consistently clean kitchens do dishes right away, but they don't procrastinate on other tasks either. After a meal, always wipe down counters and tables, put away leftovers and sweep up any floor spills. Leaving messes for later only makes the job more overwhelming.
Brushes. An all-purpose scrub brush on hand is essential to use on tile, tubs, fixtures, and difficult stains when a sponge or cloth won't cut it. You can use a scrub brush, a toothbrush, a grout brush, and any special detail cleaning brush for deep cleaning that will do the job better on different surfaces.
Some restaurants may opt for bleach cleaning solutions, though bleach can be harmful if misused. Alternatively, you can use a pre-moistened cleaning wipe, which uses a non-bleach solution and is a faster and convenient option. Next, rinse the area with a separate cloth.
The overwhelm you feel when faced with a messy house may not actually be about the task of cleaning but rather not knowing where to begin. Here are some good places to get started: The floor – Sit and tidy or sort piles of mail or books, grab a broom and sweep up crumbs, or vacuum the living room rug.
Baking Soda
When mixed with water it forms a paste which should remove stains from surfaces, pots and pans. Apply the solution to the affected areas and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. If you have one handy, use an old toothbrush to scrub the baking soda formula deep into the dirt.
While there is no standard for how often to clean a refrigerator, a complete cleaning every couple of months will help to prevent food spoilage and cross-contamination of Listeria , a bacterium that causes foodborne illness and that can survive at 40º F.
Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned. I have found the best results is when I use it to clean chrome shower and sink fixtures. After spraying on the fixture, rub and wipe it with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching.
Dish soap, known for its grease-fighting properties, pairs excellently with vinegar, which acts as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. This blend not only targets stubborn stains and buildup but also leaves surfaces sanitized and fresh.
Vinegar and baking soda cause a chemical reaction that can lift stains and cut through grease. The combination can be used to clean grout, silverware, microwaves, and so much more.