The Best Kitchen And Dining Room Cleaning Hacks

Pour 2 cups (500 ml) of water into a microwave-safe bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes.

This will help to clean the inside of the unit.

If there are spots of caked-on food in the microwave compart­ment, add 1/2 cup (125 ml) of vinegar to the water and run the microwave for at least 5 minutes.

While the microwave is running, go around the kitchen and dust all surfaces, from left to right, top to bottom.

Spray an all-purpose cleaner on the stovetop (make sure the stove is cool first), the oven door, the refrigerator and the counter tops.

Take a clean cloth and move from left to right around the kitchen, wiping down the counters and appliances.

While you’re at the stove, wipe any food spills from the burner grates (gas stove) or coils (electric).

Do not scrub the actual surface of the stovetop, because you can scratch it-let your cleaner do the work.

Move any countertop appliances and wipe under them as you go.

When you get to the microwave, make sure the water has cooled for at least a minute.

Dump the water out and wipe down the steamed interior of the microwave.

Remove the contents and spray the inside with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe it down.

Wipe again with a moist, clean cloth, allow the cabinet to dry, and replace the contents.

Chuck out old food in the refrigerator and pick one shelf or drawer to clean.

Spray it with glass cleaner (for light cleaning) or use a stronger, astringent cleaner for heavier cleaning or disinfect­ing.

Freshen up the smell of the refrigerator by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge and scrubbing the sides, door compartments, and shelves as necessary.

If the stainless steel in the kitchen is looking a little dull, sprinkle baking soda on the surface and give it a rubdown – moving in the direction of the grain­with a moist cloth.

To polish dull chrome trim on your appliances, pour a little baking soda on a damp sponge and rub the chrome.

Let it dry for an hour or so, then wipe down with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.

Sprinkle the sink with scour­ing powder (unless it’s acrylic or stainless steel, in which case use a cleaner meant for those materials) and scrub it with a nylon pad.

Rinse.

Like your eat-in kitchen table.

Dust the light fixture, pull the chairs away from the table, and thoroughly wipe up any spills or crumbs from the table and chairs.

Mop or vacuum under the table and move the chairs back.

Clean the rest of the floor.

Move any light furniture to the center of the room.

Move around the room, dusting-from left to right, top to bottom, one section of a wall at a time.

Dust the valances, win­dow frames, wall hangings, and furniture.

Now vacuum the perimeter of the dining room.

Return the furniture to its original position.

Vacuum the rest of the room, making sure to vacuum under the table.

(Dry-mop hardwood floors instead of vacuuming.)

Buff to a shine if the finishes are meant to be high gloss.

This includes panes in hutches, breakfronts, and other furniture, and decorative glass plates, vases, and bowls.

Is your dishwasher sporting a funky smell and unsightly stains? Sort those out fast with a baking soda wash.

Put 1 cup (250 ml) of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on a rinse cycle.

If a smell persists, sprinkle a few tablespoons on the bottom of the washer to sit there between loads.

If you have hard water, the inside of your dishwasher will eventually get dingy.