Seven areas of your kitchen you’re probably not spring cleaning, but should be, according to an expert
WHILE spring may signify beach vacations and barbecues, it also means it’s time to deep clean your home.
The cleaning professionals at Tap Warehouse said when targeting the kitchen, it’s important to address these key areas.
Polly Shearer, a cleaning expert with Tap Warehouse, outlined the seven areas of your kitchen that you’re probably forgetting about, but are actually very dirty.
SINK
We’ve all been there: you start washing the dishes and notice a horrible smell coming from your sink. With time, however, the smell subdues and we get used to it – that’s why it’s crucial to clean it as soon as we notice.
Pour boiling water down the drain to break down the bits of food that are likely causing the stench. If that doesn’t work, try adding a cup of vinegar and letting it sit for half an hour before rinsing with hot water.
If the stench is really stubborn, mix vinegar and baking soda and let it sit for a couple hours.
TAPS
If you’ve noticed your sink taps or faucets getting a little moldy, buy some lemons and rub the flesh against the chrome. Once you’ve covered the surface, be sure to rinse the tap with water afterwards so that the finish doesn’t erode from citrus residue.
FRIDGE COILS
While most of us remember to empty and scrub down the fridge, there’s a piece on the outside we often miss: the metal coils on the back.
These pieces have likely been collecting dust for years, which can shorten the life of your appliance.
Once a year, turn off the fridge and pass over the coils with a damp towel.
UNDERNEATH APPLIANCES
Besides dusting off the actual appliances, it’s also important to look underneath your ovens, microwaves, and toasters. The portions of the kitchen counter and floor that are hidden probably have spot stains, crumbs, or spills underneath that can lead to germs like Salmonella and E coli.
Simply wipe down the areas every few months to ensure it doesn’t build up too much.
EXTRACTOR FAN
While we do often use the extractor fan after we cook, we don’t often scrub it down.
If the fan doesn’t get cleaned, however, it won’t do a good job of getting rid of cooking smells.
Take out the filters, wash them with hot soapy water, and let them dry out before putting the fan back together. Do this every three months.
KETTLE
If you use a kettle to make tea or coffee, you’ll want to descale it every now and then to prevent grime from collecting.
To do so, throw a few slices lemons into the kettle and let it boil for ten minutes before rinsing. The natural acids from the fruit should break down the limescale.
If the build up is really bad, however, you’ll want to add a 50/50 mixture of white wine vinegar and water and let it sit in the kettle for five minutes. When it’s time to pour it out, scrub the inside with a sponge.
Afterwards, do a few clean water boils to remove any vinegar remnants.
GARBAGE BIN
Besides changing the garbage bags regularly, you should also be cleaning the actual garbage bin to prevent residue from causing a permanent stench.
If a rinse with hot, soapy water doesn’t do the trick, try leaving some ground coffee at the bottom to neutralize any smells.
As the temperature rises and the flies come out, aim to clean your bin more frequently with white vinegar and water.