Floors
Nobody likes cleaning the kitchen floor, which can attract everything from grime on the bottom of shoes to sticky residue from falling food. Get them sparkling the old fashioned way—or with a fancy new tool. “The best way is either on your hands and knees or a steamer,” says green-cleaning expert Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of Green Cleaning. “A steamer will remove built up grime and wax and leave your floor perfect—and it's better for your knees.”
Small Appliances
Chances are, you think “big picture” when you clean your kitchen. Don’t forget the little things that you use every day, though. “Small appliances should be taken apart, and all the non-electric pieces can be put in the dishwasher,” says Reichert. “Give all the other parts a good scrub with soap and warm water.” For safety, remember to avoid the cords and electrical switches.
Table and Chairs
Don’t breeze over your tables and chairs without taking a peek beneath the surface. “Steam clean your table and chairs,” Reichert says. “We tend to clean the places we can see, but if you look underneath, it's often nasty. A steamer with a hose attachment will clean all those hard-to-wipe places.”
Glass Tops
To nix the stains and leftover food, keep it simple when it comes to cleaning glass tops that you use for preparing food. “Glass-top stoves can be cleaned with baking soda,” says Reichert. “A razor blade works great to remove buildup.”
Furniture
To restore, treat your kitchen furniture with a natural solution. “Just mix a tablespoon of mayonnaise and olive oil, add a few drops of lemon juice, wipe your furniture with a small amount and wipe off with a microfiber cloth,” Reichert says.
Pantry
We bet you have a ton of expired cans in your pantry, along with that bag of hummus chips you didn’t like and old baby food you won’t need anymore. “Empty each shelf,” says Reichert. “Check the expiration dates of the food, and purge! Then wipe down the shelves with vinegar and water, putting perishable items in sealed containers.”
Walls
Mopping up the walls? Yes indeed! At least for a thorough clean, says Reichert, who suggests using a microfiber mop. “Microfiber will collect the dust and hold on to it until you place the mop cover in the wash. You can spritz it with some water if the walls are really dusty.”
Ceiling
Keep that microfiber mop around to grab the dust that collects in ceiling corners and around fans, or use a vacuum attachment if it’s easier. “And if you have a buildup of grease anywhere, try using straight vinegar mixed with rubbing alcohol to cut through the grease,” says Reichert.
Grout
Simple white vinegar will help you degrease the grout on any tile in your kitchen. “The grout can be also be scrubbed with lemon juice and baking soda with a toothbrush to bring it back to life,” Reichert says.
Fridge
Don’t forget the fridge! With all the food—raw, sticky, slimy, gooey and otherwise—that winds up in there, Reichert says you should deep clean it twice a year. “Empty everything out—purge old food and wash with hot water and microfiber,” says Reichert. “You want to avoid any cleaners in the fridge, as they can seep into the food. This includes cleaners with a fragrance. You don't want anything with a smell inside the refrigerator. If you need a scrub, just use baking soda.”
