As I continue to tackle spring cleaning, I want to make sure I do a thorough job, especially in my kitchen. What might I be overlooking?
In addition to sweeping, mopping, dusting and vacuuming throughout the home, the kitchen does need some extra attention. In kitchens, more than just dust bunnies can collect. Without proper cleaning, bacteria can develop, so it's important to remember to clean the following often overlooked areas.
While it is important to move the appliances and sweep and clean underneath each one; to give the exterior of cabinets and other wood surfaces a thorough cleaning with soap or refinishing oil; and to clean the exterior and interior of the oven, other places may get overlooked, says Michael Silva-Nash, executive vice president of Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock.
"The first thing we tell folks is to remember to clean out the inside of their refrigerator," Silva-Nash says. "We go through the holidays and New Year's and we tend to forget about what's collected in there."
The microwave is another area to address.
"We suggest before cleaning it, put a container with a mixture of water and white vinegar in the microwave and heat it up for about 30 seconds," he says. "The steam from that will help to soften the stains inside the microwave so they can be more easily removed."
Next, tackle the garbage disposal, using some baking soda or a quarter of a lemon. Doing so will remove odors and help eliminate any food stuck to the inside of the disposal.
"We suggest using lemon or orange peels in it. Doing that will give it a nice, fresh scent," Silva-Nash says.
While also working around the sink, make sure that the dish sponges or rags are replaced regularly to help keep down the growth of bacteria.
For the dishwasher, Silva-Nash recommends using some white vinegar to clean the interior and remove any bacteria that may be lurking.
When it comes to automatic coffee pots, he suggests running a mixture of white vinegar and
water through the pot to clean it and remove built-up stains.
"Afterward, be sure to run another cycle of just water to help wash out any remaining vinegar," he says.
Take the blender apart and thoroughly clean all of it to remove any built-up food or mold, and also clean the can opener.
For those smaller parts of the blender and manual can opener, "it's easier to run them through the dishwasher," Silva-Nash says.
This is also a good time to discard any old utensils that are no longer used, especially wooden ones, which are more susceptible to collecting bacteria than non-porous surfaces such as metal or plastic.
Don't forget to clean the oven and stove's vent or fume hood, where grease can often collect.
"The vent hoods have a metal filter in it and you can put that in the sink and let soak with a multipurpose cleaner and a little bleach," explains Silva-Nash.
Amid all the scrubbing and cleaning, don't forget to go through the pantry to inventory canned and boxed items, throwing out those past their printed expiration dates.
-- Linda S. Haymes
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark., 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 06/06/2015