Wednesday, February 7, 2007

TiPs Of clEaNiNg KiTcHeN

Clean Kitchen Tips
Hints for keeping that brand-new look.

Newness wears off. It's a sad reality that filters in (along with dust, spills and grime) all too quickly after your new kitchen is completed. Those pristine countertops become cluttered with magazines and spices, that stainless steel refrigerator is suddenly covered in pint-size fingerprints, and the much-anticipated first dinner party has left a mountain of dishes.

You don't have to have a dirt-filled destiny. A little planning before you make a mess, and the right tools to deal with whatever mess is made, will have your kitchen sparkling in no time.

During the remodeling process
That's right…a clean kitchen starts before it's even installed! Consider you choice of materials for style, function and sweep-ability. Visit the Kitchens.com countertop section to learn more about the properties of different surface materials—those prone to spills may want to take a pass on concrete; if you don't like showing fingerprints, take a pass on stainless steel.

Consider color as well. While white can provide an image of cleanliness, a white floor certainly won't mask dirt as well as a darker one. Ditto for cabinets: Darker wood grains won't show smudges as readily. Don't forget to plan adequate storage, as well. Clutter-free counters help bolster an image of clean.

Dreaded jobs
Don't put off the most dreaded job of all—cleaning out the refrigerator. Laura Dellutri, "The Healthy Housekeeper," is an author, cleaning expert, speed cleaning consultant and owner of the professional janitorial firm America's Cleaning Connection—which certainly makes her equipped to dish up advice on ways to keep your fridge from emitting strange odors. She recommends wiping out weekly, "to avoid all the stress of taking out the drawers;" wiping bottles off under water (like that Ragu jar with spaghetti sauce dripping down the side); and buying refrigerator liners: "They make cleaning a snap."

Is the inside of your microwave a splattered, caked-on mess? Fill a small bowl with water and a lemon and microwave for a few minutes (as a precaution, don't open the door immediately—there have been rare instances of the water "exploding"). When you do open it, the condensation from the steam will make it easy to wipe down, and the heated lemon will leave a delicate citrus scent.

Oven grease can be a formidable opponent. If you have a gas range, start by removing the burner grates and soak them in a mixture of warm water and oven cleaner. While they're in deep-soak mode, tackle the top (and sides!) of the range with an all-purpose cleaner (don't use an abrasive pad). If you own a self-cleaning oven, you'll save plenty of time and elbow grease. If not, whip out that oven cleaner and get down to business. Don't forget to clean the oven window—what's the point of a clean oven if it looks dirty?

Simple but important jobs: Cabinets
You can keep those hardwood cabinets looking brand new with some simple maintenance. According to the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, dust the exterior of your cabinets with a soft, lint free cloth. (Avoid using a dishtowel, which could contain traces of detergents and grease.) Cleaning the interior is as easy as giving it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth, then drying. To protect your wood from chemicals, clean cabinet glass by spraying cleaner onto a paper towel, rather than the cabinet itself.

Keep stainless steel shining
Its metallic surface can look great—when it's not covered in thumbprints and smudges. For sinks and countertops, daily cleaning is as simple as a quick wipe down with warm, soapy water, dried with a soft cloth. Never use a scouring pad or anything abrasive: It could scratch or permanently damage your surface. Dellutri recommends applying mineral oil and buffing it to repel water spots.

Banish bacteria
Sponges don't just harbor bad smells after a few uses—they harbor bad stuff, too. "Put your sponge in the microwave in a bowl of water and 'cook' for three minutes to kill all germs," advises Dellutri. Sponges aren't the only things that need disinfecting. Dellutri recommends that you disinfect kitchen sinks daily (do not use contaminated dishcloths or sponges). Disinfect and rinse your kitchen trashcan monthly. Other prime candidates for a thorough cleaning? Refrigerator water dispensers and recycled water bottles can harbor germs and bacteria; disinfect can openers and cutting boards after each use.

The aftermath of entertaining
Holiday gatherings and dinner parties can be a headache—especially when surveying the damage it does to your kitchen. Follow these tips to make cleaning easier. Start "before the company comes!" says Dellutri. "Get mats for your front door and entry. Eighty-five percent of the dirt that comes into your home is from the bottom of shoes. Have an 8- to 10-foot mat so that shoes can hit the mat at least six times."

Keep cleanup time limited. "Buy cooking spray—spray every pan, pot and piece of bakeware with cooking spray before you cook. This will make dishwashing easy. Keep a sink full of hot soapy water—as the dirty dishes start coming, don't forget to toss them in the hot water." Being armed with a few products doesn't hurt either. Dellutri says that "battery powered dishwashing brushes work great on those baked on foods and spills." For spills on floors, "a microfiber flat mop can clean your walls and floors in just minutes." There's no need to buy refill cloths or pads, as the microfiber mop head can be thrown into the washer and dryer.

As always, be sure to consult your manufacturers' cleaning instructions, which are tailored to your specific appliance, cabinet and countertop.

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