The kitchen is often the center of a busy family home, hosting countless meals, school art projects, and late-night hot chocolate sessions. As a result, it may begin to feel tired and unkempt.
Maintaining a clean and fresh kitchen is crucial to making the room feel more welcoming and elevating the overall mood of your house. Even if you do not have the budget for a major renovation, you can keep this space vibrant so that it continues to be a place where people enjoy being and gathering. Plus, this process will result in a healthier environment that supports both mental clarity and physical well-being for every member of your family.
An overhaul of your kitchen may feel out of your reach because you don’t have the time to complete all the steps involved. But take heart; you do not have to complete all of these tasks at once. You can set your own timetable. Take the next few weekends or set aside some evening time to work through these ideas step by step. Better yet, get the whole family involved so that you can complete these projects even faster and have fun doing it!
Declutter and Organize
The process of decluttering and organizing is one of the most essential steps in refreshing your kitchen because it has the most visual impact and, best of all, it doesn’t cost anything. This will also make more room for all of the projects and meals that take place in the kitchen every day.
Begin by clearing off the flat kitchen surfaces, particularly focusing on the countertops. Once you have cleared (and cleaned) them and removed items that do not belong there, you can put back essential items in designated areas, like a container for cooking utensils or small appliances that you use on a daily basis. Next, work through your cabinets and drawers and remove items that you no longer use and are just taking up valuable space. Reorganize the remaining pieces so that the ones you use the most are easily accessible. Remember to go through your pantry and remove any expired, never-used, or spoiled food.
Deep Clean Surfaces
Deep cleaning might only be noticeable to you, but it has a subtle impact on the way that others use and perceive the space. This will also make the kitchen more hygienic. Start the process by wiping down all of the kitchen surfaces, both horizontal and vertical. Use a multi-purpose cleaner that removes dirt and stains but also acts as a degreaser. Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces like cabinet and drawer knobs and pulls but also stove knobs, refrigerator handles, and light switches.
Baking soda or a specialized cleaner can be used to break down grime on more difficult-to-clean surfaces, such as the inside or surface of the stove and microwave. Clean small appliances that you use regularly, like the toaster or coffee maker. Sweep and mop floor surfaces, and consider a deeper grout cleaning if you have tile floors.
Clean the Inside of the Fridge
Cleaning the fridge is an essential task in keeping your kitchen fresh and preventing the consumption of spoiled food. It is best to start by clearing out the entire refrigerator. Check all the food as you remove it and discard items that are expired or spoiled.
Once the fridge is empty, take out anything that is removable and wash them with warm, soapy water. Use a solution of one cup each of white vinegar and water with a teaspoon of dish soap to wipe down the interior walls and surfaces. Pay special attention to compartments where there may be spills or stains that you need to remove. Organize the food back into the fridge, placing similar items together. If possible, vacuum the coils on the back or bottom of the fridge to make sure that it is maximally efficient.
Refresh the Backsplash
Deep cleaning your backsplash is an easy way to keep your kitchen feeling fresh and polished. Begin this job by wiping down the entire backsplash surface to remove grime and loose debris. Consider your backsplash material and make sure to use a cleaner that is safe for it. Never use anything abrasive or acidic on natural stone backsplashes.
For cleaning everyday dirt and dust off all countertop types, use mild dish soap and warm water on a soft sponge or cloth so that it doesn’t scratch the surface. For more difficult stains like grease splatters, use a simple paste made from baking soda mixed with water. Rub into the stain and let it sit for ten minutes and then rinse. For backsplashs with grout, use a specialized cleaner or your homemade baking soda paste.
Invest in New Kitchen Linens
Over time, kitchen linens, especially dish towels, become discolored, smelly, and frayed, making your kitchen feel tired and dingy. Swapping out your old kitchen linens for new options like dish towels, oven mitts, tablecloths, napkins, and floor mats in vibrant new colors or patterns will instantly brighten your space.
Opt for high-quality, durable fabrics like cotton or linen to ensure that they are both useful and long-lasting. Choose a color that complements your current kitchen colors so that you don’t have to revamp the entire kitchen color palette.
Sanitize Cutting Boards
Over time, plastic and wooden cutting boards develop cuts and nicks that trap food particles and bacteria. It can be helpful to deep clean and sanitize them often to ensure that the food and bacteria are not transferred to other surfaces.
Be sure to scrub a cutting board with hot, soapy water after each use, especially if you have used it to prepare raw meat or fish. To clean it deeper, sprinkle it with coarse salt or baking soda and then rub it with a lemon, which can help clean and sanitize it naturally. Another sure method to sanitize your boards is to spray them with a mixture of cleaner, made up of a gallon of water mixed with one tablespoon of bleach. Apply this to your boards and allow them to sit for a few minutes before rinsing them thoroughly.
Deodorize the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal often contains a buildup of old food that begins to smell over time. You should be cautious about what you put down a sink disposal because large food particles can clog it, but there are several simple ways to clean the smelly buildup.
One easy way to clean your disposal is to pour half a cup of baking soda down the disposal and then pour white vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 seconds. Rinse it with hot water from the tap. Another method is to put a few, thin slices of citrus, like an orange or lemon, down the disposal and then turn the water on and allow the disposal to run. This will clean off the blades. The last way to freshen your garbage disposal is to fill it with ice cubes and then cover the cubes with a cup of coase salt. Run some cold water over the mixture for 15 seconds and then run the disposal.
Scent the Space
Refresh your kitchen by adding warm and inviting aromas to the space. You can scent your kitchen for special events or on a longer-term basis, depending on which method you choose.
For short-term options, consider simmering a pot of water on the stove mixed with cinnamon sticks, cloves, citrus peels, eucalyptus, or aromatic herbs like rosemary or mint. Freshly baked items like cookies and bread will give your kitchen a homey, delicious scent. Options like scented candles or essential oil diffusers will provide subtle, longer-lasting smells.
Add Plants
Adding plants to your kitchen will not only refresh the look of the space, but they will also help to improve the air quality by filtering pollutants and releasing oxygen.
Find houseplant options that thrive in the natural light of your kitchen so that they will remain looking vibrant. Consider a window-sill garden of fresh herbs that you can use for scenting your home and improving your cooking. Hanging plants, like ivy and pothos, work well in kitchens because they don’t take up valuable counterspace. Regularly mist and water your plants to keep them fresh.
Clean Range Hood Filters
Grease and food particles accumulate on range hood filters over time. This will reduce the air flow and allow unpleasant odors to build up in the kitchen. Remove the filters before cleaning them. Typically, you can do this by sliding or unlocking them. Next, soak them in hot, soapy water mixed with a degreasing agent to loosen the buildup. If the buildup is severe, scrub with a cleaning toothbrush and baking soda until it is removed. Once the vent hood filters are clean, rinse them and allow them to dry before you reinstall them.
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