These 4 expert-approved kitchen cleaning tips will have your space sparkling faster than you can say “spring refresh”. 

Declutter your kitchen space 

While the kitchen is the heart of the home (and the origin of the most delicious meals), it’s also the place where you accumulate cooking tools, appliances and serveware, all of which fill cabinets and kitchen countertops alike. Before you start with your kitchen spring clean, declutter first. “Trying to clean around clutter is like mopping with muddy shoes on – it just doesn’t work,” says professional organiser Katrina Teeple.  “A quick edit of each space before deep cleaning makes everything faster and more effective.” 

Raid the refrigerator 

It’s important to clean your refrigerator once a week and spot that forgotten packet of spinach (once again), but we often forget older condiments and other expired food items if we don’t clean it thoroughly from time to time. “Remove everything, check expiration dates, and wipe everything down, including the shelves and drawers, using an all-purpose cleaner. You can add some baking soda if there are any stains. Rinse well and then neatly replace each item you removed,” says Melissa Maker, host of the CleanMySpace YouTube channel. 

Also read: How to properly spring clean your fridge and freezer

Steam your microwave 

Although we use it so frequently, the microwave is often overlooked for a good cleaning session. Do you want a no-fuss way to clean your favourite appliance?  “Microwave a mug filled with plain water for two minutes, then wipe away loosened food from the interior with a damp paper towel,” says Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist for Clorox.  

Descale your kettle 

Ah the kettle, our lovely tea-making companion that we use about 432 times a day. But the more you use it, the more limescale build-up there is. Did you know that you should descale your kettle once a month? Don’t fret – there’s a natural and super easy way to do it. “The natural way to descale your kettle is by using a solution of lemon or vinegar mixed with water,” explains Smeg’s home economist, Clare Edwards. “Boil this mixture in your kettle and leave it to stand for a while to break down and remove limescale, every four weeks. Opting for a kettle with a removable limescale filter in its spout also makes for simple cleaning.” 

Photography: Pexels

Also read: How to spring clean your pantry

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Another day, another hack we wish we knew sooner. These TikTok-approved small storage tricks will make your kitchen look way more organised. 

1. Vertical plate storage 

Tired of plate pile-up? Removing your favourite dish from that uneven and too-high stack can often be dangerous, not to mention very noisy. Looking for a simple solution to store your plates? Use vertical bamboo plate holders. This sleek, space-saving hero will help you remove plates without the hassle (and will be much less noisy). Plus, your cupboard won’t look so cluttered. Now you don’t have to wake the entire household when trying to get a plate for your favourite late-night snack! 

@dclutter_home Price | K120 D’Clutter Multipurpose Bamboo Organizer Perfect for Plates, Lids, Trays etc … DM/WhatsApp +260979585535 East Park Mall Lusaka | Opposite Ocha Nyama #bambooorganizers | #plateorganizers | #lidorganizers | #pantryorganization | #kitchenorganization |#decluttering | #dclutter_zm ♬ original sound – dclutter_home

2. Magazine holder for foils and wraps   

How do you keep your rolls of foil, baking paper and clingwrap neat in your pantry? If you have any unused magazine holders lying around, then you have the perfect storage solution! Simply stand one upright in your pantry and neatly place the rolls inside. No more squished boxes or lost rolls hiding in the back of a cluttered drawer – everything stays organised and easy to grab. 

@resooma 4 ways to use magazine holders to organise your home! #cleanwithme #organizedhome #organisationtips #cleaninghacks #rentinghack ♬ Sleepmode – Official Sound Studio

3. Tension rod for cleaning spray bottles  

Need more space under your kitchen sink, but overwhelmed by a jumble of cleaning bottles? A tension rod might be the fix you’re looking for. Just measure the width of the cabinet, place the rod securely between the sides, and hang your spray bottles by their nozzles. Voilà – it’s an instant space-saver!  

@miseenplace_au Clear the clutter under your kitchen sink with this tension rod hack #organising #kitchenhacks #organizingtiktok #organisedhome #cleaning #fyp ♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco

Image: Pexels 

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Another day, another TikTok hack! These four hacks for cleaning appliances will make your kitchen sparkle without the hassle – and no fancy supplies needed! 

1. Add foil to dishwasher for shiny cutlery 

Want to make your cutlery shine again? Simply drop a balled-up sheet of aluminium foil into the cutlery basket of your dishwasher and run a full cycle like you normally would. Your knives, forks and spoons will come out noticeably shinier – and all because of a chemical reaction with the foil. 

Watch the explanation in the video below: 

@distilledscience #answer to @theshinyfirefly who’s tried it? #science #edutok #dishwasherhack@Carolina Mccauley – Home Hacks ♬ The Magic School Bus Theme – Stuart Petty

2. Coffee machine 

Deep-cleaning a coffee machine is a daunting task at best. This quick and easy TikTok tip for cleaning your coffee machine is the hack coffee lovers never knew they needed. Fill the basin of the machine with a one part vinegar and one part water solution, put in a coffee filter and brew just like you would a pot of coffee. Drain the jug, then run the coffee machine twice more with clean water. And voilà! Your machine is ready to serve you a fresh (and clean) cup of joe again. 

@eldredgecleaning #eldredgecleaning #asmr #oddlysatisfying #satisfying #coffee #cleaning #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #momsoftiktok #parentsoftiktok #fyp #xyzbca ♬ original sound – Eldredge Cleaning

3. Steam-clean your microwave 

Gunk build-up in your microwave can happen before you know it. Want a foolproof way to clean your microwave without any fuss? Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and heat in the microwave for three to five minutes. It will create enough steam to soften the dirt, allowing you to simply wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. If your microwave is particularly grimy, add vinegar and dishwashing liquid to the water and it will quickly loosen the tough dirt.If your microwave is particularly grimy, add vinegar and dishwashing liquid to the water – this will quickly loosen the tough dirt. 

@carolina.mccauley Easy hack to clean your microwave #cleaninghacks #homehackswithcarolina ♬ SUN GOES DOWN – Andreas Roehrig

4. Remove burn marks from the outside of a frying pan  

We’re all guilty of leaving our food on the stove for too long now and then, and our pots and pans have the evidence to prove it. In true TikTok style, there is a brilliant hack to clean the burn marks off your frying pan. The bonus? You’ll use staples you already have in your pantry! Simply flip the pan over, sprinkle the bottom with salt and bicarbonate of soda, then add dishwashing liquid. Cover with paper towels and pour a cup of white vinegar over. Let it sit for a while, then use the soaked paper towels to wipe off the dirt.   

@ramdeep.osahan Easy home trick #foryou #foryoupage #diy #ramdeeposahan ♬ 1, 2, 3, 4 (One, Two, Three, Four) – Fun Elektro Mix – Funbeat

Image: Shutterstock

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September shouts ‘braai’ for South Africans, and we’ve collected some must-try hacks, recipes and tricks to make sure your next cookout is a smoke-show!  

Fire cooking hacks  

Hack 1: Make a grid non-stick! Cut open lemons or potatoes and rub over your braai grid just before adding meat.  

Hack 2: To make your own firelighters, place dried, used tea bags into holes of an egg carton. Melt down old candles and pour liquid wax over each teabag. Once set, cut carton into single squares. Place between wood and light in the centre of each fire starter to use.  

Hack 3: Just lit the fire and drowning in smoke? Place water in a fire-safe foil container next to the coals. The heat will create steam, which will break down some of the smoke.  

Clean slate  

To mark the braai season, nothing says ‘fresh’ start like a clean grill:  

For a quick scrub down:

• Heat the braai using charcoal or wood. Once hot, crumple up a few tinfoil sheets into balls, clasp between tongs and use as a brush to loosen big bits. 
• Create a thick paste using bicarbonate of soda and water then work this around the wires of the grid. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes. 
• If possible, submerge your grid in a bucket of hot, soapy water for another 15 minutes to let the bicarb activate, then use a brush to scrub. 
• Remember: If you do use strong cleaning agents, then make sure to heat the grid up thoroughly again before adding any meat to ensure that the chemicals are cooked off. 

For a quick wipe down:  

You don’t need to restore your grid to its former shiny, glory each time. Opt for a quick fix instead.  

• Secure the prongs of a fork into the back of half an onion or lemon and use this as a natural cleaning agent. Scrub it back and forth over the hot braai grid to remove any lightly caked-on dirt.

Words by: Sjaan Van Der Ploeg
Photographs: Fresh Living Magazine 

The post Must-try braai hacks, recipes and tricks appeared first on MyKitchen.

Purge those expired products from your kitchen shelves, ditch the clutter from your cabinets and get the fridge free of grease and grime for spring. Follow our budget-friendly and practical suggestions and let’s get cracking!  

1. The frightful fridge 

If you only tackle one area or item this spring, ensure it is your fridge. This is where kitchen nasties can lurk, from mould and bacteria to listeria, which aren’t killed by cold temperatures and can cause foodborne illness. “Prevention of messes is the first step to a clean refrigerator. When storing raw meat, poultry, or fish, be sure to separate them from other foods,” says Diane Wright Hirsch, Senior Extension Educator/Food Safety of the University of Connecticut. “Pre-treat the inside of the fridge with a simple, all-purpose cleaner,” advises Melissa Maker (@cleanmyspace) on YouTube. 

@elnazhamai DIY Fridge Cleaner! #fridgecleaning #diycleaner #fridgecleaner #cleanthefridge #hometips #elnazhamaitip #cleaningtipsandhacks #cleaningmotivation #cleankitchen #fridgecleanout ♬ Cool for the Summer – Sped Up (Nightcore) – Demi Lovato & Speed Radio

2. Kitchen-cabinet clear-out

This is often where the unwanted products lurk at the back of the shelf. YouTube cleaning expert, Melissa Maker (@cleanmyspace), says you should “Have two or three microfibre cloths handy and, of course, all-purpose spray,” along with a step stool to reach high shelves. She also advises donating cutlery that hasn’t been used for six months or more to charity to “free up some much-needed space”.      

3. The pantry of shame

This area can become a cluttered nightmare if you leave it for too long. Unpack everything on to a kitchen counter, advises @honeybobabear on TikTok, and “have a pile for keeping and a pile for donating”, once you’ve checked the labels for expiry dates. Following cleaning with a household cleaner, she vacuums any dust and debris away, before returning the ‘keep’ items, which can be organised into labelled baskets. Remember to place items at the front that are close to their expiry date, so they are used first!  

@elnazhamai DIY Fridge Cleaner! #fridgecleaning #diycleaner #fridgecleaner #cleanthefridge #hometips #elnazhamaitip #cleaningtipsandhacks #cleaningmotivation #cleankitchen #fridgecleanout ♬ Cool for the Summer – Sped Up (Nightcore) – Demi Lovato & Speed Radio

4. Don’t forget the oven 

It is the place we hate cleaning most, but it’s just as important to disinfect as the fridge. Store-bought oven cleaners can be effective but also highly toxic and expensive. For those reasons, it’s worth trying baking soda and vinegar, advises @CleanFreakGermaphobe on YouTube. “Make a thin, runny paste … the consistency of glue”, out of baking soda and water and “smear it everywhere on the oven, preferably for a couple of hours”, before spraying with vinegar for a great grease-buster that can simply be wiped off. 

Image: Pexels

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Make kitchen cleaning simpler with these hacks! 

The kitchen can be the one place where cleaning gets trickier. The stains are tougher, the grease can be thicker, and not to mention those unpleasant smells! Well, say “goodbye” to hours of elbow grease with the help of some lemons, household staples, and a few kitchen cleaning hacks we wish we knew sooner.  

Clear up stained Tupperware 

Ever had a plastic container that was never the same after you put leftovers in it? Often, we’re scrubbing away and those red-orange stains simply won’t budge. This hack is so simple, we couldn’t believe we hadn’t thought of it sooner. Simply rub some butter or margarine inside the container, then add a few drops of dish soap, and place a wet paper towel inside the container. Close the lid and shake it around vigorously. You’ll have a brand-new-looking container in no time! 

@jordan_the_stallion8 #stitch with @adikempler #fypシ ♬ original sound – Jordan_The_Stallion8

Save smelly bins with essential oils 

Has your bin started to produce an unpleasant smell that seems to fill up the whole kitchen? A quick solve to avoid having to take out the bin five times a week is simply soaking a cotton ball with lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint oil. Place this cotton ball into the base of your trash bin (between the bag and the bin itself) and save yourself the stench!  

Clean greasy walls with lemon 

We’ve all been there, cooking up a storm, and then suddenly found our backsplash or wall covered in speckles and splashes. These can be tough to clean if you don’t wipe them away at once, leaving you wiping oily streaks all over the place. A great hack is adding pure lemon juice to a spray bottle and spritzing it on your walls. Leave the lemon juice on to work its magic for a few minutes – the acidity of the lemon is perfect for cutting through the oily spots. Then wipe away the grease with a dry cloth for a grease-free wall! 

Vinegar can descale your kettle 

No need to buy several different products to get rid of that build-up at the bottom of your kettle – all you need is white vinegar! Simply fill your kettle halfway with the vinegar and the rest of the way with cold water, boil and pour it out. Then refill with just water for a second boil to rinse out any remaining vinegar. Your kettle will look shiny once again! 

@carolina.mccauley Easy way to clean a kettle #cleaningtip #cleaninghacks #cleaninghack #homehackswithcarolina ♬ Own Brand Freestyle – FelixThe1st & Dreya Mac

Get rid of grime and smells in the microwave 

It’s time to quit stalling a microwave deep-clean! Simply place the juice of one lemon, some dish soap, vinegar, and water in a bowl, pop it in the microwave for 5 minutes and let the steam loosen up all the grime. Then, wipe it down with a cloth and you’ll have a fresh-smelling and clean microwave in no time.  

@yun_aturkana How to clean a Microwave. Updated video with an audio. #microwavecleaning #cleaninghacks #cleaningmotivation #foryou #fyp #yunaturkana ♬ original sound – Yun Aturkana

Fridge smells can be neutralised with lemon peels  

Don’t throw away those lemon peels! If your fridge has a bit of an unpleasant odour, it can easily be neutralised by cutting up your lemon peels, popping them into an open container, and placing them in the fridge. This natural deodoriser is a way to minimise waste while will keeping those bad smells at bay.  

@diaryofakitchenlover Does your fridge have funny odour that make you sooo angry you wanna throw the whole fridge and burn it down and never want see it again? Try this natural deodorizer and you will fall in love with your fridge and almost want to live inside Did you find this helpful? #fridgedeodorizer #fridgeorganization #fridgetips #kitchentips #nigeriankitchen #nigerianfood ♬ original sound – Diaryofakitchenlover

Photography: Pexels

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