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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Are you ready to declutter your kitchen? Experts say there are 3 common items you should toss – stat! Your kitchen (and your sanity) will thank you! 

Old kitchen sponges 

When was the list time you replaced your kitchen sponges? These handy kitchen cleaners should be replaced (at least) every two weeks, even if you keep it clean. “Effective methods include microwaving a damp sponge, running it through a dishwasher cycle, soaking it in a bleach solution, or using white vinegar,” says Rechelle Balanzat, cleaning expert and founder of  Juliette Technologies. “However, despite regular cleaning, it’s important to replace your sponge every one to two weeks to maintain hygiene,” she adds.  

Worn-out cutting boards 

It’s time to ditch that cutting board you have been using for the past 7 years (looking at you, worn-out, off-white plastic cutting board). “Over time [cutting boards] can develop scratches or grooves and they become difficult to clean. At that point, they would harbour bacteria and mould, which then spread to your food. So, you need to replace them when you see they are not easily cleaned,” says Zahra Mohammad, a food microbiology and safety expert with the University of Houston and the American Society for Microbiology. 

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User manuals 

We all have that one drawer in the kitchen filled to the brim with user manuals of all the appliances we have ever owned. The next time you buy a new appliance, immediately check if you can find the information online and drop the manual straight into the rubbish bin. “They can all be found online,” says the co-founder of  NEAT Method, Ashley Murphy. “The next time you need help resetting your microwave, pull up the instructions online. In many cases, you’ll even find an easy-to-follow how-to video.” 

Image: Shutterstock

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