Spring Cleaning the Kitchen

One of the easiest ways to do spring cleaning is to break down the areas that will be cleaned and by whom. Starting out with a plan will make the work go faster and smoother. If everyone knows what is expected of them.

It also helps to let everyone who is cleaning have their own cleaning supplies. The cleaning supplies can vary according to what is being cleaned. Just remember to have lots of rags, trash bags and a multi-purpose cleaner on hand for everyone.

When there is little time to do the spring cleaning or it needs to be broken down to a couple of hours a day. Then do the spring cleaning one room at a time. I like to start with the kitchen it seems like it takes the longest and is one of the hardest rooms to clean. Here is a quick list that I use to help get my kitchen clean.

• Quick cleanup. This should take no longer than 15 minutes. Do the dishes and clear out the clutter.
• Walls and Ceiling. Dust the corners of the walls and the ceiling.
• Ceiling Fan and Light Fixtures. Dust and wash.
• Windows. Take down any draperies, curtains, or blinds that need to be cleaned. Wash the windows
• Oven. Apply oven cleaner to the oven unless it is a self cleaning oven. When spraying the oven cleaner, make sure that the windows are left open and that there is plenty of ventilation. The oven cleaning spray smell can be overpowering.
• Refrigerator. Unplug the refrigerator and vacuum the coils of the refrigerator. Move the refrigerator so that it can be swept and mopped. Plug the refrigerator back in and move it back into place. As the food is being put onto the counter sort through the food in the refrigerator and the freezer, throwing away any food that has expired. Wash down the inside of the refrigerator and freezer after cleaning the entire inside put the food back into the fridge.
• Stove top. Take the knobs, burners, spill catchers and burner covers and clean the stove top.
• Small appliances. Wipe down the small appliances including the toaster and blender.
• Microwave. Take out the turntable and wash it. If the food is on pretty thick or hard to remove try boiling some water in a glass inside the microwave.
• Kitchen cabinets. Take everything out of the kitchen cabinets. Get rid of any mismatched bowls and lids that aren't used and any other items that aren't used. Wash the inside and outside of the cabinets.
• Dishwasher. Clean out the food trap in the bottom of the dishwasher. Add vinegar to an empty dishwasher. Run the dishwasher. Wash down the outside of the dishwasher.
• Countertops. Wash down the countertops and the backsplashes.
• Drawers. Clean out any drawers getting rid of anything that does not belong.
• Sink. Pour baking soda down the drain with warm water.
• Floors. Sweep and mop the floors along with the baseboards.

Now that the kitchen is clean from the top to the bottom and everything in between it is a good time to relax and enjoy.