Natural Kitchen Cleaning

Kitchens have to be cleaned more than any other room in the house. With it being the center of food prep, it’s no wonder it has to be kept extra clean. The many different types of surfaces in the kitchen usually mean a variety of cleaners are needed. Using traditional cleaning products will “clean” your surfaces, but unfortunately, they will also disperse unwanted residues. Using natural products in your kitchen will keep your food and surfaces far away from harmful chemicals. Here are some tips for cleaning your kitchen naturally.

For countertops and floors, try making your own cleaning solution. Combine equal parts vinegar and distilled water. Vinegar is an amazing natural cleaner. It will fight dirt and grime while also disinfecting. The vinegar smell will dissipate once it is dry, but if you can’t stand the smell or you want to enhance the fragrance of your home, try adding a few drops of essential oil. Try adding lemongrass and grapefruit oils for a fresh citrus aroma. Not only does this solution keep counters and floor clean, it will make your kitchen smell amazing! For stubborn stains on formica counters, you can make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the counter and gently buff in a circular motion. Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes and wipe away. If you have tile flooring in your kitchen and want a powerful cleaner that will have them looking new, sprinkle a layer of baking soda and spray with hydrogen peroxide. After a few minutes, scrub and wipe off.

Ovens often have a self-cleaning feature, but if you aren’t interested in using that feature or are looking to really give it a good deep clean, there is a solution that will get your oven clean and looking just like new. Sprinkle the bottom of your oven with baking soda and spray it with vinegar water to activate the cleaning “magic”. You’ll notice the bubbling from the baking soda reacting to the vinegar. Try to leave it for about an hour. Try doing this first and working on other tasks in the kitchen while letting the baking soda paste work. Then using a stiff brush or scouring pad, give it a little elbow grease. Once that has all been wiped out, use your vinegar solution and a rag or paper towel to give it a proper shine.

Your dishwasher works hard to clean your dishes, but did you know it too needs to be cleaned? Place a bowl of undiluted vinegar on the top shelf of your dishwasher and run it without any other dishes. Do this once a month to remove soap scum and keep your dishwasher running efficiently.

Garbage disposals are another one of those places in the kitchen you may not think about when it comes to cleaning. To clean and deodorize your disposal add ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Allow it to set for 10 – 15 minutes before running hot water for a few second. To keep it smelling fresh, toss in and grind any citrus peels.

Article by Amber Burkhart

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   by  bark