When the holidays are right around the corner, cooking and cleaning are two things that pop instantly in your mind. And of course, those two things you can’t run away from! Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or both, it’s important to make sure the cleanliness of your kitchen rivals the delicious, home cooked, holiday meal you’re preparing. Impressing your guests with a pristine looking and fresh smelling kitchen is a top priority as much as making them mouth-watering dishes. Let’s learn how to create that immaculate kitchen appearance (daily not just when it’s the holidays) we are all searching for:
What to clean daily:
1.) Use your favorite disinfectant wipes or a vinegar based solution on high-touch surfaces to keep them germ-free, like your:
- Cabinetry & pantry pulls/knobs (if time allows, all door knobs, light switches, and remotes in your home)
- Dishwasher, faucet, microwave, oven, & refrigerator handles
- Countertops
2.) The best way to stay ahead of a messy kitchen is by cleaning while you’re cooking/baking. There are many down periods during cooking/baking, so clean that pan, or empty/fill the dishwasher, or at least start soaking your dishware to break down the food particles. Seems simple enough..right?!
3.) Spend the extra money on the broom or mop that actually works. That way a daily ritual of sweeping up crumbs or spills on your kitchen floor is easy and hassle free! Check out this blog post for ideas on how to clean your floors.
4.) Put away kitchen appliances to keep your countertops decluttered, like your:
- Crockpot
- Toaster
- Mixer
- Blender
- Etc.
What to clean weekly or monthly:
1.) Using hot soapy water and a microfiber cloth you’ll want to wipe down your:
- Utensil drawer & utensil organizer
- Cabinetry doors & inside shelves
- Any window tracks in your kitchen (if time allows, all window tracks in your home)
- Trash can inside/outside
2.) Make a point to organize your pantry/refrigerator, while also throwing away outdated or spoiled items. Check out this blog post for ideas on how to organize your pantry.
3.) The faucet nozzle can grow grime and mold. Remove those unwanted gross pieces by scrubbing it with a toothbrush, then filling a plastic bag with vinegar and wrapping it around the nozzle with a rubber band to soak for a few hours. Remove the plastic bag to find a sparkling clean faucet head!
4.) Your garbage disposal can give off the worst odors. So make sure to sprinkle baking soda, dish soap, and lemon juice down the disposal and run hot water to eliminate those unwanted smells.
What to clean before the holidays:
1.) Clean the gaps! What we mean is clean between:
- The countertop and oven
- The cabinetry and refrigerator (even behind the refrigerator if feeling up to it)
2.) Make sure to dust: (may also need to use hot soapy water on some areas too)
- Above & under cabinetry
- Ceiling (especially if your kitchen has exposed wood beams)
- Walls & baseboards
- Light fixtures
If you are able to find time in your schedule to make the “daily, weekly, or monthly” cleaning then the holiday cleaning list doesn’t become so dreadfully long! That way you can spend more time on your cooking and baking presentations, AND most importantly time with your loved ones! Here is one more cleaning tip to leave you with ~ add air filtering plants to your kitchen to keep it smelling earthy clean. BONUS: plants add some color or decor to your kitchen. Happy cleaning & holidays!