9 Ways To Spring Your Kitchen To Life

Can I just say…spring is here! Everything is brighter, sunnier and happier.

The outdoors beckons, but for me, so does the house work. The spring cleaning bug niggles and I can’t rest until I get stuck into organising the house. I know some people like to start with tidying out drawers and cupboards, but I can’t relax until I’ve given the kitchen a complete overhaul. I’m going to spare you the organising tips and get straight down to the nitty gritty.

Here’s a knock-out spring-cleaning routine for the kitchen that will make you want to sing!

You will need:

• baking soda
• a durable cloth
• lemon
• dish washing liquid
• ammonia
• vinegar
• spatula
• spray bottle
• zip-lock bags
• a little elbow grease!

Now, let’s get started!

1. The Oven

Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Spread the paste all over the oven then let it sit overnight. (Remember to cover openings with foil and to avoid bare metal surfaces and the oven door.) Use a spatula to remove the paste and a cloth and water to rinse off the remaining residue.

2. Gas Burners

Put burners in a plastic zip lock bag with 1/4 cup of ammonia. Seal the bag and leave it outside overnight.  Afterwards, wipe the burners clean with a cleaning cloth and ta-da!

3. Bench tops and cupboards

Use one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle to spray on benches. For tougher to shift stains, sprinkle baking soda on the bench and leave for 15 minutes before wiping away with a cloth. These ingredients are great for dispelling germs that build up form food stuff, no matter how microscopic.

4. The Sink

You’ll be able to sink your teeth into this one with gusto — it’s so easy. Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the sink, scrub with a durable cloth and voila – clean sink and clean drain!

5. The Microwave

Put a container of water and lemon juice in the microwave and nuke on high for three minutes. Let it stand undisturbed for another five, then you can wipe off the sticky mess with a wet cleaning cloth and dish washing liquid. Then rinse.

6. The Fridge

Soap or detergent can leave behind a scent that will affect the food, so instead tackle the fridge with baking soda and hot water. Remove all racks, trays and drawers and use a strong cloth to wipe over the entire inside. You can then clean the the pieces you removed in either the sink or the bath tub using a cloth and the baking soda mixture.

7. The Dishwasher

Fill a small bowl of vinegar and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. If you set the dishwasher to its hottest but shortest cycle it will remove all the stubborn grease. Remember to wipe over the seal and bottom of the door with a cleaning cloth.

8. The kettle

After a winter of endless cups of tea and coffee, your kettle’s interior may be looking a bit grim. Add half a cup of vinegar to a kettle filled with water and leave it to sit overnight – this should remove any surface scale. If you have a chrome kettle you can also use it on a cloth to buff the outside.

9. The Bin

Hose down your bin outside or in the bathtub or shower. Using dish washing liquid, scrub with a cloth and then sprinkle a little bit of baking soda in the bottom for a super-fresh smell.

There…we told you it was easy! Now sit back and enjoy your clean kitchen, or better still get out and enjoy the sunshine because your housework is done!