Having a clean house with minimum effort is the maxim of practically everyone, especially those who hate to clean or have to spend the little free time they have every day to put the house in order. Not to mention those for whom the word “rest” or “leisure time” sounds like Greek to them. Both situations usually result in the same thing:dirt and mess accumulate and there comes a point when there is no choice but to go on a cleaning marathon lasting several hours, which nobody likes.
Most people agree that if there is one place in the house where cleanliness is most necessary, it is the kitchen, a space that in recent times of pandemic, has reclaimed its place and is again consecrated as the heart of the house. And although it is one of the favorite places for family gatherings, it can also be one of the least tidy, as it can be very difficult to keep it from getting dirty or greasy, especially if there are children, teenagers or pets in the house. If this is your case, you should not worry, because there are some tricks that do not demand much time and that help to prevent the accumulation of dirt and odors and to keep this environment always impeccable.
Tips to keep the kitchen always clean
Regardless of the size of the kitchen, to keep it clean and tidy it is necessary to carry out some basic routines that guarantee proper hygiene, as well as helping us to have everything at hand when it is time to cook. Getting rid of everything that is no longer used, keeping everything in its place, keeping the top clean and washing the utensils that are used while cooking, and good ventilation are some of the best ways to keep the kitchen clean. If you’re tired of having to deal with disorganization and chaos after cooking, read on and write down these keys to achieve our goal . tips:
- Clean as you go and frequently. When the stove area is dirty, it looks like the rest of the kitchen is dirty too. For this reason, it is best to keep the cooking area clean. Instead of doing a thorough cleaning once a week, be sure to leave this area clean every time you use it. If any of the food you are cooking spills, to prevent it from sticking, change the heat. The best thing to do, both when cleaning the ceramic hob and the cooking grids, is to wait until they are cold. This way you will avoid burning yourself and, in addition, it will be easier to remove the dirt and it will be really clean.
- Use the extractor hood. The extractor hood is one of the most chosen pieces of equipment for the kitchen. It is designed to remove odors, moisture, steam and grease particles that are expelled when preparing meals, making it a perfect, and increasingly aesthetic, companion for keeping the kitchen clean. However, it is essential to keep the hood clean at all times, since if it is dirty, it can lose much of its usefulness.
- Cover pots and pans. While it may seem like a no-brainer, one of the easiest ways to keep food from splashing on countertops and walls is to cover pots and pans. Another option is to try anti-splash caps that allow vapors to pass through but prevent oil splashes. You can also choose to protect the surfaces. For example, by placing aluminum foil in the area where you cook, thus achieving much less dirt. However, it is important to keep in mind that placing materials of this type on your kitchen can be somewhat dangerous, so you should avoid them at all costs in hot areas.
- Use a container to store waste. Not a trash can, but a small, lightweight, handy container in which you can store waste as it is produced. This way you avoid moving around the kitchen to dispose of them or distributing them in several places to end up making more mess than necessary. It is very important that its size corresponds to the amount of waste you plan to dispose of. This prevents it from filling up as you go along.
- Good daily ventilation. Keeping your kitchen area well ventilated, especially when you are in front of it, will make it more difficult for grease to settle on surfaces. It won’t prevent it entirely, but by ventilating your kitchen well, you will maintain a stable temperature and help keep the heat from fixing grease to your surfaces. This is very important, for example, when using the oven or when cooking certain products whose traces are more difficult to remove.
- Have “free” countertops. Uncluttered countertops allow for efficient and fast cleaning without having to move things around to wipe. Follow the rule of keeping as many utensils as possible on shelves and in cabinets to keep surfaces and countertops clear. After all, we don’t use the pasta maker or colander every day. Keep on hand what you need on a daily basis and place on higher shelves or less accessible places what you don’t use as often. Another recommendation is to make sure that the table is completely clear after each meal so that it can be cleaned in a moment.
- Do things one at a time. Following this recommendation can be a bit tricky, especially when the clock is against you. But, often, when we do many things at the same time, we tend to lose organization. On the other hand, if you give everything its time, the tips for keeping the kitchen tidy while cooking can be applied more easily. Ideally, cooking should be an act of de-stressing, not the other way around.
In addition to all this, you may find it helpful to draw up a weekly plan. While some tasks need to be done at every meal, others are only necessary once a week. Set a day for each weekly task, so you reduce the work and the kitchen will always be clean. Group tasks according to the cleaning product needed, so you don’t have to repeat the same action twice a week. For example, on Monday you dust, on Tuesday you clean the countertops, stove and sink; on Wednesday, the refrigerators and shelves; on Thursday, you mop the floor, on Friday you check expired or spoiled food… whatever you prefer and is most convenient for you.
