Reveal Your Kitchen's Shine: A Complete Guide to Effective, Eco-Friendly Cleaning

The kitchen, the heart of the home, is home not only to culinary delights but also to a multitude of household appliances prone to dust and residue accumulation. To maintain a healthy and functional environment, regular cleaning of these appliances is essential. Explore with us some practical tips to give your kitchen a spring-like freshness.

1. Clean your oven

If your oven has a self-cleaning cycle, turn it on. Otherwise, clean the oven cavity with a solution of baking soda , vinegar , and water.

Baking soda + water mixture: Mix half a cup of baking soda with water to create a thick paste. Spread the paste on the inside walls of the oven, avoiding the heating system. Let the paste sit for at least 12 hours or overnight. Use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe the paste away, removing any grease and dirt residue.

Baking soda and vinegar mixture: Mix half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to form a paste. Apply this paste generously to the inside walls of your oven, keeping the heat off. Let the paste sit for several hours, or even overnight, to allow the baking soda to work on the grease and grime. Then, dampen a clean cloth with white vinegar and wipe the surfaces to remove the dirt and baking soda residue.

2. Clean your stove and hood

For gas stoves, you must properly clean the grates and burner caps. For ceramic glass stoves, use a ceramic glass cleaner to remove residue that has been baked onto the surface.

Recipe: Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to baked-on residue, let it sit, then wipe off for a sparkling surface.

Instructions for the hood: Remove the grilles. Mix black soap with warm water in a basin and immerse the grilles. Let sit for a few minutes to a few hours. Scrub with a brush and wipe dry.

3. Clean your countertop appliances, countertops, and kitchen shelves

Use a solution of white vinegar or black soap diluted with water to wipe down countertop surfaces. For a disinfectant effect, add a few drops of lemon or grapefruit essential oil. This cleans and leaves a fresh aroma.

4. Clean your microwave

Clean your microwave, inside and out, including the turntable.

Instructions: Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing water and vinegar in a bowl. Heat the solution in the microwave until steaming. Remove the bowl once it has cooled. Dampen a cloth with the solution and clean your microwave.

5. Clean your refrigerator/freezer

Get rid of old or expired food. Remove and wash the refrigerator drawers and shelves. Wipe down the inside walls with vinegar or soapy water. Defrost and clean the inside of your freezer. If necessary, replace your refrigerator's water filter. Clean your refrigerator doors and handles.

6. Clean your dishwasher

Create a natural cleaner by mixing white vinegar and baking soda. Use a cup of this mixture in the top rack of the dishwasher on an empty cycle. Wipe the exterior surfaces with vinegar.

For a deeper clean: Remove the dishwasher filter and clean it thoroughly. Wipe down the door and handle. Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaning tablet. You can also choose to use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

7. Clean your floors

Mix black soap with warm water for a natural and effective cleaning solution. Use this solution to wash floors, especially tiles, leaving behind a clean and sparkling surface.

Taking the time to regularly clean your stove, range hood, and surrounding surfaces will ensure a healthy and pleasant cooking environment. These simple, natural tips will help you prepare meals in a clean and sparkling space.