Genius Kitchen Cleaning Tips and Tricks to Save You Time and Energy
Cleaning the kitchen can be a tedious task. But what if there were an easier way? We’ve compiled a list of 20 clever cleaning hacks for the kitchen to save you time and hassle. Who doesn’t love a good cleaning hack?
Whether it’s an easy way to clean a grimy pot or something that prevents a mess, these tricks will ensure your kitchen is always clean. You’ll be amazed at the difference they make.
20 Time Saving Kitchen Cleaning Hacks
#1. Harness the Power of Steam to Clean Your Microwave
Don’t you hate the dried-on food splatters coating the inside of your microwave? Well, cleaning that mess is a breeze with this hack! All you have to do is half-fill a measuring cup of water.
Then heat for 3-5 minutes on high and wipe it down with a damp cloth. If you want a fresh smell, add a lemon slice for some extra zing. You’ll love this trick! It’s effortless, and it smells great!
You may also want to read this article on how to deodorize your microwave.
#2. Get Stubborn Stains off Pots and Pan
Tired of wasting your time scrubbing away stubborn stains from your pot or pan? Add enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the bottom of your pot or pan, and sprinkle on some baking soda. Let it sit for a while, then wipe away the mess.
#3. Clean a Wooden Cutting Board with Salt and Lemon
Sprinkle a generous amount of coarse salt over the entire surface of the cutting board. Rub the salt all over the board using half a lemon, squeezing the lemon juice as you go.
Let the salt and lemon juice sit on the board for a few minutes, and rinse well. The salt acts as an abrasive and, combined with the acidity of the lemon juice, removes most stains. The salt and high acidity also kill bacteria and sanitize the board.
#4. Clean As You Work
Cleaning as you work is a time-saving strategy that can help make the final cleaning process quicker and more manageable. It stops dishes from piling up.
It also prevents spills and messes from drying, so you don’t end up scrubbing. I always have a bowl of soapy water and microfiber cloth on hand to make it easy.
#5. Wipe or Rinse Spills or Food Residue Before It Dries
Have you ever had to pry a dried cheerio off the floor or scrub out a pot of dried oatmeal? They stick harder than superglue!
Spills and food residue can be difficult to remove once they dry, so wiping or rinsing them as soon as possible will save a lot of elbow grease later.
#6. Sanitize Your Sponge in the Microwave
Sanitizing your sponge in the microwave is a quick and easy way to kill bacteria that thrive on sponges.
Wet your sponge and place it on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute. Let it cool before removing it. Sanitize your sponge in the microwave at least once a week.
This method will not work for sponges that have metallic scrub pads. Those can be put in the dishwasher.
#7. Cover the Tops of Tall Furniture with Paper
Dust accumulates on top of tall furniture such as refrigerators and cabinets; cleaning these areas takes work as they are hard to reach.
Covering these surfaces with parchment or newspaper is a quick and easy solution. The paper will collect dust and can be easily replaced, saving time and effort.
#8. Clean a Dirty Blender with Warm, Soapy Water
Cleaning a blender can be a hassle, especially when dealing with stuck-on food particles. A simple solution is to fill the blender halfway with warm water and add dish soap.
Run the blender for about 30 seconds, empty, and rinse with warm water. This will remove any food particles and leave the blender clean and ready to use again.
#9. Descale a Kettle with Vinegar
Over time, mineral buildup can accumulate in a kettle, affecting the taste of the water and reducing its efficiency.
To descale a kettle, fill it with equal parts water, vinegar, or lemon juice, and let it soak for an hour. Then, boil the kettle, empty, and rinse it thoroughly. Finally, fill the kettle, re-boil, empty, and rinse it.
#10. Remove Tea and Coffee Stains with Baking Soda Paste
Tea and coffee stains can be tough to remove from mugs and teapots. A simple solution is to make a paste using baking soda and water. The baking soda makes a gentle abrasive paste that will help to remove the stains. Apply the paste to the stained areas, rub with a cloth, then rinse with warm water.
#11. Clean a Cast Iron Frying Pan with Boiling Water
I love cooking with a cast iron frying pan, but sometimes the food residue gets stuck to the surface. A simple solution is to partially fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil.
The heat and steam will help to loosen any stuck-on food particles, which can be easily scraped off with a spatula. This will leave your cast iron frying pan clean and ready to use again.
However, this method strips the seasoning, so you must re-season the pan.
#12. Declutter Kitchen Counters and Refrigerator Surface
Keeping kitchen surfaces clear of clutter can help save time and make cleaning easier. Decluttering your kitchen counters and refrigerator surface lets you quickly wipe them down and instantly makes your kitchen look tidier.
#13. Use Burner Liners on Electric Stoves with Coil Elements
Drip trays under coil burners on electric ranges can collect grease and food particles that cause nasty stains. Burner liners catch any spills and prevent them from sticking to the tray. When it’s time to clean, remove and replace it with a new liner.
#14. Clean The Dishwasher with Tang
Dishwashers can accumulate mineral buildup over time, which makes them look dingy and affect their performance. A quick and easy way to clean the dishwasher is to run a cycle with Tang.
The citric acid in this mix is a powerful cleaner. Sprinkle the Tang in the bottom of the dishwasher and fill the detergent dispenser. Then run a normal cycle. This will help to remove mineral buildup and leave your dishwasher smelling fresh.
#15. Clean Window Tracks with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Window tracks can accumulate dirt and debris over time. A quick and easy way to clean window tracks is to use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Sprinkle baking soda in the tracks, then pour vinegar over it. Let the mixture bubble for a few minutes, then wipe it with a cloth or sponge. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar loosens dirt or debris, making it easy to remove.
#16. Rejuvenate Gunky Cookie Sheets with Baking Soda and Peroxide
Cookie sheets can become stained and greasy over time, making them difficult to clean. A simple solution is to create a paste using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and use it to scrub the cookie sheets. This will help remove stains and leave the cookie sheets looking clean and shiny.
Here are more ways to clean with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
#17. Invest in a Multipurpose Steam Cleaner for Floors and Countertops
Steam cleaners are an excellent investment for anyone who wants to save time cleaning floors and countertops. They use hot steam to disinfect and clean surfaces without chemicals or scrubbing. A steam cleaner like this Bissell Power Steamer makes cleaning really easy.
#18. Wipe Down Jars and Bottles After Use
Condiment bottles and jars accumulate drips and grime. Remember to wipe these items down with a damp microfiber cloth before returning them to the fridge or pantry. This quick and simple step stops the mess and ensures you don’t have any unwanted “science experiments” growing anywhere.
#19. Invest in Liners and Trays
Liners and trays can be a helpful addition to your kitchen. They can make cleaning up spills more manageable or eliminate the need for clean-up altogether. These handy items can be used in various ways throughout your kitchen, helping to keep surfaces clean and free from mess.
Here are some places in the kitchen where you can use liners and trays:
- Drawers and Cabinets: Use liners in drawers and cabinets to protect surfaces from spills and stains.
- Refrigerator Shelves: Place plastic liners on your refrigerator shelves and drawers. You can also put plates under meat packages to catch the blood.
- In the Oven: Place a cookie sheet under an oven dish to catch any spills from food items that may boil over or splatter. You can also purchase heat-resistant liners for the bottoms of your oven.
- Baking Sheets: Use silicone mats or parchment paper on your baking sheets to prevent sticking and make clean-up easier.
- Pet Feeding Areas: Use mats or trays under your pet’s food and water dishes to avoid spills and make cleaning easier.
- Casserole Dishes: Line casserole dishes with aluminum foil to make clean-up a breeze.
#20. Use a Cleaning Checklist
A cleaning checklist like this kitchen deep clean checklist can be a great way to stay organized and on track with your cleaning tasks. By breaking down the cleaning tasks into smaller, manageable steps, you can save time and make the cleaning process more efficient.
This can also help to ensure that no jobs are overlooked, making the final clean-up easier and more thorough.
Final Thoughts on Cleaning Tips and Tricks that Save Time
We hope these kitchen cleaning hacks inspire you to make your kitchen cleaning routine easier and more efficient. We hope you’ll spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying what you truly love to do. Plus, who doesn’t love a clean kitchen? Try incorporating some of these hacks into your daily routine to enjoy a clean and organized kitchen.
Which ones of these cleaning hacks will you try? Leave a comment below.
