Food holds a significant place in our lives, serving as a vital necessity for sustenance. While for some, it’s merely a means to survive, for others, the act of eating becomes a passionate pursuit. The space where these delectable meals are prepared requires as much care and attention as the act of consuming them, wouldn’t you agree? As the primary environment for food preparation, the kitchen demands constant upkeep, particularly for individuals spending a significant part of their day in this space, such as housewives.
You might ponder, “I already clean my kitchen daily, what more can I do?” However, if the current cleaning approaches were entirely effective, the search for more efficient methods to maintain a spotless and pest-free kitchen wouldn’t be necessary. Today, I’ll share insights on effectively cleaning the kitchen sink to eliminate dirt and unpleasant odors. Additionally, we’ll explore techniques to remove stubborn stains and prevent insect infestations in the kitchen.
Tips To Keep The Kitchen Tidy And Odor Free
You’ve organized the entire house, yet upon entering the kitchen, disorder reigns. The kitchen is equipped with an array of gadgets: coffee pots, mugs, sinks, blenders, cutters, spoons, salt shakers, lids, and more. None of these items are in their designated places. However, beyond the mere task of maintaining a clean kitchen, there exists no substitute for the upkeep of not just the utensils themselves, but also the space where they are stored and the overall environment.
Maintaining Gleaming Sinks and Basins
Daily kitchen activities often leave sinks and basins clogged due to various residues like vegetable peels, dough remnants, and fish remains, impeding smooth water flow and causing unpleasant odors if not regularly cleaned. To prevent blockages, run hot water down the drain after every kitchen session; however, avoid using extremely hot water as it might damage plastic pipes.
For cleaning, use a mixture of liquid soap or diluted vinegar, spreading it across the sink. Sprinkling vinegar with lemon juice and lemon slices effectively reduces oiliness. After letting it sit for about 10 minutes, scrub and rinse to restore the sink’s shine.
Maintaining a Clean Countertop
Cooking often leads to spills and stains on the stove and countertop, making cleaning a challenging task if not attended to promptly. To tackle this, prepare a solution using dishwashing liquid and salt in warm water. Wipe the stove area with a damp cloth, and then thoroughly dry it after cleaning to remove any residue.
Eliminating Unpleasant Odors
In kitchens where fish and rice are staple foods, the fish’s distinct smell can linger after cutting and preparing it. To prevent this odor, dispose of fish remnants in a plastic bag, sealing it before discarding. Additionally, laying down old newspaper or a plastic sheet while cutting fish minimizes potential floor mess.
To rid the kitchen of lingering fish or meat smells, clean surfaces with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda dissolved in water. Consider using air fresheners or scented candles if needed.
Keeping Kitchen Appliances Pristine
Microwaves and rice cookers have become indispensable in modern kitchens, but if not cleaned regularly, food spills can quickly lead to unpleasant odors. To maintain these appliances, heat a bowl of water mixed with vinegar or lemon juice in the microwave for a minute to create steam that loosens residue. Wipe the interior of the microwave and clean the rice cooker with the same solution to keep them fresh.
Maintaining a Sparkling Kitchen
After cleaning the stainless steel sink, wipe it with a cloth dabbed in a bit of olive oil or coconut oil to maintain its shine. The same method can be applied to keep other kitchen utensils gleaming. For wooden items, lightly rub some salt and lemon juice, followed by an oil wipe to maintain their shine.
Ensuring Clean Floors
For greasy tiles around the stove, create a paste of baking soda mixed with vinegar, applying it to the stains for effective cleaning. After leaving it for a while, clean off the paste to swiftly remove oily residues and stains.
Avoiding Procrastination in Cleaning Tasks
Resist the temptation to delay chores like washing dishes or disposing of old frying oil. It’s advisable to rinse heavier dishes immediately and wash them with soap at your convenience. Allocate 20-25 minutes daily to clean the sink and stove area to prevent stubborn stains from settling in these heavily used spaces.
What To Do To Rid The Kitchen Of Insects?
Dealing with insect infestation in households is a common issue, particularly prevalent in Bangladesh. Addressing this persistent problem is crucial, especially concerning the invasion of spiders that tend to take over Apina nests and multiply, posing significant challenges in eradicating them. Creating an insect-free environment, particularly in the kitchen, is essential irrespective of the season.
Amidst the array of pesticides available in the market to combat kitchen pests, many individuals are apprehensive about their usage. The concern primarily arises from the potential risk of contaminating food with these chemicals, posing severe health threats. Consequently, home remedies become a sought-after alternative to maintain a pest-free kitchen environment.
- Ants are often attracted to sugarcane. Instead of using market-based pesticides, placing a few cloves can effectively reduce ant infestation without compromising safety.
- Commonly found vinegar can be used by mixing one part vinegar with two parts water, creating a solution that can be sprayed around the kitchen to effectively eliminate insects.
- Utilizing cucumber ends in different kitchen corners deters cockroaches due to their aversion to natural elements present in these discarded parts.
- A homemade paste comprising chili powder, onion, garlic, and water, when used in a spray bottle, proves to be an effective repellent against cockroaches and other household insects.
- Peppermint oil, known for its repelling effect on insects, can be mixed with water and sprayed around the kitchen to create an insect-free space.
- Crushing mint leaves and dispersing them in kitchen corners serves as an effective measure in repelling insects.
Preventing insect infestation also involves safeguarding food items:
- Storing flour, semolina, pulses, etc., in airtight containers is vital to prevent insects from nesting inside packaging materials like thin paper or plastic.
- Regularly cleaning surfaces and immediately addressing spills while cooking is crucial to prevent the spread of small food particles that can attract insects.
- Regularly cleaning cupboards, especially disposing of old and expired food items, is essential to prevent insects from breeding in such spaces.
- Keeping the kitchen clean by washing dishes immediately after use and not letting them accumulate for extended periods significantly deters insect attraction.
- Maintaining cleanliness not only applies to personal dishes but also extends to pet feeding bowls, ensuring they are regularly cleaned to prevent insect infestation.
Maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen environment not only deters insect infestation but also contributes to the durability of kitchen utensils.
