If you spend countless hours scrubbing away at stubborn countertop stains, grappling with hidden dirt in hard-to-reach corners and struggling with how to clean your microwave, it's time to take a step back and discover some time-saving, cost-effective solutions that will simplify your Cleaning routine. We've gathered 10 expert Kitchen-cleaning hacks that are often underestimated, yet hold the potential to revolutionize your kitchen cleanliness.

10 need-to-know cleaning hacks

Say goodbye to wasted time and money, and say hello to a pristine kitchen with these game-changing tips.

1. Cut the grease with dish soap

It's never recommended to pour grease directly down the sink drain. However, even when disposing of grease properly, it's tricky to fully prevent any grease from going down the drain. A simple solution is squirting dish soap down the drain and pouring hot water down the drain immediately after to cut through the grease. By doing this weekly, you'll prevent odor and buildup.

2. Shine stainless steel with olive oil

Olive oil is something most at-home chefs always have on hand. Bring back the brilliance of stainless steel appliances and kitchen utensils by applying a few drops of olive oil to a microfiber cloth to buff them. This natural hack will leave your pots and pans looking brand new.

3. DIY all-purpose cleaner

There's really no need to spend money on cleaning products from the store when you can craft your own. Creating a mixture of water, vinegar and a few drops of essential oil serves as a safe and effective all-purpose cleaner, that is non-toxic, smells great and leaves your kitchen sparkling.

4. Revive wooden utensils

Wood utensils are aesthetically pleasing in kitchens and are popular due to their fit in the modern farmhouse kitchen decor style. These wooden utensils, while sleek looking, are tricky to clean. To sanitize these cooking tools, scrub them with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to bring them back to life.

5. Zap microwave stains with lemon zest

Unleash the power of lemon to clean your microwave by placing a bowl of water with a few slices of lemon inside and microwave it on high for a few minutes. The steam will loosen any dirt, making it easy to wipe away.

Pro tip: Once you're done with the lemon, put it down your drain and run the garbage disposal to fill the kitchen with a fresh, lemon scent while eliminating any potential odor build-up materials.

6. Clean dish rags without water

While this may sound weird, wetting a sponge or dish rag and zapping it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes will kill bacteria and germs. However, if your rag or sponge is caked with food and dirt, we recommend just replacing it.

7. Cutting corners to clean counters

Those older sponges come in handy for this hack. By cutting a small section off one corner of the sponge, you create a flat edge that can fit into narrow spaces and reach those challenging corners that a regular sponge might struggle to clean.

8. Utilize the power of baking soda

Baking soda is another natural and versatile cleaning product.

• Sink cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda in your sink, then rub it with a soft cloth soaked in vinegar. After you rinse with water, you'll be left with a sparkling clean sink.
• Stained plastic containers: Certain food leftovers can cause plastic containers to change colors and stain. To revive your Tupperware, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the stained plastic and let it sit for a few hours before rinsing to remove discoloration.
• Refrigerator refresh: Keep an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb unwanted smells.

9. Clean the germs off your cutting board

While serving as essential cooking tools, cutting boards also double as fantastic and personalized decoration pieces. To clean these boards, spray hydrogen peroxide on your cutting board and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing to disinfect it.

10. Keep a bowl of soapy water by the sink

The longer a soiled fork remains unwashed, the more challenging it becomes to clean due to the hardening and stubbornness of food residues. However, you can make the cleaning process swift and effortless by soaking your dirty utensils.

Pro tip: Avoid soaking wooden spoons or knives with wooden handles to prevent damage.

When in doubt, clean it out

By incorporating these 10 expert kitchen-cleaning hacks into your routine, you can bid farewell to unnecessary headaches. Using natural remedies and adopting smarter solutions make for a practical and cost-effective approach to achieving a spotless culinary corner. Find your dream apartment kitchen today!

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