Kitchen Cleaning Tips from Merry Maids

Follow Merry Maids top tips for cleaning the most used room in your home:
1. Begin with a de-clutter, tidy away or place for recycling newspapers, magazines, bottles etc, wash, dry and put away dirty dishes. Empty waste bins. Take down curtains, valances and blinds to wash or have cleaned according to the manufacturer's directions.
This will clear out the clutter and dirty dishes, and give you room to do the actual intense cleaning projects.

2. With a hi-duster remove cobwebs and dust down the ceiling and corners of walls. Determine if the walls have dirty spots that need cleaning away.
Spot wash, remembering air vents, doorknobs, doors, light plates and sockets. Walls will likely need to be washed more often in this room than in others. You may not have noticed finger marks, pet or food splashes on walls and tiles. Take your intense cleaning time now to clean the grease, grime, and spilled food from your walls.

3. Dust and clean all pictures, photographs and ornaments on walls.
Be careful when cleaning framed pictures and photographs. Never spray cleanser or water onto the frame. The liquid can seep behind the glass and damage the pictures. Instead lightly wet a clean cloth to wipe the frame and glass.

4. Dust and clean light fittings.
Take down any light fixtures and gently wash and dry them before replacing. You may need to use a gentle cleanser like washing up liquid.

5. Dust and wash window frames, corners and window sills. Wash the inside and outside of the windows.

6. Apply oven cleaner to the oven and clean the refrigerator.
Leave the windows in the kitchen open to avoid any overpowering smell. Don't forget to vacuum the coils of your UNPLUGGED refrigerator if it is free standing. This is a great time to sweep or vacuum, then mop underneath it too if you can find some help to move it. Be careful of scratching your floor.

7. While the oven cleaner works, begin sorting through the freezer and refrigerator.
Throw out any expired food, mostly empty containers, and items that you bought and never used. Put the stuff to keep on the counter. Take out the refrigerator shelves and drawers. Wash them down, being careful with glass shelves. Wipe down the entire inside of the refrigerator and freezer before replacing shelves and food. Wipe down and clean out the oven according to the directions on the oven cleaner.

8. Take the knobs, pan rings and spill catchers off of the hob.
Follow your hob/oven owner’s manual for information on proper cleaning methods for your model. (The one you carefully filed, when you bought them, just for an occasion like this.) Some hobs lift up to allow easy access to spills and crumbs. Wipe down the entire hob and oven.

9. Wipe down and clean the toaster, kettle and other small appliances.
Wipe down and clean the microwave. Unplug all appliances first. If the spills in the microwave are fossilized, try a water-filled cup to boiling in the microwave. The steam should help loosen the gunk. If the microwave smells, boil lemon juice. Don’t forget to wash the turntable.

10. Clean out kitchen cabinets.
Take out anything that isn’t being used on a regular basis. Reorganize and wash down the insides and outsides of cabinets. Reline if needed.

11. Run the dishwasher empty.
Try adding vinegar or baking soda to the empty dishwasher before running it. If your dishwasher has a food trap in the bottom, clean it out. Wash down the outside of the dishwasher.

12. Wash down the countertops in your kitchen.
Don’t forget wall tiles and backsplashes.

13. Wipe down and clean out any drawers.
This is a great time to install drawer dividers to better organise your kitchen drawers.

14. Wash down the sink. If you have a food disposal now is the time to pour baking soda with warm water and/or a lemon peel down the disposal to freshen the drain. Put ice cubes through the disposal to sharpen the blades.

15. Sweep or vacuum and mop the floors.
Don't forget skirting boards. One of the best ways to get a floor REALLY clean is to use a clean cloth or towel while on your hands and knees.

Tips:
1. Gather all of your supplies together. Merry Maids carry all their supplies in a handy tote tray. Trying to sort through the pantry cabinet for your oven cleaner might make you frustrated enough to de-clutter the cabinet. It's easy to forget what your initial goal was.

2. Reward yourself by ordering in for dinner tonight. Forbid anyone to touch your spotless kitchen at least until breakfast the next morning. Any longer is probably cruel, but they can handle it overnight.

3. Listen to the radio or your favourite lively CD as you work. The time will pass a lot more quickly if you have an enjoyable atmosphere. If anyone objects, offer to let them have a turn with the stereo and the cleaning.

What You Need:
· Hi-duster (preferably with a long handle)
· Step-ladder
· Cleaning cloths
· Small bucket with handle
· Sponges
· Vacuum with attachment
· All-purpose cleanser, washing up liquid, or mild cleanser of choice
· Oven Cleaner
· Shelf or cabinet liner and drawer dividers
· Brush, mop and bucket or towel