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What Are Some Of The Best Cleaning Tips For Your Kitchen?

How often do you find yourself practically pulling out your hair because you can't seem to find the right cleaning agent to help you in your cleaning tasks at home?

Tired of trying to find the right solution? Too frustrated to keep on looking? Well, look no more! We have it all here in this article for you and we guarantee you full satisfaction after reading our suggestions.

We are going to concentrate on the kitchen:

1. Countertops:
   
   For a simple, all-purpose counter cleaner, mix together equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. If your countertop is made from marble, granite, or stone, skip the vinegar (its acidity is no good for these surfaces) and use rubbing alcohol or the wondrous power of vodka instead.


2. Cutting Boards:
   
   Talk about non-toxic: All that's needed to clean and sanitize cutting boards (wood or plastic) is… a lemon! Cut it in half, run it over the surfaces, let sit for ten minutes, and then rinse away. If you need some serious scrubbing power, sprinkle some coarse or Kosher salt over the board, and then rub with ½ a lemon.


3. Oven:
   
   To clean stubborn, caked-on food out of the oven , just heat the over to 125 degrees and grab your spray bottle of vinegar (see "countertops" above). Once the oven is warm, spray the caked-on stuff until it's lightly damp and then pour salt directly onto the affected areas. Turn off the oven, let it cool, and then use a wet towel to scrub away at the mess. If that doesn't cut it, follow the same instructions but try use baking soda in place of salt (just let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing).


4. Garbage Disposal:
   
   This one is so cool. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into an ice cube tray and top off the slots with water. Once they're frozen, toss a few down the disposal and let it run - doing so should remove any food that was stuck to the blades.


5. Microwave:
   
   It's easy to overlook the microwave while cleaning, but man can it get gross in there. To combat the gunk , pour some vinegar into a small cup and mix in a little lemon juice (exact amounts don't really matter). Put the cup in the microwave, let the microwave run for 2 minutes, and leave the door closed for several more minutes. Finally, open the door and simply wipe down all the sides with a warm cloth or sponge - no scrubbing required!


6. Sink Drain:
   
   To unclog a stuffed-up drain , start by boiling about 2 cups of water. Pour ½ cup of baking soda into the drain, and then add the water while it's still nice and hot. If that doesn't do the trick, follow the baking soda with ½ cup of vinegar, cover it up tightly (a pot lid should work nicely), wait until the fizzing slows down (when baking soda and vinegar come in contact, they'll react by fizzing) and then add one gallon of boiling water.


7. Pan De-Greaser:
   
   To cut through the grime on frying pans , simply apply some salt (no water necessary) and scrub vigorously.


8. Cast-Iron Pans:
   
   Kitchen professionals are pretty against using soap, steel wool, or dishwashers to clean cast-iron pans. Luckily, there's an alternative way to tackle cast-iron grossness: combine olive oil and a teaspoon of coarse salt in the pan. Scrub with a stiff brush, rinse with hot water, and you're done!


9. Dishwasher Detergent:
   
   If you're lucky enough to have a dishwasher, simply mix together 1 cup of liquid castile soap and 1 cup of water (2 teaspoons of lemon juice optional) in a quart-size glass jar. Add some of this mixture to one detergent compartment of the dishwasher, and fill the other compartment with white vinegar.


10. Dish Soap:
    
    If washing dishes by hand , simply combine 1 cup of liquid castile soap and 3 tablespoons water (a few drops of essential oil optional) in a bottle of your choice. Shake well and use like you would any other dish soap.


11. Refrigerator Cleaner:
    
    To clean what is perhaps the toughest of all kitchen "gross spots," reach for the baking soda. Add about ½ cup of the white stuff to a bucket of hot water. Dip a clean rag in the mixture and use it to wipe down the fridge's insides.


12. Bleach:
    
    For serious disinfectant power, mix ½ cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon castile soap, and ½ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide. Use a cloth to apply the mixture to a wet surface, scrub, and then rinse thoroughly.

Here are some resources to get you started:

Cleaning With Chemical Free Products:
http://greatist.com/health/27-chemical-free-products-diy-spring-cleaning