Make Your Gerstad Kitchen Sparkling
The holidays are behind us and there is no surprise that your kitchen saw a lot of action. Between the cooking and people standing around the island eating snacks, your kitchen is probably in need of a deep clean. There are many ways to make your Gerstad kitchen sparkling.
What are some of the best methods to remove messes from your kitchen that will make your appliances, floors and countertops look like new? Here are a few of the different kitchen cleaning methods that will help your kitchen sparkle.
Appliances:
Refrigerator: The refridgerator has a tendency to get out of hand quicker than most. Containers of partially closed and dripping leftovers or even some expired food can create a dreadful feeling when you open the door in the morning to grab the milk for a bowl of cereal.
To clean your frig efficiently, start by taking out all the food, throwing out unwanted and expired food, and place the rest in a cooler. Remove the drawers and shelves and put them by your kitchen sink. Make a mixture of baking soda and water and thoroughly wipe out the inside. Next clean the removed drawers and shelves with the mixture or use soap and water.
The refrigerator should get a deep cleaning with the change of seasons if not at least twice a year.
Oven and Range: This is the next big appliance that can be tackled. Since your range and oven took the brunt of your holiday cooking, it will not be the quickest and easiest to clean. However, in some kitchens, this is the most prominent appliance, which means keeping it as clean as needed.
The first step for cleaning the range is to remove the trays and burners, soak for 20 minutes in sudsy water in your sink and scrub them clean with a sponge. While those items are soaking, wipe down the stove.
Next, it’s time to clean the oven. Look at the owner’s manual first to ensure that you are using the recommended cleaning method. Most of today’s ovens are self-cleaning which makes the cleaning process easier. Before you start the self-cleaning process, remove the racks and let them soak in soapy water in your sink. Use a sponge to scrub off any dirt or grim that you see. Turn on the oven ‘self-cleaning’ process and allow it to run. The oven will get very hot during the process and it will take a long time. It is a good idea is to run the process overnight. Once the oven is done cleaning, wipe out the inside with a damp cloth prior to putting the racks inside.
Microwave: Using the microwave as a primary daily source to heat up food today is a way of kitchen life these days. It is very typical that the inside will get splattered with food. No one wants to open up the microwave to heat up some food and see a mess. If you want to keep your microwave running efficiently, keep it clean.
Since microwaves are one of the most used kitchen appliances, preventing a mess is key. Cover your food prior to warming to minimize food splatters. Make sure to wipe the inside daily with a damp towel or sponge. Don’t forget to vacuum out the vents.
TIP: if there are stubborn spots that can be easily removed, place one cup of water in a microwave safe cup and heat up two to three minutes. The steam should loosen some of the caked on food, making it easier to wipe off.
Dishwasher: Everyone assumes this appliance is self-cleaning; however that is not the case. There is a buildup of soap and food pieces, and lime scale which can cause your machine to not work efficiently.
Every four to six weeks you should deep clean the dishwasher. Start by emptying the filter at the bottom and remove any debris and food. Remove and clean the racks, and take a dry sponge or cloth to wipe out the inside. You don’t want to use any kind of dish soap or hand soap since it can potentially damage the components of your dishwasher. If there are any hard water stains inside, it is safe to use baking soda or white vinegar to remove them.
Stainless Steel Appliances: The majority of kitchens have stainless steel and homeowners love their appliances. They are not hard to clean and should be done on a daily basis. Use a microfiber cloth or soft sponge to wipe the surfaces. Do not use any type of steel scouring pad since they will scratch the surfaces.
If your appliances are a polished steel or brushed surface, a good tip to remember; always scrub and wipe with the grain direction.
Countertops:
This is one of the largest areas of your kitchen and the area that shows the most mess. It is important to maintain the beauty of your countertop by cleaning it every day. There are many different materials available, the two most popular are granite and marble.
Marble: This material is beautiful. However, as beautiful as it is, make sure to take good care of it. Make sure to avoid acidic substances coming in contact with it such as; lemon juice, tomato sauce, bleach and vinegar. Use mild soap and water to clean off your countertop.
Granite: This is the most popular choice of homeowners and is relatively simple to keep clean. Clean daily by using a soft cloth and water. There is also granite specific cleaners on the market. To keep the integrity of your counter, avoid citrus, acidic cleaners and avoid steel wool which can cause scratches. On other important tip; don’t place a hot pot or pan on the countertop, place it on a triviet which will protect the granite.
There are some other parts of the kitchen that you don’t want to miss.
Pantry: The rest of your kitchen is clean but you don’t want a disorganized pantry. Take inventory of your items by removing everything and sorting what you want to keep and what you can donate. Wipe out the inside to remove any food and stains. By doing this as needed it will help to keep everything organized. A organized pantry can help keep the kitchen running smoothly.
Walls: Everyones walls suffer from dings and food splatter. Make sure to spot clean with a damp cloth or a thick paste of baking soda and water for tougher spots. When vacuuming your floors don’t forget the walls which will keep dust from accumulating.
Floors: Let’s not forget the largest areaof your kitchen. Vacuuming regularly helps to keep it clean. If there are food stains or other types of marks, that will need more attention. There are different ways to clean certain types of flooring.
Hardwood floors can be kept clean by sweeping and vacuuming regularly. Create a solution of dishwashing soap and water for mopping.
Laminate flooring can be cleaned using a slightly damp mop and small amount of a gently cleanser. This can be done on tile floors as well. If there are hard to remove spots, you will need to get down and use a scrubber.
By following these tips your Gerstad Builders kitchen will be sparkling clean and looking like new.
If you are ready to start the home buying process, stop in Gerstad Builders Sales Center Office/ Design Center in McHenry. Someone will meet with you and help you find the home that will meet you and your families needs. Click here to fill out the contact form or call (815) 385-4495.