These minor kitchen maintenance jobs only take a few minutes, but they can go a long way in keeping your home in good shape and preventing it from depreciating.
Adopting these nine regular habits will help you avoid major and more expensive repairs in the future.
Living in a tidy, clean and neat space is also good for your mood and prevents you from getting overwhelmed.
Extending the life of your existing kitchen and delaying the purchase of new cabinets, appliances, countertops and other kitchen components is also better for the environment.
While this list isn't exhaustive - you could spend all your free time on DIY if you wanted to - it's a good place to start.
If your kitchen is looking severely rundown or you've moved into a new property with dodgy decor, a remodel may be inevitable . Discover the best and worst kitchen brands , rated by over 3,800 kitchen owners.
1. Clean your sink and faucets regularly
These are worn every day and can therefore quickly look old and dirty. Keep them nice and shiny by drying them often rather than letting water sit on them to keep limescale from building up.
If the limescale has already settled, put a citric acid-based remedy like lemon or vinegar on a soft cotton cloth and wipe the sink and faucets with it. Leave it on for at least ten minutes (you can also use an old toothbrush to remove stubborn limescale), then rinse off. Finally, wipe with a clean, soft cloth.
Of course, you also need to sanitize your sink frequently if you don't want food poisoning. Some people (hopefully not you) think they are cleaning themselves effectively because they pour dish soap and water down the kitchen sink every day.
Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink for days. The bacteria will fester and you will have to spend more time cleaning the sink and dishes.
2. Wipe down countertops, cabinets and benches
Just like sinks and faucets, kitchen countertops are used every day, so you should clean them every day too. Move kettles, toasters and any other appliances that live on your kitchen benches at least once a week in case crumbs are hiding behind them.
Clean up any spillage as soon as it occurs. The longer a substance sticks to your cabinets, the more difficult it becomes to remove.
It's also a good idea to clean the outside panels of your kitchen cabinets as often as possible, especially if you have pets or children who may have gotten sticky hands on them.
A mixture of dish soap and water usually works well, but if using a chemical, test on an inconspicuous area first.
Kitchen Ideas - Find out how to control the cost of renovating an old kitchen including painting kitchen cabinets and choosing the best kitchen lighting.
3. Clean pipes and kitchen drains
Is your kitchen sink draining very slowly? Is there water in your sink? What if your kitchen smells bad? Don't ignore these telltale signs of a clogged drain.
It's a good idea to have a plunger at home in case your sink gets clogged (get one for less than a dime next time you visit the hardware store). We've also rounded up the most effective kitchen drain openers to help you out.
However, prevention is always better than cure. Don't be tempted to throw leftovers or coffee grounds down the drain: throw them in the leftovers, compost or bin before washing, and get a drain protector to catch any residue.
And don't pour cooking oil down the sink. Not only can it freeze in drains and cause a clog, it can contribute to the formation of a fatberg or enter water bodies and harm animals.
Hot water and soap cannot dissolve oils and greases, and soap can harden the oil, sticking to other hidden objects in the pipes and making the problem worse.
Instead, unless your local recycling center accepts cooking oil, you should let it cool and solidify and then throw it away.
Thames water it says even the sauce should be soaked up with paper towels and then thrown away.
4. Clean the tile grout in your kitchen
Mortar can be a trap for dirt and grease. Dirty and faded grout makes your kitchen look old and dirty, but a little cleaning can really transform the look of your kitchen.
Consider the type of tile you have. Natural stone tiles, for example, are porous and require a gentler approach as they stain easily. Use less abrasive cloths or brushes to do this.
For a light approach, use vinegar and warm water. Get a brush (an old soft toothbrush will do just fine) and give it a good scrub.
For more stubborn stains, you can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar.
5. Use your range hood
A working extractor hood is essential for a clean kitchen.
Range hoods that exhaust the air outside are a better option than forced-air models. The best work quickly and quietly to remove moisture and odors (more on kitchen humidity later) while preventing grease from building up on kitchen surfaces.
Our cooker hood cleaning guide gives you step-by-step instructions. Or, if you need a new one, our range hood reviews can recommend the best one.
6. Fix leaking and dripping faucets
A leaky faucet is extremely annoying and can waste large amounts of water, which is bad for the environment and can increase your water bill if you use a meter.
So even if we're only talking about a few drops, fixing your leaky faucet should be a priority.
If your leak or water problem requires professional help, please contact What? Trusted Dealer to make sure you have someone you can trust.
Learn how to save water at home .
7. Clean kitchen appliances regularly
The kitchen appliances that we use often can quickly become dirty, greasy or clogged with limescale.
to clean an oven
- Start with a glass scraper, followed by a soft sponge. The scouring pads can cause small scratches in the glass that weaken it.
- If the glass is detachable, do so very carefully as a hit could cause a small breakage which could lead to breakage in the future.
- To clean metal shelves, remove and soak in warm, soapy water.
- Check out our guide to cleaning your oven for more information.
Clean microwave
Follow these simple steps to easily remove dry food spills:
- Place a bowl of water mixed with a few tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice and a lemon wedge in the microwave
- Heat for a few minutes over high heat, then allow to cool for a few minutes
- Remove the container and wipe the top, bottom and sides with a damp sponge.
- Remove the plate and wash separately by hand or in the dishwasher.
Clean toaster
- You should empty your toaster's crumb tray regularly, as a build-up of crumbs could pose a fire hazard.
- Wipe the outside with an electronics wipe to remove fingerprints.
If you need to deep clean your fridge, watch our video on how to clean a smelly fridge .
8. Prevent condensation and mold in your kitchen
Condensation is caused by condensation of warm, humid air on cold walls, especially in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms where your activities naturally generate a lot of humidity. Condensation can cause mold that is difficult to remove and can be harmful to your health, especially if you have respiratory problems or a weakened immune system.
Keep your kitchen well ventilated by opening the windows and, as mentioned, taking care of your extractor fan. It will also improve indoor air quality .
Get the kettle out from under the kitchen cupboard before boiling it. Otherwise, the steam could cause your kitchen cabinets to mold, warp, or rot. Check the bottom of your kitchen cupboards if you previously boiled your kettle underneath.
Learn more about how to remove condensation in the house .
9. Keep your kitchen tidy
You don't have to spend a lot of money on storage solutions (although buying some cute storage bins is definitely the funnest part of storage). But organizing your closets will really make your life easier and make Marie Kondo proud of you.
It saves you time in the kitchen, which makes the prospect of cooking more attractive.
And you avoid food waste and save money because you have a clearer picture of what you already have and what you need to refill.
For more tips on how to maximize space in a small kitchen, check out our small kitchen ideas guide . And if you're wondering how to save money on a renovation, you've thought about it
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