It is easy for the kitchen to become the disaster zone in the house because of its frequent use.  Furthermore, a main reason for going out to eat is that the cook feels overwhelmed by the mess in the kitchen.  Instead of beginning with cooking, you are forced to wash dishes and clean up a mess.  Then, dinner will be an hour late, and everyone is already hungry.

A dirty kitchen will cost you money and time in eating out.  It can also cause and spread illness to your family and to others that come in contact with your family.  In addition, a messy kitchen creates a feeling of chaos instead of a feeling of calm.  It will cause you to feel stressed out in your own home where you should feel the most peace.

Here are just nine tips to keep your kitchen cleaner.

1. Wash dishes after every meal.

If you think that it’s too much work to wash dishes after your meal, think of how much more work it will be to wash dishes after two or three meals.  Plus, everything will be clean and ready to go for your next meal if you wash the dishes right away.

If you work outside the home, you will return to a clean kitchen and can smile.  If you work from home, you will be more at peace knowing that your dishes are washed.  Either way, you don’t dread to enter a messy kitchen.

Washing dishes after each meal will also make your house smell more pleasant and will keep pests away, especially in the summer.

2. Change your hand towels and dish cloths daily or more often, if needed.

Washing dishes with a dirty dishcloth is counterproductive.  It’s like washing the exterior of your car with an oily rag.

A good principle to follow is that if your hand towel is dirty, it needs to be replaced.

If you use a sponge, microwave it daily for one minute to kill the bacteria.  Alternately, you can wash it in the dishwasher with your dishes.  When your sponge looks more gray or brown than its original color, it’s time to replace it.

3. Clean your sink before and after you wash the dishes.

Just like you want a clean dishcloth to wash dishes, you need to wash your dishes in a clean sink.  This task will be almost effortless if you cleaned the sink after your last meal.

4. Sweep the floor each evening after dinner.

This task takes just a few minutes and will make a significant difference in how your kitchen looks.  Sweeping the floor can also keep the pests away, especially if someone accidentally dropped some food during cooking time.

If your dining room has a floor that can be swept, sweep it as well.  If your dining room is carpeted (I am curious to know whose idea was to put carpet in dining rooms?), you may want to check to make sure no food remnants are left on the floor.

5. Use the sink to avoid messes.

When pouring beverages or refilling your salt and pepper shakers, do so over the sink.  Any spills can be easily cleaned up and won’t create a mess over a majority of the kitchen floor.

6. Schedule one or two days a week for batch cooking.

Since you will be getting out the food processor, cutting board, and mixer you may as well make good use of them and at least prepare (if not cook) several meals at once.  You’ll also save time cleaning the other days.

7. Clean as you go.

Clean up messes right away.  You will have a cleaner kitchen as you cook and will not have an overwhelming mess when you are finished.

If you finished drinking your healthy hot chocolate, wash your cup and spoon right away.  They will be easier to wash and won’t be an eyesore in your kitchen.

8. Wash all countertops and food prep surfaces before you begin to cook.

Remember, while it may not “look” dirty, germs are invisible.  After you clean your sink, fill it with hot, soapy water to wash all countertops.  You can use this hot, soapy water to wash dishes as you go.

9.  Clean your refrigerator the evening or morning before you go grocery shopping. 

It will take you one third of the time to clean because it’s almost empty.  Another bonus is that you will have a clean refrigerator for your groceries.  You can also quickly see if there is expired food that needs to be discarded and other foods that need to be planned into meals soon. You may not need to purchase as many groceries as you had planned to purchase.

Of course, you will need to wash your hands frequently while you are in the kitchen.  You don’t want to touch your appliances, dishes, or food while your hands are dirty or greasy.

What are your best tips on keeping your kitchen clean?  Please share them in the comments below. 

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