Get a Clean Kitchen, Inside Out

A clean kitchen is about more than being sanitary. It makes you feel good. Presentable. The kitchen makes a house a "home", so it's important to know that it's really clean and to use natural cleaning products.

One key to having a clean kitchen (and then maintaining it) is to make a list of exactly what needs to be cleaned, how to do it, and how often to do it. Once this is done, there needs to be agreement by all family members regarding who is responsible for doing each part. Go ahead and make your family's kitchen cleaning list now. (If you need some ideas, see the list below).

Tip: There are 1,001 commercial cleaning products for the kitchen (which are usually toxic). If you haven't already learned about cleaning with baking soda, cleaning with vinegar, and other all natural cleaning products, click here for some great natural cleaning recipes.

Ready? With your natural cleaning kit and tools in hand, put on some fun, upbeat music, and let's get going!

Below is a recommended cleaning list for the kitchen. Remove and add items as necessary for your unique kitchen situation. Complete all of the cleaning items on the list today to start with a blank slate and then follow the daily, weekly, monthly, and bi-annual list your made in the future. Make sure each person in the family has their responsibilities, and your clean kitchen will be easily maintained.

Tip: Need help keeping each person accountable for their chores? Consider getting a chore chart or responsibility chart to help keep your family on track and communicating.

Today's Kitchen Cleaning Schedule:

Clean top to bottom and inside out!

• Wash or dry clean window treatments.
• If possible, take down light fixture and wash with natural All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Vacuum/dust the corners of walls and ceiling to remove cobwebs & dust.
• Vacuum/dust the windowsills. Wipe down the windows with Natural Glass Cleaner.
• Wipe down tops, surfaces, and insides of cupboards above counter tops with All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Wipe out inside of all appliances (i.e. microwave, oven, stove top, fridge, dishwasher). For tough spots or food build-up, try applying Natural Scrubber Paste.
• Wipe off surfaces of all appliances.
• Wipe down tile or back splash behind counter tops.
• Wipe down sink/counter tops with Natural All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Wipe down surfaces and insides of cabinets below counter tops.
• Dust the floorboards all the way around the room with a damp towel and a little natural All-Purpose spray.
• Mop and polish floors (if necessary).
• Missed anything? Clean it up now.

Done cleaning?

Great! Take a few moments to catch your breath and take a look around your clean kitchen. Feel a little lighter already?

Now that you've deep cleaned the kitchen and have a plan (with your intentions), you can adopt a new cleaning routine to maintain your clean kitchen.

Example Maintenance Kitchen Cleaning Schedule:

Daily:

• Wipe down sink/counter top with Natural All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Change hand towels each morning or evening to prevent transfer of germs.
• Replace paper towels and hand soap as needed.

Weekly:

• Wash and dry cleaning cloths and hand towels.
• Clean/wipe down sink/counter top and appliances with Natural All-Purpose Cleaner and Natural Scrubber Paste.
• Wipe down tile or back splash behind counter tops.
• Sweep and wipe down/mop floor with Natural All-Purpose Cleaner.

Monthly:

• Vacuum/dust the windowsills. Wipe down the windows with Natural Glass Cleaner.
• Remove all food and use All-Purpose cleaner to clean refrigerator.
• Dust the floorboards all the way around the room with a damp towel and a little natural cleaner.
• Mop and polish floors.

Bi-annually:

• Remove items from cupboards and cabinets, dispose of unnecessary items, and wipe down all drawers, shelves and surfaces.
• Wash or dry clean window treatments.
• If possible, take down light fixture and wash with natural All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Vacuum/dust the corners of walls and ceiling to remove cobwebs and dust.
• Vacuum/dust the windowsills. Clean the windows.
• Inspect screens on window and repair/replace as necessary so you can open the windows for ventilation.

Your room is now a blank canvas for you to re-create the kitchen in your intentions.

Take a drink of water, and review your kitchen intentions one more time.

Next...

Simplify Your Kitchen.