Kitchen Cleaning
You need your kitchen to be incredibly clean, and rather than buying different products for cleaning the microwave, hob, oven, sink, worktops etc, you need just four ordinary household items - white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and salt.
Baking Dishes - glass, ceramic, enamel
Soak in hot water, the scour with salt or baking soda and rinse well.
Casserole Dishes
To remove baked on food, put three tablespoons of salt into the dish and fill with boiling water. Leave until
the water cools, then wash the dish as normal.
Coffee Stains
To remove coffee stains from cups or workstops, simply rub with a baking soda paste (baking soda and water mix).
Cooking Odours - removal
To stop unpleasant odours that are wafting through your home, boil a cup of vinegar in pan on the hob. The
vinegar will absorb the odours.
Cooking Odours - prevention
To remove the smell of burnt food, soad atowel in vinegar, wring it out then wave it around the room.
You can also run vinegar into your hands before and after chopping onions to lessen the smell,
Work Surfaces - grease removal
To remove grese from work surfaces, pour some oil on the grease and wipe, then clean whats left with soap.
You could also use some lemon juice, vinegar, or sprinkle with broax and gently rub.
Work Surfaces - general cleaning
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth or sponge and wipe, then rinse with clean water.
Mix a small amount of liquid Castile and baking soda to get surfaces shiny. Add a few drops of essential oil for
a fresher smell.
Make a fragrant kitchen rinse - mix 5-10 drops your favourite essential oil with water and keep in a spray bottle. For a final rinse after cleaning, simply spray on the surface and wipe.
Dishes - washing
When you don't have time to wash dishes straight away - sprinkle with salt to prevent the food sticking. This will also make it easier to wash them.
To wash dishes, use liquid or powdered soap instead of detergents (which are petroleum based).
To cut through grease when washing greasy pans, plates and dishes, add a few drops tablespoons of vinegarto your soapy water.
Dishwahers
For a spot-free dishwasher rinse, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse department. Wash dishes as normal.
Vinegar reduces soap and limescale build up, run the dishwasher with it empty.
Drains - improve drainage
Each week pour 60g (1/2 cup) of baking soda down each drain and pour 225ml (1 cup) vinegar (a little at a time) down after it. You'll get a lot of foam and fizz. Follow this by running a hot tap for about 1 minute.
Drains - unblocking
If you can't clear a blocked drain with a plunger then pour 1/2 cup of sale then 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain or plug hole. The one cup of vinegar. The mixture will foam and expand, forcing itself down the drain, clearing and cleaning as it goes, breaking down fats and grease. After s few minutes, run a hot tap for 1 minute.
Drains - to freshen
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain or plug hole then some all purpose cleaner on the top. Turn on the hot water and let it all rinse down. It will deodorise and clean.
Drinking Glasses
If you want them really sparkly, soak them in a solution of vinegar and water.
Food containers
To remove any stale smell, rinse out with baking soda and hot water. If the smell persists, leave the mixture in teh container over night.
Kettle - limescale removal
Fill with ater and all 100ml (1/2 cup) of vinegar. Leave to stand overnight, then rinse the rinse with clean
water.
Kitchen bins
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the bin, then when you put a new bag in to remove odours.
Kitchen Floors
Remove stuff marks or grease by sprinkling a little baking soda on it and rubbing with a warm, damp cloth.
Kitchen Sink
Wipe with vinegar to deodorise and clean.
Kitchen taps
Remove limescale by soaking a cloth in vinegar and wraping it around the tap. Leave to soak for 1 hour.
Microwaves
Place a cup in the microwave (1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar). Microwave for 1 few minutes (until it boils) then leave it to stand for five minutes to let the steam work and loosen the grime. Wipe and dry.
Oven - general cleaning
Make a paste with 225ml (1 cup) white vinegar and 30g (1/4 cup) of powdered laundry detergent. Heat the oven for five minutes at 350 degrees and turn it off. Spread the paste around paying special attention to greased areas, the leave for one hour. Use a plastic spatula to gentle scrape away the dirt.
Oven - deodoriser
Dampen a sponge with vinegar and wipe down all the surfaces.
Oven - overnight cleaner
Spray water over the inside of the oven, sprinkle with baking soda and leave overnight. Wipe off any use liquid soap with a scouring pad. Rinse.
