Yesterday I was interviewed for a feature article in the Gainesville Times Gazette newspaper. A lovely woman by the name of Brandee called and interviewed me for a few minutes about the post "How To Clean Your Bathroom Like A Pro".As a former reporter, it was kind of strange to be the one being interviewed, but it was fun too. And the whole experience reminded me that ever since that post, I have wanted to do a follow-up for the KITCHEN! But, since I'M NO EXPERT, I haven't felt comfortable doling out that sort of advice.
Well, today I found a good source (Sarah Aguirre, About.com Guide) that is definitely an expert, and whose "system" I really liked. As a matter of fact, I tried it out this morning on my kitchen (which was in a particularly MESSY state)...and it worked! Of course this won't replace the inevitable need for deep cleaning, but it's a great way to keep on top of the daily maintenance items so that you won't have to do it as often...or as DEEP!
Here's the rundown:
1. Gather all of your needed supplies together (listed below.)
Don't underestimate the value of this step. Trying to find cleansers, dishcloths, sponges, etc. not only eats up time, but increases the risks of distractions that let you forget what you were working on in the first place. Gather all supplies together before you begin.
What You'll Need:
Trash container.
Basket for stuff that does not belong in the kitchen.
Dish soap.
Other cleaners you normally use.
Dishrag or sponge.
Scrubber for stuck on food.
Broom, mop, or vacuum.
2. Run a sink of hot, soapy water.
If you have a double sink with a garbage disposal on one side, make sure to use the disposal-free side. Keeping the disposal side free will allow you to scrape leftovers down the drain quickly while you work.
3. Scrape off all the dishes into the trash or garbage disposal.
If step 2 has blocked your disposal, scrape the dishes off onto a dirty plate.
4. Place dishes that need to soak into the water.
Try to choose the dishes that are going to give you or your dishwasher the most trouble to get clean. Put the heavily soiled dishes on the bottom. Large dishes like pans and bowls can be filled with hot soapy water and set on the counter to soak.
5. While the dishes are soaking, go through the kitchen clearing out trash from your floor, countertop, cupboards, etc.
Don't worry about things that are out of place, or don't belong in the kitchen. Worry only about trash.
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| Photo: HGTV |
6. Move on to gathering all the items that do not belong in the kitchen. Put all these items into a basket (see supplies).
If you have a helper (willing or unwilling) send them off to put away these items. Do not stop working on the kitchen to take these misplaced items to their homes.
7. Put away all of the items that belong in the kitchen but are not in their proper places.
Don't allow yourself to get distracted by rearranging cabinets, drawers, etc. Simply place the items that are out back where they belong.
8. Load the dishwasher or wash by hand.
If you do not have a dishwasher or don't like to use one, this process of cleaning the dishes may take more time. If possible grab a couple of other people and form a wash, rinse, dry and put away assembly line. Empty the dirty water and scrape the plate of food off into the disposal if it was previously blocked. Add the plate to the dishwasher.
9. Wash down your countertop, appliances, and sink.
Rinse out sponges and rags. If needed, put them in the dirty laundry. We're not heavy duty cleaning here. I literally mean wash down the visible surfaces. Don't open the microwave and scrub it out. We're not cleaning the crumbs out of the toaster. Quickly wipe it down.
10. Sweep and mop, or vacuum.
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| Photo: Real Simple |
11. Take out the trash
If the trash is full, or tomorrow is trash day, take the trash outside and reline the trash container so that it is ready for tomorrow's trash.
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| Photo: Real Simple |
One more thing...
Here is my ONE tip to add to this post. Running a sink of hot soapy water before food preparation is SO helpful. As bowls, cutting boards, knives, etc, become dirty, toss them in the sink to soak until you are done. This will prevent food from drying on the dishes and make clean up a lot easier!
Now go forth and CLEAN! (You have 15 minutes!)
Lots of good ideas for a not so fun job! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteBe careful dropping sharp knives into soapy water, though. Reaching down into the soapy water later could produce a cut hand or worse. I like to fill up a large cup with soapy water for these utensils and stick them sharp side down so I know where they are. Great post. I hate kitchen duty!
ReplyDeletethank you for some great tips
ReplyDeleteLove this post since I SO hate kitchen duty! (even worse than bathroom duty).
ReplyDeleteGreat point from Anon about the knives. It made me remember that my aunt would keep a special container in the sink filled will soapy water for all silver wear so it would be soaking all the while waiting to be loaded into the dishwasher. No spoons encrusted with oatmeal or forks with egg yolk!
Thanks for the great tips, I'm going to try this out! I usually fill the sink with hot soapy water before food preparation and have a large plastic bowl I use for the "garbage bowl" like Rachel Ray, but I line it with a plastic grocery bag so emptying it is easy and quick. I agree with the other readers on not putting knives in the hot soapy water for safety reasons.
ReplyDeleteGood tip. I still hate to clean kitchen even if I can do it in 5 seconds.
ReplyDeleteHi! Just found your blog, and LOVE it! I have a tip for those who are concerned about sharps in the soapy sink: use the bottom of a clear, dirty glass as a sort of 'viewer' to see below the soap-line. Empty the glass, and press the bottom side into the water, and you'll be able to see any knives lurking in there before they stab you. Does that even make any sense? It is easier done than said, apparently.
ReplyDeleteMother Earth would thank you for not putting a lot of food waste into the garbage disposal, the water treatment facilities have to deal with all of that solid waste via nasty chemicals. Food waste is best composted or in your trash can.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, though! I know I need the reminder that these kinds of jobs really don't need to be that BIG of a deal and really can be done in 15 minutes or less.
I just did this (of course after reading your article) and my kitchen looks great! Thanks for everything! I look forward to reading your blog every day!
ReplyDeleteyes! i have used a glass as a 'viewer' many times. especially at my mom's house because she throws everything in the water...dangerous! i do like the idea about sticking the knives in a cup of soapy water. Isn't it funny how we need the reminder that yes we do have time to get that kitchen cleaned! Thanks so much Jille for the encouragement to put our minds to it and get it done! i found your blog on pinterest and i absolutely love it! =D
ReplyDeleteI read the remarks and remembered several years ago when I put my hand in dishwater, not knowing a very sharp knife (Cutco) was in there. My thumb bearly touched it, and it completely cut the tendon in my thumb and I ended up in surgery to repair the damage. It does happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this would take me longer that 15 minutes. lol. will be doing this in a few.
ReplyDeletePrepping a sink with hot, soapy water BEFORE you start cooking is genius!! I try and wash as I go, but if I get behind this will make catching up a snap. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteFirst step in cooking for me is a sink of hot soapy water. I'm a wash as you go kinda girl. I wash stove and counter tops as I go too. I put away everything as I use it, so the kitchen isn't a terrible mess we sit down to eat.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I'd like to add to your quick clean, is to scrub out sink when you let out dirty water. I quick sprinkle of baking soda in the wet sink and a quick rub down with the dish rag and your sinks will stay super clean, and it only takes a minute.
My first attempt at this took an hour and half because I emptied out leftovers, threw things away from cabinets, and scrutinized over things that needed OUT of my kitchen. I liked the steps of this so much that I wrote them down and taped it up. My only change is I take out the trash before I sweep, vacuum, and/or mop. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteboy do I sound preachy, but after reading the comments... Knives should never be allowed to soak in dish water. it will dull the blade and if it happens to have a wooden handle it will soften the wood and allow bacteria and other nasties to get in and grow. They should never be put in the dishwasher either. A dull knife is the most dangerous tool in the kitchen.... Ok preaching over
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jillee, I have nominated you for the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD.
ReplyDeleteGo to my blog http://www.everydayunderwear.com to see your name in bright lights, then check out the rules for the award, which I've pasted below:
The Kreativ Blogger award comes with the following rules:
1. You must thank the person who has given you the award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on which of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.
Never. ever. EVER put a sharp knife in the sink. Especially not a sink of soapy water where you won't be able to see where it is. Having spent an entire evening in the ER thanks to my sister in law's "help" on that score I can assure you that getting the gash in your hand cleaned, stitched up, bandaged, and a mandatory tetanus shot because of the food particles in the water - your cleaning time will be far more than fifteen minutes. If you can't set them beside the sink, set them behind the taps where you can see them and reach them, but not be surprised by them.
ReplyDeleteJillee, have you ever heard of "deglazing?" This is a cooking term where you brown something in a pan, then add liquid to it, stirring and scraping, so that the tasty parts that are stuck to the skillet come unstuck and dissolve into the liquid.
ReplyDeleteWell...
This works for something you're not trying to eat, as well. If you pour hot water into a skillet where you just, say, fried potatoes and there are pieces stuck to it, stir and scrape it with a spatula, you will not need to scrub that skillet at all. This works with all of your cookware, even if you burned the food into it. The only thing I would be a little concerned about is glass cookware. Anything of any kind of metal is fair game.
Now for the BIG magic: When you remove your dinner preps from the cooktop, use a potholder and take the grates or burner pans off and put them in the sink with hot soapy dishwater. Use your sponge to wipe some very soapy dishwater on the top of the stove. Get it wet enough that it will stay wet for a little while but don't let it dry. Let it sit there while you're eating dinner or doing some pre-cleanup. When it's cool enough to handle safely, the best tool to start with is something plastic with an edge. An old credit card will do, but I love the little brown plastic thingie that comes with the Pampered Chef stoneware. Scrape away anything that needs scraping, scoop up this mess and scrape it off in the trash. Soak up any extra dishwater, then wipe the rest of the cooktop. Every bit of the mess will probably wipe right off. Dry and polish it. You just spent about 2 minutes cleaning the messiest spaghetti-sauce cooktop that you used to not even want to look at!!