Spring Cleaning Tips-Kitchen Edition

• Doormats: Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside. To refresh, hose off and air-dry mats. Vacuum indoor ones on both sides. Going over the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it will be easier to pick up.
• Windows: Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the house, as direct sun can lead to streaks. Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster. Finish by vacuuming fabric shades and drapes.
• Kitchen sink: Try running a couple of lemon rind slivers through your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to dispel the smell. 
• Microwave: Place large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it sit to cool for 15 minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe out the inside and outside with a sponge. 
• Grocery bags: Run your reusable bags through the washer regularly to remove any lingering food bacteria, turning them inside out before you toss them in. Pay attention to the bag's fabric when selecting a dryer setting.
• Counter tops: Use granite polish to restore shine and help repel stains on your kitchen surfaces. For daily wipe-downs, use a specialized cleaner, like a granite & stone daily cleaner & polish. The mild formulas cut grease and remove surface stains without the damaging effects of vinegar or ammonia, and they won’t leave behind a dull film like ordinary dish soap can.
• Cutting boards: Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to remove food stains and smells. Want an extra cleaning oomph? Sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
• ​Refrigerator: Wipe down your fridge's interior shelving on the regular, but don't forget about the rest. Pop out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage. 
• Pots & pans: Soften burned-on residue by adding water and dish liquid to your cookware and letting it simmer on the stove. Use Brillo pads to remove any remaining stuck-on bits. Ketchup (yes, really!) helps dissolve tarnish on copper pots and other copper cooking accessories. Just massage the red sauce over the surface and add a pinch of salt to your polish if you come across exceptionally stubborn spots.
• ​Oven: Use your appliance's self-cleaning function to remove stubborn, baked-on grime. If your oven doesn't have one, place a hot, wet cloth on top of burned spots to help soften the gunk. Then scrub with a heavy-duty pad and wipe dry.
• Cabinets: Sticky kitchen grime is a mix of dust and grease that builds up over time. Run the exhaust hood over your range every time you cook to keep grease from settling. To de-gunk use a cabinet cream because it cuts through dirt and leaves wood moisturized. Do an extra pass around door and drawer pulls and other places where grease collects.
  
• Stainless steal: To make this surface sparkle again, mix a solution of 1 teaspoon dish detergent and 1 quart hot tap water. Using a microfiber cloth, rub the detergent solution onto the marks in small sections, going with the grain. Rinse with clean hot water only, and dry immediately with a clean cloth.
  
• Your junk drawer: Empty it out and suck up dust with your vacuum's nozzle. Toss or relocate any items you no longer need or that don't belong there. Everything else goes back, but this time in an organized manner. Re-purpose pretty plates and bowls to store cords, stamps, and other odds and ends. A nonslip liner will keep them in place.