Summer is the perfect time for a little home improvement, and what better place to begin than your kitchen. Every now and then, our appliances need to be checked and cleaned out. To make a great start, get to work on these five essential kitchen chores.
1 . Refresh out your garbage disposal.
Every so often, our garbage disposal starts to smell a little; this doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a huge blockage, just that it needs a bit of a refresh! One of the best things you can do is to pour baking soda (about half a cup) into your drain. Once you’ve done so, wait around 3 hours then turn on the tap and the disposal at the same time. Another thing you can do is use a mix of lemon juice and borax together. You can mix about three tablespoons of borax with half a squeezed lemon.
2. Inspect your dishwasher.
It’s a good idea to inspect your dishwasher every month or so; check it’s in proper working order and give it a good clean. Firstly, ensure that the racks slide forward and back as they should and that the arms are correctly aligned. Check for any potential dishwasher leaks both inside the sink cabinet and in front of the dishwasher. Next, clean your dishwasher by putting white vinegar inside an open container, and then turning the dishwasher on to complete a cycle. You can also add a cup of baking soda to get your dishwasher extra clean and sparkling.
3. Check your fridge water filter.
You should check your fridge water filter to see if it needs to be replaced. There are several signs to look out for, which might signal that it needs replacing. Firstly, you might notice that the water that your fridge dispenses has become discolored or a little murky. You might also notice that the water smells strange or has an unpleasant taste. It’s likely that you’ll need to replace your filter if you notice any of these signs.
4. Consider pest control.
During the summer time pests tend to sneak into our kitchens. The first thing you’ll need to do is ensure that all of your containers of food are closed tightly with no gaps. Next up, make sure that you keep your floors and surfaces extra clean, and don’t leave any washing up out overnight. To ward off pests, try sprinkling diatomaceous earth at the edges of your kitchen floor. It’s a natural pesticide for the home made from algae, (yet you should still use gloves when handling the powder).
5. Deep clean the oven.
You should generally deep clean your oven at least every 2-3 weeks, depending on how often you use your oven. If you want to deep clean your oven without the use of a chemical cleaner, try mixing up baking soda and warm water. You’ll want to use about four cups of baking soda and then around ½ a cup of water. It might take a little more scrubbing than with a chemical cleaner, but it’s well worth it to keep toxins out of your home! With a small amount of work you’ll be that little bit closer to creating your dream kitchen.
Mia Guerra
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