We know that you work hard to keep your kitchen clean and healthy for all who use it. Here at N-Hance Hayward, we want to help you create your perfect kitchen, and that includes avoiding common cleaning mistakes. So here are the top ten cleaning mistakes in the kitchen that we think you should be aware of:
10) Using the same rag everywhere in your house – Taking the same rag with you from room to room might seem like a great way to maximize efficiency, but in reality you are just letting germs from one room (i.e. the bathroom) hitch a ride to another part of the house (i.e. the kitchen). It is a much better idea to designate an individual microfiber rag for each room in the house, and wash them often. We recommend choosing different-colored rags for each room, so there is no chance of getting them mixed up.
9) Washing sharp knives in the dishwasher – Your dishwasher is super powerful, and the force of repeated washing can actually wear on nice knives, especially knives with wooden handles. Putting sharp knives in the dishwasher can make them dull, and take away years’ worth of perfectly good use. Skip the dishwasher and simply wash your kitchen knives by hand- you’ll thank us!
8) Cleaning your floors first – If you are like most people, you probably start cleaning whichever part of the house is most convenient first. However, if you clean in any order other than top-to-bottom, you are undoing your own hard work, because all your wiping and scrubbing inevitably sends dirt, dust, and crumbs downward, right onto your freshly-cleaned floor. Make sure to take gravity into account when cleaning, and you’ll see your results last longer.
7) Not Cleaning Your Sink – It’s so easy to overlook your kitchen sink, because as long as it is empty and rinsed out, it usually looks clean. However, germs and scum build up fast, and it’s important to scrub your sink with a cleaner regularly to keep those germs from spreading onto your hands and dishes and throughout your kitchen.
6) Putting too many things in the dishwasher – We understand the temptation to fit as much as possible into the dishwasher. It feels efficient, and it’s exciting to get those dishes out of sight as quickly as possible. But if you are overloading your dishwasher, you aren’t giving those dishes a chance to get truly clean. Hold back some of your larger or nicer items (like your sharp knives, for instance) to wash by hand after the dishwasher starts running.
5) Using a feather duster (or similar tool) – No matter what catchy advertisements might say, a feather duster will kick some dust back up into the air, where it will circulate and re-settle throughout your house. Use a microfiber cloth to trap dust permanently, and breathe easier in your home.
4) Not cleaning out your fridge regularly – As with all tasks, the longer you wait to clean out your refrigerator, the bigger the chore becomes. That’s why you should clean yours at least weekly. Getting into the routine means that the job will never become overwhelming, and you won’t let mold and other unhealthy contaminants inhabit your refrigerator. On top of that, it will be harder to forget about the food at the back of the shelf, so it won’t go to waste, which will make your wallet happy.
3) Scrubbing the burners on your stove – Scrubbing at burnt-on food can take hours, destroy rags, brushes, and sponges, and the result is usually underwhelming. If your burner grates can be removed, place them each in a Ziploc bag with ¾ cups ammonia, seal the bags, and leave them overnight. In the morning, all you have to do is wipe the grates, and they will be sparkling and beautiful.
2) Using a sponge for too long (or at all!) – We can’t emphasize enough what a perfect breeding ground sponges are for germs and fungus. Even sanitizing a sponge doesn’t guarantee that it will get clean, and most people don’t bother to clean their sponges at all. We recommend skipping the sponge altogether and opting for a good scrubbing brush, which is easier to use and easier to clean. If you are determined to hang onto your sponge, make sure that you clean it in the dishwasher often. Like, at least once a week, and replace the sponge every two weeks to one month.
1) Letting drips and spills stay on your cabinets – When something spills in your kitchen, your cabinets are often the silent victims. It is easy to wipe the counter without paying enough attention to your cabinet fronts, and when something spills it can get the back of your cabinet doors sticky as well. While it might be easy to let spills and stains disguise themselves, it is important that you thoroughly clean spills as soon as they happen, and that you regularly inspect your cabinets for any spots you may have missed. Not only does this keep your kitchen looking fresh and clean, but it protects your cabinets from wear, as exposure to moisture can damage them.
If your cabinets need more than a good cleaning, call N-Hance Hayward! We can restore your cabinets to their former glory, or give them a fresh new look. Our process saves you time and money, as most jobs are completed in one or two days. Using our services will spare you the mess and hassle of traditional cabinet refinishing, because we don’t produce dust or odors, and your cabinets will be ready-to-use fast. Give us a call today at 510-634-4349 to schedule a free on-site estimate.