De-clutter
The first step is to go through your kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer, and get rid of anything that is out of date, damaged beyond use or that you just don’t like. This serves a dual purpose, as it not only frees up space, but is a great preparation for giving your storage spaces a thorough clean.
A spring clean is the best time for this, as these areas are often overlooked during the rest of the year, since they are full of things that can be a hassle to take out.
Wipe walls and surfaces
Even the most careful cook can’t completely avoid the perils of spitting pans, splashing or other food-related mess. Wipe down the walls with a damp cloth and some cleaning spray - you might be surprised at just how much gunk has got into unexpected places. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to clear your counters and give them a thorough clean as well, to make sure you’ve got a squeaky clean surface for food preparation.
Oven
An oven deep clean can be very laborious (unless you’re lucky enough to have a self-cleaning oven), but it can really pay dividends. Since you’ve already blocked off a chunk of time for a major clean, you should really include your hardworking oven. Whether you use a dedicated cleaning spray or the baking soda and vinegar method, put a cushion on the floor to save your knees, and give it some elbow grease.
Sink
Despite being the place where things get clean, your sink can end up being one of the grimiest places in the kitchen. Once you’ve wiped down the sink itself, the draining board and the drying rack (if you have one), check if water is draining properly. If not, a bit of attention from a plunger or a chemical drain unblocker can be a great help.
Bin
To eliminate unpleasant smells, empty your bin and then give it a thorough wipe, even if you use bin liners. This is also the time to clean the floor around the bin, which often develops an alarming ring of grime. This can happen no matter how careful you are, and can be hard to notice while the bin is still in its normal place.
The final task is to step back and admire your sparkling kitchen, and enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Just make sure you’ve got a plan for maintaining the cleanliness, or you may be due another spring clean sooner than you might like.
© Axonn 2015