Kitchen Clean-up 101

Recently my friends and I were talking about kitchen cleanup: if we have to do it, we want ways to make it easier!

After we discussed our tips with each other, I wanted to share with you what we all came up with. So here’s a list of ways you can make cleaning your kitchen easier, too.

Stovetop
Soak removable pieces like grates and knobs in a sinkful of warm water and dish soap. If they’re dishwasher safe, run them through the dishwasher, but be careful not to wear out numbers or lettering. I typically clean the stove on Saturday nights and use the oven or slow cooker for meals.

Oven
If your oven has a self-clean option, use it. Once the oven has cooled, run a damp rag over the interior to clean out the loose dirt. Self-cleaning your oven during the winter can help warm your house, but during warmer seasons be sure to do so on cooler days.

• Get rid of oven odors: Don’t like the odors and smoke of the self-cleaning option? Kenmore has an exclusive AirGuard™ feature that virtually eliminates them. And you can turn the AirGuard off when you’re baking cookies so the yummy aroma fills the kitchen!

Refrigerator
Fill a dish tub with warm water, a spoonful of baking soda and a splash of lemon juice. Soak removable pieces and drawers in the tub, or wipe down surfaces using a cloth soaked in the cleaning mixture. Transport and store condiment bottles on cookie sheets while you wipe down surfaces.

Want to keep your refrigerator cleaner between cleanings? Some Kenmore side-by-side models come standard with Microban® Antimicrobial Protection-infused crisper bins and provides protection from odor and stain-causing bacteria.

Dishwasher
To quickly freshen your dishwasher, pour a stick or pouch of sugar-free citrus drink mix into the detergent compartment when your dishwasher is empty and run the rinse cycle. You can also make a mild paste out of baking soda and water to remove food spots from the dishwasher door and walls.

Save time and money and skip the pre-rinsing or scrubbing thanks to Kenmore dishwashers with TurboZone™ rotating spray jets. To serve up clean dishes, load dishes facing the water source and separate silverware so spoons and forks don’t bunch up.

Microwave
Fill a bowl with water and one tablespoon of lemon juice and cook in the microwave for two minutes. Let the bowl sit and steam for five more minutes. The steam loosens caked-on gunk while the lemon juice freshens the microwave. Now cleaning the interior with a damp cloth is a breeze.

Sterilize and extend the life of your dish sponge by soaking it in fresh water (no soap) and microwaving it for two minutes. Be careful! The sponge will be hot, so let it cool. Do not microwave scouring pads or sponges made with heavy-duty scrubbing materials.

What tips or trick do you have for making kitchen clean-up quick and easy?