Kitchen cleaning is a daily task, but when it becomes too much, many people leave the messes to sit out for a long time. On top of that, the chemicals found in common kitchen cleaners can give anyone cause for pause. But did you know that you can achieve great results without using harsh chemicals?
By making kitchen cleaning supplies, you will both save some money and have more time to spend enjoying your space. Try these five chemical-free kitchen hacks the next time you need to clean up!
Vinegar + Baking Soda = Great Results
A staple of the science fair, the combination of vinegar and baking soda will save you so much time and energy when it’s time to clean the kitchen! If a pot or pan has stuck-on burnt bits, fill it with one cup of water and one cup of vinegar, and bring these to a boil over high heat.
Once it’s boiling, turn off the stove and place the pot or pan in the sink, adding two tablespoons of baking soda to your boiling mix. Let it fizz to completion, then empty the cookware and scrub it with a scouring pad or the rough side of a sponge. The burnt bits should come right off; if you need a little extra baking soda on stubborn parts, add it!
Citrus Makes A Great All-Purpose Cleaner
The all-purpose cleaner is a kitchen staple, but don’t rely on chemically-charged sprays: you can make a cleaner with citrus! Take the rinds of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits and place them in a large mason jar, filling it about half-way.
Next, pour vinegar into the jar so that it covers the peels, let it sit for about two weeks, and strain the concentrate into an empty spray bottle. Now you have a cleaner that will cut through tough stains, clean surfaces, and smell great! The best part is, you don’t have to discriminate based on the surface – this cleaner is food safe and won’t get chemicals near your food.
Steam Your Microwave Clean
The microwave has become an indispensable appliance in many kitchens, but it’s a pain to clean. Save yourself some scrubbing time and make the microwave smell great with this kitchen hack!
All you need is water in a microwave-safe bowl and a cut-up lemon.
Slice up your lemon thinly and place it in the bowl of water; put this bowl into your microwave and run it on “High” for two to three minutes. Let the bowl sit in the microwave for another three minutes; the steam will loosen stuck-on food. Wipe it down with a clean cloth, and you’re good to go!
Clean Your Dishwasher With Nothing But Vinegar And Baking Soda
When your dishwasher isn’t running at its best, it could use a cleaning. Luckily, our good friends vinegar and baking soda make it a breeze! On the top rack of your empty dishwasher, place a cup of white vinegar, and run it on a hot-water cycle. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run another short, hot cycle. Your dishwasher’s insides will look clean and bright while smelling extra fresh!
Clean Wooden Surfaces With Salt And Lemon
Wood can be difficult to clean: do it too often, and you dry out the surface; don’t do it often enough, and the wood attracts and spreads bacteria. Avoid drying it out with soap by combining two kitchen staples: salt and lemon! Sprinkle the salt over the board, then rub it into the wood with half a lemon. The abrasive salt lifts and removes stains, while the acidic lemon juice kills bacteria and leaves the board smelling great!