Cleaning and Housekeeping Tips

Cleaning and Housekeeping Tips
Page 2
How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes: 3 Easy Methods
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Our go-to method just calls for some liquid dish soap!
Lisa Freedman
Sep 25, 2022
Can You Really Not Wash Your Cast Iron with Soap?Kitchen
The answer might surprise you.
Meghan Splawn
Sep 22, 2022
What Is Vinegar and What Makes It a Good Cleaner?Kitchen
How does something so sour clean so well?
Alexandra Ossola
Sep 20, 2022
6 Tips to Reduce Stress from the Mess That Cooking MakesKitchen
True confession: I avoid certain recipes because of the messes they create, which in my world means anything fried or anything that demands the use of a cast iron skillet. So no matter how amazing a recipe looks, the extra work of dealing with hot oil or a seasoned skillet is often enough to make me pass. And I doubt I’m alone here.
Jessica Goldman Foung
Sep 20, 2022
Don’t Wash This Bowl! A Soapy Bowl By the Sink Is the First Step in Washing UpKitchen
When it comes to cleaning, we talk a lot about cleaning as you go, but what does that actually mean? Other than washing every pot as you get it dirty (which isn’t always practical or time-effective), what does clean as you go actually look like? For me, the first step in cleaning up is this super basic thing that many of you probably do: keep a soapy bowl of hot water by the sink.
Faith Durand
Sep 20, 2022
How To Oil Wood Cutting Boards and SpoonsKitchen
It only takes five minutes!
Dana Velden
Sep 17, 2022
How to Clean a Burnt Pot: 5 Easy Ways That Work
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
A ball of crumpled-up aluminum foil to the rescue!
Ayn-Monique Klahre
Sep 16, 2022
7 No-Fail Ways to Clean Greasy Kitchen Cabinets
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Don't let your kitchen continue to look like this before photo!
Ashley Abramson
Sep 16, 2022
How To Season a Cast Iron SkilletKitchen
You can use a cast iron skillet for almost anything — as long as you take the time to maintain it and keep it in good condition. Here's how.
Gina Eykemans
Sep 13, 2022
6 Things to Never Do With Bar Keepers Friend
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Please be sure to read Number 6!
Shifrah Combiths
Sep 12, 2022
An Infused Vinegar Cleaning Spray That Actually Smells GreatKitchen
Infusing vinegar is the perfect way to combine vinegar's natural cleansing and disinfecting benefits with a much more pleasant aromatherapy experience.
Stephanie Gerber
Sep 12, 2022
How to Remove Berry Stains from Clothes and Fabric
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
We have a tried-and-true cleaning method in the back pocket of our summer cutoffs.
Jo First
Sep 7, 2022
How To Clean Your TV Using Things You Already Have on Hand
How To
The key ingredient is in your pantry!
Shifrah Combiths
Sep 5, 2022
We Tried 5 Methods for Cleaning Cast Iron Skillets and Found a Clear Winner
Cleaning Showdown
Spoiler: It's the method Kitchn has been using all along!
Ashley Poskin
Sep 5, 2022
How To Clean Greasy Kitchen Walls, Backsplashes, and CupboardsKitchen
You don't have to become a bacon-free household! Just know how to clean up that splattered grease.
Jo First
Sep 3, 2022
I Cleaned My Oven Door with a Dishwasher Tablet
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Here's how it went.
Ashley Poskin
Aug 31, 2022
How Long Can You Keep Opened Condiments?Skills
I have an ongoing real estate battle in my refrigerator door between condiments and cocktail ingredients. While I can ignore boozes and bitters since they seem to last practically forever, condiments definitely have shorter shelf lives and need to be pruned occasionally. We can all read a date stamp, but an opened container is another thing. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common condiments and how long they last once they’re opened.
Christine Gallary
Aug 30, 2022
How To Clean a Microwave with VinegarKitchen
Vinegar's acidity allows it to tackle all sorts of yucky messes, including the splatter on the inside of your microwave.
Geraldine Campbell
Aug 27, 2022
How To Clean Painted Wood CabinetsKitchen
Because every once in a while, you probably look up and think "Wow, these things are filthy!"
Ayn-Monique Klahre
Aug 25, 2022
How To Clean and Disinfect Granite Countertops
How To
Here's how you can make your own disinfectant and clean your granite countertops without buying a single thing.
Cambria Bold
Aug 25, 2022
How To Oil Butcher Block CountertopsKitchen
Here's what to do — whether you want to use a food-safe mineral oil or a butcher block conditioner.
Erika Tracy
Aug 19, 2022
10 Smart Cleaning Tips We Learned from Go Clean Go
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Laundry detergent can be used to clean the fridge!
Ashley Abramson
Aug 17, 2022
Things To Avoid With Hydrogen Peroxide
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
First of all, take it out of the medicine cabinet.
Shifrah Combiths
Aug 16, 2022
Best Way to Clean Enameled Stove Grates
Cleaning Showdown
This $5 cleaner got gross, greasy stove grates looking good as new.
Ashley Poskin
Aug 16, 2022
How To Make a Natural Kitchen DegreaserKitchen
Natural cleaners are effective, free of toxins, and affordable — if you make them yourself.
Jo First
Aug 13, 2022
I Tried the Dishwasher Cleaner that Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed With (It’s on Sale for Prime Day!)
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
The stuff has more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Here's what we thought.
Lisa Freedman
Jul 13, 2022
I Followed a 1920s Cleaning Routine for a Week
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
It was nearly impossible.
Brentnie Daggett
Dec 19, 2021
25 of the Most Brilliant Cleaning Tips We’ve Ever Gotten from Dads
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Including tricks for cleaning the grill and keeping the kitchen sink free of clogs!
Ashley Abramson
Jun 10, 2022
What Is the Best Way To: Clean Laminate Countertops?Kitchen
Our survey of countertop choices among our readers revealed that an overwhelming majority of you have laminate in the kitchen. Laminate is a manmade, composite material made of paper or other materials bonded at high heat and pressure between resins or plastic. It’s cheap, mass-produced, and very adaptable. But how do you clean it?Laminate is not the most exciting of kitchen surfaces. It’s not terribly durable, as it cracks, stains, and distintegrates over time.
Faith Durand
May 13, 2022
How Do I Clean the Bottoms of My Pots?Kitchen
Q: I finally have a hanging pot rack and love it, but not the bottoms of the pots. They’re a collection of copper, stainless, aluminum and Teflon. Any help in cleaning and care of each of the different metals? I know they’ll never look like the ones in the catalogs and lifestyle mags, but anything would be an improvement!Sent by NancyEditor: Nancy, what a beautiful set of cookware! We love the look of all those different materials.
Faith Durand
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 18: Clean the Countertops, Backsplash, and FloorKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 18: Wednesday, September 3 Assignment: Clean the countertops and backsplash. Sweep and mop the floors. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure After three weeks of cleaning, decluttering, and (we imagine) still cooking in your kitchen, your kitchen floor is probably in desperate need of a good mopping. The same goes for the countertops.
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 17: Clean the Trash CanKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 17: Tuesday, September 2 Assignment: Clean out trash can and wipe it down. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure I admit it — today’s assignment is a bummer. Why? Because cleaning the trash can is kind of gross. But you know what’s even grosser?
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 16: Clean and Organize the Under-Sink AreaKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 16: Monday, September 1 Assignment: Clean out the under-sink area and evaluate your cleaning tools. Throw out anything gross. Make a list of anything you need. Wash out the sink itself. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Over the last three weeks you’ve cleaned your appliances, decluttered and restocked the pantry, and wiped out all the cupboards.
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 14: Clean Cupboards, Shelves, and DrawersKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 14: Thursday, August 28 Assignment: Clean cupboards, shelves, and drawers. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Now that we’ve cleared out a lot of the extraneous stuff hidden in our kitchen cabinets and drawers — duplicate tools, rarely-used gadgets, one too many holiday mugs — we’re ready to give those shelves, drawers, and cabinet fronts a good soapy scrubdown before putting everything away.
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 13: Declutter Dishes, Glasses, Tools & GadgetsKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 13: Wednesday, August 27 Assignment: Declutter dishware, glassware, utensils, gadgets, and tools. Make a list of anything you need. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Do your cupboards runneth over? Is your utensil drawer starting to look like a survival of the fittest contest? Have you accumulated one too many kitchen gadgets?
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 11: Declutter the PantryKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 11: Monday, August 25 Assignment: Declutter the pantry and make a donation box. Make a list of anything you’re missing or need. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Welcome to Week 3 of The Kitchn Cure! You’ve handled the big cleaning jobs with aplomb so far. Deep cleaning the oven, freezer, refrigerator, greasy stovetop, and all your small electric appliances is no small feat!
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 10: Buy That Pan or Small Appliance You NeedKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 10: Friday, August 22 Assignment: Buy that pan or small appliance you need. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Today we take a break from cleaning to do something fun: shop! If you really need a new pan or small appliance, now’s the time to get it. This is your reward for all the deep cleaning you did this week.
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 4: Clear Out the FreezerKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 4: Thursday, August 14 Assignment: Clear out the freezer. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Your refrigerator is now in tip-top shape, so let’s move on to the freezer, shall we? Like the refrigerator task, we’re divvying up this task into two days. Today we’ll clear out, consolidate, and label everything in your freezer; tomorrow we’ll clean and organize it so you can easily find what you need!
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 3: Clean and Organize the RefrigeratorKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 3: Wednesday, August 13 Assignment: Deep clean the refrigerator. (See all the assignments so far here.) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Now that you’ve cleared out your refrigerator, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning. Say farewell to the watery goop at the bottom of your crisper, the sticky mess at the back of the second shelf, the crumbs in the rubber door seal.
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 2: Clear Out the RefrigeratorKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 2: Tuesday, August 12 Assignment: Clear out the refrigerator. (See all the assignments so far here.) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure How did Day 1 of The Kitchn Cure go for you? We started off light, but now the real work begins. Today is the first day of our two-day refrigerator task! Instead of tackling both a fridge clearing and deep clean in one day, we’re splitting the project into two parts.
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 1: Make a List of What You Like and Dislike In Your KitchenKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 1: Monday, August 11 Assignment: Make a list of what you like and dislike about your kitchen. Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Welcome, everyone! Today is the first day of The Kitchn Cure, and we’re so happy you’ve decided to join us. Over the next four weeks we’re going to clean, organize, and beautify our kitchens from top to bottom. Are you ready?
Cambria Bold
May 12, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 6: Evaluate Your Pots, Pans, and Small AppliancesKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 6: Monday, August 18 Assignment: Evaluate your pots, pans, and small appliances. Discard what you don’t need. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure Welcome to Week 2 of The Kitchn Cure! We’re moving on from the fridge and freezer this week to focus on your other appliances, both big and small.
Cambria Bold
May 11, 2022
7 Food Podcasts That Make Cleaning Your Kitchen FunKitchen
One of my favorite reader tips for cooking without making a big mess was Make cleaning fun! Listening to a podcast while cleaning up the kitchen is one of my favorite ways to make even the most dreaded tasks a little more enjoyable. Need some new recommendations? Here are a few great food-related podcasts to check out while tackling that big pile of dirty dishes.
Anjali Prasertong
May 11, 2022
Condiments and Expiration Dates: Pantry Cleaning TipsKitchen
Are you deep into cleaning your pantry during this week of the Kitchen Cure? I confess that I haven’t started yet, but I have a lot of things to work on in my cupboards and pantry! I am looking forward to pushing through old spices, nearly-empty packages and greasy jars. Time to consolidate and clean!
Faith Durand
May 11, 2022
Here Are the Only Kitchen Cleaners You Actually NeedKitchen
“Honey can you hand me the bottle of window cleaner? It’s right behind the bottle of stainless steel stuff but in front of the wood polish and next to the doggy carpet spray.” Sound familiar? Having the right tools for the job is a good thing, but what happens when you have too many? Clutter! (Insert dramatic music here.) How many cleansers do you really need? Which ones are essential? What’s the bottle with the smeared label way in the back?
Sarah Rae Smith
May 11, 2022
Help! Getting Rid of Lingering Food SmellsKitchen
We made a heavenly mushroom risotto with ramps this past weekend.Creamy, oozy, and rich–we proclaimed it the Best Risotto Ever and promptly ate the entire pot.One problem, though. It’s now Monday morning, and what was originally the mouth-watering aroma of imminent deliciousness has become an unwanted house guest. The aroma, oh, how it lingers.Help!The most logical solution is to open the windows and let nature do the work, which is what we’re doing right now!
Emma Christensen
May 11, 2022
The Kitchn Cure Day 9: Clean Your Small AppliancesKitchen
The Kitchn Cure Day 9: Thursday, August 21 Assignment: Clean your small appliances. (See all the assignments so far here) Sign Up: Sign up here for The Kitchn Cure This is the last cleaning assignment for this week, friends! You’ve really gotten down and dirty these last few days, but give it one more push today and all the major stuff will soon be behind you.
Cambria Bold
May 11, 2022
Mistakes to Avoid When Spring CleaningKitchen
Roll up your sleeves, put on your gloves, and grab that scrub brush — it’s spring cleaning time! After a few months stuck inside, your kitchen is dirty, and the urge to throw the windows open and freshen the whole space up is strong. The kitchen is a spot that needs special attention by springtime. Before you get started, though, take a minute to read through this list and strategize to make sure you’re cleaning as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Ayn-Monique Klahre
May 5, 2022
10 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen (and Yourself!) for a Successful Weekend Cooking ProjectKitchen
While weeknights are all about just managing to get something (anything!) edible on the table in as little time as possible, weekends (and snow days!) are for larger-scale, more complex cooking projects. You know, the ones that have more prep time or require obscure ingredients. If you’re feeling ambitious, here’s how to get your kitchen ready to help you tackle even the most complicated recipe.
Caylin Harris
May 4, 2022
10 Things to Eliminate from Your Kitchen Right NowKitchen
What do you feel when you walk into your kitchen? Do you get excited at the prospect of a new project of a delicious meal, or do you feel dread looking at all the clutter and broken tools? If you identify with the latter, it’s time to feel the purge. Consider eliminating these 10 things that don’t belong in your kitchen tonight. Whether you donate or toss them, you’ll feel a little relief every time you walk into your kitchen.
Ariel Knutson
May 4, 2022
10 Reasons a Snow Day Is the Best Thing That Can Happen to Your KitchenSkills
Depending on where you live, a snow day is a quite common or decidedly uncommon occurrence. In certain Southern climates, a few inches is enough to shut everything down, while up north it’s business as usual until a few feet have fallen. Regardless, when a snow day is finally called, it’s kind of great. Staying inside is basically mandatory, all routines get upended, and while you may have to work from home, you’re still likely to end up with a bit of time on your hands.
Cambria Bold
May 4, 2022
Your Fridge Is the Real Workhorse of Your Kitchen. Here’s How to Treat It Right.Kitchen
The refrigerator is certainly the hardest working appliance in any kitchen. (No offense, Mr. Oven!) For those who don’t cook, it’s busy holding your leftover takeout and bottles of wine; for those who do, it’s a constantly rotating repository for a mini grocery-store’s worth of goods. No matter how you use it, regular maintenance — plus a couple just-for-looks tricks — can help you love your fridge more and more, every day. Here’s what to do.
Ayn-Monique Klahre
May 4, 2022
10 Secrets of the Organized KitchenKitchen
We’ll take a guess that like every other year, you’re making a resolution to be more organized in 2016. It’s a goal we fully support. The more organized you are, the easier (and more fun) it can be to spend time in your kitchen and get dinner on the table every night. Here’s some of our best advice from 2015 to help you make a fresh start in the new year. Your cabinets can always use more work: Take lessons from these beautifully organized cabinets.
Kristin Appenbrink
May 4, 2022
5 Things to Do in the Kitchen on a Sunday NightKitchen
There’s something special about Sunday habits. While the morning and evening rituals that make up the rest of the week keep our kitchen lives sane and steady, it’s what we do on Sunday that sets the tone. Good Sunday habits should both close off the week prior, and send you prepped and cheered into the week ahead. While there are many ways to spend a Sunday in the kitchen, here are five small things we like to do before the night is over.
Cambria Bold
May 4, 2022
The Best Time to Clean Every Part of Your KitchenKitchen
Raise your hand if you feel like, despite your very best intentions, your kitchen is messier than you’d like it to be. I’m right there with you. And it makes sense! The kitchen is the very center of your house. No matter how comfy your living room is, chances are people are always hanging out in the kitchen — or helping themselves to food from the fridge — which leads to major messes.
Caylin Harris
May 4, 2022
10 Cleaning Tips from Midwestern Grandmas
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
We got lots of tips about getting stains out of fabrics.
Ashley Abramson
Feb 18, 2021
I Added a Clothing Steamer to My Kitchen Cleaning Kit — And Cleaning Will Never Be the SameKitchen
And I'm so glad that I did!
Ashley Poskin
Apr 30, 2019
The Single Best Tip I Can Give Anyone Planning to Do Some Spring Cleaning
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
It'll keep you from burning out.
Aliza Gans
Mar 20, 2021
How to Clean All the Parts of Your Oven Door
How To
When you can't see through smeary, crusty glass, well, that ruins an awful lot of the fun of cooking.
Dana McMahan
Jan 5, 2022
Why I Started Keeping a Plastic Baggie on My Kitchen Counter at All TimesKitchen
I got the idea while I was treating myself to a manicure!
Lisa Freedman
Jan 1, 2022
10 Surprising Things You Can Clean Using Dishwasher Tablets
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
You know, besides the dishes in your dishwasher.
Ashley Poskin
Dec 15, 2021
The Single Worst Thing You Can Do to Your Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Plus, what to do instead.
Ashley Abramson
Dec 15, 2021
The Unconventional and Surprising Tool I Use to Clean My Stovetop
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
You'll be mad you didn't think of this earlier.
Geraldine Campbell
Dec 29, 2021
The First Thing You Should Do When You Open a New Bag of Sugar
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Still baking for the holidays? Then, read this!
Shifrah Combiths
Dec 15, 2021
You Should Keep a Bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide Next to Your Dish Soap — Here’s Why
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Use it when washing dishes by hand or in the dishwasher.
Ashley Abramson
Dec 13, 2021
How Ina Garten Keeps Her Pots and Pans Looking Like New
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
It actually goes against what a lot of our staffers do.
Lisa Freedman
Dec 16, 2021
5 Things I Learned About Cleaning from My German Mom
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
The woman has some serious standards!
Geraldine Campbell
Dec 14, 2021
The 1-Minute Trick You Should Do the Next Time You Pull Out Your Can Opener
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
You'll be mad you didn't know this sooner.
Shifrah Combiths
Dec 9, 2021
7 Things You Should Never Do with a Magic Eraser
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Sometimes these one-handed wonders can work a little too well — particularly on polished and easily scratched areas.
Caroline Biggs
Dec 9, 2021
You Should Keep a Bowl of Vinegar Next to Your Stove
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Here's why.
Shifrah Combiths
Dec 7, 2021
Before & After: I Cleaned My Oven Using a Pumice Stone
Before & After
It seems like taking a hard stone to a metal surface would be a bad idea ...
Ashley Poskin
Dec 3, 2021
The Clever Reddit Tip for Getting a Le Creuset Dutch Oven Looking Good as New
Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
Here's what we could find out about the hack.
Dana McMahan
Dec 2, 2021