Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Cleaning your kitchen might seem like a hassle but these clever cleaning tips will make cleaning your kitchen a doddle.
Whether you have stainless steel taps that are looking a bit dull and water-stained or a beautiful granite sink that you just don’t know how to clean, then take a look at our clever cleaning tips.
How to clean your kitchen sink
If you regularly use your kitchen sink for washing your hands and dirty dishes then keeping it sparkling clean might seem impossible, but rest assured it can be a simple task when done regularly.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel sinks are the most common type of sink but if you’re still wondering which is the best way to clean it, then take a look at our handy hints and tips.
Cleaning a stainless steel sink can be pretty straightforward if done regularly, it’s as simple as wiping away water and other residues after use. This will help to prevent water marks and other stains from becoming deep-set and harder to remove later down the line.
While rinsing your stainless steel sink might be ok for light stains, you will need to give your sink a thorough clean once in a while. This can easily be done with items in your kitchen cupboard, like bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar.
Simply sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over your stainless steel sink and draining board until you have a light covering, then wipe over with a soft dry cloth ensuring the area is well covered with bicarbonate of soda. Leave to settle for 5-10 minutes before spraying white vinegar over the bicarbonate of soda, leaving the two to mix. Once the bicarbonate of soda and vinegar mix has stopped fizzing, give the sink a good rinse and you’ll have it looking as good as new.
Granite
Cleaning a granite sink can be done with either natural or chemical cleaning products. If you chose to use chemicals, they must be suitable for use on granite sinks!
Natural cleaning products are becoming more popular as we become even more conscious of the chemicals we use every day. Simply cleaning your granite sink daily with mild soap and warm water helps prevent those unwanted watermarks, pesky food stains, and most importantly limescale from ruining the overall look of your gorgeous granite sink.
While natural products might give a quick fix to your water-marked granite sink, Reginox Total Clean helps to clean and maintain your beautiful sink (when used regularly) keeping it looking sparkling clean for longer.
Ceramic
Ceramic sinks may look beautiful when first installed but they can be a pain to keep clean. One of the easiest ways to keep your ceramic sink looking as good as new is to rinse the sink out after each use and wipe with a soft cloth, if possible, a microfibre cloth. This will help to prevent a build-up of grime and stains in your sink.
If you feel your ceramic sink needs a more thorough clean, mix one-part white vinegar with one-part water, as this will help to remove and prevent limescale build-up. Make sure to rinse the sink after to remove all vinegar residue, as this could damage the sink if left to settle.
How to clean your kitchen taps
Let’s face it kitchen taps are probably used hundreds of times a day in a busy household so they’re bound to lose that perfect shine they had when new. Whether it's a natural or chemical cleaning product you're looking for we've got you covered.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel taps are prone to limescale build-up and if left to settle this can be particularly hard to remove. Wiping down your taps regularly will help to prevent this build-up, however, this is unlikely to prevent limescale completely.
A more thorough clean of your kitchen taps can be done with white vinegar and warm water. Simply mix equal parts of each and apply to your tap, rub in with a soft cloth, leave to settle for 5-10 minutes rinsing and drying the tap after to prevent rust and further limescale build-up.
While natural products can give a great result, why not try an eco-friendly tap cleaning spray? Cramer Tap Cleaner is easy to use, by simply spraying the affected area and leaving to settle for a few minutes, allowing it to work, then rinse off with warm water and rub dry. With regular use, it will leave your taps sparkling clean and help to prevent limescale build-up.
Matt
With matt taps becoming more and more popular you might be wondering how clean them? Cleaning matt taps can actually be easier than cleaning a classic stainless tell tap, as all you need is some warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. Simply give your taps a light rub with your damp cloth, ensuring you don’t scrub too hard. When done regularly you’ll have your taps looking as good as new everyday!
When cleaning matt taps you need to be especially careful, as they, unlike stainless steel can’t withstand any acidic or chemical-based cleaners, you also shouldn’t use anything abrasive as this could damage the surface colour and texture of your beautiful matt taps.
How to clean your kitchen tiles
We all know how easy it is for kitchen tiles to lose their shine and begin to look grimy but what’s the best way to clean them? Warm water and a clean cloth or sponge are all you need to wipe away those pesky stains like pasta sauce, water marks, and other cooking-related stains.
If you have more stubborn sticky marks, add a little soap or washing-up liquid to the water. When using anything other than water, it’s best to check on an inconspicuous patch first to prevent any serious damage to your tiles.
How to remove grout stains
Grout stains on kitchen tiles can be a big problem especially around the sink area with water constantly getting splashed on them, but believe it or not if caught soon enough, grout stains can be fairly easy to remove, even without splashing out on expensive cleaning products.
Warm water
Simply apply warm water and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. For those stains that have well and truly set in, warm water might not do the trick and that’s where vinegar and baking soda come in.
Vinegar
When using vinegar mix one-part vinegar and one-part warm water in a spray bottle, simply spray onto the grout, leave to soak for around 5 minutes then give the grout a good scrub with a stiff-bristled brush or an old toothbrush.
Baking soda
Baking soda is another amazing natural cleaning product, safe for use in the kitchen. When using it to clean grouting mix together with some warm water to form a paste then simply spread the paste on the grout.
Leave the mix to settle for around 15 minutes then using a stiff-bristled brush or old toothbrush scrub the grout. Then all you need to do is simply wipe away any of the remaining baking soda mixture with a damp cloth.
How to clean your waste disposal unit
Whether you’re thinking of buying a waste disposal unit or yours is starting to smell or look grubby then you’re probably wondering how to clean one out. Well, wonder no more!
The main thing to consider when cleaning a waste disposal unit is safety, ensuring you don’t put your hands near the impellers when it’s turned on! Cleaning a waste disposal unit can be pretty straightforward. Simply fill your sink with ice cubes and turn on the blades. This will help to remove concealed dirt and grime in your waste disposal unit.
If you want to remove bad odours from your unit then citrus peels like lemon or orange work perfectly. Simply dispose of these in your waste disposal unit like anything else and let them work their magic. With these quick and simple hacks, you’ll find your unit working like new!
How to prevent mould in the kitchen
Keeping the kitchen well ventilated and ensuring all washing up is dried straight away is essential in the prevention of mould. Making sure any spilled water is cleared up and not left to dribble to inaccessible places will also help to prevent unwanted mould and unpleasant smells. Leaking pipes are one of the main causes of kitchen mould that’s why it’s essential to regularly check your pipework for breaks and leaks.
Extractor fans
Opening a window will help to remove excess moisture and humidity from cooking but we all know opening a window isn’t always an option. That’s why extractor fans are a great alternative for removing moisture and humidity in your kitchen, especially in the winter, when it’s too cold to open a window! Shop our range of kitchen extractor fans here.
Our cleaning products
Here at Plumbworld, we sell a range of Cramer and Reginox cleaning products suitable for cleaning your kitchen sink, taps, and even kitchen accessories. Click here to shop the range.
If you're looking for further cleaning advice, take a look at the following posts - Bathroom Cleaning Habits You Can't Live Without - The Key to Clean Shower Glass - How to Clean Chrome Taps.
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