Consider this your ultimate cleaning guide to keeping a spotless kitchen.
John Granen
Its no secret that kitchens are among thedirtiest places in a home.
However, there are other reasons to tackle kitchen surfaces as soon as spills or splatters occur.
Credit:John Granen
Stains are inevitable in the kitchen, whether resulting from cooking, baking, or prepping meals.
Some surfaces are more prone to staining because of their proximity or material (or both).
Not to mention, it also ensures that the space always sparkles, even on your busiest cooking days.
Weve compiled the most commonly stained kitchen surfaces and methods for making them look new.
Bookmark this guide so its readily available next time you need a quick clean-up in the midst ofmeal prepping.
Its not only the act of assembling dishes that result in stains.
That makes it all the more tempting to clean up later.
Depending on the countertop material, there are different ways to handle the stain.
Scrub lightly with a soft brush before wiping it away.
Repeat until the stain has disappeared.
Keep in mind that granite and marble are porous and should be resealed often.
If youve got sleek steel counters, your biggest battle will be against water spots.
Laminate or ceramic tile countertops:Dish soapcan eradicate most stains on either of these surfaces.
Gently clean the area to avoid scratching either material.
Keep the vinegar handy if you need toremove tile grout stains.
Set-in stains, including burn marks, may need to be sanded down.
We strongly suggest checking with the manufacturer before tackling the first stain on your solid-surface counters.
Butcher block or wood countertops:These require special care as wood is highly absorbent.
First, blot as much of the area as possible when something spills to remove excess moisture.
Next,add salt to the stainand rub it using half ofa lemon.
Allow it to penetrate the stain for a bit before wiping it away.
Hydrogen peroxide may lighten dark spots; however, use it sparingly.
Stubborn stains may require you to sand down and restore the wood.
But that also means your boardsmust be cleaned immediately, especially to quash any risk of cross-contamination.
Stained bamboo, wood, and plastic cutting boards can all be safely scrubbed with a baking soda paste.
Persistent plastic cutting board stains can be treated with diluted bleach before running through the dishwasher using hot water.
Wood, glass, and painted cabinet stains can also be treated with diluted vinegar.
Always ensure the surface is completely dry after youre done working the stain.
After all, its job is to protect your walls by catching anything that splatters in their direction.
Luckily, most surfaces can be cleaned with the same pantry staples we discussed.
As with countertop tiles, dont neglect the stains that stick to grout.
Or, for less maintenance, consider using apeel-and-stick backsplashwithout grout lines.
The best way to prevent set-in stains is to tend to any messes as soon as you notice them.
Ensure hot appliances are off and cooled down before attempting the following stain-removal methods.
Spray it onto smudges and water spots before wiping it away with a cloth.
Add a baking soda paste or try a commercial stainless steel cleaner for harder-to-remove stains.
Black appliances:Due to their glossy appearance,black appliancesquickly show streaks and stains.
Cleaning them thoroughly with diluted vinegar and a soft cloth should do the trick.
Use a baking soda paste on stubborn spots if necessary, but be gentle to avoid surface scratches.
White appliances:Although its the least popular finish,white appliances are starting to trendagain.
AMagic Eraseris all you’re gonna wanna remove most stains from the outside of white appliances.
As a bonus, it abolishes lingering smells as well.
However,spraying cleaner in the microwaveis not as safe as usinga non-toxic technique.
Instead, add water and vinegar or lemon to a heat-proof bowl and microwave it until steam accumulates.
Give it time to work its magic, and then carefully wipe the interior until stains are gone.
Wash the turntable parts by hand once theyre cool.
Not only is it unsightly and smelly, it can be downright dangerous if left untreated.
Toclean the dishwasher, first remove any visible residue by hand.
The oven:There are a multitude ofoven-cleaninghacks, and thats likely due to how dirty this appliance gets.
If your model has it, use theself-cleaning functionto burn off old residue.
When ready, remove any grates and soak them in soapy water.
Your trusty baking soda paste will be safe for more substantial stains on any surface.
No matter what pop in of sink you have, theres a simple way to remove surface stains.
Most ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel, granite, cast iron, andcopper sinkstains can be addressed similarly.
On the other hand, try baking soda and vinegar to lightly scrub granite andgranite composite sinkgrime.
Ward off future stains in yourstainless steel sinkbybuffing it with olive oil.
