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Gentle Reminders: Clean Kitchens

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    Kitchen Sink

    Freshen your garbage disposal by making white vinegar ice cubes and running them through it. This will deodorize it and sharpen the blades. Another option is to grind citrus peels while pouring boiling water down the drain.
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    Clean Your Teakettle

    To remove mineral deposits, boil equal parts white vinegar and water inside it. Remove from heat. Let sit several hours; rinse. Hand-wash the pot's exterior with a gentle pot-scrubber sponge. Let tap water run for a few moments before adding it to the pot. (Water that has been sitting in pipes contains more minerals, which can cause discoloration and odors.)
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    Cleaning Bottles

    Narrow-necked bottles make graceful decorations and convenient containers for oils and salad dressings, but cleaning them can be a challenge. A good solution: Fill the bottles with water, and drop a tablet or two (depending on bottle sizes) of denture cleaner in each. This loosens the residue that accumulates on the bottom and sides. Let the bottles stand overnight, then hand-wash them using a narrow nylon brush.
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    Remove Buildup

    Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator to remove dust and buildup. In older models, the coils are located in the back; in newer ones, look for them at the bottom, behind the front grill.
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    Spruce Up the Fridge and Freezer

    Clean the refrigerator and freezer. Soak removable pieces in warm, slightly soapy water; loosen hardened spills on fixed parts by covering them with a damp sponge or cloth. Don't use bleach or ammonia, as these can damage some materials. To eliminate odors, wipe down all interior surfaces with a baking soda-warm water solution (one or two tablespoons soda per quart of water).

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    Temperature Control

    For efficiency and to keep food safe, refrigerators and freezers should be kept at forty and zero degrees, respectively. Temperatures fluctuate depending on weather and how tightly the appliances are packed. Keep your fridge and freezer well-stocked but not crowded, and use an appliance thermometer, available at home-supply stores, to ensure the units are properly set.
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    Food-Safety Guidelines

    Brush up on food-safety guidelines, especially important for picnics or potluck dinners. Don't leave food out for more than two hours (one hour if the temperature is more than 90 degrees). This applies to all food, not just dishes with mayonnaise and eggs. Always keep hot food hot (more than 140 degrees) and cold food cold (40 degrees or less).
  • Photo: James Baigrie
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    Coffee Maker Maintenance

    Once a month, clean your coffeemaker to remove mineral deposits, which can cause blockages. Pour equal parts while vinegar and water into the tank, or use a commercial coffeemaker cleaner. With the carafe in place, run the machine for half a cycle, then switch it off. After an hour, turn it back on, and let the rest of the solution filter through. Run two or three cycles with fresh water to clean out any vinegar flavor before brewing coffee.
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    Preserve Your China

    To prevent your best china from scratching or chipping when you store it, try these tricks: Don't stack more than four to six plates; if you handle too many at a time, you increase the risk of dropping them. Never put a large plate on a small one, or odd-sice pieces on top of each other. Place felt rounds, paper plates, or basket coffee filters between stacked dishes. Store china in a low cabinet.
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    Refresh Your Pantry

    Replace expired spices, cooking oils, and other kitchen staples stored in there. It's safe to assume that anything more than one year old is past its prime.

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    Clean Your Oven

    Self-cleaning units, which work with very high heat, require little effort. Remove racks before using this setting, and wipe up residue afterward. For conventional ovens, try this: Use aluminum foil to plug holes leading to the broiler. Make a paste of 1/4 cup salt, 3/4 cup baking soda, and 1/4 cup water. Spread it on dirty areas, avoiding nonenameled parts, and leave overnight. Use a putty knife or a spatula to remove the paste. Then rinse and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Hand-wash racks.
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    Organize Pots and Pans

    Nest them in neat stacks to save space and to make it easy to see the ones you need. Stow lids vertically in a wooden peg rack or in a rack attached to a cupboard door (be sure the door will close) or a wall.
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    Dishwasher Maintenance

    Clean the inside of the dishwasher. Wipe down its walls with a soft sponge dampened with warm water and several drops of a liquid automatic-dishwasher detergent. When you're finished, sprinkle the interior with baking soda, and run the light cycle.
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