Martha Stewart's Kitchen Secrets: 15 Creative Tricks to Make Cleaning a Cinch

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A chef's kitchen is the site of countless culinary triumphs -- and even more clutter-filled cleanups. Thwart chaos in the kitchen with Martha's 15 most creative cleanup tips from "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook."

01 of 07

Create a Consolidated Cleaning Caddy

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In lieu of crowding a cupboard with haphazardly strewn cleaning agents, build a cleaning caddy to house your essential items. Martha's recommended cleaning caddy components include paper towels, microfiber cloths, a toothbrush, scouring pads in white and green nylon, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum polish, soft white cloths, kitchen brushes, a selection of fresh and old sponges, mild dishwashing soap, all-purpose household cleaner, mild abrasive cleaner, baking soda, white vinegar, glass cleaner, and gloves.

02 of 07

Corral Clutter with Cups

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Stylized small containers can creatively corral loose odds and ends. Make cleanliness a creative endeavor by dividing your minute kitchen items into charming cups or saucers for each drawer. The result is aesthetically pleasing and promotes a pristine kitchen.

03 of 07

Give Dirty Dishware a Salty Scrub

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If the remnants of your latest culinary masterpiece are stubbornly clinging to your cookery, rub down the pot or pan with a dry sponge and salt for a spot-free surface.

04 of 07

Use a Baking Soda Boil for Patchy Pots

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Baked-on food need not be the bane of your existence. Boil ¼ cup baking soda with several cups of water, and allow the pot to sit for an hour, then remove spots of food with a nonabrasive cooking utensil.

05 of 07

Pop a Cork for Cleaner Knives

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Diane Fields

Dip a clean wine cork in mild dishwashing liquid to gently buff away knife stains. Alternatively, use a cocktail of lemon juice and coarse salt to treat the stain.

06 of 07

Keep Wooden Kitchen Tools Mildew-Free with Bleach

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Water can warp wood and cause mildew. Instead of soaking wooden kitchen tools in water, dampen a cloth with a solution composed of ten parts water and one part chlorine bleach to thoroughly cleanse wooden implements.

07 of 07

Refresh Your Garbage Disposal with an Aromatic Cocktail

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An abundance of food particles left to linger in your garbage disposal can make for an unappetizing aroma. Give the garbage disposal a fragrant, deodorizing treatment with ground citrus peels or vinegar ice cubes.

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