Hayley Simmons, director of British kitchen company Magnet, told FEMAIL that household ingredients are an economical way to clean.
A kitchen expert shared how you can use pantry staples like non-stick cooking spray, salt and lemon juice to deep clean your kitchen.
Hayley Simmons, director of British kitchen company Magnet, told FEMAIL that household ingredients are a cost-effective way to clean.
She also said that the most important thing to consider when it comes to a general kitchen cleaning is to leave enough time to get the job done well.
“Deep cleaning the kitchen can be a chore for many, but there is nothing more rewarding than a spotless kitchen. Those sparkling appliances, perfectly organized cabinets and flawless work surfaces just make you feel good,” she said.
She also shared five natural cleaning alternatives that will help you save time and money while being more environmentally friendly when spring cleaning your kitchen.
Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar – for the oven
Cleaning an oven can be one of the most difficult and messy jobs in the kitchen, but this combination can save you hours of cleaning.
“Simply mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply to the walls and grates of your oven, where the sizzling reaction between these acidic and alkaline ingredients will help lift burnt food. Leave the mixture to act for half an hour, then wipe with a soapy sponge, ”the expert said.
Cooking spray can be used to make everyday items non-stick so they’re easier to clean.
Water and distilled vinegar – to remove accumulated dirt.
“You don’t have to resort to harsh, harmful chemicals to deal with the greasy buildup that builds up on your range hood after months of cooking delicious meals,” she said.
Instead, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of water and distilled vinegar, spray generously on the hood and leave for 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth.
“Distilled vinegar can also be used to descale a kettle. Add vinegar and bring to a boil. Then let it sit for an hour, then empty and rinse, and your kettle should look like new.”
Lemon – to fight fat
Like vinegar, lemon juice is another great natural oil-fighting agent, and it leaves your kitchen smelling wonderfully fragrant and fresh.
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Heating a cup of lemon juice in the microwave for three minutes, or until the liquid has evaporated, will remove stubborn burn marks so they can be easily wiped off with a sponge, leaving your microwave spotlessly clean.
Salt – for cleaning cutting boards.
Because wood is a porous material, removing stains and discoloration from a wood cutting board can be especially difficult.
“Fortunately, there is a simple answer to this age-old problem: salt. Sprinkle a cutting board with coarse sea salt, then use half a lemon to scrape the coarse granules from the surface, loosening the stuck dirt,” she advised.
For plastic cutting boards, mix baking soda, vinegar and lemon instead, she added.
Non-stick cooking spray – to protect kitchen tools
“This one is not directly used to help you clean up, but it will make the end job easier. The next time you grate cheese, drizzle it with non-stick cooking oil first,” she said.
“This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the metal, making it much easier to clean. Cooking spray can also be used when measuring out sticky substances such as honey or syrup, first spray on a dish or bowl to then pour it without a stick.
The expert also said preparation before doing big cleaning jobs is key, this includes setting aside enough time and getting everything out of the room before starting.
She also says it’s important to make a list of the things you plan to put away to ensure every job gets done.