Want to really get your kitchen clean? Are there parts of your kitchen that you just can’t seem to get as clean as you’d like?

Sure, we wipe down the counters and clean the sink, but we just never seem to get around to some of the other parts of the kitchen that need cleaning, too. Or, if you’re like me, there were areas in my kitchen I wished I could clean better, but hadn’t found the best tool for the job yet.

Well, here are 10 ways to clean those kitchen items you didn’t think could get clean or you haven’t even thought about cleaning for a while so you CAN really get your kitchen clean.

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1. The dishwasher.

You probably don’t think about cleaning the dishwasher (much like we don’t think about cleaning the washing machine), but it really does help to improve its performance and it’s really easy to do.  Simply run a cycle using the hottest water possible and setting a measuring cup of vinegar in the top rack.  

Once that cycle is done, take out the now water-filled cup and sprinkle baking soda on the floor of the dishwasher.  Run another cycle, again with hot water, and when done your dishwasher will be sparkling clean and fresh smelling again!

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2. Garbage disposal.

You know how stinky a garbage disposal can get and it really is easy to clean.  Freeze vinegar and lemon or orange slices in an ice cube tray.  Pop a couple in and run the disposal every few weeks to make it smell fresh and clean and (as a bonus) the ice will help sharpen the blades.

3.  Kitchen sponges.

Studies have shown that the kitchen sponge is the germiest thing in our kitchens. Yuck!  

Keep it clean and sanitized by mixing vinegar and water in a bowl, soak the sponge in it and microwave the sponge for a minute or two.  Remove with tongs – it will be hot.  Then use a binder clip to help it stay standing upright to stay dry instead of lying in water in the sink or on the counter.

You can also use a sponge basket that attaches right to the side of your sink to speed up drying of your sponges.

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4. Cutting boards.

Wooden cutting boards.

For a wooden board, use a cut lemon dipped in salt to scrub the board.  It will take away stains and clean your cutting board at the same time.  Once rinsed, buff it with a bit of vegetable or food-safe mineral oil to keep it from drying out and splitting.

Plastic cutting boards.

For plastic boards, Soak them for half an hour or so in a sink with about a 1/2 cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of hot water. When done soaking, wash them with regular dish soap or run them through a dishwasher cycle to remove the bleach.  They will be sparkling white and thoroughly disinfected.

5. Rust on knives.

Yes, I know I’m not supposed to put my good knives in the dishwasher, but I have a life other than hand-washing knives, so I do run them through the dishwasher. Sometimes they come out with rust spots.  Soak them in lemon juice for 15 minutes and the rust spots will vanish!

Do you have rust on some of your gardening or other tools?

Here’s another kitchen staple that will help clean them up in a jiffy!

6. Tupperware and other plastic storage containers.

Tomato sauce and Tupperware just don’t mix, do they? One of the best ways to remove those stains is to put them out in the sun for 3-4 hours.  The sun bleaches out the stains.  You can also use diluted lemon juice.  First, wash the container with hot soapy water.  Rinse with hot water and add a mixture of a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with enough water to cover the stain.  Let it soak overnight. 

 If the stain is still there after either of those methods, then try the other one, too.  Here is how I used both for a really stubborn tomato stain, but as you can see in the photo below, it really worked well.

As a professional organizer, I know how important it is to keep your kitchen organized. It can be a real challenge to organize plastic containers and lids so you have just the amount you need, both for everyday use as well as special occasions. 

So once your plastic containers are clean, here is how to keep them neatly organized!

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7.  Microwave.

Mix 2 c. water and 2 tbsp. vinegar in a glass measuring cup or bowl and microwave long enough to boil the water (about 3 minutes).  Then let it sit for another couple of minutes to let the steam really clean.  It will soften the baked-on splatters and makes it much easier to just wipe clean with a sponge. No scrubbing!

8. Stainless steel appliances.

Using glass cleaner works great on stainless steel appliances.  So does wiping it down with white vinegar.  But if you are afraid of using chemicals on your stainless steel, simply use water to wet a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down your appliances. Be sure to wipe the same direction as the grain.

No matter which type of cleaner you use, cnce you’ve got it sparkling clean, LIGHTLY polish it with either baby oil or car wax to keep it finger-print free for a long time.

9. How to shine up copper pots and pans.

Use ketchup!  Yup, the vinegar and salt in the ketchup shines up copper like a breeze, so your pots and pans look like new again! Here’s how I did it. 

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10. Clean between the glass panels of the oven door.

Those weird drips that magically appear inside the glass of my oven door drives me crazy!  Where the heck do they come from anyway?

I found a great tutorial on how to use a bent coat hanger to get in-between the glass panels with a rag dipped in glass cleaner to finally get that oven door glass clean!!!  Be still, my OCD cleaning heart!

I hope you found these kitchen cleaning tips helpful!

Need more help cleaning and organizing your kitchen?

Here is how to organize your pantry (and keep it that way)!

What other kitchen cleaning tips do you use? Please share in the comments!

Happy cleaning!

~ Pam