Are you trying to cut down on harsh cleaning chemicals like I have? Honestly, using microfiber clothes has been the biggest cleaning game changer for me. Those things are magic!
Pro tip: Don’t use fabric softener on them!
I have been dipping my toes in a bit of kitchen cabinet deep cleaning. I see little crumbs and drip marks and it’s getting harder to ignore.
So this week, I pulled out my little rolling rack under the kitchen sink and did the hard thing. Why is wiping out that cabinet the worst? Well, right next to cleaning out the garbage can cabinet. That one is way worse!
If you’re around my age and still have deep lower cabinets without pull-out shelves, I highly recommend adding them. Ours were one of the best upgrades we’ve made to the kitchen.
I think all newer cabinets come with sliding drawers, but ours are old. Hub installed new ones several years ago and we are so glad now!
Anyway, I thought I would share my handy-dandy list of things I use to keep my kitchen clean and tidy – without anything too drastically harmful.
I’m not an affiliate, but I am linking products for your convenience.
Dawn Dish Soap
I honestly don’t know why I’d use anything else for countertops, cabinet doors, and appliances. Dawn cuts grease beautifully and leaves everything clean and fresh without an overpowering fragrance.
I will say that Dawn Power Wash is a strong smell and while I have used it for tough jobs, it’s more of a special occasion cleaner.
Sink Cleansers
Once or twice a week, or after preparing meat in the sink, I use a bit of bleachy cleanser like Comet or Ajax.
In between, I use a bit of Dawn to clean out the sink, The bleach cleanser also helps sanitize the sink after preparing raw meat.
But honestly? It’s mostly about the tea stains.
I drink gallons of tea, and man, it does a number on the porcelain sinks.
For jobs that require a more gentle cleanser I use Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami which are both fine to use on stubborn pots and pan bottoms (at least they are safe on my cookware).
Sponges and Dish Clothes
I know the big trend now is to use Swedish dish cloths, but we’ve had we’ve had a failed transition. Hub likes old-fashioned bar mops, so if it keeps him cleaning up after meals, that’s what we use.
I do like to use scratchy sponges to get hard food off dishes before they goes in the dishwasher. Costco now sells gigantic (surprise!) boxes of Scrub Mommy sponges which work great.
However, they are quite colorful and don’t look the greatest out on the countertop. They are kind of hard to hide. They are sort of the same colors street-crossing guards wear.
I also like the coconut/walnut scrub sponges I have ordered from Amazon.
Either of the sponges I use go into the dishwasher at the end of the day. I’m not sure how long the Scrub Mommy lasts, but the coconut sponges last a few go-rounds in the dishwasher and tend to fall apart.
Rubber Gloves
Even though I limit the chemicals, I like to use rubber gloves when I’m doing a lot of clean up in the kitchen. Which seems pretty much everyday. It saves the manicure and the amount of hand lotion I use.
Microfiber Cloths
I know I have written this before, but I no longer use any stainless cleaners in my kitchen. After everything is cleaned off, I go over the outside of my appliances with a bit of sudsy Dawn water and then wipe them dry with a microfiber cloth.
I still hate this chore, but the outcome is much better.
Using a fresh cloth to dry glassware or silverware will remove any water spots easier than a regular tea towel.
Microfiber cloths have changed the way I clean the bathroom, too.
Kitchen Sink Plunger
Several years ago we purchased a short-handle plunger dedicated to the kitchen sink for any garbage disposal clogging issues.
Apparently that has paid-off the disposal gods, because I don’t think we’ve had to use it.
One thing you don’t want is a clogged drain on Thanksgiving with only the toilet plunger available.
Dishwasher Detergent
I have gone away from using plastic-covered pods and now buy old-fashioned powder dishwasher detergent. It cleans great and I can control how much or little I use.
I also like being able to adjust the amount depending on how full the dishwasher is.
Kitchen Drying Racks
I have all kinds of little gizmos for drying when I need them. I have the cute little triangle rack for drying sponges and cloths.
The rolling dish rack allows me to use two tiers of drying in my sink when I’ve got a big dish job going on the sink.
Then I found a drying mat cheap during a Hobby Lobby run and it’s worked great. It folds into fourths and tucks right next to my clean microfibers when I’m not using it.
Our kitchen is not huge, so keeping the countertops clear is a priority for me. All these handy gizmos fit nicely in my little rolling doo-dad and make me happy.
Three Things I Don’t Buy Anymore
- Stainless steel cleaner
- Dishwasher pods
- Disposable cleaning wipes (I still keep on hand for the cat little room!)
Wrap Up & Final Thoughts
We’re home safe and sound after an amazing Alaska vacation. I still owe you one final installment from that trip if you’re planning an Alaska adventure yourself. But first, I’m taking a little break from travel and getting back to one of my favorite subjects—making home life a little easier.
I know it’s August, but never too late to start spring cleaning, right?
Big August plans in your world? Please share.
Much love and thanks for being here with me.