Make your cabinets and countertops sparkle this season with simple soapy water
Soon kitchens will be buzzing with folks cooking, eating and entertaining. But, first comes the prep work. Make it easy on yourself and look at your kitchen in sections: cabinets, countertops, appliances and food. Clean the first three areas and shop for the last.
Clean cabinets and organize any clutter. If you have fine wood cabinetry, clean the surfaces with a damp cloth and mild soap or mild detergent solution. Avoid polish that contains silicone, wax or ammonia. Such additives will damage your varnish over time. Wax buildup can react to moisture, heat and solvents, and ammonia can soften the finish. Decorative hardware can be treated with warm soapy water too.
Wipe down countertops and dispose of clutter. Never use an abrasive cleaner on your countertops especially if they’re granite or quartz. Mild soap and water should do the trick. Many homeowners find that microfiber cloths work great at picking up dust and dirt without leaving streaks.
Clean appliances inside and out. Stainless still is a popular look but it can be hard to keep spotless. Always refer to your owner’s manual before cleaning with anything. Generally, clean stainless appliances with a mild detergent and warm water, and then wipe with paper towel to avoid water spots. If there are still spots, spray a glass cleaner onto a cloth and wipe down. For baked-on food and grease, try gently rubbing on a paste of baking soda and warm water. For scratches, use a stainless steel cleaner and follow the directions.
Grocery shop and restock the shelves. Instead of taking lists, notes and recipes to the store, keep track of necessities on your phone. Take pictures of recipes and ingredients you’ll need and refer to your photo library while shopping.
The last thing, and most important, is to enjoy holiday entertaining with your loved ones. At Swita Cabinetry, we feel blessed to have created so many beautiful kitchens for our customers to share with family and friends during their annual celebrations.
From all of us at Swita Cabinetry,
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
