Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cleaning Tips

The cleaning supplies aisle of the grocery store is filled with cleaners designed to tackle every inch of your house. While these supplies may be effective in removing stains, spills and smells, they also contain chemicals that you may want to avoid. Fortunately, there are some natural and environmentally friendly options to use that will get the job done, many of which are already in your cabinets. At Pottery Barn, we’ve put together these eco-friendly cleaning tips to help you make your kitchen shine.

 

Make Counters, Appliances and Fixtures Sparkle

Every kitchen needs a good all-purpose cleaner. This helps remove food, grease and grime from counters, kitchen tables and fixtures to keep them looking brand new. It’s easy and inexpensive to make an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner. Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 gallon of water. Pour the mixture in spray bottles to make it easier to use. The baking soda and vinegar work together to remove water deposits, stuck-on food and other kitchen messes. Spray this blend onto countertops and appliances. Let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it away with a damp cloth.

 

One great kitchen sink cleaning tip is to use this mixture on faucets to remove water stains and make them shine. This cleaner is forgiving, too. Unlike bleach cleaners, you don’t have to worry about discoloration if you accidentally get it on your table runner, kitchen curtains or clothing.

 

Get the Grime out of Tile Grout

Tiles really make a kitchen look nice. However, the grout requires special cleaning. Liquids, dirt and food get stuck in the grout and eventually cause discoloration. One of the best kitchen tile cleaning tips is to skip bleach or other harsh chemicals. There’s also no need to scrub each and every piece with a small toothbrush. Instead, combine one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray this on the grout. Let it sit for one hour before wiping it down. The peroxide goes to work in eliminating any mold and restoring the grout’s color.

 

Remove Odors from the Kitchen

Air fresheners are designed to mask bad odors in the kitchen. However, they’re filled with chemicals and often come in aerosol spray bottles. They don’t neutralize the odors or eliminate them at the source. So, you’ll have to use them frequently to mask smells – unless you eliminate those smells. Baking soda works well for absorbing odors. Open a box and place it in the back of the refrigerator for up to three months. This is also a kitchen cabinet cleaning tip. Place an open box of baking soda in the back of the cabinet to keep it smelling fresh. To remove odors from a garbage disposal, place lemon or orange peels in the disposal. Grind them up to release a fresh citrus scent. To freshen the air in the kitchen and across the entire house, simmer water with cinnamon, orange slices, cloves or other fragrant spices on the stove.

 

Shine Kitchen Floors

If you have wood, tile or vinyl floor coverings in your kitchen, they’ll shine with a bit of vinegar. Mix one part vinegar with nine parts warm water in a bucket. Mop as normal. The vinegar cuts through grease and dirt to leave the floor shining. Additionally, this mixture doesn’t leave any residue on the floor. Plus, it dries quickly. Mixing 1/2 cup baking soda in 2 gallons of water is an effective solution for scrubbing tile floors, especially if there’s any stuck-on dirt.

 

Scrub Pots and Pans Clean

Patience is a cheap and easy cleaner for pots and pans that have burnt-on food. Let them soak in the sink for several hours or overnight. This loosens the food so that it wipes away without harsh cleaners or scrubbing. Wet a dish towel and place it on top of the dirty pan. Let it sit for a few hours. Then, wipe the pan clean. 

 

You can also use salt to clean a cast iron skillet. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan over medium heat. Then, add 3 tablespoons of salt. Use tongs to hold a paper towel and scrub the pan clean. Leave the oil on the pan so that it’s seasoned for the next use. If you have copper or brass cups and utensils in your bar sets that are starting to tarnish, use ketchup and a soft cloth to remove tarnish.

 

Look for Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies

Baking soda, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide do a great job of cleaning and disinfecting most areas of your kitchen. However, there are some areas that might need a little more. In the marketplace today, you’ll find dozens of options for all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, disinfectants and more. When shopping for these products, look for supplies that use natural ingredients like citrus oils and chlorine-free oxygen cleaners. They get the kitchen just as clean without using chemicals that are harmful for the environment.

Are you ready for a sparkling-clean kitchen? Use these helpful tips to get it shining in just a few hours!