6 Ways To Deep Clean Your Kitchen After Meal Prep
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Meal prepping is an easy way to get all your cooking done at the start of the week. However, you may have piles of dishes to do and tough stains to get rid of on your stove and countertops. Roll up your sleeves and find out the best ways to deep-clean your kitchen after meal prep to keep your kitchen organized and tidy.
1. Start With the Dishes
Taking care of the dishes first grants you access to the sink while you’re cleaning your kitchen. Fill one side of the sink with hot, soapy water and soak pots, pans, and utensils while you wash the plates. For stubborn bits of grime, use a non-abrasive scrubber to avoid scratching your cookware.
Be sure to protect your aluminum items from corrosion by rinsing them thoroughly and drying them completely before storing them. With all your pots and pans out of the way, you can tackle the rest of your kitchen with ease.
2. Degrease the Stove
Your stove may need a thorough cleaning afterward if you tend to spill ingredients from your pans. Use a degreasing spray or a mixture of baking soda and water to break down stubborn grease. Scrub the grates or burners separately and don’t forget to wipe underneath the knobs to properly deep-clean your kitchen after meal prep.
3. Sanitize Countertops
Clear off your countertops and wipe them down with a disinfectant spray or a mixture of vinegar and water. Doing so is especially important if you prepare your dishes with raw meat or sticky ingredients on your countertops. Sanitizing the area will keep the space clean and safe for the next time you cook a meal.
4. Clean Your Sink
Your sink can harbor bacteria after washing dishes and rinsing raw ingredients. Scrub your sink with baking soda and vinegar to remove any grime and odors to make the surface pristine. Don’t forget to clean the faucet handles and spout as well since you likely touched them with messy hands.
5. Organize Leftovers and Ingredients
After leaving your dishes out to cool, make sure to properly store all leftover ingredients and prepped meals. Wipe down your fridge shelves if anything spills, and label your containers so you can find them easily throughout the week.
6. Sweep and Mop the Floors
Post-meal prep, there’s bound to be crumbs and spills on the floor. Sweep up the debris and then mop with warm, soapy water or a floor cleaner. Once you pick up the scraps, throw them away and toss out the garbage bag outside.
Try to clean up as you prepare your dishes to avoid countless hours of cleaning after you finish cooking. Wipe down the countertop or wash a few dishes before moving on to the next step as you wait for the meat to thaw or the ingredients to roast. With these cleaning tips in mind, you’ll be able to manage your time wisely and have a clean kitchen without stress!
