How to Clean a Kitchen

No one likes to clean the house, but it has to be done. As blind and visually impaired people, the first impression we make on others is the most important. Keeping your kitchen clean not only shows that you are a clean person, it shows that you provide a healthy and safe environment for your family. Follow these steps to have your kitchen sparkling in no time.

1. Get your favorite cd or tune to your favorite radio station and turn it up.
2. Pick up any clutter or misplaced items and put them away.
3. Wash the dishes. Using a squirt of liquid dish detergent, fill sink or dish pan with water that is as hot as you can stand to touch. Start with drinking glasses and coffee mugs, then wash silverware, followed by plates and bowls. Wash all pots or pans last, to allow them to soak for the maximum amount of time.
4. Rinse the sink and wipe it clean with a kitchen spray and paper towels or kitchen rag.
5. Wipe all counter surfaces and the surface of the stove using a disinfectant kitchen spray.
6. If necessary, remove burners from stove to be cleaned. Soak in either a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda or hot soapy water for 30 minutes. Scrub using old sponge, brillo pad, or steel wool. Rinse, dry, and replace burners.
7. Look through cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer. Dispose of any items that are expired or appear to be old and unused.
8. Empty trash if necessary.
9. Sweep the kitchen floor, being sure to move furniture as needed in order to access all surfaces.Mop the floor. Use mop of choice and a bucket filled with hot soapy water. The soap can be of choice, but it is advised to use a cleaner made for floors, such as Pine-Sol, Mr. Clean, or Spic n' Span. Follow the directions on the bottle for diluting the cleaner. Typically this is 1/4 cup cleaner mixed with 1 gallon warm or hot water. Dip mop into soapy water, squeeze out excess liquid from the mop, and wipe the floor. Repeat until the entire floor surface has been mopped. Allow to dry completely before re-entering.

Regularly replace cleaning materials such as rags and sponges, to avoid contamination.
Keep all cleaning supplies and chemicals away from chilldren.