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[K18]Keep The Kitchen Clean

by Martin, Mar

Investing in new kitchen cabinets is a sure-fire way of improving the general lookand feel of your kitchen area and simultaneously raising the value of yourproperty (whether it is your home or office space) considerably. Choosing the kitchen cupboards for your home oroffice is one thing, keeping them in a good condition is quite another. I haveput together some tips that will help you to keep your cabinetry as good as newwith the minimum of fuss.

1. Clean regularly: Kitchens are a breedingground for all kinds of nasty moulds and bacteria, and keeping your surfaceareas and kitchen cabinets cleanwill go a long way to ensuring a hygienic food preparation area. While surfaceareas require daily cleaning, kitchencupboards only need a thorough scrubbing once every two weeks. Keeping upwith this schedule will ensure that your cabinets do not become dull and?gummy?, as untended kitchen furniture is prone to do.

2. Match your cleaning product to your surface type: Most modern-day kitchencupboards are finished with a catalysed conversion varnish. This type ofvarnish is the easiest to clean and only require the occasional wipe with adamp cloth. If there is a stain that is particularly hard to get out, you mighttry a bit of soapy water, but steer clear of any abrasives of waxy products ?these will just shorten the lifespan of the surfaces.

Metal inserts and joinery canbe cleaned using mild soap and water. Most of the metal parts found oncontemporary kitchen cabinets aremanufactured with a coating that protects against corrosion and abrasion andcleaning the joinery with harsh chemicals will strip it of this protectivelayer. Simply give it a thorough wiping with a damp cloth once a week.

3. Raid the pantry: Television- andmagazine advertisements will have us all think that we need a variety of costlycleaning products to keep our homes clean. In fact, most of what you need isalready in your pantry. Baking soda, for instance, is suitable for removingmost common household stains from cabinet surfaces. Use two or threetablespoons of baking soda per cup of warm water and gently remove grease andstubborn splatters with a sponge. Afterwards, rinse down with cold water anddab with a paper towel. Alternatively, use a combination of equal parts vinegarand warm water and get rid of food build-up in no time.

4. A stitch in time saves nine: Keepingyour kitchen clean does not need to take long if you keep on top of things.Here are a few hints that will cut your cleaning time in half:

? Clean spills and liquidsimmediately.

? Do not leave newspapers andother printed media on cabinet surfaces, the ink can seep into the surfacefinishing and in time, leave unattractive (and stubborn) marks.

? Instead of sliding objectsacross surfaces, pick it up and minimise the risk of scratching.

5. Be gentle: It's understandable that youmight want to break out a scrubbing brush or steel wool pad at the first signof a stain, but rather refrain ? often, a simple wiping with a damp cloth willhave the same effect, while keeping your kitchencabinets? protective surfaces intact.

And there you have it. Follow these fewsimple guidelines and keep your kitchencupboards and other office furniturelooking brand new without spending the earth.

What is it about kitchen floors that attract not only all kinds of fallen food particles, but dust bunnies, pet hair, and other random small pieces of debris? This accumulation of "stuff" is unsanitary in general, and for those with small children, temptation for taste-testing and choking hazards. Dirt and dust kicked up from a kitchen floor can end up in food and cooking utensils. Using an effective cleaning method can drastically help maintain floor cleanliness prior to and in between mopping. For many people, a clean sweep broom is an economical, easy answer.

Choosing a Broom
Many people opt for a kitchen broom because they are lightweight, easy to use and store, and are economical in both cost and time. There are many broom styles available, each with different purposes. While many people are aware of some basic brooms, such as a large push broom, wide clean sweep broom, or hand broom, many consumers may not be aware of the differences in design. Everything from bristle content to shape and handle length can affect the usefulness of the broom. However, when chosen appropriately, the correct broom can make a "clean sweep" of cleaning.

A kitchen broom's effectiveness depends on the type of bristles (synthetic verses natural), how well the bristles contain debris, and how well they sweep debris into a dustpan. A clean sweep broom is the best choice for a kitchen. Clean sweep brooms typically have a wider head, with some up to three feet wide. However, if too wide, the broom can be difficult to maneuver in a kitchen space. A clean sweep broom designed for kitchen use is easier to use while still offering the benefits of the clean sweep design. A shorter head also makes transferring to a dustpan much easier.

A stiff bristle that sprays dust around when using a dustpan defeats the purpose. Likewise, using a clean sweep broom and then switching to a handheld broom is an inefficient use of time (and a handheld broom may not do any better of a job at transferring debris into a dustpan). To avoid the spread of dust, look for a clean sweep broom that has frayed or "flagged" bristles. This helps the broom lock in debris, particularly small dust particles. The flagged design of a clean sweep broom also makes it effective on a variety of flooring styles, from bumpy laminate to tile to hardwood. Soft bristles also reduce or eliminate floor damage. An angled head can help reach those nooks and crannies, as well. A kitchen broom head that is angled or splayed on either side eliminates the need to switch the broom around, which in turn keeps the dust under control.

The handle length is also an important element to consider. If too short, poor posture and back strain can result. Look for a kitchen broom with ample length, but not so long that it is difficult to maneuver when sweeping into the dustpan. When used with an upright dustpan, sweeping and clean up can be a breeze. A handle ranging from about thirty-six to forty inches is comfortable for most people. Ideally, the clean sweep broom will have a method of hanging, such as a hole in the top end of the handle or a cord. Hanging the broom when not in use protects the bristles from damage and keeps moisture from accumulating in the bristles.

The Care of a Clean Sweep Broom
Can you clean a broom? Absolutely. Avoid banging the head of a broom against a wall or other hard surface to shake out the dust, as this can damage the head and pollute the immediate air space. (Nor is this the broom to use for beating area rugs to clean them!) Instead, look for a broom that is made from fibers such as plastics that rinse clean easily. Rinsing is more effective and keeps the dust controlled. Adding mild soap and water will assist in the process if there is a lot of dust buildup. If the heads are removable with The the cleaning process is that much simpler. If the broom head becomes moldy, try cleaning it first, and if it is still too dirty, replace the head. Hanging a clean sweep, or any other type of broom, will help eliminate moisture getting into the bristles, which can develop into mold or mildew. Synthetic bristle fibers help reduce the chances of molds or mildews developing, although proper storage is still required.

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About Author

Both Martin & Vincent Platania are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Martin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Sales and Negotiation, Erectile Dysfunction and Sales and Negotiation. Martin Johnson heads up a company that produces . They recently added a range of high quality. Martin's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.

Vincent Platania has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Family Concerns and Home Management. Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company.Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit. Vincent Platania's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.