You know spring cleaning time is here, and since I’ve been discussing cleaning in the kitchen – particularly ways to deep clean your oven – this week’s Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Challenge is all about the kitchen.
I would love to challenge you to clean your oven with my all-natural method. But you might find yourself a little strapped for time or motivation this week.
So, this week’s Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to clean your appliances naturally. You can clean one. You can clean them all. It’s completely up to you.
The challenge comes in using all-natural do-it-yourself cleaning recipes. You can do it. I know you can! I know it’s absolutely possible because it’s what I did this year – and it was admittedly a first for me.
In case you’re looking for some ideas, here are some possibilities:
- Clean your microwave with a bowl of water and lemon juice. Simply microwave the lemon water until boiling, and then leave the door shut for a few minutes. Be careful when you move the bowl, because it will be HOT. Wipe down the moistened interior and scrub – if you must – with the hot lemon water. Again, be careful you don’t get burned by the hot water.
- Scrub crusty smudges and crumbs off your stand mixer, toaster, toaster oven, and coffee maker. (Come on. Please tell me I’m not the only one with crusty and smudges kitchen tools!)
- Clean out your coffee maker by running a cycle of water and white vinegar, followed by a couple cycles of plain water.
- Using castile soap and water – or vinegar and water – clean out the inside of your refrigerator and freezer. Throw out any expired food or almost-emptied food containers.
- Using baking soda, white vinegar and a scrubbing sponge (or simply a wadded up piece of used aluminum foil … what a way to recycle!) scrub the inside of your oven.
- When you’re finished with the scrubbing, be sure to shine the outside of your appliances. You can make your own spray with two tablespoons white vinegar, one cups of water, and five drops of lemon juice (or essential lemon oil).
Talk back
What kitchen appliances do you love to regularly clean? Which ones do you dread cleaning? How did your Kitchen Challenge go? Please let me know by commenting below. Or, share your experience on Facebook.
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Julie Bastuk says
I DREAD cleaning the George Foreman grill and I despise cleaning my ovens. But, I will make myself do it….although I’m not sure I can handle the sound of aluminum foil cleaning the inside of the oven…might have to find a less “grating” alternative! :)
Hilary Kimes Bernstein says
Yay! I totally understand the dread of cleaning ovens, but just think … once it’s done, then it’s done. :)