Whether you are cleaning your home's kitchen or the bathroom, here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your time as well as keep your home safer.
Begin the cleaning process in the main food preparation area and work your way out into the rest of the room. Working from the top down will help prevent tracking dirt and germs back into the main food handling areas of your kitchen.
As an alternative to commercial products, a vinegar solution mixed with hot water can be used on cabinets, walls, and appliances to help neutralize odors, remove dirt, and dissolve grease. For surfaces such as counters and sinks that may be used for food preparation activities, clean with a mild detergent and water, then follow with a disinfectant. For specialty surfaces, use the disinfecting agent recommended by the countertop manufacturer. In many instances, a bleach-based solution (one capful of household bleach per gallon of hot water) can be used.
While cleaning the kitchen, don't forget to check the cupboards, pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for expired foods. Discard any that are beyond the posted "use by" dates.
Just like in the kitchen, start the cleaning process in the bathroom at the top, working your way down and around the room, ending at the toilet. Baking soda is an environmentally friendly product that can be used for tough-to-clean areas in the bathroom that you don't want to scratch, such as bathtubs.
Periodically check medicine cabinets and drawers for old or expired dietary supplements, prescriptions, and other medicines. Unused medicines should never be flushed down the toilet, as they could eventually end up in your drinking water supply. Contact your local waste disposal provider for instructions on proper disposal of unused medicines.
