I originally wrote this article for YMIB.com
This would be a great weekend project!
“Spring cleaning is the period in spring time set aside for cleaning a house, normally applied in climates with a cold winter.”
The kitchen, for many, serves as the heart of the home. It can also be one of the more unsanitary places in the home with the amount of food and foot traffic. I trust the following routine will serve a quick spring cleanup.
Lets start with some basic household cleansers:
*AVOID the following:
AMMONIA It is a very volatile chemical, it is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin.
BLEACH It is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested.
DRAIN CLEANER Most drain cleaners contain lye, hydrochloric acid or trichloroethane. Lye: Caustic, burns skin and eyes, if ingested will damage esophagus and stomach. Hydrochloric acid: Corrosive, eye and skin irritant, damages kidneys, liver and digestive tract. Trichloroethane: Eye and skin irritant, nervous system depressant; damages liver and kidneys.
DISHWASHER DETERGENTS Most products contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated.# 1 cause of child poisonings, according to poison control centers.
DRAIN CLEANER Most drain cleaners contain lye, hydrochloric acid or trichloroethane. Lye: Caustic, burns skin and eyes, if ingested will damage esophagus and stomach. Hydrochloric acid: Corrosive, eye and skin irritant, damages kidneys, liver and digestive tract. Trichloroethane: Eye and skin irritant, nervous system depressant; damages liver and kidneys.
MOLD AND MILDEW CLEANERS Chemicals contained are: Sodium hypochlorite: Corrosive, irritates or burns skin and eyes, causes fluid in the lungs which can lead to coma or death. Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Irritant to eyes, nose, throat, and skin. May cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath.
OVEN CLEANER Sodium Hydroxide (Lye): Caustic, strong irritant, burns to both skin and eyes. Inhibits reflexes, will cause severe tissue damage if swallowed.
ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS may contain: Triclosan: Absorption through the skin can be tied to liver damage.
MAKE YOUR OWN
1. APC (ALL PURPOSE CLEANSER) Vinegar and salt in warm water, add a dash of your favorite essential oil.
2. DRAIN CLEANER 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. After 20 minutes, 1/2 gallon of boiling water.
3. THE SANITIZER Half a lemon.
4. AIR FRESHENER boil a pot of your favorite herb.
5. SURFACE REFRESHER (gets rid of odors): Baking Soda dissolved in hot water.
6. Oven Cleanser Paste: ¼ c. baking soda, 2 tbsp. salt, few tablespoons hot water to create paste. Mix everything together and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Make sure to keep off of any wires.
ITEMS TO HAVE ON DECK
For Fridge:
Gloves
Dish Clothes, Rags, and/or Towels, some for cleaning and some for drying
The Above Cleansers
Garbage Bags
Mop and Bucket
Broom and Dust pan
Ipod or radio
Now let’s tackle that fridge:
THE FRIDGE
Unplug the fridge first. If you have highly perishable items, you can put them in an ice chest with ice packs. The fridge will stay cool for up to 4 hours and up to 24 hours for the freezer.
Task 1: Go through and dispose of any expired items, old foods, and misc items you will not use.
Task 2: Remove anything that can be removed, the door shelves, the inner shelves, and the lower drawers. All should be washed in hot water using either your APC and the surface refresher or one of the eco friendly dish detergents. Dry. You can rub the half lemon over the inner shelves and allow to air dry as you tackle the rest of the tasks.
Task 3: Wash the rest of the fridge with the APC and Surface Refresher. Dry
Task 4: Clean the outside of the fridge, behind and below. It may require you moving it to get to the crevices but will be well worth it.
MAIN AREA
Let’s get to cleaning:
If you like cleaning to music, this is one of the best times to break out the trusty ipod along with your gloves.
Task 1: CLEAR AWAY THE CLUTTER
Make sure that any items lingering around are put back in there proper place.
Go through the cabinets to check for any expired items and dispose.
Sweep the floor, behind any appliances and dispose.
Task 2: THE SINK
Wash any and all dishes that need to be cleaned. Fill the sink with hot water and dish soap. Wash items in this order (allowing for soaking time for tougher items): cups, utensils, bowls, plates, pots and pans.
Drain the sink and wash using a combination of water, baking soda, and lemon juice.
Use the drain cleaner (2. DRAIN CLEANER 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. After 15- 20 minutes, 1/2 gallon of boiling water.)
If you have a stainless steel sink, after washing, dry, and put olive or peanut oul on a cloth, and polish the entire sink and fixtures. Follow up by cleaning with a dry cloth. Using the oil also helps to remove water spots.
Task 3: THE SURFACES
Spray and wipe of the counter tops using the apc (all purpose cleanser)
Mop the floor.
You are complete.
THE OVEN
Task 1: Remove any drip pans and coil burners. Using APC, clean your stove surface
Task 2: Wash drip pans in warm soapy water.
Task 3: Making sure you have your gloves on securely, scrub the inside of your oven, with the Oven Cleanser Paste and wipe clean. For tougher areas of debris or stains, apply paste and turn on oven to 500 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and let sit for another hour and until cool. Using a damp sponge or cloth, remove debris.
Once complete with all tasks, you can use our above air freshener.
Congratulations! You have just spring cleaned/detoxed your kitchen. Enjoy the cleanliness of your labor
*Avoid list Source: http://frederickhousecleaning.blogspot.com/2007/11/top-10-hazardous-household-chemicals.html
