This Blog post is about Kitchen Cleaning Hacks
Alright, girlfriend, grab your coffee because I’m about to spill the tea on some kitchen cleaning hacks that’ll make your life so much easier! I’m Tilly, your crafty, cheerleader bestie, and I’m beyond excited to share these 13 genius ideas with you.
These aren’t just random tips—these are the kind of hacks I wish I’d known years ago when I was scrubbing my counters like a madwoman after my infamous spaghetti sauce explosion (true story, and let’s just say my kitchen looked like a crime scene).
I’ve tested these out myself, and trust me, you’d be crazy not to try them right away. Let’s dive in—your sparkling kitchen awaits!
1. Lemon and Salt Scrub for Cutting Boards
I’m obsessed with this one because it’s so simple and smells amazing. My wooden cutting board used to look like it had seen better days—stains from chopping beets and a faint garlic vibe that just wouldn’t quit. This hack changed everything.
Picture this: Your kitchen counter glowing under soft sunlight, a halved lemon sitting next to a little pile of coarse salt, and that fresh citrus scent wafting up as you scrub your board clean.
How-To:
- Sprinkle coarse salt over your cutting board.
- Grab half a lemon and use it like a scrubber, rubbing the salt into the wood.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry.
Tip: The acid in the lemon kills bacteria, and the salt buffs out stains—goodbye, grime!
2. Baking Soda Paste for Stubborn Pots
You know those pots that look like they’ve been through a war zone after taco night? This is my go-to fix, and it’s cheap as heck.
Picture this: Your stovetop shining, a scorched pot in the sink, and a creamy white paste bubbling away the mess like magic.
How-To:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a splash of water to make a paste.
- Spread it over the stuck-on gunk.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a sponge—rinse and done!
Tip: Add a drop of dish soap for extra grease-fighting power.
3. Vinegar Microwave Steam Clean
Okay, confession: I used to dread cleaning my microwave because of the splattered tomato soup incidents (I’m messy, sue me). This hack makes it a breeze.
Picture this: Your microwave door open, steam rising from a bowl of vinegar-water, and that gross smell fading away as you wipe it down.
How-To:
- Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup water and 1/4 cup white vinegar.
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
- Wipe the inside with a damp cloth—everything slides right off!
Tip: Leave the door open after to air it out—fresh and clean!
4. Dish Soap and Baking Soda for Oven Racks
Oven racks are the worst, right? I avoided mine until this trick saved me from the grease nightmare.
Picture this: Your bathtub (yep, bathtub!) lined with an old towel, shiny racks soaking in a foamy mix, and you sipping coffee while it works.
How-To:
- Lay racks in the tub on a towel.
- Sprinkle baking soda over them, then drizzle with dish soap.
- Fill with hot water, soak for an hour, scrub lightly, and rinse.
Tip: Dry them with a microfiber cloth for that extra sparkle.
5. Coffee Filter Dusting for Appliances
I stumbled on this when I ran out of paper towels, and now it’s my secret weapon for shiny appliances.
Picture this: Your stainless steel fridge gleaming under the kitchen lights, a stack of coffee filters on the counter, and not a streak in sight.
How-To:
- Grab a dry coffee filter (unused, obviously!).
- Wipe down your fridge, toaster, or whatever’s dusty.
- Toss the filter—no mess, no fuss!
Tip: They’re lint-free, so they beat regular rags every time.
6. Olive Oil for Stainless Steel Shine
This one’s straight from my “I can’t afford fancy polish” days, and it works like a charm.
Picture this: Your sink sparkling, a tiny drop of golden olive oil on a soft cloth, and that satisfying mirror finish as you buff.
How-To:
- Dab a little olive oil on a microfiber cloth.
- Rub it onto your stainless steel surfaces in small circles.
- Buff with a dry cloth for a streak-free shine.
Tip: Less is more—too much oil gets sticky!
7. Dryer Sheet Pan Cleaner
I laughed when my mom suggested this, but after trying it on my lasagna pan? Game-changer.
Picture this: Your sink with a crispy pan soaking, a used dryer sheet floating on top, and burnt bits peeling off like magic.
How-To:
- Fill your pan with warm water and drop in a dryer sheet.
- Let it soak for an hour.
- Wipe off the gunk with a sponge—rinse and dry!
Tip: The fabric softener chemicals loosen the mess—wild, right?
8. Freezer Ice Melt with Hot Water
Spilled ice cream in my freezer once turned into a sticky disaster—until I found this trick.
Picture this: Your freezer door open, a bowl of steaming water inside, and ice melting away like it’s no big deal.
How-To:
- Place a bowl of hot water in the freezer.
- Close the door and wait 15 minutes.
- Wipe up the melted ice with a towel—easy peasy!
Tip: Unplug the freezer first if you’re paranoid like me.
9. Toothbrush Grout Scrub
Tile grout drives me nuts, but this hack makes it less of a chore.
Picture this: Your kitchen floor gleaming, a toothbrush dipped in a fizzy mix, and grout lines turning bright white again.
How-To:
- Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water.
- Dip an old toothbrush in and scrub the grout.
- Wipe with a damp cloth—good as new!
Tip: An electric toothbrush speeds this up if you’ve got one!
10. Ketchup for Copper Pots
Yes, ketchup! I tried this on my grandma’s old copper pot, and it’s now my party trick.
Picture this: Your counter with a shiny copper pot, a dollop of red ketchup smeared on, and tarnish vanishing before your eyes.
How-To:
- Rub ketchup onto the copper with a soft cloth.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Rinse and dry—hello, sparkle!
Tip: The acid in the ketchup does the heavy lifting.
11. Plastic Bag Grease Trap
I hate pouring grease down the drain (clogs are my enemy), so this is my lifesaver.
Picture this: Your stovetop with a sizzling pan, a plastic bag ready to catch the grease, and no mess in sight.
How-To:
- Let grease cool slightly in the pan.
- Pour it into a plastic bag over the sink.
- Seal and toss in the trash—no cleanup needed!
Tip: Double-bag if it’s a lot of grease.
12. Salt for Cast Iron Seasoning
My cast iron skillet is my baby, and this keeps it perfect.
Picture this: Your skillet on the stove, a handful of salt sizzling inside, and that rustic black finish looking flawless.
How-To:
- Sprinkle coarse salt into a warm skillet.
- Scrub with a paper towel to clean and season.
- Wipe out and store—no water needed!
Tip: Never use soap—it ruins the seasoning.
13. Dishwasher Deep Clean with Vinegar
My dishwasher started smelling funky, and this brought it back to life.
Picture this: Your dishwasher humming, a cup of vinegar on the top rack, and that fresh, clean scent filling the kitchen.
How-To:
- Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack.
- Run a hot cycle with nothing else inside.
- Open and air dry—smells gone!
Tip: Do this monthly to keep it fresh.
There you go, my friend—13 hacks that’ll have your kitchen sparkling without breaking a sweat! I’m so excited for you to try these—let me know which one’s your fave. Now, go tackle that mess like the rockstar you are, and I’ll be over here cheering you on with my coffee in hand!