30 Day Spring Cleaning – Week 1: the Kitchen
The tasks for week one:
- Clean out refrigerator and freezer
- Clean out and organize pantry
- Clean cupboards and drawers
- Clean oven, dishwasher & other appliances
- Scrub surfaces, sink & clean under sink
Day One: Clean out refrigerator and freezer
I came across a post that gave the how-to on cleaning a fridge in 30 minutes or less. That seemed quick, but I am typically up for a challenge. And…I approximated that 30 minutes was all the time I had before my little one woke up from her nap. I couldn’t do it in 30 minutes! I took out all the shelves and drawers, so I did a thorough job. Otherwise I think 30 minutes would have been doable.
I typically use vinegar, water and paper towels to clean everything. Because I knew that cleaning my fridge would require many paper towels, I went a different route. I found a cleaning recipe from Clean Mama that used water, baking soda and castile soap. It worked very well. I like using Dr Woods Products Pure Almond Castile Soap with Organic Shea Butter 32 oz
Day Two: Clean out and organize pantry
Day Three: Clean cupboards and drawers
Because I thoroughly cleaned many of my cupboards recently, I spent much less time on this task. Use the 30 Day Spring Cleaning Challenge 2015 schedule as a guide, but focus on what you need to do in your home. Don’t spend time cleaning something just because I said so. ;)
Day Four: Clean oven, dishwasher & other appliances
Day Five: Scrub surfaces, sink & clean under sink
I use my simple vinegar/water recipe for cleaning most kitchen surfaces. The measurements are approximations…so easy that you do not even have to measure.
Here is my simple vinegar/water cleaning recipe:
one cup vinegar
three cups water
10 drops of tea tree essential oil
I like: Aura Cacia Essential Oil, Cleansing Tea Tree, 0.5 fluid ounce
UPDATE: I now use Force of Nature instead!
I use vinegar for cleaning often, but it’s not the perfect solution. Enter Force of Nature to turn vinegar into the perfect cleaning solution. This cleaner & disinfectant is as effective as bleach, but so gentle your kids could help you clean. Force of Nature has zero harmful chemicals, residues, or fumes. I use Force of Nature and love it.
It turns tap water, a capsule of salt, and vinegar into a cleaner and disinfectant. Force of Nature is on EPA’s List N, the disinfectants approved for use against Covid-19. Force of Nature is EPA registered for disinfecting and sanitizing hospitals, ICUs, schools (and more!) and kills 99.9% of germs.
Also: using Force of Nature can actually save you money vs typical natural cleaners & disinfectants? Even in the first year when you buy the Starter Kit.
Get 25% off plus free shipping on Starter Kits & Value Bundles. Use Force of Nature promo code: MAKEITSAFE (Valid through March 31.)
Here is how to clean your kitchen drain with just baking soda and vinegar :
- Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down into your drain.
- Pour 1 cup vinegar down your drain.
- Cover the drain with a bowl or plate to keep the fizzing in the drain and wait 5-10 minutes.
- Flush the drain with hot water.
This can also work to unclog your drain! I always try this first before I go out and buy one of the hard-core drain cleaners. Almost every time the baking soda and vinegar combo works so I can save money and I don’t have to breathe in the harsh and toxic chemicals. Occasionally I must do the process more than once, but it’s so cheap and easy!
Bonus Tip: I had very little deep cleaning to do in my kitchen. It’s so much more efficient if you don’t have to deep clean. I am all about using my time efficiently. Spending a few minutes here and there with maintenance cleaning is way easier than having to spend time scrubbing and deep-cleaning later. I abide by this for my entire kitchen…just wish I would do this for my tub also…
In case you missed the 30 Day Spring Cleaning Challenge, read full post here. Here is the PDF schedule: 30 Day Spring Cleaning Challenge 2015
I will be posting weekly to provide more detailed information on the tasks. I will provide links, tips and cleaning inspiration for the week.
You will receive free updates, morning motivation, printables, blog post highlights, and occasional deals sent your way. Frequency?? Just a few times per month.
Allie says
My apartment needs this right now. Thanks for sharing! I’ll be pinning.
admin says
Thanks for pinning!
Keri says
So excited!!! Haha excited to clean but this is so helpful :)
Susannah says
What a great checklist!!!! I’m going to use it to get stuff done!!! :-)
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
Love this challenge. A great idea! Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday linkup. Pinned to our linkup board.
admin says
Thanks for pinning!
Pamela LIst says
Love a spring cleaning challenge. Will share on my Facebook page.
Would love to see you link-up on our Monday-Link-up.
Pam
admin says
Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
I LOVE spring cleaning and I always love new lists and challenges! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly @ Mum-bo-Jumbo says
Some great tips to get me motivated! I love using natural cleaning products to clean too! Thanks for sharing. Stopping by from Link it Monday over at Momma Can.
Maria says
Lovely tips! The water, vinegar solution is one of my favorite ways to clean as well. I think it works better than any other cleaning liquid out there. This makes me feel so motivated, so I’m glad you shared it through Titus 2 Tuesday.
admin says
It’s so cheap too!
Gentle Joy says
Good ideas…. it sure feels good to get a whole area like this done. :)
Alyson from Alyson Cornman Photography says
What a great check-off list! I so need to clean our fridge and keep putting it off until there is a) time or b) there is not much food in it. But I keep forgetting. Great reminder though!
admin says
It actually didn’t take me too long to do. And I love looking inside my fridge now. :)
Terri Presser says
You have some great ideas and I really appreciate you sharing them at Good Morning Mondays. I am going to book mark these pages for when our spring comes around and then I can be super organised. Blessings
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files says
Ack! Spring cleaning, you kill me.
Carrie says
What a great resource of information! I will be using this for sure!
admin says
Great! Thanks for reading.
Jennifer S. says
I love this chart. Thanks for sharing. It’s fun to check things off when you finish.
admin says
Yes, it’s very satisfying to check it off. :)
Jaelan says
ooohh how I need to do this. Thanks for the reminder!
admin says
You are welcome.
Lauren @ For the Love of Dixie says
Great list. I’ll be pinning and printing the pdf for sure! Thanks!
admin says
Thanks for pinning!
Adele says
Wow that would be such a good idea! This is the prefect time to start this too with spring cleaning as a motivation! Way to go!
Tiffany @ A Touch of Grace says
I am completely failing at my spring cleaning list. I just need to hire a housekeeper, ha!
admin says
I wish…
Sharon Rowe says
Thanks for sharing some great tips on Monday Madness link party :) Hope to see you there next week :)
mandy says
Thanks for linking up to Tuesday Talk! I love your list! I’ve been working on purging the house, then I’m going to jump on the cleaning in depth!!
admin says
I have purging next on my list!
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I should be doing this as well, I always do a spring cleaning challenge but this year I haven’t gotten to it! Great ideas and tips! :) Thanks for linking up at Women With Intention Wednesdays, I’m looking forward to what you share this week!