Spring Cleaning Kitchen

Now that the cleaning out is done I can get started on the real cleaning!

I start with the kitchen, it takes the longest usually and it takes the most abuse!

I can usually get most of this done in 1-2 days depending on what else we have going on that week.

And I like to have a good reward planned for when it's over. I will have to think about what it should be! Usually something for that room, something use full or pretty! 

And I HAVE to have good music! I doubt I would get anything done without it!

I listen to everything! I like a good mix but it has to be ok for the kids too. The Civil Wars are my very fave! I saw them last year when they were here the band that opened for them has grown on me SO much!

Milo Greene! They only had a 3 song CD at the show but youtube has so many live songs, love them all!

This is my fave though!

ok now that I got just slightly off track, here is my list. It's not much different than last year, just a couple things added I noticed needed attention.

~Start the oven on self clean

~Vacuum on top of cabinets and ceiling corners

~Take everything out of cabinets and wipe down (I do 1 at a time)

~Polish the outside of the cabinets

~Clean the microwave and put fan filters in dishwasher

~Clean out the fridge/freezer (if you don't do that more often)

~Clean the top of the fridge

~Pull fridge out and vacuum sides and coils

~wash silverware tray (in dishwasher)

~Clean the inside of the dishwasher 

~Replace felt pads on all the chairs

~Tidy the pantry

~Clean under the sink

~make vinegar ice cubes (for weekly disposal cleaning)

~Clean Toaster and Mixer really good

~Clean oven sides and underneath once it's cooled

~wash windows

~wipe down moldings and doors

And the other stuff I need to do this year is

~Clean party cabinet

~Clean craft cabinet

~Clean the junk drawer (again!)

Check out all the past Spring Cleaning

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Spring Cleaning Week 1 {Kitchen}

I can't believe it is time to start already!

 But this week is a good week for me to start and not feel bad about missing anything, it is supposed to be cold and wet here anyway, and no school 1 day (I am sure our oldest would rather skip nap and help).

This is my list for the week (mostly during naptimes)

• Start Oven Cleaning

• Start Stove Top Cleaning

• Wash Curtains

• Dust/Vacuum Top of Cabinets

• Re-organize/Purge Cabinets and Clean shelves

• Polish Cabinets

• Clean Bottom of Microwave and Wash Filters

• Clean Out Fridge and Freezer

• Pull Oven Out and Clean Sides

• Clean Out Under the Sink

• Clean Inside of Dishwasher

• Make Vinegar Cubes

• Clean Toaster (finally gave in and got one) and Mixer

• Replace Furniture Felt

• Tidy Pantry

• Clean Pantry Door

• Vacuum and Steam Floors

WHEW! Lots to do this week but I have some fun stuff planned for the weekend if I get it all done!
And I am pretty sure there will be a few craft breaks too!

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Spring Cleaning The Kitchen!!

Well I am back sooner than expected and ready to get on with the spring cleaning!!  A recent trip to Ikea has also made me want to organize like crazy, they have such neat stuff now!

The kitchen takes the most time here... It's a big list but worth it to take care of those spendy appliances and the area where most of us spend a big portion of our day!

I list them from top to bottom even if I can't get to them in that order.

~Vacuum/dust above the cabinets (our cabinets don't go to the ceiling) and the corners.
~For the oven I am going to try the portable shark steam mop FIRST this time, if it doesn't work I will Spray oven cleaner (I am afraid to use the self cleaning part.. with the kids here I think it will get too smoky!) and let that sit a while and work on other stuff, come back to it when it's done it's job
~Take everything out of the cabinets (I wouldn’t do ALL of them at the same time). I do a couple at a time if stuff is chipped, broken or hasn't been used since last Spring I probably don't need it! Don't forget to empty out the silverware tray.. I just run ours through the dishwasher. Once the stuff is out I use the vinegar/water mix and a clean rag and wipe all the inside cabinet surfaces.
~Polish the outside.. I used to use Method brand but have switched to olive oil and a little lemon juice.
~I take the filter or screen things off the microwave bottom and toss em in the dishwasher.
~I run the dishwasher with a few bowls of vinegar in the top rack and baking soda in the soap dispenser.
~Clean out under the sink.. extra sponges and who knows what else has collected and needs to be dealt with!
~I replace the felt pads on the chairs and tables, after 6 months they look pretty bad!
~If it's been a while since I've done a pantry check.. I do that and make sure that there isn't anything expired.
~If cleaning the inside of your fridge isn't something you do often, now is a good time. How many pen bottles of ketchup are there? I toss anything that is expired or will expire soon that I don’t think will get used. Then using the vinegar and water mix wipe down each shelf, I take the door shelves out, and the fruit and veggie drawers out and run those in the dishwasher also.
~My least favorite things to do are moving the stove and fridge out, cleaning the sides, vacuum the fridge coils, clean the top of the fridge. I put those off the longest, because I can't do it by myself, but it is important, they will last longer if they are taken care of, and the fridge especially needs the coils cleaned or it can really waste energy and money!
~If you have countertops that needed treated don't forget to do that!
~when it's all done I Vacuum again and then use the steam cleaner on the floors!


After that the kitchen should be about ready for a new mess.. I got some super cute cookie cutters at Ikea and cannot wait to make some spring sugar cookies with the kids!


I should have another post soon for the Family Room!!

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Getting ready for Spring!

Kitchen Spring Cleaning
I used to hate Spring cleaning, now I kind of like it.. just kind of though. It's nice to have a fresh start just before it's time to open the windows!
This is my personal kitchen spring cleaning checklist.. I know I go a little overboard sometimes and I don't have any small appliances other than a mixer ( can't stand stuff on the counters ) so if you have 'em, don't forget to clean 'em.
When I clean I always start with the things that need a long time to do their job, other than that I always start at the top, all that dust just goes to the ground to be swept up later!

~Dust or Vacuum top of cabinets
~Dust the corners I can't reach every week for cobwebs, and the lights. I love Swiffer dusters for all my dusting.
~Once I am done with the ladder I start the oven, either it's self cleaning cycle or just spray if there are a couple bad spots.
~Then I take everything out of the cabinets, one section at a time, I do all the dishes at one time, or all the special stuff that gets used once in a while ( like seasonal stuff ) If I haven't used it in 2 years I SHOULD get rid of it.. But I probably won't!
~Wipe the cabinets out, I use a white vinegar/warm water mix in a spray bottle. It's cheap and the smell goes away quickly. I don't use shelf liner, I am short and it's easier for me to get the high stuff out without shelf liner.
~After all my cabinets are cleaned up I clean the outside ( which I do a couple times a month anyway, but can't get to the super high cabinets that easily) I use Method brand wood polish/cleaner for this, decent priced and seems to work great!
~I do the microwave every week, but the underneath part and filter usually need a little attention, I just clean em up if they need it.
~I try to get the fridge pulled out and the sides cleaned and the coils dusted. The fridge runs more efficiently that way and will last longer. As far as the inside goes I wipe it down every week but I do check all the condiments and stuff now and empty the freezer of anything that has been there since the fall.. obviously if its been in there 6 months we aren't gonna eat it!
~Then the oven.. who knows what all has been dripped down the sides, but they need a good scrubbin! I use the Target brand Magic Erasers, much cheaper and works just as well.
~If I have been really good, under the sink is fine, but chances are it has stuff that doesn't belong. I try to organize it, make sure we are stocked up on garbage bags, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent. Maybe not this time, going to attempt to make my own once we run out!
~I run the dishwasher with a few bowls of white vinegar in the top rack, and I put some baking soda in the soap holders, run it one cycle and should be good!
~I also wash the curtains and replace the felt pads on the table and chairs.
~I keep the pantry pretty clean but I do take everything out and wipe it clean and toss stuff that we won't use.
~When I am all done I vacuum and steam the floors. I LOVE the shark steamer, it really does a great job!
So I think that's it! Usually I try to do it in 1 day so the kitchen doesn't look like a small tornado visited. I also added this list to my home journal so I remember it all next time!
I plan on doing the kitchen this weekend, then getting Easter stuff set out! I am SO ready for some sunshine, hope everyone is having fun with their Spring Cleaning!
I will try to post my next Spring Cleaning project in a couple days! I am making a HUGE list for Ryan, I am sure he will be so pleased!

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