We usually can't afford new furniture, a living room or a kitchen every couple of years. It means a lot of expenses for people who usually live on a budget. That is one more reason to keep your house clean and maintain your space well organized and intact. This is especially important when it comes to your kitchen because it is a part of your house that is very prone to becoming dirty, messy, to have spills or stains all over the place if you don't take care of it. Your kitchen can look new for many years if you take care of it regularly. Consider that a small investment of your time and effort that will pay off as time goes by. We will give you some useful tips on how to do this properly and what to pay attention to.
Have a minimalist kitchen
The kitchen that needs to be kept tidy should be minimalist because that way, there will never be too much mess and it will be easy for you to maintain it clean and organized. Also, if you move all those jars and utensils, there will be fewer things that can be broken. You can put them in different cabinets rather than on the counters. That way, you won't have to move them every time you want to clean the counters. You save a lot of time and effort by doing this. Pay attention to countertops as well. Imagine seeing them dirty every once in a while. You would probably not be in a good mood for cooking. Keeping them clean will make them nice and welcoming for what they are made for cooking. By doing so, you will have your kitchen cleaner and you will eat homemade food which is better for your health.
Think About Your Kitchen Triangle
There is a theory about the kitchen triangle. To be more specific, the three most used kitchen parts should stay one close to another, according to this theory. Those parts are the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. This theory should be taken into account because it states that keeping these three kitchen features together will make your kitchen more functional because it will save your time. That way, you will have more time to take care of other things like preparing food or cleaning. If you want to redesign your kitchen, bear this in mind.
Clean the sink and cooktops regularly
Even if you´re not a person who cooks on a daily basis there is always some dirt left on the sink or cooktops. Make sure their surfaces are maintained clean. It will never take a lot of time if it is done regularly. Never let the dishes pile up because the most expensive kitchen will look ugly if it's messy and dirty. When you spill something, make sure you clean it as soon as possible because if you let it dry, later you will have a lot more work to do since it will be more difficult to clean it.
Have some budget for domestic appliance repairs because if your dishwasher doesn’t work that will make a mess in your kitchen. It is always good to keep all the elements functional, other than clean and tidy.
Have kitchen tools and cleaning agent
Store your cleaning products under the sink or any other place that you find comfortable. They shouldn't be in the way and should only serve their purpose. You don’t need to buy cleaning agents if you have the patience to make one at home. The ingredients for a homemade cleaning agent are one teaspoon of baking soda, two tablespoons of vinegar, and half a teaspoon of dish soap. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it before use. This is a quick and economical way of making a cleaning product that will take away the stains effectively.
Trash Bags & Recycling Containers
Garbage management and recycling is another important step to make your kitchen always look good and also to avoid bad smells. Get some large trash bags and recycling containers. This way, you will be able to get rid of all the trash right away. If not, you will have to use more bags to dump the food leftovers. Having a bunch of little trash bags in your kitchen will make it look messy. Another option is the trash-and-recycling duo for waste management that is a little bit more expensive than a regular bag but it is very useful.
The right materials
In the end, make sure your kitchen furniture and floors are made of materials that won't get damaged fast and that are easy to clean. Although the physical appearance is very important to make it all look nice, don't make it an absolute priority. Since many activities are carried out in the kitchen, like cooking, eating, even kids playing with schoolmates, this means that the surfaces in the kitchen will always be prone to becoming dirty. Look for stain-resistant materials, especially when it comes to the wall units, the table, and the floor. Even if it is a more plain material that is not that impacting aesthetically, it's still better than one that will require special maintenance. Avoid elements like a glass wall or door because the constant touching will make them always dirty.
Whether you are buying a new kitchen or you have decided to take more care of the old one, these tips can come in very handy because following them can make your kitchen last for many more years. Think about saving money that can, later on, be invested in other things instead of cleaning products or a new table or floor that was stained and thus not attractive. Make sure the organization of your kitchen space is practical and that you always have some cleaning products as first aid against stains and dirt. Avoid impractical materials that night, be pretty but prone to be stained. Take care of the trash regularly and do some recycling on the way. Although it sound like basic advice, long-term it can make wonders for your kitchen and your budget.
