Smart Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Kitchen Tidy
If you’re studying in a culinary arts program, you know that cooking and cleaning go hand in hand. Whether it’s scrubbing the dishes or toweling off spills, the post-cooking cleanup can take up a lot of your time, and varies depending on which cookware material you use. But there are ways to help you cut down your cleaning time. Here are some tips that can save you time and keep your kitchen in tip-top shape:
1. Clean as you go
A pro tip that can be an enormous time saver is cleaning while you cook. Some people leave the mess until after to get it all done at once. However, depending on the size of your meal, the dishes can keep piling, and before you know it, your sink can be overflowing. Most people feel they have no downtime while cooking, but squeezing in a quick scrub is easier than you think.
For instance, try putting away ingredients as you go. That way, you’ll have less clutter and a clean workspace. In addition, this could prevent you from forgetting ingredients in a recipe. While your food is baking, try washing the dishes that are no longer needed. It’s easier to wash pans right after they’re dirtied than having them soak with warm water. That way, after everything is done, all you’ll have to do is to dry and put them away. If you have a few minutes while your noodles are cooking, vegetables are steaming or chicken is grilling, try using that time to empty the dishwasher or wipe off the stove. These are simple steps, but they will save you time in the long run.
2. Use items that are disposableÂ
Using things that you can easily throw away is another trick for expediting the cleaning process. If it is a low-key night, use disposable plates and utensils; that way, you have less of a cleanup. For light snacks and meals, don’t dirty a dish. Place the food right onto a napkin that you can toss in the trash right after. In addition, line your cooking pans and dishes with foil. You can slip the mess right out and toss it into the trash, then your dishes only require a light amount of soap and water, if any.
3. Invest in good cleaning tools
Cleaning after cooking can be a nightmare without the right tools. If you’ve ever tried to scrub a pan with a dull sponge, you know. Make sure to purchase good sponges and scrubbers that can brush away tough dirt and food. Dish wands can also come in handy. They have a handle that can be easier on wrists for the toughest messes. The wand holds a dish detergent of your choice for easy dispensing, and the band is curved to get those hard-to-reach spots like corners of cookware and the bottoms of long glasses.
Yellow gloves are also a necessity when cleaning. They protect your hands from any of the harsh chemicals you’ll be working with. In addition, with them on, you can stand hotter temperatures, which are necessary for eliminating bacteria.
