Mosby Building Arts designer, Jake Spurgeon, is an excellent kitchen designer. He is also a cook who has learned some helpful cleaning tricks that he shares with you here, and at the free seminar “Cooking Up Your Dream Kitchen,” October 21, 2015 at the Mosby office.
Once your kitchen remodel is completed, there’s the joy of using it, which means you also have to clean it. During the selections phase of a kitchen remodel, I educate clients about what kind of cleaning and maintenance will be involved so they can choose materials that best fits their lifestyle and habits. Here are some cleaning tips for maintaining a new kitchen that I’ve learned and rely on.
FLOORING
Wood Floors are classic and timeless, be it real or engineered planks. Choose a finish that contrasts with your cabinets.
Cleaning Tip: 1 gallon of warm water and a quarter cup of white vinegar on a damp mop is the best cleaning agent for wood floors. This leaves them shiny and doesn’t harm the wood.
Tile Floors of porcelain or man-made ceramic are durable and reasonable easy to maintain. Sealing the tiles helps resist stains.
Cleaning Tip: Sweep or vacuum debris regularly, and a damp mop and gentle cleanser are all that’s needed. Choose a grout with a built-in 25-year stain resister to ward off grime; once or twice a year gently scrub the grout with a toothbrush dipped in equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water to restore that crisp look.
Vinyl Floors in sheet or tile configurations have a “give” that comes in handy when spending a lot of time standing and working in the kitchen. This is a stain-resistant flooring great for busy households with kids and pets.
Cleaning Tip: In addition to regular damp mopping with a manufacturer recommended cleanser, once or twice a year apply Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner directly to the vinyl floor, and after a minute or so, mop up with water to revive the shine and brilliance.
WOOD CABINETS
There is an endless array of wood types, finishes and styles for your kitchen cabinets. Whatever look or feel you want, I can find the cabinets to convey that.
Cleaning Tip: Never ever use Pledge or wax-based cleaners on wood cabinets. It creates a film that traps dust and cooking oils. Today’s top coats and varnishes are extremely durable. Mild soap and water with a soft cloth is all it takes to keep them clean and pristine.
COUNTERTOPS
Quartz is a solid, man-made material with zero maintenance issues, great for hardworking kitchens.
Cleaning Tip: Avoid acidic cleansers which will cloud the finish. Clean up with a mild, non-bleach and non-abrasive detergent.
Granite is a nature-made stone that must be sealed yearly to protect its beauty from wear and tear. Cleaning Tip: Keep acid foods (like lemons, oranges and tomatoes) off the surface because it will etch the surface. Mild soap and water is all you need.
Butcher Block wood tops are a great tool (no chopping boards required!) for serious cooks who see wear marks and patina as evidence of a rich culinary life. Must be regularly oiled, but it adds a lovely glow to the finish.
Cleaning Tip: Use a sponge and mild dish soap for daily wipe up. For a weekly sanitizer, spray on undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for a couple of minutes before wiping off with a damp dish cloth.
FAUCETS
We now have so many options for faucets and their accessories that it’s like trying to decide what jewelry goes best with an outfit. There are worse problems to have, yes?
Cleaning Tip: For chrome or stainless faucets, use a dryer sheet on dry fixtures to polish them up to a jewel-like finish.
APPLIANCES
We rely heavily upon the microwave oven which means it needs regular cleaning. If you’ve ever had to scrape off caked on food from the interior, you’ll love this Cleaning Tip: Place a small bowl of water with a generous squirt of lemon juice in the oven, and zap it for a few minutes. The steam will loosen all stuck on food so you can simply wipe the interior clean. Bonus – your kitchen smells like lemons!
If you’ve opted for a garbage disposal in your sink, remember this monthly Cleaning Tip: Add ice cubes and vinegar to the running disposal. The ice “scrubs” the blades while the vinegar cleans and deodorizes.
If you’re thinking of a kitchen remodel, I can help you determine the best products and materials to use and how to keep them clean! To get started, give me a call at 314.909.1800 or contact me here.