9 things you forget to clean in your kitchen

Tidy home, tidy mind! There’s something about keeping a clean kitchen that just makes you feel good, but even clean freaks can easily miss a few spots.  

Don’t forget to clean these things in the kitchen!

Read more: Here’s how often you should clean all the stuff in your house

Wiping down countertops, running the dishwasher and mopping the floor are probably already part of your routine. However, there are some overlooked places that you may want to tackle sooner rather than later. Here are nine of those areas: 

1. Trash can

If there’s a lingering smell coming from your garbage can after you’ve taken out the trash, it may be time to hose it down. Put on some rubber gloves, spray the inside of the can with disinfectant, scrub with a brush and rinse it out.

2. Cabinets

You may already wipe down the front of your kitchen cabinets from time to time, paying close attention to knobs and handles that can get greasy. Have you looked at the top of your cabinets, though? Be prepared to find more than just dust up there!

3. Knobs and handles

We mentioned that cabinet knobs and handles can get greasy, and so can those knobs and handles on your oven. If you don’t want to spot clean them with a Q-tip, pop them off and run them through the dishwasher or soak them in a cleaning solution. 

4. Coffee machine

One study found that a coffee maker reservoir had more germs than some bathroom surfaces. How gross! Experts say you should clean your coffee maker monthly. All you need is white vinegar to get the job done.

5. Sponges

Sponges left in the sink can pick up a lot of bacteria. To kill germs, pop a sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds or throw it in the dishwasher. Some experts recommend zapping your sponge about every other day or so.

6. Inside the fridge

Does your refrigerator look anything like the picture below? If not, pull everything out and wipe down the fridge using a mix of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Baking soda may come in handy if you have any nasty stains. 

Read how to organize your fridge for maximum freshness.  

7. Reusable grocery bags

Studies have shown that reusable grocery bags are full of bacteria. After you’ve emptied your groceries, give the bags a good wash. Cleaning instructions will vary depending on the type of material. Many of them can conveniently go in the washing machine. 

8. Grease filters

Those grease filters under your range hood or built-in microwave won’t clean themselves! To keep the exhaust fan working efficiently, you want to clean them monthly using soap and water. If it’s been a long time, you might need to try a more aggressive method. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

9. Microwave touch pad

It’s usually pretty obvious when the inside of your microwave needs a good cleaning. However, there are germs on the outside as well. Just think about how many times you’ve put your hands on the touch pad. Window cleaner usually takes care of this problem in a hurry.

Read more: 25 home cleaning hacks that will make your life so much easier