The kitchen is the epicenter of the home, particularly with today’s open plan kitchens and multi-functional spaces.  This busy room sees more traffic and is subjected to more dirt and grease than most rooms.  If you just completed a kitchen remodeling project, how to clean and maintain the room may not top your list of priorities.  It should!  Understanding how to keep on top of dirt and maintain the new surfaces in your kitchen is critical to keeping it looking good as new.

Here are a few of our top tips for properly maintaining your new kitchen:

Keep the Clutter at Bay

When your kitchen renovation is just completed, look at the new room before you move all of your small appliances, pots and pans, and cookbooks back into the space.  It looks perfectly clean and neat, right?  While adding your personal touches really complete the room, too many items left out on countertops or shelves look messy and make it harder to clean surfaces.  Use the specialized storage you added to your kitchen cabinets to keep the clutter to a minimum.  Storage accessories, like the ones shown here, allow you to better utilize all of your available space and to make sure that every item in your kitchen has a home.  This way you keep countertops and other spaces free to use as work surfaces and make regular cleaning an easier task.

Be Surface Wise

There are so many options available for countertops, floors, and backsplashes for today’s kitchens, like the examples shown here.  You probably spent hours researching just the look you wanted, checking out pictures online, and discussing options with your kitchen design expert.  You picked a look and color scheme that best represent your tastes and lifestyle.  Now you need to understand that a granite countertop may require different care than the laminate countertop you used to have.  The wood floors you chose have a different maintenance routine to the tile floor in your old kitchen.  Make sure you know how to maintain the new surfaces to keep them looking good as new for as long as possible.

For example, most countertops can be cleaned with a warm soapy water mixture and then rinsed thoroughly, though an antibacterial cleaner can be used when required.  Stick to non-abrasive cleaners and a soft cloth or sponge, particularly for surfaces like a stainless steel countertop that can be prone to scratching.  Some surfaces may be able to stand up to occasional, gentle scrubbing or a mild bleach solution to remove dirt and stains, while other surfaces may not be compatible with bleach solutions as it can affect the color or even damage the surface.

Re-sealing is required on occasion for maintenance of some surfaces and to prevent stains, while others do not need re-sealing.  Tile countertops are typically exempt from re-sealing but the grout lines require regular re-application of a grout sealer.  The same principles apply to your backsplash, floor, and cabinet surfaces.

Understanding the new surfaces in your kitchen will help you properly maintain them from day one, and keep them stain and scratch free as long as possible.  Consult manufacturer’s guidelines or, better yet, talk to your kitchen renovation professional to get the best insights into your new kitchen surfaces.

Go Natural

There are many natural solutions that serve as excellent alternatives for regular cleaning of kitchen surfaces.  These standard household products can achieve the same result as harsher chemicals but are much better for your kitchen surfaces, your family, and the environment.  Baking soda combined with water or white vinegar with water are very effective at removing residue, stains, and dirt on many surfaces, including countertops, floors, and backsplashes.

Make sure your new kitchen stays in prime shape by learning about your new surfaces and products.  Proper maintenance from day one and a regular cleaning routine using suitable products will keep your kitchen clean and the finish and color of your surfaces looking good as new.