If you actually cook on a daily basis, the kitchen is probably one of the places in the house that you spend the most time in, and probably one of the places in the house that you cleaned the most. However, kitchens are also one of those mysteries of the universe as they seem to get dirty right after you clean them, no matter what you do. While upping the ante and devoting more time to cleaning is obviously a possible solution, why not inoculate your kitchen against dirt and mess by giving it a makeover? Here are some tips.
Granite counter tops and flooring
granite counter tops – courtesy of flooranddesign.net
Granite might possibly be the best thing you can ever put into your kitchen. The naturally-occurring stone is stain-proof, waterproof and scratch-proof, in addition to being resistant to heat and a whole load of other things notwithstanding zombie attacks. Granite makes your kitchen look good, and makes cleaning a breeze. It also doubles as a surface for rolling out pastry or dough, and for those who are into candy-making; granite’s heat resistance makes it a great surface to drizzle all that sugar syrup.
Elevated storage
Elevated storage – courtesy of momtoob.com
Raise your shelves and cabinets a few inches off the ground, or attach them to the wall. This prevents dust, dirt and spills from pooling underneath the shelves, and allows you to clean underneath them regularly without having to resort to sophisticated cleaning apparatus. Kids’ toys and small hamsters will also be less likely to be doomed to the fate of collecting millennia’s worth of dust trapped under a kitchen cabinet.
Ventilated racks for storing dishes and cutlery
If you’re the type who doesn’t bother to wipe your dishes and cutlery after washing them, then get a ventilated rack to store your spoons and plates instead of a typical closet. This will help ensure that your utensils do not start growing mould, especially if you live in a warm climate. Just wash your dishes, and leave them on the ventilated rack to dry. It reduces the time you have to spend in the kitchen by half, and ensures that your dishes do not retain strange odors as well.
Refrain from using wood
The only places in a house which should feature wood prominently are places that do not require running water – the kitchen is definitely out on this one. Wood, especially untreated wood, absorbs water and odors, both of which are abundant in the kitchen. If you live in a particularly humid climate, having wood in your kitchen may inadvertently turn your kitchen into a mini mushroom farm. Avoid plywood at all costs – while good quality teak or pine is sturdy and durable, plywood chips at the slightest hit, and absorbs water like a sponge.
Melamite finishes for cabinets
Melamite is an awesome material that is extremely easy to clean, no matter what you spill on it or stain it with. Instead of wood finishes, try using melamite for your cabinets and you’ll never ever have to worry about tomato sauce stains splattering your precious pristine cabinets again. As melamite is a synthetic material, it comes in almost any color you can desire, so there is no need to worry about color schemes when using this wonderful material.
Use your wall as storage space
Get a few wall hooks and make use of all the empty wall space you have in your kitchen. Not only does it save space, hanging things vertically also has the added benefit of helping to drain and dry them. Hang up your chopping board after you’ve washed it to let it air dry and prevent germs from growing; hang up your knives (if you can) and kitchen shears to let all the water drip off them, and hang your kitchen towels up to prevent them from developing a funky odor. A great way to store and organize packet mixes and spices is to buy a hanging organizer and keep spices/mixes in different pockets. Label them, if you want. This way, you can survey your pantry at a glance and know what you’re running low on. This also reduces the problem of ingredients disappearing into the void and expiring before you know it.
Chad is a blogger who loves to write home improvement articles and is always on the lookout for quality contractors who can do magic with flooring or things such as kitchen cabinets in Phoenix.