Taking Care Of Your New Kitchen

Now that the kitchen of your dreams is actually in your home, you may not want to use it. It looks so clean and pristine, untouched by gunk, splatters, and spills. It is true that a deep cleaning of your new kitchen may be due every few months. However, the most beneficial cleaning tasks can be done every few days to help your kitchen remain beautiful and functional for years to come.

Fight Countertop Clutter in your New Kitchen

One thing that can be done daily is to fight countertop clutter. Because the kitchen counter is so convenient it is very easy to bring things home and place them there. Unfortunately, things can pile up quickly and often find a lingering home there, making the workspace feel cluttered and claustrophobic. A countertop covered in clutter is not the most inviting area to cook. To fight the likelihood of unwanted items landing on your counters there should be designated places provided for bags, keys, mail, etc. along the path from the main entry to the kitchen. Most unnecessary items should be dropped off before they reach your kitchen work zone. Our friends at Houzz also share a few tips on conquering clutter.

Another simple tip that helps keep a new kitchen running smoothly is to begin by having a clean sink and an empty dishwasher. If you make a habit of unloading your dishwasher at night and cleaning your sink, then when you begin cooking the next big meal, the cleanup will be much easier. On the flipside of this, if the dishwasher and sink are already full you’ll only be compounding the problem by dirtying pots and pans on top of a sink full of dirty dishes. Once you make a habit of doing this it will be very rewarding, and ultimately save you time, while keeping your kitchen clean and ready for the next meal.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Having adequate trash and recycling containers located in the kitchen will also help keep messiness to a minimum. In your plans for a new kitchen, designate an area for trash disposal and even a little overflow area. This ensures that your main areas remain clutter free.

Harsh cleaning chemicals are not recommended for keeping your new surfaces looking their best. Cleaners that work well on appliances in many cases are abrasive to painted or stained finishes and can quickly deteriorate the sealants used on granite and tile. The best thing to use on your countertops is a mild dish detergent and water mixture on a cloth. For the cabinetry, the same type of damp cloth can be used to spot clean a sticky mess. Here at Greenbrook, we clean the cabinets in our showroom with pledge every week to keep them looking new.

Maintenance of your cooking supplies is another helpful habit that can add to your kitchen’s longevity. Go through your pots and pans monthly and examine their wear and tear, toss out what is damaged and add whatever is needed to your shopping list. Such tasks as sharpening of knives and oiling of cutting boards will also help keep your kitchen functioning smoothly. This only needs to be done every few months but will be rewarding each day as you use these items.
The bottom line is: the more time you invest in cleaning and maintaining your kitchen, the more enjoyable it will be to cook in. Enjoy your new kitchen and put in the work so that you and your family can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

If you are only in the dreaming stage of beginning to plan for a new kitchen? We would love to talk to you and work with you to fine-tune your very own remodel plan.  If you’re ready to be further from dreaming and closer to construction, call Greenbrook Design today to set up a design meeting, 980.404.9600.

Visit Us

Greenbrook Design, a kitchen, and bath home center is only a few minutes from Tryon and an hour from Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville SC, and Hickory.  Our ability to design your space with several cabinet options is like no other experience in the kitchen and bath industry. We design cabinets from Charlotte to Boone and Greenville to Asheville and everywhere in between. Having our own local cabinet shop offers a great advantage to the endless options to have a great design that stays within your budget.

If you are visiting nearby, Uptown Shelby has a lot to offer in shopping, food, and entertainment. Our Uptown district is quaint and we have some really unique and friendly places to visit.  Come visit us and our charming small town with restaurants, stores, and entertainment that are sure to not disappoint. 

Please feel free to add a comment or tips about your own personal experience with keeping your new kitchen clean.