How To Clean Grease Kitchen Exhaust Fan

People with squeaky clean kitchens make a habit of tidying as they go, meal prepping, and running the dishwasher overnight. If you want a cleaner kitchen, it could be time to steal some of their secrets for your own routine.

'A clean kitchen doesn't have to take a lot of time or effort,' says cleaning expert Joyce French from HomeHow.co.uk. 'With a few simple habits, you can keep your kitchen the way you want it, even when life feels generally upside down.'

Need some help? Read through the seven habits below...

1. Get the right utensils — and keep them close by

Keep your kitchen clutter-free by storing utensils in a cabinet or displaying them decoratively on hooks or rails. When shopping for essentials, it can be tempting to stock up on pots, pans and fancy new kitchen gadgets and appliances, but choose only what you really need.

'Invest in quality essentials, that will withstand years of use and require little maintenance,' says Joyce. 'Everywhere we look there is someone trying to convince us that by buying their product, our lives will be easier. Avoid the clutter by separating essentials from the junk.'

Top tip: Place a small shelf above your sink to display plants, pots of utensils and herbs. The ultimate shelfie, this will also ensure those important items are within easy reach.

2. Choose large bins and recycling containers

Robert Dyas

30L Retro Square Pedal Bin - Green

Charles Bentley robertdyas.co.uk

£52.99

Overflowing recycling and rubbish bins can make every kitchen feel cluttered, so it's important you find the right one for your space. There are lots of container options available, including pedal bins, clever built-in waste disposables and double dustbins to keep unsightly rubbish tucked away.

For anyone with a smaller kitchen (and no spare cupboard space), consider investing in a 'prettier' bin that you don't mind having on display. Sleek matte black bins will complement any interior scheme, while this mint green design from Robert Dyas is a stylish way to store waste. Emptying your bins regularly will also help to avoid unpleasant smells and overspills.

3. Clean as you cook

Cleaning as you cook is a straightforward plan of action. Before you begin preparing a meal, set out an empty bowl to throw in vegetable peels, wrappers, and eggshells. As well as this, fill your sink with hot soapy water to wash up as you go. Cluttered counters and piles of plates can leave any chef feeling overwhelmed, so tidying along the way will save you time at the end — and ensure you have time for a well-deserved rest.

House Beautiful Westbourne kitchen exclusively at Homebase

Homebase

4. Reorganise your fridge regularly

'Clutter can accumulate quickly in an overfilled kitchen,' says Joyce. 'An easy way to maintain an organised fridge, freezer and pantry is to clean them out every time you get groceries. It sounds simple but before your grocery shop, look and see whether you already have the item.'

Top tip: Plan your meals every week to avoid unnecessary food waste, buying only what you need. Meal prep is one of the best ways to set yourself up for the week ahead, so why not give it a go.

5. Use your time effectively

Your kitchen will never stay clean with marathon tidying sessions. If you're struggling to keep on top of everything, opt for smaller quick and effective jobs instead.

Some of the things you can do include cleaning your microwave in just five minutes with a bowl of water. To do this, stir half a lemon into the water and place in the microwave on high for three minutes (ensure you wear oven gloves when removing the bowl). Once you've taken it out, wipe away the grease and grime inside with a cloth. You'll be amazed by the results!

a method of cleaning in a microwave oven with water and lemon

MarianVejcik Getty Images

6. Run the dishwasher before you go to bed

'Starting the day with an empty dishwasher sets you up for success,' says Joyce, suggesting that we all put on a load before bed. Instead of waking up to a pile of dirty dishes, let them clean overnight whilst you sleep.

'This way, you can start every morning with a clean and peaceful kitchen, making the rest of the day easier. Breakfast dishes can go straight into the dishwasher, instead of leaving them to pile by the sink.'

7. Spot clean throughout the day

Ocado

Wash & Wipe Microfibre Kitchen Cloth

Keep on top of your chores by spot cleaning throughout the day. Tidying the whole house in one day is overwhelming for anyone, which is why breaking it down into manageable bitesized chunks could help you cope.

'A spot clean should take seconds and is used to maintain a spotless kitchen, ready for a deeper clean when you have more time,' adds Joyce. 'Simply grab a wet cloth and wipe the affected areas or give the floors a quick sweep. Ensure that other family members are also learning how to spot clean, so that you are not the only one always cleaning!'

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10 books to inspire you to clean, declutter and organise your home

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying

Vermilion amazon.co.uk

£10.55

Marie Kondo's Spark Joyis an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. If something sparks joy, keep it, if not, expel it from your home. This book covers every room in the house, as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables.

The Home Edit: Conquering the clutter with style

Famous home organisers to the stars, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin give you a masterclass in paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-find way (they love a label), and maintaining the system so you don't need another do-over in six months. You can also watch their show,Get Organised with The Home Edit, on Netflix.

The Organised Mum Method: Transform your home in 30 minutes a day

If you need to revolutionise your home routine, try the popular The Organised Mum Method (TOMM). The concept by Gemma Bray promises to help you 'clean smarter not harder' by spending 30 minutes cleaning a different room each day of the week – and it'll spare you your weekends, too.

Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book On Decluttering You'll Ever Need

Tracy McCubbin delves into the root of why many of us struggle to keep our homes decluttered. McCubbin's powerful answer lies in the 7 Emotional Clutter Blocks – obstacles she will help readers overcome in order to declutter their homes and improve their overall wellbeing.

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets

Dana K. White explains, clearly and without delusions, what it takes to get – and keep – your home under control. Her strategies include where to start to tame the chaos, which habits deserve your focus and will make the most impact, and practical tips you can implement immediately to declutter a huge amount of stuff with minimal drama.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: The Japanese Art

Marie Kondo's successful KonMari Method will help to keep your home clear and clutter-free permanently. If you follow the inspirational step-by-step, you're promised to see results.

The Easy Life: Quick ways to clean and manage your home all year round

Manage your home with Lynsey Crombie, Instagram sensation and TV's Queen of Clean, as she creates a system of speed-cleaning challenges, organisational habits and natural cleaners. Lynsey aims to share what she's learned to help you take the stress out of everyday life, so you can focus on what brings you joy.

Declutter: The get-real guide to creating calm from chaos

Kyle Books amazon.co.uk

£8.99

Described as bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, energy and humour into the essential and often mundane task of decluttering. Debora Robertson also helps you declutter your mind for an easier and more efficient life.

Banish Clutter Forever: How the Toothbrush Principle Will Change Your Life

Banish Clutter Forever's Toothbrush Principle is a simple approach to decluttering your home – whether you live in a huge house or a small flat. It will show you how to: organise according to the unconscious blueprint that naturally tidy people have, know what to throw away with confidence, set up your wardrobe so you get much more use out of the clothes you have, and work from home productively in a clear, designated space.

Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul

Stay on top of your cleaning routine with Sophie Hinchliffe – better known Mrs Hinch – and her book, Hinch Yourself Happy. Mrs Hinch shares how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress, plus step-by-step guides to hinching your home.

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