With the approach of the sacred festival of Navratri, it becomes extremely important to clean not only the house but also the kitchen. According to religious beliefs, offerings are prepared for the goddess Annapurna and Mother Rani in the kitchen, so cleanliness, absence of bacteria, and shine in the kitchen are necessary conditions.
However, due to daily cooking on stoves, hoods, countertops, and cabinets, stubborn grease contamination from oil and spices accumulates. Cleaning this with regular soap and water can be tiring and difficult.
If you want your kitchen to shine before Navratri without making great effort and without using expensive chemicals, it is enough to use ingredients that are already in your kitchen: baking soda, white vinegar, lemon, and dishwashing liquid. Below are the simplest and most effective deep cleaning methods for each part of the kitchen.
1. Cleaning Sticky Kitchen Cabinets and Shelves (Vinegar and Dish Soap)
This method requires 1 cup of warm water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent. Mix these components in a bowl, soak a microfiber cloth in this solution, wring it out well, and wipe the handles and wooden/plastered surfaces of the cabinets. Vinegar quickly breaks down the grease layer. After this, the surface should be wiped with a dry cloth.
2. Removing Stubborn Grease from Hood and Fan (Baking Soda and Hot Water)
For this procedure, take 3 tablespoons of baking soda and hot, boiling water. First, remove the mesh filter of the hood and place it in a large container. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of baking soda and a small amount of detergent on top, then pour boiling water over it. Leave it for 15 minutes, after which all accumulated grease should melt. Then lightly scrub with a brush and rinse with regular water.
3. Eliminating Blackening on Gas Stove and Burners (Lemon and Eno/Baking Soda)
Use 1 packet of Eno or 1 tablespoon of baking soda and one large lemon. Sprinkle baking soda/Eno on the glass or steel surface of the stove, and then squeeze lemon juice over it. As soon as foam appears, leave it for 5 minutes. After this, the entire stove can be cleaned by rubbing it with the lemon peel. Black spots on the burners need to be soaked in vinegar overnight, and in the morning, cleaned with a toothbrush, and the burner will shine like new.
4. Giving Shine to Tiles and Countertops (Lemon Acid/Baking Soda Paste)
For this, you will need 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a little water or vinegar. On tile areas where oil stains or yellow marks are visible, apply a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar. After 10 minutes, brush along the tile lines with an old toothbrush. The yellowness and dark spots between the tiles will disappear in minutes.
5. Eliminating Odor and Dirt in Sink and Drain (Baking Soda and Hot Water)
Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of boiling water. Sprinkle baking soda inside the sink and on the drain opening. Pour in the vinegar and leave it for 10 minutes. Then polish the sink with a sponge and immediately pour boiling water down the drain. The sink will become shiny, and unpleasant odors and rot from the drain will completely disappear.