Keep Your Kitchen Sparkling with These Easy, Chemical-Free Cleaning Tips That Really Work!

Easy kitchen cleaning tips to keep your kitchen spotless—no harsh chemicals or scrubbing needed!

Clean your microwave with lemon water

Rather than scrub splatters on your microwave, just fill a bowl with water, place a few lemon slices inside and heat for 5 minutes. “The steam loosens the grime on the walls so you can easily wipe it off, while the lemon disinfects,” says Sara San Angelo, a.k.a. The Cleaning Lady, founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady.

Freshen sponges with lavender vinegar

Kitchen sponges are bacteria magnets, but you can disinfect them naturally with a lavender-vinegar soak, says San Angelo. Indeed, a recent study showed white vinegar’s acetic acid kills 99.9 percent of germs in 15 minutes. Adding a few drops of lavender oil not only creates a lovely scent, it also has antibacterial properties that kill microbes. Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with three drops of lavender essential oil in a bowl to create a powerful, natural disinfectant.

Bust drawer dirt with a dental pick

For those hard-to-reach crevices in your kitchen drawers, a disposable dental pick used for flossing works wonders. “The precision tip allows you to target tiny spaces easily,” says Karina Toner of Spekless Cleaning. Simply run the dental pick along the edges and corners of drawers, then use your hand vac to suck it away. Find dental picks at your local pharmacy.

Clean greasy stovetops with baking soda and dish soap

For those stubborn, grease-coated stovetops, mix a paste using baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. Spread it over the greasy spots and let it sit for 15 minutes. San Angelo stands by the baking soda and dish soap method, telling Southern Living, “The longer you wait to clean these messes, the harder it is to get them or to prevent fires.” After the wait, wipe away the mixture with a damp cloth for a shiny, grease-free surface.

Brighten stainless steel with olive oil

A shortcut to sparkling stainless steel? Grab some olive oil! Apply a few drops to a soft cloth and glide it over your appliances and sinks in circular motions. “Olive oil is a wonderful natural polish for stainless steel because it effectively removes fingerprints and smudges without leaving behind streaks,” says Toner. Plus, the oil creates a thin, protective layer on the surface that repels future dirt.

Banish dishwasher odors with a dash of baking soda

Simply sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the empty machine and run a hot water cycle once a month. “Baking soda is a mild alkaline that dissolves grease in water, making it an excellent cleaner for dishwashers,” says Toner. Plus, by balancing pH levels in the machine, baking soda lifts musty smells.

Shine glass surfaces with rubbing alcohol

For a streak-free shine on glass surfaces, combine equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. The rubbing alcohol effectively breaks down dirt, grease, and fingerprints, while its quick evaporation ensures a spotless finish. Studies highlight that rubbing alcohol is particularly effective in removing grime and providing a spotless finish on glass and mirrors​. For best results, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the glass after spraying.

Deodorize garbage disposals with ice and citrus peels

To naturally freshen up a smelly garbage disposal, drop a handful of ice cubes and several lemon or orange peels into the unit and run it. The ice helps loosen trapped food debris, while the citrus peels provide a fresh, lingering scent. Research from Consumer Reports shows that using ice in garbage disposals helps dislodge food particles, while citrus peels contain natural oils that deodorize the appliance, leaving your kitchen smelling clean and fresh.

A version of this story appeared in the print magazine of Woman’s World