Kitchen

A microfiber cloth is essential in the kitchen to pick up and trap dirt like a magnet. They offer far more cleaning and scrubbing power than an ordinary washcloth or paper towel. The best part is that you can reuse them, saving you money and the environment. Even though a microfiber cloth can withstand hundreds of washings, you do have to be careful when washing them. Using too much detergent or soap that is too harsh can actually cover the nylon fibers, resulting in a less effective cleaning tool. Instead of tossing your microfiber cloth with the rest of your laundry, try hand washing them without soap. Run it under room-temperature water and soak them for 20 to 30 minutes. Continue to agitate the cloth afterwards then rinse, wring out and hang to dry. If your cloth has been through more grime or germs, you can use a soap just take note of the amount you’re using. A quick tip is to separate the microfiber cloths when washing them as you’ll tend to use less detergent compared to a bulk of dirty clothes. It’s best to use one to two teaspoons of laundry soap max in every load of microfiber cloth. Never use hot water as this may melt the fiber. Skip out on the fabric softener and the dryer altogether. Source: the Kitchn

Empty kitchen walls can be daunting. With the increased popularity for open shelving, you may be wondering what would best suit your kitchen. It all comes down to functionality and what your intentions are for your storage. Shelving is a great solution for a more compact profile. Typical full cabinetry will extend about 12 to 14 inches while an open shelf can work in 8 to 10 inches. If you’re looking at open shelving strictly for design aesthetic, then you may be better off with a cabinet. Shelving is best when used functionally. If you’re torn on the decision, cabinets with glass doors are a happy medium. You can still put items on display and prevent your kitchen from feeling closed in while maximizing storage. Try mixing the glass fronts with traditional doors so you don’t have to have everything on display. Source: Apartment Therapy

A big budget isn’t the only way to invest in your home and upsell your kitchen. A few small changes can make a big difference. Here are four ways to upgrade your cabinets according to home stagers. Switch the Color. If you have the time to put in the work, update your cabinets with a few coats of paint or a darker stain. You may have to strip the cabinets beforehand, but the results are worth it. While white cabinets are trendy, consider navy blue, dark green, black and gray. Swap Doors and Hardware. Your cabinets can be upgraded without uninstalling everything. Look for modern and simple faces with contemporary doors and drawers fronts. Pair with new hardware made of brushed brass, polished chrome or copper to make an impressive visual difference. Focus on the Fridge. If adding extra cabinetry, try placing it around a fridge. A couple stacked cabinets next to or on top of the fridge makes a kitchen look more expensive with a built-in look. Style Smartly. Remain conscious of your cabinet and shelf styling. An open shelf will make a statement in a kitchen as well as a consistent color scheme. Add pops of texture with a plant or wood bowl to give warmth to the look. Look for varying height and sizes of your objects to create visual interest. Source: the Kitchn

Paint is one of the easiest ways to give a room a makeover. A small kitchen is no exception and with limited remodeling options, a careful manipulation of color and its impact on lighting can visually expand a space. Here’s a few important tips to keep in mind when painting a smaller kitchen. Utilize Neutral Colors. White and neutral colors are a lifesaver for smaller kitchens. White will reflect light, make walls recede and increase the sense of space. Adding white to countertops, walls, cabinetry and ceiling will create a cohesive space with limited boundaries or edges. Use different shades of white or add different textures to create variety in a kitchen. Avoid washing out a space by adding different hue shifts in cabinets or crown molding for points of interest. It’ll also create contrast in your kitchen. Avoid Dark Cabinets. A darker cabinet will absorb light and make a space feel smaller or claustrophobic. Repainting these cabinets to a lighter color will make the kitchen feel like an entirely different space. Stained cabinets take a bit of preparation before painting them a lighter color but will transform their look. If your cabinets are in poor shape, consider refacing them with a lighter veneer and new, lighter doors and drawer fronts. Picking the Right Colors. Designers recommend adding a deeper, accent color on a wall to help it recede into the background, giving the illusion of a larger space. Use the same color for walls and trims to make ceilings appear higher. This trick can also be applied to your countertops and cabinets. You’ll want to pick a color that is in the same color family but not excessively different in contrast. An abrupt shift from light to dark will create a sharp contrast and visual boundaries, making the space feel smaller. Keep ceilings white to maximize the effects of natural daylight. It’ll also make the room feel more spacious. Source: the Spruce

Kitchens are hot spots for culinary tools and gadgets. But you don’t want to end up with a bunch of stuff you’ll regret buying. Here are some of the most common kitchen items that are a waste of cash and what you should replace them with instead. Prefilled Spice. Spices turn your food into masterpieces. But, you’ll have a more difficult time accomplishing that when you settle for a prefilled spice rack. Some herbs such as basil and chives are more flavorful fresh as opposed to dried. Spices lose their zest over time and larger quantities might hurt you in the long run. Look for smaller quantities as you need them. Opaque Food Storage Containers. Food containers are a great way to reduce food waste. However, an opaque container can be an easy way to leave behind spoiled food when you forget what’s in them. Try investing in clear food storage containers or glass so you can clearly see what’s inside. Too Many Mugs. Coffee mugs can be an innocent collection pastime, but eventually your shelves will be buckling under the weight. You don’t need more than a couple mugs in your household depending on the amount of people. Specialty Glassware. You drink many different things like juice, water and wine, but you don’t really need a special glass for each. Look for multipurpose glassware that can be used for any kind of refreshment. Your wallet will thank you later. Source: the Spruce

Knowing how to keep a white kitchen clean can be tough. You may wonder what the best tools are or the best techniques to keep an all-white kitchen bright. Here’s how to keep them as clean as possible and what to avoid. Keep the Exhaust Fan Running. For an all-white kitchen, prevention is one of the best approaches. It’s easier to keep things looking clean if they don’t make a mess in the first place. One way to accomplish this? Keep the exhaust fan on anytime you cook. It’ll absorb the cooking smell while also keeping greasy buildup off your backsplash and surrounding areas. Use Magic Erasers. Keep a few magic erasers on hand to remove dirt, scuffs and other marks from walls, counters and cabinets. They’re able to clean many surfaces for everyday maintenance. Just use a gentle pressure as scrubbing hard can damage certain surfaces. Clean After Every Meal. Small droplets from food can land on your cupboards and countertops which can permanently stain a white surface. Try to clean these messes up as soon as possible after every meal. Avoid Harsh Cleaners. Skip out on the hard-bristle brushes when cleaning a white kitchen. White tends to emphasize scratches, so stick to a gentler soft-bristled brush or a microfiber cloth when working on stains. Clean Grout Regularly. Keep those lines clean with a combination of baking soda, vinegar and warm water to form a paste. Apply it to grout and use a toothbrush to scrub. Rinse afterwards with plenty of water. Source: Apartment Therapy

Coffee can be the most important part of getting your day started. One way to ensure your coffee machine is performing at its best is to regularly and correctly clean it. Oils left behind after a brewing session require attention, and the more often you use it, the more you’ll need to put it through a cleaning cycle. It’ll make a huge difference in the quality of your drinks. Here are things to definitely avoid when cleaning your coffee machine. Don’t Wait. Your machine can be used daily or several times a day depending on how frequently you’re reaching for a cup. A good rule to follow is to clean the exterior, brew basket, and carafe once a week regardless of how often you are brewing. Once a month at minimum, run a full-scale cleaning cycle with a food-safe solution. Avoid Vinegar. Vinegar is the most commonly recommended cleaning agent for coffee makers because it’s inexpensive, efficient and convenient. However, most coffee machines have plastic and rubber tubing, and those porous materials can retain the vinegar’s flavor long after you run a cleaning cycle. Try using a food-safe citric acid powder instead. It’ll pick up those coffee oils more effectively and it’s odorless and tasteless. Don’t Use Dish Soap. Don’t give into the temptation of using soap for coffee oils. It’ll leave you with a bubbly mess and almost impossible to rinse clean. Don’t Forget to Descale. At least once a quarter, clean the machine with more of a soaking step. It’s a great way to make sure the water-dispensing and holding parts of your machine are clean. If you have a removable water reservoir, soak it in a sink or bucket filled with a citric acid and hot water solution. If you can’t remove it, pour the solution in and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes before turning on the machine to run a cleaning cycle. Run a second cycle with fresh water to rinse everything out. Source: the Kitchn