Dial-a-Maid
Kitchen counters require constant cleaning. Clean them off after every meal, and make sure spills and crumbs are immediately removed, says a 40+ year old Residentail cleaning Service in Evanston, Il. This sounds obvious, but anyone with children knows that is not always the case. In addition to wiping them down on a regular basis, you should deep-clean them once a week.
* First, remove everything on top of the counters.
* Look for crumbs under appliances. Sweep them into your hands and put them in the sink.
* Fill a clean, empty spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and warm tap water. If you are sensitive to the vinegar smell, you can add a little bit of lemon juice or a couple of drops of essential oil. Remember, pests do not like the strong smell of vinegar, so if you can stand it, use it without adding a fragrance. It is worth it to make it unpleasant for insects- and the smell dissipates quickly.
* Spray vinegar solution on counters and splash guards. Wipe down the entire area with a soft cloth.This vinegar solution is good for any Formica or tiled counters, NOT for any granite,corian or marble countertops. Anything acidic, like vinegar, will ruin the finish on marble, corian or granite surfaces. For best results, use equal parts of diluted hydrogen peroxide mixed with water, or use a little Dawn dishwashing soap and water. For caked-on food, use a baking soda paste. Be sure to gently rub it off.
* For Stainless Steel surfaces, dissolve 4 tsp. of baking soda in 2 quarts of warm water. Stir well, and use a soft cloth to clean and polish them.
Keeping your kitchen countertops clean not only make them look nicer, but it will greatly decrease the number of viruses and stomach ailments you and your family members might suffer from, says a 40+ year old Residentail Cleaning Service in Evanston, Il.
