The 6 Dirtiest Places In Your Kitchen And How To Clean Them
Most of us try to keep a clean kitchen, but even with good habits, grime has a way of building up in places we don’t always think to check. Some of the dirtiest spots in your kitchen aren’t the obvious ones, and that’s exactly why they stay dirty. Here’s a look at six places in your kitchen that need a little extra TLC.
1. The Rubber Seal Around Your Fridge Door
That flexible rubber lining that seals your fridge door shut? It traps crumbs, mold, and drips like a magnet. To clean it, mix warm water with a bit of dish soap and use an old toothbrush to scrub inside the folds. Rinse with a clean cloth and dry well. Do this monthly to stop bacteria from building up and clear any odors that might be building up there.
2. Knife Blocks
Knife blocks are rarely cleaned, but they collect fine food dust, crumbs, and sometimes even mold inside the slots. And since you slide clean knives back in there, it immediately defeats the purpose of cleaning them! Once a month, turn the block upside down and shake it out. Then use a pipe cleaner or thin brush dipped in warm, soapy water to clean the inside of each slot. Let it dry fully, upside down, before putting the knives back.
3. The Bottom of the Dish Drying Rack
You probably wash your dishes often enough, but the tray underneath your drying rack? Or the drying rack itself? Both of these things come in contact with a lot of dripped down water that’s full of limescale and grime. Mold and mildew grow fast here, and it can start to smell. Once a week, wash both items with hot soapy water. For hard water stains, scrub with vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it away.
4. Stove Knobs
Greasy fingers, cooking steam, and food splatter turn stove knobs into some of the dirtiest things in the kitchen. And since you touch them often, bacteria spreads quickly. Thankfully, many stove knobs can actually be pulled off. If yours do, pop them off and soak them in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes. Scrub any stubborn spots with a toothbrush, rinse, and dry before putting them back. Don’t forget the area behind the knobs too, it usually gets missed and collects grime fast!
5. Under the Coffee Maker or Toaster
No matter your appliance of choice that stays on the counter 24/7, it likely gets a lot of use but rarely gets picked up and cleaned under. Crumbs, spills, and splashes collect underneath and around them, sometimes even attracting bugs. Once a week, unplug the appliance, lift it, and clean the counter beneath. You might be surprised at how much grime builds up there in such a short time.
6. The Back Panel of the Microwave
It’s easy to wipe the inside of a microwave and think you’re done, but the vented panel on the back wall collects steam, grease, and food splatter every time you reheat something, forming a sticky film that just builds and builds. Remove the glass tray, wipe down the interior with a mix of vinegar and water, then gently scrub the panel with a soft sponge. Do this every few weeks to stop bacteria and smells from sticking around.
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It’s easy to overlook these small spots even when you’re keeping up with everyday cleaning, but these areas matter, and they affect how clean your kitchen really is. The good news is that none of them are hard to clean. Once you know where to look, you can work them into your regular routine without much extra effort. A few minutes here and there can save you from odors, bacteria, and bigger messes down the line. Your kitchen will feel fresher, and you’ll notice the difference.
Daniel Mitchell
