To clean your kitchen can be a real challenge for some, and a piece of cake for others. (No pun intended)! However, here are ten easy things you can do, whether it is just to get it cleaned, or because you have company coming.

1. I start with a list of things I need to get the cleaning done. Any cleaning products, new sponges, mop heads, etc., that you prefer to use. I try to clean the green way. My list includes, lemon oil, white vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls and a box of baby wipes. While I am shopping for my cleaning chores, I pick up any groceries I may need to avoid another shopping trip. And, personally, I pick up something microwavable for dinner! I may also pick up some fresh cut flowers for my kitchen table.
2. When I return home, I put the groceries away and set out my cleaning products for easy use, as needed. Then I proceed to put everything away, in its proper place, that does not belong on my counter or work area. Anything I don’t need goes into the trash.
3. I stack the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to get rid of old stains on the dishes. It also keeps deposits off of the mechanics of the dishwasher.
4. I keep a bottle with vinegar in it. I can use that for pretty much everything. I clean my stove with it. It shines up my appliances and cuts through any grease that has accumulated on anything. I also clean the window over my sink with it.
5. I use half vinegar and half hot water with a few added drops of olive oil to clean all of my cupboards. It eliminates dirt and grease and leaves a soft shine behind.
6. I use baking soda to clean my stainless steel sink and the outside of my stainless steel appliances. It polishes them beautifully without scratching. I can then soak some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and shine up my faucets.
7. When all of this is done, I clean out the refrigerator. I use baking soda on a baby wipe to leave the inside smelling clean and looking shiny. I can then organize my food and know where everything is.
8. You can organize your cupboards now so that things will be at your fingertips, as needed. There is nothing so frustrating as to need something out of a cupboard and have to remove everything else around it in order to find it. I try to keep similar foods, such a cereals, mixes and baking items together.
9. Then I wipe off my wooden kitchen table and chairs with the same vinegar, water and lemon oil I used on the cupboards to leave them clean and softly gleaming.
10. Now I can sweep the floor and wash it with vinegar. It leaves my floor clean and shiny.

Now things are clean and organized. I can place an arrangement of fresh cut flowers in my favorite vase on the table. I put clean dish towels on the rack and I am ready to enjoy my nice clean kitchen – alone or with guests.