5 Filthy Kitchen Spots To Clean Right Now

When it comes to cleaning my kitchen, I naturally focus on areas I can see: my counters, floors, stovetop, and sink, for example. The problem? Keeping a kitchen hygienic and functional involves cleaning and disinfecting spaces you don’t often see or even think about. And if you wait too long to clean these spaces, the job will take more time and elbow grease.

That’s why I’ve made a routine of deep-cleaning all the areas of my kitchen I don’t always think about. Read on for five areas you may be forgetting about like I did, and exactly how to clean them.

1. Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal can quickly become stinky — and less effective — thanks to food residue and germs that accumulate over time. To ensure a better-smelling drain, and to protect your disposal from potential damage, aim to clean it every two weeks or so (or anytime you notice it’s starting to smell).

Simply toss a dishwasher tablet down the drain and run hot water over it with the disposal motor running. The soapy water mix will remove any lingering food residue, along with preventing unwanted smells in your drain. 

2. Dish Drying Rack

Sure, you’re technically putting clean dishes on it, but your drying rack can become unsightly thanks to mineral deposits from dripping cups and plates. Plus, it could develop potentially harmful mildew or mold. If yours is dishwasher safe, simply run it through a load on the bottom rack. Or, you can wash it with soap and water, followed by a solution of white vinegar and water to cut through hard water residue, then rinse it and wipe it dry or allow it to air dry. 

3. Coffee Maker

If you don’t regularly clean it, your coffee pot can also collect mineral deposits, which may affect the taste of your morning brew. Luckily, the fix — called descaling — is pretty simple. Remove the filter and grounds, fill the reservoir all the way with half white vinegar and half tap water. Run a brew cycle with the mixture, then empty the pot. Run a few more cycles with only water to remove any vinegar residue.

The 2-Ingredient Trick for Cleaning a Smelly Coffee Maker

4. Produce Drawer

When was the last time you took a close look at, let alone cleaned, the produce drawer in your fridge? Since you store food here, it’s a good idea to clean it once a month or so to prevent unwanted odors and germs. First, empty out the drawer and toss any old produce. Remove the drawer from the fridge, then wash it thoroughly with soap and water in the sink, allowing it to fully dry before you place it back in the fridge.

5. Trash Can

Last but not least: your trash can. Every few weeks — or sooner if your bag breaks or you notice a bad odor — empty out the trash and rinse out the trash can. If it’s warm enough and you have access to one, use your outdoor hose to remove any residue from inside the can. Or, you can use your bathtub or shower head to rinse.

Next, spray the inside and outside of the bin with a disinfecting spray, allowing it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes (always follow the label instructions, since every product is different). With gloves on, use a sponge or brush to thoroughly clean the can. Then, rinse and dry!