Cleaning Tips, Guides & Resources

5 Environmentally Friendly Ways to Clean Your Kitchen

5 environmentally friendly ways to clean your kitchen custom graphic

Although cleaning your ENTIRE house with chemical-free products is important, perhaps a natural approach to cleaning your kitchen is slightly more critical; after all, this is a place where food is prepared, stored, and oftentimes, eaten. 

With that said, there is a bigger picture here and that is the dire need for every household to make changes that will reduce their carbon footprint. So, finding environmentally friendly ways to clean your kitchen is a win-win because you and your family will be left with a safe, chemical-free kitchen while ensuring that you are doing your bit for the planet!

Now, without further ado, let’s talk about how to use eco-friendly methods to clean your kitchen. 

1. Clean Your Microwave With Vinegar

white russell hobbs microwave on a benchtop with a plate of feta and cherry tomatos in the front

Not only is this microwave cleaning method 100% environmentally friendly, it is incredibly easy, too! Here is a quick step-by-step guide to clean your microwave with vinegar:

  1. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water; pour the mixture into a microwavable dish.
  2. Heat the mixture in the microwave for a few minutes; the glass door should start to fog up or sweat during this time.
  3. When the timer goes, remove the bowl and leave the microwave door open for the interiors to cool down.
  4. Once the inside is cool to touch, take a folded microfibre cloth or gentle scrubber and wipe down the inside of your microwave. If needed, soak the cleaning tool in the water-vinegar solution and wring it thoroughly before using it to clean the interiors. Allow the mixture to cool down before doing this.
  5. Once the inside of the microwave has been cleaned, wipe down the exterior with a clean cloth dampened in the same cleaning solution.

2. Wipe Down Counters With Baking Soda

a jar of baking soda tipped over on a wooden countertop 

When your kitchen counters get caked with grease, grime and stains, the urge to scrub the surface with an abrasive material and cleaner is hard to resist! Unfortunately, while this may get the job done, it will also leave your countertops with scratches. Therefore, to prevent any type of damage caused to the surface, a mildly abrasive, all-natural cleaning solution can be used to remove stubborn grease from kitchen counters.

All you need to do is make a paste of water and baking soda, apply it over the greasy area, and allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Then, use a damp scrubber or microfibre cloth to wipe the surface clean. For the purpose of general cleaning, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 2 cups of water and store it in a spray bottle. This solution can be used to clean your kitchen counters daily by simply giving the bottle a good shake, spraying the surface, and wiping thereafter.

3. Clean the Kitchen Sink With Used Limes

black matte plated sink with the faucet running 

There are several ways to clean a kitchen sink and plenty of products that can be used for the job. One of our favourites, however, includes a used lime and nothing more! It is quick, eco-friendly, and 100% effective in removing stubborn kitchen sink grime. 

To begin, take a squeezed lime, push the rind inward so that the juice vesicles stick outward. Next, dampen the interior of your kitchen sink, and use the lime to scrub down the surface. The more used limes you have, the better as one may not be enough to clean the entire kitchen sink thoroughly. The reason why this is so effective is because lime contains citric acid which cuts through grease and grime. Furthermore, in addition to being environmentally friendly, it is very convenient to clean a kitchen sink with just a used lime. 

4. Use Baking Soda & Vinegar to Clean the Stove Top

all black inspired modern kitchen with a large granite benchtop

When used in combination, white vinegar and baking soda can clean and de-stain a lot of different household surfaces. As far as the kitchen is concerned, this match made in heaven is all you need to clean a glass stove top, and make it shine again! Before you apply the ingredients to the surface, however, you need to wipe the glass with a damp cloth to remove loose debris and some of the grease that may not have hardened yet.

Next, sprinkle baking soda over the glass (the amount required will depend on the level of grease present on the surface), and then spray over it with undiluted white vinegar to dampen the powder. Allow the ingredients to sit and react for 10 minutes before wiping the surface with a clean microfibre kitchen cloth. If needed, dampen a soft scrubber in white vinegar, dip it in a bowl of baking soda, and scrub the surface to remove tough grease from your glass stove top.

5. Clean Kitchen Floor With Rubbing Alcohol

well organized small kitchen with stainless steel fridge and slate tiled floor

Did you know that rubbing alcohol is an eco-friendly product that is very effective in removing floor stains, sterilising the surface, and cleaning different types of kitchen tiles too Best of all, it can be diluted significantly, thus making it an economical option as well. If you are spot-cleaning stains on your kitchen floor, a pre-made solution consisting of 1 part rubbing alcohol to 5 parts water, will effectively remove all types of kitchen floor stains. 

For general cleaning, a 1:10 ratio of rubbing alcohol and warm water is recommended. This can be mixed in a bucket and used to mop your kitchen floor daily. Light grease, dirt, and common kitchen stains on the floor are guaranteed to come off with this DIY floor cleaning solution. Of course, if you would like to make a natural, scented floor cleaner for the kitchen, simply add a few drops of essential oil to the solution and mix well. 

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need chemical cleaners or store-bought products to clean and sterilize your kitchen. There are environmentally friendly alternatives that you can use to achieve the same desirable cleaning results with the huge, added bonus of not leaving chemical traces around your kitchen. So, do the right thing for the environment, your family, and yourself by choosing these 5 eco-friendly ways to clean your kitchen!

Adriana Aziz is the operations manager at MaidForYou. With over 6 years of experience managing cleaning operations, she knows all the best hacks when it comes to cleaning residential and commercial buildings. With expert experience in managing house cleaning operations, interior design and logistics. She spends her free time with her family and as a freelance food critic.

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