Ask a House Cleaner, Clean Countertops, Savvy Cleaner

Clean Countertops – What is Clean?

Clean countertops – is it even possible? And what is clean? Can you have clean countertops when you have a countertop microwave or a bread box? And what should you keep in your pantry rather than on your countertops?

Today on Ask a House Cleaner we look at cleaning advice from The House Cleaning Guru, Angela Brown. She says you can have clean countertops even if you have a dish drainer, or a countertop coffee maker. Some items are best out of sight out of mind. And of course, get rid of stuff that does not need to be there. 

You can be a savvy cleaner by following these tips to keep your kitchen clean.

Today’s show sponsor is https://HouseCleaning360.com

HouseCleaning360 is a business referral network for house cleaners and maids and housekeepers.

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Hey there, I’m Angela Brown, and this is Ask a House Cleaner. This is a show where you get to ask a house cleaning question, and I get to help you find an answer.
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 clean countertopsQuestion: Clean Countertops – What is Clean?

Now, today’s question comes from a homeowner who is tidy about their kitchen space. But they want to know “What kind of items am I allowed to keep on top of my kitchen counters?” 

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Answer: Clean Countertops – What is Clean? 

Clean Countertops vs. messy countertop

Okay, that’s an interesting question because everybody is different. Your lifestyle is different. Your kitchen space is different. It’s going to vary depending on every single person.
Now, my suggestion is you don’t want anything in your kitchen cupboard that does not need to be there, okay?

clean countertops with microwaveClean Countertops – If It Doesn’t Need To Be There… 

If it does not need to be there, it needs to go. Get it out of the kitchen.

Now, a lot of people have a microwave for example. And if you have a microwave that’s built into the wall, that way it gets it up off your kitchen space and you’re good to go. But, if you have an older home you may need some space on top of your kitchen counter for your microwave.

And if you have a microwave on top of your kitchen counter it’s going to collect dust and crumbs underneath it. So, on a regular basis, you will want to move that. And remove all the crumbs and the stuff that collects underneath your microwave.

Use Your Microwave as a Bread Box

Lots of people I don’t know why, but they’re using their microwave as a bread box. I think because it has an airtight seal. And it keeps out bugs and critters and ants that the food attracts. Okay, so that’s a good use of the microwave that’s on your kitchen counter.

 clean countertops with waffle iron and wafflesWhat About Small Kitchen Appliances?

Is it important that you have a waffle iron on top of your kitchen counter? If you use your waffle iron every single day maybe that’s a good space for it. But if you only use it 3 or 4 times a year, you may want to put that in the pantry. Or put that in a cupboard that is out of sight and out of mind so you’re not always seeing that. And it’s not collecting dust every time you come in your kitchen.

 clean countertops with dishes, spices, plantsCommon Countertop Gadgets 

So, what are some other common items that are okay to keep on top of your kitchen counter?

Well, it might be a paper towel holder. 
It might be a regular towel holder that you just put a little hand towel through so you can wipe your hands. And then dry them as you leave the kitchen.

Another thing that you might have on top of your kitchen counter is a coffee maker.

Coffee Maker as a Tea or Soup Maker

clean countertops with coffee pot and toppings

There lots of people that drink coffee. And if they don’t drink coffee they use the coffee pot for tea. Or herbal tea, or to make cereal, or Ramen noodles, or something like that.

So, a coffee maker on your kitchen counter is a common and acceptable item to have on top of your kitchen counter.

Another item that is common and acceptable is a kitchen drainer of some sort for your dishes.

And that might be a dish drainer with a dishpan. It might be a towel with a dish drainer on top of it. Something where you rinse the dishes and just put them in the dish drainer, that’s a common item.

Now, you can leave the coffee maker and the microwave out at all times.

Quick Clean Countertops

But if someone were to come over to your house and you decide that you want to tidy up your kitchen, you can put the dish strainer back inside the dishwasher.

And you can just pick up the few of the items that are there.

And the bread that’s sitting out in your cupboard you can hide that inside your microwave and close the door. Now your kitchen is clean and tidy.

 clean countertops by removing home repair itemsStuff That Never Goes On Your Countertops

Things that I recommended not being on your kitchen cupboard are things that have nothing to do with your kitchen.

So, for example, if you’re doing home repair projects. The kitchen is not the place where you want to store your caulking. And your silicone, and your paint and your scrapers, and your sandpaper, and all those things. Those do not belong on your kitchen counter.

If you are bringing in your mail from outside, there needs to be a paper station at somewhere in your house. It’s not your kitchen cupboard.

Don’t be mixing your food and your bills and other things that are important. Take the paper to wherever the paper goes in your house.

The Kitchen Is For Food and Family clean countertops with only groceries

When you come into your kitchen –  the kitchen is what? It’s designed for hanging out and eating. That’s what it’s designed for.

Groceries, food and food preparation are okay on the countertops. 
Keep your countertops clean. And when you prepare your meals you will always have a clean kitchen space where you can work.

What Items Belong On Your Kitchen Cupboard?

I don’t know, it’s different for every family. It’s different based on how many people you have in your house. It’s based on your needs and your usage of your kitchen.

But my suggestion would be if it doesn’t have to be in your kitchen if it’s not a mandatory item, put it in a cupboard.

Put it in the pantry. Get it out of sight get it out of mind. And keep that space clear and free. 

Alrighty, so that’s it for today. And until we meet again, leave the world a cleaner place than when you found it.

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Resources For This Episode:

2-Tier Standing Rack EZOWare Kitchen Bathroom Countertop 2-Tier Storage Organizer Spice Jars Bottle Shelf Holder Rack – Chrome – http://amzn.to/2vGJXin

Adjustable Natural Wood Desktop Storage Organizer Display Shelf Rack, Counter Top Bookcase, Beige – http://amzn.to/2wvnbYq

3 Tier Wooden Mail Desktop Organizer & Sorter with Storage Drawer – for Office and Home – Keep Mail, Letters, Files, & Office Supplies Neat & Organized – White – 11 Inches. – http://amzn.to/2uHQ3KM

Countertop Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser w/ (1500 Gal. Cap 1/4 Turn EZ Change) – http://amzn.to/2vGrCSw

Westinghouse WM009 900 Watt Counter Top Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cubic Feet, Stainless Steel Front with Black Cabinet – http://amzn.to/2ftZbAX

Keurig K55 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Black – http://amzn.to/2vGrSAY

Pink Two-Tier Stow-n-Spin for the Cure – http://amzn.to/2ftm2wE

Keurig K250 Single Serve, Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker with strength control, Turquoise – http://amzn.to/2vkRAdq

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