Help Keep Your Family Healthy and Safe with These Simple Spring Cleaning Tips

Tackle your cleaning to-do list for the kitchen with these handy spring cleaning tips, as well as affordable products from Food Lion To Go. From your appliances and cabinets to the windows and walls, we’re revealing some tried-and-true tricks to spruce up your space, get your kitchen sparkling clean and help keep your family safe and healthy.

So, grab your cleaning supplies and take notes! Then, assign duties to your family to help you clean up quickly and spend some quality time together while getting it all done.

Everything You Need to Clean

Our first spring cleaning tip is to get your supplies in order! Take inventory of what you have, then order what you need on Food Lion To Go. Whether you simply search for your trusted go-tos or browse this selection of our favorite cleaning products, you’ll find everything you need available for convenient pick-up or delivery.

Here are some items to consider:

• Cloths, sponges and scrubbing brushes
• Broom and mop
• Rubber gloves
• Disinfecting spray/wipes
• Dish & hand soap
• Trash bags
• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Glass cleaner
• All-Purpose cleaner
• Degreasing spray
• Disinfecting spray/wipes

Looking for all-natural cleaners? Try our line of free-from cleaning products from Nature’s Promise or DIY essentials like baking soda, vinegar and lemon.

Windows, Wall, Baseboards & Floors

Now that you have your cleaning supplies, it’s time to clean, starting with the windows, walls, baseboards and floors. And we have some spring cleaning tips that can help!

• Use a broom or duster to gently remove any cobwebs along the corners of the walls in your kitchen. Remember - the key word is "gently". After all, no one likes scuff marks on their walls.
• Next, wipe down your walls and baseboards and use an erasing pad on any troublesome spots. Make sure the pad is damp, not wet.
• Disinfect your light switches and door handles using all-purpose disinfecting wipes, not just in your kitchen, but all throughout your home.
• Polish your windows with some glass cleaner using a lint-free cloth.

• Sweep your floors, then mop using warm water and floor cleaner. Why warm? Warmer water dries more quickly than when cleaning with cool or cold water, so you can start walking on your floors even faster. 

Counters & the Kitchen Sink

Our next set of spring cleaning tips are for the countertops and the kitchen sink! So, clear everything off your countertops including small appliances like blenders and toasters and let’s dive into the details.

We all know to wipe down your counters with disinfectant and thoroughly scrub your sink with a cloth, sponge or brush and an appropriate cleaner of your choice. But, do you know how to make your surfaces really shine again? For laminate countertops, you can simply use a little dish soap and water. On the other hand, to make granite countertops nice and shiny again, wipe them clean with a damp and soapy dishcloth. Once dry, grab another soft dishcloth and add a dab of cooking oil and rub onto your countertops. Then, buff well. There are also cleaners that you can purchase that are specifically made to shine and seal granite, so feel free to check those out too!

Now, let’s turn our attention to the sink. If you have a stainless steel sink, try cleaning with a stainless steel cleaner. Or, if you don’t have that on-hand and are pressed for time, make a quick paste with baking soda and warm water. Rub the paste over the sink well, then rinse. This is a great, cost-effective way to really get a deep, natural clean on our stainless steel sink. But, if you have a sink made of composite material, you can use a little dish soap or an all-purpose cleaner. A fresh lemon is also a great cleaning tool. That’s right! It is a natural antibacterial solution.

After you’ve successfully cleaned these surfaces, make sure to wipe off any small countertop appliances and decorations before placing them back on the counter. You can even use disinfecting wipes to sanitize your small appliances; another way to help to keep your family healthy and safer from pesky germs.

Cabinets

Remove everything from your cabinets and drawers and get rid of anything that’s empty, damaged or expired. Working from top to bottom, wipe down all cabinet surfaces with a cloth or sponge and an appropriate cleaner of your choice. Once complete, neatly place the items you removed earlier back where they belong. 

Other cabinet spring cleaning tips:

• Try a degreaser on your cabinet doors, especially ones near the stove.
• Pay special attention to drawer pulls, handles, silverware organizers, etc. You may choose to use disinfecting wipes in these areas to attack any traces of viruses or bacteria.
• Run any dishes or pans that have gotten dusty through the dishwasher.
• Keep a step stool handy to reach the tops of your cabinets and high shelves.

Pantry

Just like we mentioned in our spring cleaning tips for your cabinets, remove everything inside of the pantry and get rid of anything that’s empty, damaged or expired. That’s step one. Then, wipe down the shelves to remove any dust, dirt, crumbs or sticky messes. 

Next, look at what’s left of your pantry inventory. Group together like items, such as breakfast foods, pasta and rice, canned foods, etc. Once you’re organized, restock your shelves neatly and utilize convenient storage containers when needed.

Appliances & Accessories

Don’t forget - your appliances need a deep clean too! From your refrigerator, microwave and oven, to your dishwasher, disposal and garbage can, we have spring cleaning tips for your favorite appliances and kitchen essentials.

Refrigerator

1. Wipe down the outside of your refrigerator using disinfecting spray and a soft cloth or paper towel. If you notice dust around the condenser coils, use a vacuum to remove it. 
2. Remove everything from inside and get rid of anything that’s empty or expired. Make note of any items that are approaching their expiration date so you can plan meals around those ingredients. While cleaning, store your food in a cooler or thermal reusable bag while you clean.
3. Remove the drawers and wash them in the sink. Let them dry completely before returning back into your refrigerator.
4. Wipe down the inside walls, shelves and rubber seals.
5. Finally, place your food back in the refrigerator neatly.

Microwave

1. Wipe down the outside using a little dish soap and warm water on a soft, lint-free cloth. Use a disinfecting wipe on the handle and the buttons.
2. Remove the turntable and wash it in the sink. Let it dry completely before returning into the microwave.
3. Microwave a glass bowl filled with water and vinegar for 3 minutes to loosen any stubborn food pieces.
4. Remove the glass bowl and simply wipe down the inside of the microwave with a degreaser.

Stove/Oven

1. Remove the knobs from your oven and let them soak in warm, soapy water.
2. Take your stovetop grates or burners off and clean them as well.
3. Scrub your range hood, stovetop and backsplash with a degreaser.
4. Return the knobs and grates or burners back onto your stove.
5. Make sure the oven is empty and set it to self-clean (if possible).

Dishwasher

1. Remove any food debris on the dishwasher filter, which is usually under the top rack, and on the drain (located under the bottom rack).
2. Run your empty dishwasher on “hot” with a bowl of vinegar in the top rack, a sprinkle of baking soda across the bottom or a special dishwasher cleaner.

Disposal

1. Slice a lemon into 6 slices.
2. Turn the water faucet on and grind a few lemon slices at a time.
3. Repeat until your sink smells lemony fresh.

Trash & Recycling Cans

1. Slip-on a pair of gloves.
2. Empty the trash can and wash with an appropriate cleaner of your choice. We suggest cleaning outside if possible. 
3. Let your trash can dry completely before adding a bag.

Remember, you can do a little each day to make spring cleaning your kitchen a breeze. And keep in mind - our tips for disinfecting your space can be used throughout your home. Always pay close attention to places and objects that are frequently touched - doorknobs, light switches, TV remotes, etc. Also, make sure to keep plenty of hand soap on-hand.

Plus with the help of these spring cleaning tips, as well as Food Lion To Go, you can get a clean, well-organized kitchen without stepping foot in the cleaning aisle at the store (although you’re always welcome, of course). Now that’s easy!