If you’re like most people, your kitchen could probably use some serious cleaning. Between cooking, eating, and entertaining, there are more messes to clean up in the kitchen than just about anywhere else in the house! But if you want your kitchen to be clean enough to film a cooking show in, try out our five favorite kitchen cleaning hacks here at Cardinal Cleaning that will save you time and money.

1) Vinegar Cleans Almost Everything

Vinegar is one of those all-purpose cleaners that can be used to clean almost anything, from grease to soap scum. When you’re removing soap scum from your shower door, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then add 5–10 drops of essential oil for an odor-neutralizing boost! If you have hard water stains on your glass shower doors, use vinegar instead of bleach. Simply wipe down with a damp cloth sprayed with white vinegar mixed with 2 cups of warm water. Rinse off with warm water after it dries to avoid residue buildup. If you need to remove burned food from pots or pans, pour boiling hot water over them before scrubbing with baking soda or salt and then rinsing well under hot running tap water. If burnt food has left its mark on your stovetop grates, try rubbing them down with lemon juice before washing them off under hot running tap water and drying thoroughly – the acidity will help break up any leftover residue so it washes away easily.

2) Lemons Deodorize

Like vinegar, lemons are one of those kitchen staples that are useful for so many things. From adding acidity to certain recipes to cleaning a cutting board, lemon is one fruit you’ll never regret keeping on hand. If you’re trying to remove some stains or unclog a drain, don’t forget how well lemons can work. Just cut open a lemon or two (depending on size) and let them sit in your disposal until they liquefy and begin breaking down any food buildup in your pipes. A quick note of caution: Be sure not to overfill your disposal with citrus because it can actually damage it. Hence, others prefer to just boil lemon and orange, or other citrus fruit peels, with some cinnamon. Even the boiling water releases a lovely aroma throughout your kitchen.

3) Use a Spice Rack

Spice racks are an easy way to keep your spices contained and organized. But organizing with spice racks doesn’t just make for easy-to-clean countertops, it also helps you eliminate clutter from other cupboards in your kitchen. You’ll be able to see exactly what spices you have at all times – and they’ll always be within reach when you’re cooking. Plus, if you invest in a nicer spice rack, it can double as decoration. Regardless, you won’t have spice containers or spills as frequently.

4) Put Cookie Trays on Cake Stands

Putting your cookie trays on cake stands will instantly add color and cheer to your kitchen! Cake stands are really affordable and look cute when they’re stacked on top of each other. Make sure you have one that’s taller than others, as it’ll be used to hold your cookie trays; smaller ones can be used as little riser platforms for desserts. And if you have spare cookie cutters or decorations laying around, put them in your tray (or on it) so you can show off a bit when friends come over!

5) Take Out Trash Every Day

The biggest problem with keeping a kitchen clean is that it’s generally not something people do every day. But, if you have trash sitting out all day, it’s going to start smelling. The odor might seem mild at first, but as soon as people start walking by they’re going to smell it. Don’t wait until nightfall to take out your trash – get into good habits from day one and take your trash out before bed each night. Some more tips to minimize odor are purchasing a trash can with a lid and investing in air fresheners or candles. This way you don’t wake up smelling the garbage and neither does anyone else.

6) Bonus – Contact Us!

Cardinal Cleaning values consistent, quality service and trustworthy business practices. Our cleaners use these hacks, and several others, to ensure your kitchen and home are as clean as can be. You can rest assured knowing that your home will be taken care of well with us. If you are in need of a cleaning service that provides consistent quality and service, give us a call to meet face-to-face so that we can make a noticeable difference in your home. Call us at 404-920-8551 or email us at info@CardinalCleaning.biz for a free quote, or just to chat about our service and how we can help you! We would love to do the cleaning for you so you have more time to do what you love. Like we say, cleaning is for the birds!