Kitchen Upkeep Tips That Save the Day

Contributed post.

Your kitchen is basically the superhero headquarters of your home. It's where the meals are made, the snacks are stolen, and mysterious leftovers gain sentience in the back of the fridge.

When things go South in the kitchen, it can be a pain and it can knock out the entire flow of your home. While calling drain cleaning services may swoop in to save the day when things go South, a little regular upkeep can keep your kitchen running like the well oiled and hopefully not grease coated machine that it's meant to be. Let's take a look at some genuinely helpful tips to keep your kitchen fresh, functional, and far less chaotic.

• Declutter like you're on your own cooking show. Ever notice how chefs move around like choreographed ballerinas? That's partly talent and partly because their counters are blissfully empty. A clutter free workspace makes cooking faster, easier, and way less stressful. Toss expired items, donate gadgets you'll sway you'll use someday, and keep only the essentials on the counter. Your inner chef will thank you.
• Respect the cutting board trifecta. Wood for bread and produce, plastic for meat, and the tiny one you never use is perfect for lemons or quick snacks. Using the right board keeps your kitchen clean out and safer, and it prevents mystery flavors from showing up where they don't belong. Nobody wants their strawberries tasting vaguely like last night's onions, right?
• Clean as you go. It sounds annoying, but it's actually the secret to the catch and upkeep. While your pasta water boils, wipe down the counters. While the sauce simmers, rinse a few dishes. Before you know it, you're done cooking and done cleaning, which takes more time for dessert. Win win.
• Banish the Sponge of Doom. If your sponge has developed an aroma, personality, or questionable texture, it's time to let it go. Sponges are basically bacteria hotels, so rotate them regularly, toss them often, and microwave or sanitize them when possible. Consider swapping to dish brushes or silicon scrubbers for a clean out, long lasting option. 
• Tackle the fridge funk. Leftovers have a mysterious habit of multiplying and migrating. Do a weekly sweep of the fridge and to just expired items. Wipe up spills and relocate produce at seconds from going row. Line your shelves with removable mats to make clean up easier and keep the baking soda box working overtime in the door.
• Show your sink some love. Your sink goes through a lot. Coffee grounds, stray noodles, and the occasional mystery sludge always gets stuck in the drain. Give it a good scrub every few days, make sure the faucets are clean, and keep the drain cleaner handy. And if you hear gurgling, bubbling, or a suspiciously slow swell starts to begin, it might be time to let the professional step in before your sink reenacts a horror movie scene.

A tidy kitchen doesn't require magic, just some small habits that make a big difference. Keep things clean and stay organised, but don't be afraid to call in back up when you need it.