Kitchen plays an important role for everyone in the house. This is the place which you should try to keep clean and tidy.
Lime scale is a hard, chalky substance often found in various kitchen appliances. Hard water contains calcium carbonate which is more soluble in hot water rather than cold water. Hence, kitchen appliances such as kettles, hot water boilers, heating systems and pipes are prone to this problem and get damaged very easily if not treated in time. Cleaning and removing lime scale is a nightmare. However, the calcium carbonate is weak against acidic substances and can be easily softened and dissolved. There are many types of substances and solutions which have acid components in them and are very good at dissolving stubborn stains left behind by lime scale.
Vinegar is the cheapest and most easily available solution. An indispensable tool in any kitchen, this ingredient can clean practically anything plus perform some nifty restoration and maintenance tricks. This technique is quite helpful to get rid of all the germs and bacteria.
- Clean kitchen drain. A half cup of baking soda followed by equal amount of white vinegar is a good cleaner and disinfectant.
- Clean the microwave. Put a bowl of water with a few tablespoons of baking soda or vinegar inside. Turn the microwave on high for two or three minutes. The steam will loosen any dirt. Remove the bowl from the microwave. Wipe out the inside right after.
- Clean the dishwasher. Scrub around the door and get in crevices and the rubber seal (a toothbrush is a good tool). Check the drain basket and clean if necessary. Put a bowl with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run on the hottest cycle.
- Take out all dishes, glass, bowls, etc. from cabinets and wipe down insides with a vinegar and water solution. It’s a good way to clean and deodorize your kitchen cabinets.
- Add it in equal quantity to a bowl of hot water. Immerse there smelly sponges and dishcloths to remove all unpleasant smells and clean dirt residue.
- Rinse tea and coffee pots with equal parts of vinegar and hot water to remove stubborn stains.
- Remove hard water and mineral deposits from a steam iron and kettle by filling them with equal parts of water and vinegar. Pour the mixture into a kettle and bring it to boil. To see the best results of lime scale removal, leave it overnight and rinse it out the following day. Rinse thoroughly before using.
Keep in mind that while you are cleaning your kitchen with vinegar, you are also deodorizing and killing germs. You are using a product that is safe for you and your family. And the money you will save using the vinegar for cleaning the kitchen and appliances, over the cost of those commercial products, will make your whole family smile.