Tips on Cleaning the Kitchen to Keep it Pest Free

Tips on Cleaning the Kitchen to Keep it Pest Free

Keeping a clean kitchen is important for keeping it pest free so this article contains some tips on cleaning the kitchen to keep it pest free easily. Ensuring that the cleaning is kept on top of will allow the control of pests to be better guaranteed. Pests that can be easily attracted to the kitchen are mice, rats and cockroaches, all of which can cause diseases, destruction and unsightly mess.  Cleaning the kitchen to keep it pest free is important for health and safety reasons.

Removing Grease

Grease can get everywhere and into everything in the kitchen and it is important that it is cleaned up regularly to stop it being a good source of food for those pesky pests. Removing grease can be a daunting job but with these top tips the job should be a little less painful.

• Remove any drip pans and removable parts that are covered in grease and remove any excess grease with hot water where possible.
• After as much grease as possible has come off using hot water, put the drip pans and removable parts in a sink and allow soaking for 30 minutes in a mix of baking powder and Lemon oil.
• Whilst drip pans and removable parts soak, on any grease covered surface (this includes under the oven and fridge!) remove any loose grease, food and other unwanted gunk.
• Coat the surface in a layer of strong soap or lemon oil for 30 minutes.
• After soaking wipe down, rinse well and dry all drip pans, removable parts and surfaces.
• Replace all drip pans and removable parts.
• It would be possible to lay down wax paper in areas such as on top of the fridge and underneath the fridge and oven to save on the amount of grease cleaning as so long as you remember to change these wax papers at least weekly.
• Always remember to wear gloves.

Cleaning the Fridge/Freezer

The fridge/freezer can be an area of bad smells and spills that can attract pests to the kitchen. It can be a bit of a nuisance having to clean the fridge/freezer as often food is piled high and all has to come out. Follow the tips on cleaning the kitchen below to help you to keep it pest free.

• The first step is to have to remove all food and products out of the fridge/freezer and place in a clean area of the kitchen.
• Take out all removable parts of the fridge and leave to soak the sink with water, a scoop of baking soda and a splash of soap for 15 minutes.
• Whilst the removable parts are soaking take a toothbrush with some baking powder and lemon oil on it and scrub all the little nooks and brackets to ensure no bacteria will survive the clean.
• Now to tackle the main compartments. Start at the top so any dirty mess will trickle down onto the uncleaned surfaces. Use a mix of warm water, baking powder and soap to wipe down with a sponge all of the surfaces in the fridge/freezer. Dry with a towel.
• Make sure you do the same to the outside of the fridge/freezer too!
• Dry the removable parts and replace back in the fridge/freezer along with all the food and products that had been taken out.
• To prevent having to do such a big overhaul on the fridge/freezer so often it is a good idea to mop up any spills when they happen, stick to the first-in, first-out rule with food, if any food does start to turn throw it out (responsibly) and keep it organised.
• Always remember to wear gloves.

Keeping the Bins in Order

Rubbish, recycling and compost bins can all be areas of attraction for pests and it can be a rather nasty task having to clean bins out. Here are some useful cleaning tips for the bins to help you keep your kitchen clean and pest free.
• Remove all rubbish, recycling, compost and dispose in a responsible manner.
• Ensure bins are clear of any excess waste.
• Pour boiling water down the insides of the bins (taking care when using such hot water). Slosh the water around in the bins and empty down the drain.
• Make up a solution of baking powder (1/9) lemon oil (1/9) and warm water (7/9) and using a sponge coat all the surfaces of the bins and leave to soak for 10 minutes.
• Rinse well and apply the solution to the bins again for a further 10 minutes.
• Rinse well and dry all surfaces with a towel.
• Line the bins with appropriate bin liners.
• To keep the bins in a clean condition that will be less likely to attract pests ensure that the bins never over fill, the lids are always securely closed when not in use, a liner is fitted properly, any spills are moped up straight away and the bins are emptied regularly.

Cleaning the Storage Areas

Part of keeping the kitchen clean and pest free is to have clean and organised storage areas, such as pantries and cupboards. There is often a lot of easily accessible food for the likes of mice and rats in these areas due to spills, not properly stored food or seldom-visited areas. Below are some more tips on cleaning the kitchen to keep it pest free.

• The first step is to have to remove all food and products out of the storage area and into a clean area of the kitchen
• Take a toothbrush with some baking powder and lemon oil on it and scrub all the little nooks and brackets to ensure no bacteria will survive the clean.
• To clean the main compartments, start at the top so any dirt or mess will trickle down onto the still dirty surfaces. Use a mix of warm water, baking powder and soap to wipe down with a sponge all of the surfaces in the storage areas. Dry with a towel.
• Make sure you do the same to the outside of the storage areas too.
• Place all the food and products back into the storage.
• To prevent having to do such a large service on the storage areas so often it is a good idea to clean spills straight away, stick to the first-in, first-out rule with food and if any food does go off throw it out (responsibly).
• Proper storage is also important. It is a good idea to keep food products in glass, metal or plastic containers (rats, mice and other pests can get through paper and cardboard). Keep the storage area organised so you are able to see things clearly.
• Always remember to wear gloves.

Having pests in the kitchen is a real health threat and so once they are in it is important to seek a professional pest control service. Not only will they be able to provide you with further tips on cleaning the kitchen to keep it pest free but will also be able to provide you with a pest removal and/or pest prevention service.