The bathroom and kitchen are constantly competing for the title of the dirtiest room in the house. But experiments show that the kitchen sink often has more bacteria than the toilet. That's why cleaning the kitchen is a really important task.

The Huffpost talked to home cleanliness experts to find out which areas of the kitchen are the most problematic and how to clean them to get hygienic cleanliness in the end.

How to clean without stress

First of all, don't take on everything at once. Pick one or two items from the list below to give them a deep clean. Then, a few days or a week later, take on something next.

In between big cleanings, don't forget to keep your cooking surfaces clean. They should be wiped down before and after each use, and thoroughly cleaned once a week.

All knobs and switches in the kitchen should be wiped down at least once a week and spills on the floor should be cleaned right away. These steps prevent the accumulation of dirt and pests.

It's best to use microfiber cloths to clean your kitchen. They are easy to control moisture, leave no lint behind and polish surfaces beautifully. Get a set and you'll notice the difference.

How to clean your refrigerator

Empty the appliance before cleaning it. The less food it has, the easier it will be to figure out where to put it during cleaning.

Start by wiping the fridge from the inside, going at the top and working your way down. This is enough for routine cleaning. A thorough cleaning of this appliance is required about twice a year.

If your refrigerator has stubborn dirt such as grease stains, moisten it, then sprinkle baking soda on it. After a while, when the product has worked, rub the stain with it and rinse off the residue with water.

Don't forget to wipe the outside of your refrigerator well. If it has a stainless steel front, look closely at the direction of the lines on the front and wipe along them. Then it will be shinier and stain-free.

When you're giving your refrigerator a general cleaning, you also need to clean the refrigerator coils. Over time, dust and debris can build up there, so your appliance will work harder and use more energy.

Put paper towels in the food and meat drawers in between cleanings to collect drips. They can be changed weekly. Also, always wipe the bottoms of containers before putting them in the refrigerator.

Cleaning the microwave

This appliance collects a lot of leftover food and is one of the dirtiest in the kitchen. But cleaning it is easy enough. Take a heat-resistant microwave-safe bowl, pour two cups of water into it and add the juice of half a lemon. After that, place it in the microwave and heat for 5 minutes. When the cycle is complete, don't open the oven for about 5 more minutes. The citric acid steam will rise and dissolve the dirt. All that will be left is to wipe the inside of the microwave.

Cleaning the oven

With this appliance, often heavily contaminated with grease, a thick paste of baking soda and water will do a good job. It should be applied to the walls and bottom of the oven, avoiding the heating element. Next, let the paste dry. Then spray it with white vinegar. When the baking soda and vinegar will interact and stop foaming, you just have to wipe the oven from the inside with a clean, damp cloth.

Dishwasher care

Check the filter at the bottom of the appliance on a monthly basis. Remove it and rinse under warm running water. To clean the inside of the dishwasher, take a heat-resistant cup, fill it with a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar, place it on the top shelf and run the wash cycle with just this cup. This will clean the insides of the dishwasher.

Cleaning the toaster

This appliance can pick up huge amounts of crumbs and debris. Start by unplugging it and flipping it upside down over the sink. Tap the bottom to remove any crumbs that may have accumulated in the grooves. Then flip it right side up again and use a baking brush or a clean toothbrush to remove any bits that may be stuck inside the openings.

Then remove the crumb tray and wash it either in the sink or in the dishwasher as the instructions say. Make sure all parts are dry before reassembling the toaster and plugging it back in.

Care for towels and mops

Kitchen towels should be washed every three to five days. That way they will be clean enough.

If your mop has a removable mop pad, wash it in hot water after each use. Then allow the mop pad to air dry completely before putting it back in place.

Cleaning the trash can

If you can, take the trash can outside. Then fill it 10 to 15 inches with warm water and add some dishwashing liquid. Leave the bucket to soak for a few minutes, and then use a long-handled brush designed specifically for cleaning the trash can. After that, scrub the inside with it. Next, rinse the bucket and let it dry in the sun for additional sanitization.

To keep the trash can fresh longer, cover the bottom with old newspapers and sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda, then place a trash bag in it. The paper and baking soda will hold back any dirt that leaks or spills through the bag. Plus, they're easy to replace.

Taking care of small appliances like a multicooker or air fryer

Wipe the outside of the appliance with a damp microfiber cloth after each use. Thoroughly wash removable bowls and other washable parts. And don't forget to clean the cord.

If there is an odor in the bowl of the multicooker, apply baking soda paste to the lid and seal and leave it for a while. After that, wipe off the paste residue.

Cleaning the coffee maker

Fill the water tank with a mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water and run it. This will help remove the scale from the internal parts. Then fill the tank again, but already with clean water and also run it through the coffee maker to wash away the taste of the vinegar. And then unplug the machine and let it cool down. Wipe the non-removable parts with a warm, soapy cloth, and then again with just a damp cloth. The removable parts can be loaded into the dishwasher. Also get rid of coffee deposits in the bean compartment by sprinkling a thick layer of salt on the inside and then rubbing it with a half cut of lemon. This combination will soften the burnt coffee and deodorize the bad smell.

Previously, OBOZREVATEL told you how to get rid of unpleasant odor from the refrigerator.

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