The kitchen is a powerhouse of any functioning household. As it provides the most comforting substance we need in any condition; food. So, that also means it gets exposed to the greasiest hands and droplets. It also means that it needs most cleaning than the rest of the house. This article will discuss about how to protect your kitchen handles, keep them shiny and always in the best shape.
My Kitchen Obsession:
I love my kitchen. It is a broad space that can accommodate my family of four. So, we make a clan of the loudest, rowdiest, and heartiest people who love their food. We belong to Sydney, so all my boys love their sports and not the chores. The upside to this story is that I love cooking, so I love prepping my boys’ meals. But I also want my kitchen spick and span at all times. However, it sounds like an impossible feat with boys ranging from 3 to 15, not to mention my lovely 43-year-old lad, who can be the messiest when he decides to cook. So, it has always been challenging to keep things in order but I will let you guys in on my secret to clean kitchen handles in a jiffy.
Mission Protecting Kitchen Handles:
Kitchen handles is a broad term. As it ranges from the handles of the doors to the drawer and cabinet kitchen handles. All of my kitchen handles are made of different materials. So, it means that all of them have different requirements for cleaning.
Kitchen handles are one of the most exposed to grime, dirt, and grease. Plus, an additional door from the backyard kitchen garden means soil exposure as well. So, all this can make my door handles super dirty.
Moreover, the routine oil vapors from making French fries now and then make my kitchen handles and walls a self-printed masterpiece and saving and cleaning can be a huge headache. Since it is an art form I certainly do not approve of and get rid of it as soon as possible.
Protecting My Kitchen Handles:
There are more than one ways to do so.
- The most easiest way to protect your kitchen handles is to clean them. Yes! Clean every day. Yes, this sounds difficult, but it is far easier to wipe your kitchen handles with a clean, damp microfiber cloth every day instead of collecting grime and then scrubbing it.
- Also, you can use handle covers. They are easily available online and you can clean and replace them regularly.
- Moreover, weekly clean your metallic kitchen handles with a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and it will remove accumulated grease.
- Besides, polish regularly to maintain the shine and cleanliness of your kitchen handles. The process is recommended once a week and you can do it after wiping nicely.
Clean-Sweep-Repeat:
If you are also a busy momma like me then it is hard enough to plan and prepare meals, do some laundry, and also work a job. So, my boys help with laundry and chores, but detailed cleaning is not a cup of tea for them.
The meticulous approach which I demand while removing the grime from my kitchen handles is something only my 11-year-old understands. So, he is always there with a toothbrush, sponge, and other material to make sure that momma won’t lose it if her sausage fingers won’t reach the finer carvings. He gets them dusty spots with his baby fingers and we get super clean kitchen handles.
The Formula to Protect Kitchen Handles of Different Materials
But, different materials have different requirements. All vary in terms of cleaning agent, time, and sometimes even chemicals to get the ideal results. So, I am mentioning the different ways for thorough cleaning and taking care of you to get shining, spotless kitchen handles in no time:
Stainless Steel:
In my opinion, these are the simplest, if you maintain them wisely. So, if you have stainless steel kitchen handles, you can clean them simply.
Materials:
- Clean sponge.
- Wiping rag.
- Vinegar.
- Dish soap.
- Water.
Method:
- Squirt a good amount of dish soap in a bowl of water.
- Mix well with a sponge.
- Now scrub the mixture on the handles.
- Next, wipe with a clean rag.
- For the finishing touch, mix vinegar and water in a ratio of one is to one and clean the handles with it.
Brass:
Brass is a beautiful metal. But its beauty comes with a price of regular tarnishing. To clean brass kitchen handles, you will need:
Materials:
- Citric acid.
- Baking soda.
- Water
- Scouring pad.
- Wiping cloth.
Method:
- Mix the two powders in the ratio of one is to one.
- Add a small quantity of water to form a bubbling paste.
- Rub the paste on the kitchen handles with a scouring pad.
- Wipe clean with a cloth.
Pewter
Pewter is an easy-to-maintain metal. Thus, you don’t need anything unusual to clean it.
Material:
- Dish soap.
- A cup of water.
- Cloth piece.
Method:
- Squirt a liberal amount of dish soap in water.
- Now mix with hands or a spoon.
- Next, apply and rub with one cloth, wipe clean with other.
Silver and Copper:
The prettiest kitchen handles are the most difficult to clean. So, you are going to need special supplies for these, but it is worth it. The results are flawless, shining, kitchen handles.
Materials:
- Ammonia.
- Water.
- Protective gloves.
- Multiple cloth pieces.
Method:
- Mix 1 tablespoon ammonia in about half a cup of water.
- Next, mix to make a paste.
- Now apply the paste on the door handles.
- Buff up the handles.
- Next, wipe clean with a cloth piece.
- Finally, use a damp towel to remove traces of ammonia.
Conclusion
So, if you love your kitchen, every nook and cranny becomes your obsession. You like to keep it nice, neat, and stocked. Plus, you want it to have a comforting effect on the family members. But, it is only possible if your kitchen is a clean place. Kitchen handles are most exposed to any kind of dirt and grease. So, regular cleaning can help protect your kitchen handles from any kind of distortion. Also, it will increase its life and make it long-lasting. Moreover, it will give your kitchen a finished look which will make you enter the place for a comforting time.