I am far from the queen of kitchen clean, but if I had to pick a few ideal ways I try to to maintain a clean clean, here’s what I’d suggest:

Daily

Wipe up those spills! Overflow the boiling water onto my ceramic cook top? Wipe it right away, especially if it was pasta or a tomato based sauce! Same goes for juice spills, refrigerator catastrophes and anything that could create a scrubbing nightmare on the stove or in the oven later. I also like the idea of wiping down syrup bottles and condiment bottles of drips and grimy lids BEFORE putting them back. Everyday, the kitchen counters and dining area should be wiped with a damp cloth. I try to get into all the crevices the best I can. The floor should also be swept clean each night, a great chore for a child who is eager to help. Most importantly, I try to have everything I took out back to its resting spot before turning in for the night, makes for a much easier morning routine.

Weekly

My weekly routine to ensure a clean kitchen involves more detail work, but is not too grueling, assuming I have been a consistent kitchen cleaner daily (see above). Weekly, I toss old food from the fridge and wipe all the inside shelves clean. All cabinet doors should be wiped and polished depending on their surface. This is also a great time to tidy Read the rest of this entry

 

As more and more people become conscious of the aesthetic factor of every corner of their homes, kitchens are growing into centerpieces of attraction. One of the first decisions that you need to take when you design your kitchen is regarding your countertops. Should you choose granite, marble or synthetic?

 

These days, there is a growing trend towards choosing granite kitchen countertops. There are many reasons for this.

 

Looks: Granite looks strikingly beautiful. You can get it in a variety of arresting colors, ranging from neutrals to something bright. Thus, it is easy to match granite kitchen countertops to the rest of your décor. You can match any cabinet hardware to the natural grandeur of granite, and your kitchen will catch the gleaming, polished stateliness of granite. Additionally, the polish and gleam of granite lasts for a very long time. The natural designs etched on tiles made of granite are quite alluring and can form a good backdrop to the overall design of your kitchen. The only thing you have to ensure is that you buy tiles that match in color and design.

 

Rich textures: Granite, when removed from the earth comes as large blocks, which are then converted into slabs. Because of this, granite slabs have lesser instances of pattern variation and discoloration. Also, there are fewer cuts or scratches which significantly reduce the chances of dirt or grit getting stuck in crevices. So, granite kitchen countertops offer a nicely uniform solid surface for kitchen countertops after they are cut and polished.

 

Durability: Read the rest of this entry