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Spring Cleaning Tips for a Long-Lasting Kitchen

  • At April 13, 2017
  • By catherineschager
  • In Uncategorized
  • 0

Finally, warm weather is on the way! You are probably in the midst of your annual spring cleaning activities. A freshly clean home is always a favorite way to welcome spring. Here are some tips for spring cleaning your kitchen that you might not have considered and will help extend the life of the heart of your home.

Hood Exhaust Filter
Undoubtedly your range hood will get scrubbed and shined, but remember to check the filter on the exhaust too. (This is the metal mesh covering the exhaust fan.)

Hood
A functioning exhaust is one of the best ways to keep grease and grime from depositing all over your kitchen, so you want to keep ypurs in prime condition. If your filter looks grimy, try soaking it in a mix of hot water, baking soda and liquid dish soap. After a soak, it should clean up nicely.

Refrigerator and Oven
When you clean your refrigerator and oven, take a few minutes to check for issues that could lead to a repair bill later. I recommend having your appliances serviced by a professional on a regular basis to extend the life and efficiency of the working parts.

Appliances

Check the rubber seals on the doors. If they are getting dry, cracked, or caked with grime, they won’t seal properly. They might need cleaned and lubricated, or they might need replaced. Bad seals will cause the appliances to overwork to replace the heat or cold they are losing at the seal.

The coils and condenser fan on your fridge needs to be cleaned annually as well, especially if you have pets, and dust and pet hair can clog up the back of slide-in ranges.

Cabinets and Countertops
Your countertops get cleaned regularly, but at least once a year be sure to move any countertop appliances, canisters, or other items that “live” on the surface all year and check the surface underneath. Only use cleaning solutions approved for your countertop type. If you have granite, check to see if it is time for your countertops to be resealed. Don’t let this go if it is needed. If you have tile, check the grout for damage.

Cabinets and countertops

Cabinet surfaces don’t get cleaned as regularly and can accumulate a lot of grease and grime. Cabinets are often beautiful furniture pieces and since they are exposed to kitchen grime, they need to be cleaned annually. Be sure to only use cleaners approved by your cabinet manufacturer. Often a tub of mild soapy water and soft sponge is recommended, but always check first. For deeper grime, your installer or manufacturer can recommend the right product to use as well.

Windows, Curtains and Lights
What better way to let the bright spring light in than freshly washed windows? Like everything else in the kitchen, your windows are exposed to cooking grease and will get a build up on the inside.

Windows and Lights

Some curtains are machine washable and their is no better time to toss them in the laundry. Many must be professionally cleaned. Take them down annually and drop them at the dry cleaners, or have a professional come to your home depending on the time of window treatments you have. Blinds can usually be wiped with a damp cloth but in the kitchen, grease may make an appearance here too. Use cleaning solutions recommended by the manufacturer.

Curtains and Lights

Don’t forget your lights! Dust bulbs with a dry cloth. Take down glass shades and globes and wash in soapy water. Metal shades and casings can usually be wiped with a damp cloth. Again, the manufacturer can recommend cleaning products depending on the type of metal.

After you’ve done all that cleaning, be sure to celebrate by bringing in some fresh, spring color! Visit our pinterest board to get some inspiration. Happy Spring!

Looking for Great Appliances? Think Jenn-Air!

  • At May 21, 2015
  • By catherineschager
  • In Kitchen and Bath Design
  • 0

Recently, I had the pleasure of being selected to be one of a handful of designers from around the country to attend a special two day designer forum presented and hosted by Jenn-Air and led by Ellen Cheever- a rock star in the world of kitchen design. It was an exciting and enlightening couple of days! Jenn-Air put us all up in a lovely boutique hotel in downtown Chicago called the Palomar. We were whisked off for an afternoon of demonstrations and of course food, at the beautiful World of Whirlpool penthouse in the Reid- Murdoch building. For those of you who don’t know it, it’s the building downtown with the big clock tower on it facing the river. We got to tour the inside of the clock tower and look out at the spectacular view of Chicago!

The following day was another intensive day filled with demonstrations of the vast product line that Jenn-Air offers. Here are some of the insights that I came away with:

  • Jenn-Air is a premium line of appliances, but with prices that usually fall below other premium brands.
  • They offer some fabulous ovens that can even remember your favorite recipes!
  • If you’re looking for a new cooktop, consider induction as opposed to gas or electric- it’s 90% efficient as opposed to 55% for electric and only 45% for gas. It also remains cool to the touch.
  • Ventilation can be cool! (no pun intended ☺) Jenn-Air offers down-draft that is quiet, powerful, and can be duct-free.
  • Have you ever seen a refrigerator with an Obsidian interior? You should check out http://jennair.com/obsidian-refrigerator for a peek!
  • From your morning coffee until your final clean-up after dinner, Jenn-Air has the appliances to make your life easy and entertaining fun!

Here are some photos! For more photos, see our pinterest board.

with Ellen Cheever (left)
A view of the Palomar rooms
Jenn-Air Form

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