5 aspects of kitchen maintenance homeowners overlook

One thing many homeowners may not realise is that their families often spend more time in the kitchen than just about any other room of the house. Whether it’s preparing meals, eating, getting work done or just hanging out, many people usually spend the most time in the bedroom, the kitchen and the living room, in that order.

For that reason, you might want to be a little more proactive about properly maintaining that space, and the items within it. Not sure where to start? We have some suggestions:

1) Keep an eye on your backsplash

Lots of homeowners have some sort of protective material on the wall behind their counters, and it’s usually some sort of tile. Are you caring for it properly?

Rocket Homes notes that you may clean up the big spills and splashes that end up on them, but what about the everyday dust and grime that can build up over time and be harder to spot? Putting in a little more elbow grease on occasion to really scrub the tiles and grout is always a good idea.

2) Clear and swap out air filters

You may not think much about it, but the air filters in your oven hood and on other appliances can get pretty greasy over time. For that reason, it’s a good idea to clean them properly, or even occasionally replace them. That includes moving your refrigerator or oven and clearing all the accumulated dust off the back. This can make the appliance run more efficiently and, in the end, save you money.

3) Give the cabinets and drawers a bit of TLC

You may wipe down the outsides of your cabinets and drawers from time to time as part of your normal cleaning routine, but many don’t do the same when it comes to the surfaces on the inside, The Kitchn says. In addition, it’s also a good idea to make sure all the handles or knobs are still well attached, and that hinges and sliders are in good working order. If not, fixing or replacing them can reduce headaches and increase usability.

4) Clean the stuff you don’t clean often

There are some parts of your kitchen that don’t get the attention they deserve because they’re often out of sight and therefore out of mind. If you’re moving your oven or fridge to clean the back, you might also want to sweep up all the debris that collected under there over the past several months. It’s also a good idea to clean out your drain or disposal so that your sink keeps working well and doesn’t produce any unpleasant odours.

5) Declutter every area

Let’s face it, in just about any kitchen, there’s always that one drawer or cupboard that’s overstuffed with various items and which you therefore tend to avoid whenever possible. Ask Away recommends getting all the extra clutter out of these areas and either figuring out where else it can go (if you don’t use it much but it’s still needed sometimes) or whether you should just throw it out or donate it.

Kitchen renovation is one of the most common changes homeowners make before or after they complete a sale. If you are thinking of getting into the housing market in the near future, the experts at Ray White Surfers Paradise can help. We have closed countless deals to the satisfaction of buyers and sellers alike, and would love to do the same for you. Get in touch today to learn more about what we can do for you.