— Do it Yourself —

4 Habits that make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier!

Disclosure: My tutorial to make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier, dessert recipe is sponsored. All opinions are mine alone.
A homemaking strategy I learned quickly after becoming a stay at home wife and mom was how to make cleanup after meal prep easier.mWhen I gave up a full-time job to be at home full-time, I began cooking three meals from scratch every day. Cooking and eating at home, produces a dirty kitchen and dirty dishes.

Being sick of ending a meal with a sink full of dishes, I got smarter and came up with a strategy.

 

4 Habits that make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier!

 

1. Start with a clean kitchen. 

Before I can begin making a meal my kitchen needs to be clean, the counters clear, and the sink free of dishes. Having a clean dish cloth at the sink when I start a meal is a must.

Starting meals in a kitchen that’s clean, and prepped provides the perfect environment for my culinary creativity.

2. Set up your cooking station.

I have a two part prep system which involves prepping my cooking and clean up stations. First let me tell you how I set up the cooking station.

Before I start my meals, I pull out the ingredients, dishes and utensils I’ll need. I set them on the counters along with a large bowl to collect garbage. Having everything out saves a good bit of time.

When I need something as I’m creating my dish, it’s all at arms reach.

3. Set up your clean up station.

To set up my cleaning station, I fill my sink with hot soapy water. Then I grab a clean Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth from the kitchen linen drawers along with a clean dish towel. The Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth is washable so it can be reused, just like my dish towels.

Using a Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth saves time and space too. In the past, I’d keep a scrubbing sponge and dish cloth at the sink. I’d use the scrubbing sponge for my non-stick pots and a dish cloth for plates and utensils. My Scotch-Brite® Dish Cloth is both of those in one. One side of the cloth is a soft fiber for dishes while the other has non-scratching scrubbing dots for my pots and pans. The scrubbing power makes cleaning messy dishes and dirty counter tops easy!

4. Clean up as you go.

I like to clean up the kitchen as I am prepping and cooking. As soon as I am done with each dish, I put them in the hot soapy water. This has makes clean up even easier. While I’m working, the hot soapy water is too. It’s breaking down the food, grease and grime so by  the time I wipe them with my Scotch-Brite® Dish Cloth, the food comes right off.

While my food is cooking, I wash up any remaining dishes and wipe the counters.

 

 

 

 

These tips have helped make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier for me for over a decade. Now that I’ve shared them with you, I hope you are excited about making a meal. Here’s a delicious dessert recipe from my kitchen.

Peach Crisp
Serves 6    |  Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups canned peaches
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Drain the peaches, lay them in a single layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, sugar and egg together. I mix until it forms a mixture or clumps and fine powder but shows no signs of remaining wetness from the egg.Then evenly sprinkle the mixture over the peaches.

Drizzle melted butter over top, place in the oven on 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

 

The Peach Crisp can be eaten immediately or served later. Using my tips, you should have a clean kitchen while you enjoy your dessert.

 

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20 thoughts on “4 Habits that make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier!”

  1. I am a clean as you go person always. Husband always laughs at me but you should see the kitchen if he's cooking…

    1. Neely, my kids like to clean after they cook. When they see all of the dishes they complain there's too much to clean.

  2. I need all the help I can get when it comes to cleaning our kitchen. It always seems to get messy again right after I clean it.

    1. This habit plus using my dishwasher helps. I started my kids on kitchen tasks young so they're helpful too.

  3. Makes sense! I absolutely agree that it is best to start with a clean kitchen. I wash as I go along to make life easier

  4. Scotch brite is my favorite brand, and there is nothing better than a clean kitchen and savoring a nice dessert =)

  6. I have to look into that dish cloth. I am like you, I clean as I go. I don't like any dirty dish or utensil lying around my sink. I love a clean kitchen (and house) all the time 🙂

    1. This is one of the best Scotch-Brite dishcloths. I use the have the scrubbing sponges, but I like these a lot better for large pots and wiping surfaces.

  7. These are great habits to have, I am forever putting the cleaning of the kitchen on the bank burner.

  8. Great advice! Cleaning up as you go is so important! I didn't really do that today so now I've got to tackle a full sink of dishes!

  9. A clean sink makes me smile! They get messy too fast, so keeping on it like you're doing is smart.

  10. Oh I LOVE a good peach crisp. This is so easy and delicious – and I don't know why I don't make them at home. #Client

  11. Love your tips you share! ( Did you know you have two number twos?) Can't wait to make your crisp!

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