Wood kitchen cabinets

Isn’t it fulfilling to start each morning with a cup of coffee? Those who love coffee surely have made it possible for them to keep a coffee maker in the kitchen. But then again, much like any other appliance that comes worn and torn, a coffee maker deserves frequent cleaning. While many coffee lovers simply focus on cleaning the pot where the coffee is deposited, it has to be noted that the entire machine must be cleaned properly.

Soak the coffee maker in vinegar
Fill in a container with two-part vinegar and one-part water. This will be the solution you are going to use for the rest of the cleaning process. Take the coffee pot and soak it with vinegar. If you happen to have a mesh filter, clean it also. While letting the solution sit in to break down most of the grime, concentrate on cleaning the base heating element and the exterior of the coffee maker.

Fill in the reservoir with vinegar and turn the machine on
After soaking, fill in the reservoir where you usually pour water when brewing with vinegar. Ensure that you do not let the vinegar solution spill over from the reservoir of the coffee maker. Position the coffee pot back to where it should be. Turn the machine on so that the vinegar can clean the machine thoroughly. After running the coffee maker, rinse the accumulated junk off the mesh filter, if you have one.

Spill out the vinegar
Take the coffee pot out of the machine and spill out any remaining amount of vinegar. Get rid of any particle left in the coffee pot. Afterward, rinse the coffee pot and make sure that no more particle can be seen.

Have another round of cleaning
With the remaining vinegar solution that you have, fill in the reservoir and turn the machine on. This repetition of the process will guarantee that the coffee maker is definitely clean. You can also scrub the coffee maker to remove any remaining residue. Once you have done some more cycle of the cleaning with the use of vinegar, run the entire machine with pure water.

With the given simple steps, all you have to do next is to regularly clean your coffee maker. Just always be certain about the cleanliness of the machine to produce a higher quality of brewed coffee. Vinegar may have an unpleasant smell but it is proven to work at its best on being an effective cleaning agent.

The kitchen is one of the most interesting parts of a house. Here, you can work on miracles like turning that chunk of beef into a delicious dish of beef curry. It is almost perfect until you realize how many dangers are lurking in the corner of your kitchen. You can get scalded, blistered, cut, stabbed, burned and poisoned while working in the kitchen. That is you if you are not careful and you don’t know how to avoid accidents in the kitchen.

• If you are going to work in the kitchen, you have to focus on it. Don’t leave something on the stove unattended. You might forget that something is in the oven or stove and that increases the risk of your food getting burned, or worse, fires.

• Have that pot holder nearby if you are going to handle food heated from the microwave and others. If you take it with your bare hands, you might not stand the heat and end up toppling over the pot or pan you are holding.

• Wipe wet areas dry at once to prevent accidents like slipping.

• If a pan is on fire, don’t use water to extinguish it. Turn off the stove. It is recommended to use a fire extinguisher at this instance, or if a fire extinguisher isn’t available, soak a towel in water and place it on top of the burning pan.

• Don’t try making a flambé or putting wine in something you are cooking if you don’t know how to do it. It may cause a fire.

• Keep the knives in the drawer and lock it. This is to avoid children reaching the knives and hurting themselves.

• When handling a knife, use your common sense. When someone asks you to pass it to them give them the handle, not the point. They may not be looking and grab the knife and may hurt themselves if you gave them the pointed end.

• Lock away chemicals in hard to reach places, better yet lock them away so that curious children won’t have access to them.

• Have a ladder in handy if you want to reach something above. Using chairs can cause accidents like toppling down and may lead to serious injuries.

• If you are using liquefied petroleum gas for cooking, know how to avoid accidents in the kitchen if ever that LPG tank leaks. Leaks from LPG tanks are easy to detect because of the distinct smell it emits. Do not turn on any electrical appliances or light a match for this can lead to explosion. If the odor is too strong, call the fire department immediately for assistance.

When it comes to knowing how to become a Certified Kitchen Designer, you have to understand that it is not your ordinary profession. This kind of specialized certification is given by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
So what does a Certified Kitchen Designer do? Basically, a CKD goes beyond the scope of a decorator. A CKD works with the interior architecture and surface look of its client’s kitchen. Different types of designs may be executed depending on the needs of the client. Once the CKD comes up with a plan based on what the clients want to have, they have to review it cooperatively before finalizing any detail. If you like to become one, here are the easy steps.

Go to the website of National Kitchen and Bath Association
You need to apply for being a CKD. Simply visit the website of National Kitchen and Bath Association and look for the application pages. Take note that there are those that are particularly for customer and professional recommendation. Ask for a recommendation from your previous clients or any other professional whom you have worked with. While you are on the website, look for the date of the next CKD exam. Prepare for the necessary examination fee. Late fees will be accepted but an extra late fee will be included. Recommendations must be done with at least twelve-week allowance considered before the exam starts. Late applicants can wait for the next CKD exam.

Review for the examination
It is best that you gather the study notes that you had during your training and any other related courses about kitchen design. The exam may also touch on the latest technologies in kitchen architecture and design. Always read the news and browse through online articles where you can be well-informed about kitchen design. You can also attend online classes and seminars that will guide you on refreshing your memory about important aspects and techniques in the field of kitchen design.

Once you have followed the given steps, you simply need to wait for the results of the examination. If it is fortunate for you to have passed the certification exam, you can then be called as a Certified Kitchen Designer. If you did not make it, you can still try other levels of certification offered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Garbage disposals should be constantly cleaned to avoid a dirty environment accompanied with a foul odor. Inside one’s home, the kitchen is expected to be the cleanest and most well-maintained area. This is where food is stored and cooked. It is also the place where the family gathers together to eat their meal every day, the only place where they typically see each other even with their busy schedules. This is also the place where guests congregate and overflow when there is an event hosted by the owner of the house.

Garbage disposals are mostly made of metal cylinders equipped with rotating impellers. The insides of a garbage disposal can rapidly become enclosed with sludge and debris, causing these unsuitable items to be stuck inside the drain. Glass, metal, rubber objects and stringy food materials need to be physically removed from the garbage disposal which is an easier thing to do compared to having something removed from the inside of the drain. Thus, items that become stuck or left inside the garbage disposal will breed odor-causing bacteria and cause the malfunction of the garbage disposal if no appropriate action is taken immediately.

How to clean garbage disposal requires suitable materials as well as proper safety handling. Hot water should be poured in the garbage disposal every day, and adding a small amount of liquid detergent helps make some suds to further aid in the cleaning. By turning on the garbage disposal, the water will flush right through it, cleansing the insides of the apparatus. Both the hot water and the detergent should loosen and remove the dirt left in the disposal, even those that might have clogged inside. Remove the drain and scrub away the remaining dirt by using a small scrub brush.

Once you are sure that it is clean inside, replace the drain of the garbage disposal. Cleaning the garbage disposal also includes freshening the apparatus. Grinding ice cubes by placing several cubes in the drain and grinding those helps clean the cutting blades in the garbage disposal. Also, to add a little bit of scent to the kitchen area, add rinds of any citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits) in the drain with the ice cubes.

Cleaning the garbage disposal at least once a week, if not at a daily basis, using the previously mentioned methods will help keep it free from dirt causing bacteria and also mold. It is always better to have a clean and odor-fee kitchen environment.

If you are a homeowner, it is important that you choose under cabinet lighting correctly. The reason for this is so that your kitchen can have proper lighting and will not cause a problem when you are using the room at night. In addition, there are also some places in your kitchen that don’t get proper light. Because of this, you will not be able to cut your vegetables properly or you can even get into some accidents in the kitchen.

• Types– The first thing you need to know about under cabinet lighting is that there are three basic types. The most common type is the stand alone since they are xenon, halogen, or fluorescent. A linear low voltage is composed of small strips with a small xenon or halogen light bulb. Lastly, the third is called button lights or puck lights. This third type is a small hockey puck sized light which makes use of either halogen or xenon bulbs.

• Size– This is the next important thing you need to consider. While sizes for this are usually the same, they can differ with every brand. Some examples of the available lights are the 13”, 18”, 21”, 30”, and 39”. When choosing the right size for your under cabinet lighting, you should not only choose the one which is the same as the dimensions of your cabinet. The reason for this is because you will normally have a lesser space than its full size. A good example for this is when you have a 30” cabinet. You might think about putting a 28” width light underneath so that the fixture can be mounted. When this happens, you might make do with a fixture which measures 21”. Just to be sure, you should make sure what the right size is before you buy the under cabinet light.

• Wiring– This is one of the last things you need to consider when you choose under cabinet lighting. You should choose whether you want a plug in light or the models which are hard-wired. However, when it comes to this decision, some electrical skills and knowledge are needed. If you don’t have either, you can hire an electrician to install hard-wiring lights for you.

Remember, it is important that you make sure you get an informed decision about the type of under cabinet lighting you will need. In addition, you also need to assess your Do-It-Yourself skills for this purpose so you can avoid unwanted circumstances. A poorly wired connection can cause fire to your home. If you want to be safe, you can always get the expertise of a professional so you can sit back and wait until the lighting has been installed.

Your kitchen is the area in your home where you prepare and cook your food. Often, it serves as a venue for bonding moments with your family. You and your kids learn how to make special dishes and mouth-watering deserts in the kitchen while discussing school activities. Also, this area of your home functions as a space for good talks and good laughs with your friends while baking cakes and pastries. In short, countless moments are spent in the kitchen, most especially for moms. Regardless of the different activities you have in the other areas of your house, people always have the tendency to go to the kitchen. Hence, this is an area that should not only be maintained clean and sanitized, but should also stand out.

• If you want bright colors, you can do well with yellow, orange and green resembling that of lemons, tangerines and limes. These colors teamed up with wood flooring and white appliances can create a lively and fun place to be.

• Brown hues of countertops and wood floors combined with the color ideas of orange tomatoes, summer squash and green bell pepper provides warmth in the overall atmosphere of your kitchen.

• The deep color of purple like that of an eggplant could as well create a majestic feel in your kitchen, adorned with stainless appliances, dark countertops with crumbs or hints of purple or gray. The dark green color like that of the tip of an eggplant can mirror an elegant look when accentuated with deep purple highlights.

• Colors of an herb garden shouldn’t also be ignored. The ideas of using the color of herb plants’ various green shades like that of a basil, and light lavender hues of subtle blossoms can come up with a very lovely color scheme.

• Hues of the less bright colored garden harvests like the cantaloupe, cauliflower and corn can also be an inspiration in creating a distinctive color scheme, same with the colors of onion and garlic.

• The dark brownish color of the fertile soil on which various fruits and veggies grow, could serve as your prime color or you could use it as a subtle shade on which your other chosen colors can combine to.

Using the inspiration of a garden abundant in fruits or vegetables is truly a nice starting point on how to choose kitchen colors.

A refrigerator is a cooling appliance where food is stored and is used to reduce the rate of spoilage of food. It is the core of the kitchen. All families depend on it to store all perishable foods safely until they are ready to be used and cooked. Unfortunately, not all families know how to take care of their refrigerator like stuffing it full with food and forgetting about the leftovers. There are even spills from mayonnaise, ketchup or other liquid components of food that crystallize or cause stains inside the refrigerator. Even worse, forgotten rotten food inside can give off an unpleasant odor.

Also, remove any food matter from the bottom of the refrigerator. Wash and rinse the inside of the refrigerator with a sponge or dishcloth and with warm water. Once this step is done, place all shelves, wire racks and drawers back inside the refrigerator. In addition to how to clean refrigerator, wash the outside of the refrigerator and the gasket with warm, soapy water, rinse and wipe dry. Once the entire cleaning is done, turn the temperature control knob inside the refrigerator back to the recommended setting and return the food to the refrigerator.

There are several easy steps on how to properly maintain the cleanliness of the refrigerator, like wiping up spills immediately and throwing out rotten food every week. It is necessary to clean the refrigerator to ensure the freshness and the safety of the food. Additional tips include cleaning condenser coils, which are usually located in the front of the refrigerator behind a metal plate near the floor, by vacuuming them constantly (like on a monthly basis) to prevent dust buildup. Also, one thing to take note of is by avoiding the use of harsh cleaners or rubbing pads in cleaning the refrigerator. Odor removers are also helpful in the overall cleaning of the refrigerator which includes toothpaste, baking soda, charcoal, and coffee.

Having the right kitchen cabinets inside your kitchen area is a must for all smart homeowners. Selecting the perfect kitchen cabinets for one’s home is one thing while keeping them spotless and looking new is another. There are many handy tips on how to keep kitchen cabinets looking brand new and beautifully maintained. It takes a lot of time and effort but it’s very fulfilling to keep these kitchen cabinets looking good as new.

When cleaning kitchen cabinets, pay particular attention to the area around cabinet door handles and drawer pulls since these places are inclined to be the stickiest. Removing cabinet hardware before the general cleaning is necessary to help make cleaning around these areas easier. How to clean kitchen cabinets does not only involve keeping them clean but also making them pleasing to the eye. Thus, making them shiny by buffing them with furniture wax adds to the cleaning procedure.

The following are some easy steps to prevent a regular cleaning which is difficult to squeeze in especially in one’s busy schedule. Also, these steps will not only save time intended for cleaning but will help extend the life of the kitchen cabinets making them look as brand new as the first day they were bought. One tip is to immediately clean liquid or food spills in kitchen cabinets, especially if they are made of wood. Another tip is to pick up items rather than sliding them across surfaces to avoid scratches. These tips may seem ordinary but with a little patience and a simple cleaning routine, kitchen cabinets can be maintained in perfect condition for years to come.

Once the kitchen cabinets are cleaned, end the cleaning procedure by a periodic wipe down in order to not go through the entire process of cleaning again. A typical homeowner would opt for wood-made kitchen cabinets with a catalyzed conversion varnish since this type only needs to be cleaned occasionally by wiping the cabinet with a damp cloth and drying it with a soft cloth. In point of fact, it does not matter what your kitchen cabinets are made of as long as you keep them clean and tidy.

Man is as ever the advocate of cleanliness and hygiene with the use of running water. This idea is especially true in our modern age, as faucets find their way in almost any critical area that would need water as a cleaning agent. Kitchen sinks are just one of those areas, and if you want them to continue functioning properly you may want to do know some ways to fix these important outlets of running water and repair kitchen faucets.

For the simplest method of repairing faucets, always remember to keep extra parts for the faucets. This is so that you can immediately replace a defective part once it is found. A handful of washers, nuts, bolts, screws and o-rings can really prove helpful once you needed a quick part replacement. If in case you find that there is actually no need to replace the part, just rearrange the parts properly to ensure that the faucet mechanism runs properly and is intact.

Know that the parts needed for each type of faucet would be different from the other. If you have to repair kitchen faucets, be sure that you keep the exact type of part that is well compatible. The older type of faucet is the compression type. It uses a single hand turning mechanism to open and close valves using a simple mechanism that is held by screws and bolts. The likeliness to leak results from the constant pressure that it receives from its constant attempt to stop the water using the strength of the valve.

If the problem lies in the pipe that leads to the faucet, you simply have to apply the proper sealant to put things into place again. Make sure that you use a sealant that can be used in the water, or just try to turn off the home water pump first. Do not use the water from the kitchen faucet until the sealant totally dries up well into the damaged pipe.

That solves most of the problems concerning the overflow of water, but what about if the water doesn’t flow well into the faucet? Check the aerator to see if things are still running in good condition. This is the device that regulates the pressure of the water to the air pressure to let the water flow freely into pipe going to the faucet. If you see heavy mineral build up, then that would be reason for our clogged faucet. Scrub it well with a toothbrush too remove the mineral deposits, and to allow the water to flow freely again into the aerator.