Creating Easy-to-Clean Kitchens
We always ask homeowners in Washington, DC who want to create the kitchen design of their dreams to describe who in their family will use the kitchen, for what specific purposes and how often. Today’s kitchens need to serve multiple functions especially if homeowners in Washington, DC are working from home either part time or full time. Always the most used and important room in the home, kitchen spaces now serve as offices, conference rooms, studies, cafes, coffee shops, dining rooms, planning centers and a host of other activities. Given that today’s new kitchen design need to be multifunctional, it has become even more important to make it easy and less time consuming for homeowners in Washington, DC to clean and maintain their kitchens.
The amount of effort required for everyday kitchen cleaning and maintenance depends on the type and style of products that you select for your kitchen. Stainless steel appliances are a go-to option for many homeowners in Washington, DC. Stainless steel shows water stains and fingerprints. Additionally, dirt, grease, grime and dust can cause stainless steel surfaces to rust if they are not cleaned regularly. Homeowners that prefer stainless steel appliances should opt for the smudge-proof options offered by many manufacturers. For cooktops, ovens and ranges, we advise homeowners in Washington, DC to select models with knobs that are far enough apart to enable someone to clean them easily. Flat surfaces are easier to clean than detailed surfaces. Induction cooktops are not only easy to use and make cooking more enjoyable, their flat surfaces makes them one of the easiest appliances to clean without sacrificing the benefits of cooking with gas. Stained kitchen cabinets show fewer fingerprints, smudges, dirt and grime than painted cabinets. Medium stains hide more dirt and fingerprints than lighter or darker stains. Painted cabinets with semi-gloss finishes are the easiest to clean. Painted cabinets with a matte or high gloss finish show more fingerprints and dirt and require more frequent attention.
Flat front cabinets are easier to clean than cabinets with insets, grooves or ridges. Quartz and stainless-steel countertops are stain-resistant, nonporous and the easiest to clean countertop materials.
Glass and one-piece backsplashes that don’t require grout or have seams are the easiest materials to clean. Tile is as popular backsplash choice, but the exposed grout can be a haven for grease and dirt. If you prefer a tile backsplash that is easier to clean, consider large format tiles with thin grout lines.
Another often overlooked consideration that makes kitchen cleaning easier is the placement of recycling and trash bins. An ideal location is underneath the sink space permitting or next to the sink. And if there is adequate space, consider having additional trash and recycling containers in a walk-in pantry, next to the fridge, in an island or close to the area in the kitchen where most meals will be prepared.
Investing in a high quality, high performing range hood that has the capacity to remove most grease, dust and grime from the kitchen will also make cleaning a lot easier. Open shelves in a kitchen can be a focal point and are favored by many homeowners in Washington, DC to store and display plates, vases, cookware and collectables. Open shelves also require more care and maintenance because you need to remove the items placed on the shelves to clean them.
What additional products and designs can make it easier and less effortless to clean and maintain a dream kitchen? Give us a call at (540) 338-9661 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 210 N 21st St e, Purcellville, VA 20132 and let us show you how you can create the kitchen you want and deserve that’s easy to use, clean and maintain.