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RealSimple.com: How To Speed-Clean Your Kitchen

Click here to see the quickest and smartest strategies for battling eight universally despised tasks.

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Kitchen Cleaning...

When cleaning the kitchen always start with the sink. "Keep it empty and shining," says Marla Cilley, author of "Sink Reflections" (Bantam, $15, amazon.com) and creator of FlyLady.net, a housekeeping website.

A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness, inspiring you to load the dishwasher immediately and keep counters, refrigerator doors, and the stove top spick-and-span, too.

(Photo: Frances Janisch)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Beat the Clock

In the time it takes to brew a pot of coffee, you can get through your "every day" list.

Be Prepared
Keep extra garbage bags (or a whole roll) at the bottom of your trash can and never again have to retrieve an apple core from a bagless bin.

Let It Shine
Streak-free stainless-steel surfaces are the Holy Grail of kitchen cleaning. Caldrea's olive oil–based Stainless Steel Spray promises to reduce fingerprints. (Available in five scents, including green tea and lavender pine, $11 for 11.8 ounces, 877-576-8808, caldrea.com.)

(Photo: Mikkel Vang)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Shiny Sink 101

1. Fill sink to the rim with very hot water; add one cup regular bleach. Soak for one hour.
2. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
3. Scrub with Ajax, Bon Ami or baking soda.
4. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
5. Shine with Windex or another glass-cleaning spray. Dry thoroughly.

(Photo:Frances Janisch)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Cleaning Kitchen...

The quickest way to clean and disinfect these supplies is to put them in the dishwasher.

Burner grids and knobs
Brushes and combs
Toothbrushes
Plastic utensil organizer
Refrigerator drawers
Drain catch
Sponges
Dish rack
Plastic toys (use discretion)

(Photo: Mikkel Vang)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Cleaning Supplie...

-Clorox Disinfecting Wipes ($5, drugstore.com): for all hard, nonwood surfaces. They leave a fresh, nonchemical scent.
-Windex Glass and Surface Wipes ($3.50, drugstore.com): for windows and chrome.
-Microfiber cloths and mops, such as StarFiber ($17 for mops, $3-$11 for cloths; starfibers.com) or Act Natural ($22 for mop, $10.50 for cloth; euronetusa.com: green alternatives to disposable wipes, or to chemical cleaners and paper towels. For cleaning all surfaces. Especially effective for polishing stainless steel.
-Bleach.
-Ajax ($2.70 drugstore.com), Bon Ami ($4, drugstore.com), or baking soda.
-Clorox ReadyMop ($20 for starter kit, drugstore.com): Wash the floor without a bucket. Works on most surfaces.
-Broom, Swiffer ($11.75 for Starter Kit, drugstore.com), or handheld vacuum: for crumb busting.

(Photo: Mikkel Vang)