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Not sharpening your knives -

If you cook on a regular basis, it's advisable that you sharpen your knives two to four times a year.

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Not making use of coffee grounds -

Coffee can be used for a variety of things, including removing bad odors in your kitchen.

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Storing meat on the top shelf -

Storing meats on the top shelf of your fridge is not ideal. You want to place them on the bottom shelf. This way, if juices spill, they won't get all over your other foods.

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Not changing your sponge -

Sponges are a haven for bacteria. They're probably one of the dirtiest things in your kitchen, so it's important to replace them often.

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Alternative -

If you don't want to buy new sponges all the time, you can disinfect them. Two minutes in full power is usually enough to kill the bacteria and germs. But you can always do it twice, just to make sure.

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Getting fruit/veggie storage wrong -

If you plan on eating fruit and veggies right away, it's better to leave them at room temperature. But keeping them in the fridge can extend shelf life, so it's a good option if you don't eat these foods very regularly.

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Thawing meats on the kitchen counter -

Meats can easily reach a temperature that enables bacteria to start growing. Alternatively, place it in the microwave on a defrost setting, in the fridge, or in cold water.

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Not cleaning the oven hood (the easy way) -

We use a variety of products to remove grease off the filter, but there's a simple solution: a water-based degreaser. You can buy one at your local auto parts store. Just sink it, and it will come out sparkling clean!

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Buying useless kitchen gadgets -

How often do you use that fancy gadget you bought? There are plenty of kitchen utensils that we need, but others, not so much.

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Not using tea towels -

These are a much greener alternative to paper towels.

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Not cleaning the sink -

When was the last time you gave your sink a proper clean? While soap and water might do the trick, using a disinfectant won't hurt.

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Not cleaning grease in a more effective way -

Try damping a sponge or cloth in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds beforehand. It will be hot, so don't forget to wear gloves!

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Not cleaning your fridge -

You should be doing this at least once a month. This way you avoid the spreading of bacteria and, consequently, food contamination.

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Not cleaning your microwave -

Place half a lemon in a bowl with water. Boil it for a minute and leave the door closed. The steam will do its work. All you have to do is to wipe it with a cloth afterwards.

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Leaving your groceries out -

Place frozen foods and foods that need to be refrigerated in the fridge as soon as you get home.

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Placing your fridge in the wrong place -

Placing your fridge next to a wall can be problematic, especially when you can't fully open the door and pull out the shelves.

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Not using a caddy -

Aggregate your condiments and things such as salt and pepper in one place. This will save you space in the pantry and it will be more practical.

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Not removing your microwave from the countertop -

A microwave can take considerable space on you counter. Instead, place it on a shelf, or hang it on the wall.

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Not using a cart -

A kitchen cart can be really useful when it comes to saving space, and it's a lot cheaper than buying more cabinets!

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Not having a plastic bag dispenser -

Grab a large plastic bottle, cut both ends and fill it with plastic bags. Secure it (upside down) to the inside of a cabinet door, and you have a nice recycled plastic bag dispenser!

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Not cleaning your dishwasher -

If you think dishwashers are always clean, think again. Food residue accumulates in some areas, compromising the machine's performance.

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Not covering countertop gaps -

Gaps are annoying–stuff falls through them, they get dirty, etc. Grab some transparent plastic tube from the hardware store and fill the gaps in your countertops.

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Not hanging your utensils -

Utensil holders are great space savers. Just hang your kitchen utensils instead of storing them.

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Not cleaning your garbage disposal -

These can smell sometimes. You can start by cleaning under the splash guard. Dropping in orange or lemon peels might also help.

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Not hanging your cups -

Like kitchen utensils, these can take up a lot of space in your cupboard, so hanging them is a great solution.

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Not cleaning without a bucket -

Sometimes a spray and a microfiber mop can get the job done just a well.

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Not removing hard-water buildup on your faucet -

Slice a lemon in half, place it at the end of the faucet in a plastic bag, and secure it with a rubber band. Wait a few hours, and voila!

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See also -

See also: Tips and tricks for spring cleaning on a budget

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