Category Archives: Maintenance
3 Proven Ways to Organise, Clean & Maintain your Modular Kitchen
Defining your kitchen into zones is a life-changing tip!
Your kitchen speaks for your entire home and also carries your individual personality. A kitchen with spic and span countertops, well-organized cabinets, and efficient use of space is what makes a good modular kitchen design even more attractive.
KonMari Method
Less is always more- this must be your mantra if you have finally decided that it is time to organise your kitchen space- think minimalism. The KonMari Method is one that has gained a lot of popularity since Marie Kondo (who developed the concept) appeared on a Netflix show teaching people to declutter. This method works especially well when you have to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
Start by sorting your existing items. Line them up, pick up each one of them and divide them into three groups based on how they make you feel- Keep (if it sparks joy for you), Donate(if it fails to spark joy for you but it has the potential to make someone else happy) or Discard(if you don’t believe it can spark joy for anyone anymore).
After sorting through the items, you will find you have more space and less clutter. Another additional tip would be to not buy any unnecessary items, so as to keep the cost of your kitchen accessories and items low.
Cleaning Schedules for Long-term Maintenance
Set up a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule for yourself and your family. There are many areas of the kitchen that get overlooked if not incorporated into a schedule. There are many charts available online to make your cleaning plan easier. Don’t forget to give a thorough wipe down to those reflective surfaces that show off your kitchen design in all its splendour.
If you maintain a regular cleaning and deep-cleaning schedule, your modular kitchen is going to look as good as new for a longer period of time!
Divide your Kitchen into Zones
For smart optimisation of your kitchen space, split sections of your kitchen into 7 zones:
Zone 1: EVERYDAY
This is the zone that has the items that you access every day, so it should be easiest to reach and as close to your dishwasher as possible. Position all the cutlery, glassware, and every day serving ware in Zone 1.
Zone 2: COOKING
This is the zone that contains all the items and appliances required for cooking. It should be situated close to the cooktop surface, be it the stove or oven. This could include measuring equipment, pots, pans, spatulas, and cutting boards.
Zone 3: PANTRY
This zone stores all dry goods, spices and holds other large kitchen gadgets used infrequently. While most kitchens have a dedicated pantry zone, a few modular kitchens can modify a tall cabinet to function as a pantry.
Zone 4: ACCESSORIES & STORAGE ITEMS
All food storage is done here and this zone is preferably situated close to the fridge for easier access.
Zone 5: COFFEE & BAR ITEMS
Coffee jars, accessories, barware and beverage glasses can be kept in this area. A few people prefer to have a coffee and bar cart whereas others install a cabinet to house their espresso machines and wire racks tailored for wine bottle storage.
Zone 6: BELOW SINK
This is the perfect area to store washcloths, soaps, sponges and so on. If you are designing a modular kitchen, speak to your designer to create customized below-sink organizing racks or shelves made to the size of the specific items.
Zone 7: SPECIAL ITEMS
Fragile dinnerware or ornate pots meant for parties and special gatherings can be placed here. This zone is the least frequented one. A crockery unit falls under this category.
Happy Organising! For more assistance and guidance on modular kitchen organising, reach out to Bespoke Decor at +91 90 20 10 70 22 | 23
Six Proven Ways to Address Termites in the Kitchen
These tiny pests can create big damages!
The tiny termite may seem innocent and unassuming, but only someone who has personally dealt with a termite infestation in their kitchen knows the extent of damages they can cause. Let’s start off with the basics.
How to identify and control termites:
Wooden furniture is most often affected by the dry wood variety of termites, rather than its cousin- the subterranean termite. Drywood termites, as their name suggests, thrive even in the absence of moisture and therefore, infest dry furniture. You may have often heard of people complaining of termites in the kitchen cabinet.
Since we now know the type of pest we are likely dealing with, let’s now look at the telltale signs of termites in the kitchen, the identification of which can help prevent catastrophic damage to your cabinetry.
- See saw(dust)
The sight of mounds of sawdust-like material inside your kitchen cabinets is an indication that you might be dealing with this tiny terror! This powder-like material is in fact termite droppings and is highly indicative of their presence.
- Knock on wood
Try putting some pressure or knocking on your wooden cabinetry. If it feels soft, hollow, or can be squished, it’s likely that there are termites in your kitchen cabinet.
- Hole(y)-moley
Termites enter and exit wooden cabinetry through tiny pinpoint holes. Examine your kitchen cabinets for multiple tiny holes if you suspect termites in the kitchen.
- Bubble bubble, termite trouble
Look for raised bubbles or peeling in your kitchen woodwork and walls as this may be indicative of an infestation.
How to get rid of termites
Now, the next question on your mind surely is “How to kill termites?”
It is a known fact that ample sunlight works well against termites, but what if the amount of sunlight your kitchen receives is not in your control? Here are six useful tips to prevent and address termite infestations, divided over three stages of the life of your modular kitchen.
Before construction or kitchen remodeling:
- Proactive pest control
Call any local pest control service to assess your site and treat the kitchen prior to construction or remodel.
- Invest in termite-resistant kitchen cabinet materials and treat it beforehand
While natural wood seems like a great option on paper, it is one of the materials most susceptible to termite attacks. MDF, HDF, and plywoods are better in terms of resisting termite attacks but still not 100% resistant. You could also treat the wood before cabinet work ensues to resist attacks from these pests to an extent.
Maintenance-related concerns:
- Routine checks looking for signs of termite infestation
Use the 4 steps mentioned to get an idea if a termite infestation is ongoing. Prompt action is key to managing termites in the kitchen.
- Maintaining good plumbing
A clean kitchen contributes to the limited growth of these pests. Plumbing plays an important role to ensure that you have tidy and efficient systems in place.
After a confirmed termite infestation:
- Simple home remedy against termites
In case you have detected termites in the kitchen, limit their growth using a simple home remedy before calling a professional pest control team. Boric acid offers brilliant results in limiting their growth.
- Professional pest control directed to kill termites
The final course of action would be to rope in the professional exterminators to initiate chemical treatment and eliminate the pests.
Reach out to Bespoke Decor to find a kitchen cabinet material for your modular kitchen that can resist termite attacks.
10 Tips for the Best Modular Kitchen Maintenance
A few kitchen maintenance tips can prolong your kitchen life!
Without a doubt, kitchens are one of the spots in the house that gets the maximum footfall- from those preparing the food to people coming in tantalized by the aromas to those who are looking for a quick hunger fix. Modular kitchens have taken over as the preferred option of most individuals seeking convenience, superior design, and improved functionality. However, one thing that is overlooked is kitchen maintenance.
With an efficient system in place for kitchen maintenance– following good cleaning routines, stain removal procedures, moisture damage assessments, hardware maintenance, and decluttering activities- you can extend your modular kitchen life by a whole lot more.
Here are 10 tips which form the basis of the best practices for modular kitchen maintenance:
- Clean up your act
When it comes to prolonging the life of your modular kitchen, the first and foremost thing to do is to set up an efficient routine kitchen cleaning. Have a daily, weekly, monthly, biannual, and annual cleaning schedule to follow and stick to it as much as possible. Daily good habits would be to wipe down the countertops, do the dishes, and clean the sink, give the stove a wipe down and sweep the kitchen floor. Get the whole family involved if you do not have house help, and make it more of an activity rather than a chore.
2. Into the Deep (Clean)
The power of a good deep cleaning is often undervalued, but there are several hard-to-reach nooks and crannies that you could address only with a thorough deep clean. You could plan on taking a few days and get this done yourself once or twice a year. The wiser and easier option would be to hire a team of professionals to come in and do a thorough deep cleaning.
3. Be Organised
No pun there- being organized is perhaps one of the best ways to prolong the life of your kitchen. Declutter your kitchen and have a set space organized for each item. Remember to replace it back to where it belongs when you’re done with use.
4. Hinge on
One thing most homeowners forget to do is regular hinge checks. Good hinges on your cabinetry go a long way and making sure they stay that way is just as important. If you have concerns regarding the hinges, make the switch to soft close drawers and lift-ups in your upper cabinets.
5. Softly does it
There is a common misconception that using steel scrubbers, brushes and harsh clothes is good for stain removal in modular kitchens. However, this could end up doing more harm than good. Instead, use natural home remedies to loosen up the stains and wipe off using a soft cloth. Again, regularly cleaning the surfaces prevents the buildup of long-term debris which will be challenging to remove so give a thorough wipedown on a daily basis.
6. From the window to the wall (and the Dado tiles)
Clean all surfaces on a fairly regular basis to ensure a constant shine in your modular kitchen. Frequently overlooked areas are kitchen windows, walls, dado tiles, appliances, exhausts, and ceiling fans. Wiping these areas will lend to the overall cleanliness of the kitchen.
7. Close the cabinets
Indian cooking is ridden with oil and masala splatters so it is a wise decision (and a safer one too) to shut the kitchen cabinets when you’re cooking. This also helps prevent steam and heat from affecting the cabinetry.
8. Send in the papers
A common practice followed in most Indian households is to line the insides of cabinet shelves with newspapers. This is a good practice that helps prolong the life of the cabinets. However, it is imperative that you replace these newspapers at least once a month or it may prove to invite cockroaches in the kitchen.
9. Ventilate, mate
Let the air and sunshine into your kitchen once in a while, if you get an opportunity to. Good ventilation will do your kitchen a lot of good.
10. Pest Control
A professionally completed pest control will help keep the pests at bay. Insects like cockroaches and termites can do a world of damage to your kitchen so pest control will aid in kitchen maintenance.
All of these points are quite easy to implement and can definitely prolong your kitchen’s life.
A Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Annual Modular Kitchen Cleaning Schedule
Regular cleaning prolongs your modular kitchen’s life.
So, you went ahead and made your move to invest in that beautiful modular kitchen of your dreams. Without a doubt, it is now that spot of your home constantly bustling with activity. Whether you are deep frying hot pazham-pozhis for your family or tossing around a salad with your favorite vinaigrette, there’s so much happening that cannot be seen at a macroscopic level. Oil splatters onto your kitchen appliances, dust accumulation within your kitchen cabinets, and countertops – all of this impact your kitchen’s life. You may have your doubts and concerns on how to maintain it to look like it is brand new, even several years down the line.
The answer is simple- kitchen cleaning. Kitchen cleaning has been often associated with dreary and physically intensive tasks. What is often overlooked are those little things that we can do on a daily basis, which barely take any time or effort, to prolong the vitality of your modular kitchen’s life.
Top Tip: You can even type and print out the list below, place it in a clear file folder to be propped atop your refrigerator and use a whiteboard marker to tick off the activities you have completed. This allows you to keep a tab on what’s completed and you can easily reuse it the next day or week after wiping it clean using a cloth or a whiteboard eraser.
The following easy to understand, easier to implement kitchen cleaning schedule and checklist is a favourite amongst all those who have given it a try in their modular kitchens. The schedule has been divided based on tasks to be done daily, weekly, monthly or annually.
Daily Cleaning Checklist
1. Cooktop
Use: A mix of baking soda and water
Frequency: Once, at the end of the day
Tips: To avoid scratching your hob, make sure that you do not scrub too hard, and use a soft sponge or cloth.
2. Sink
Use: Dish soap or dishwashing liquid for vessels, lemon & vinegar mixture with a scrubbing brush for the sink
Frequency: Dishes must be done after every meal whereas sink cleaning can be done once at the end of the day.
Tips: Dry all the vessels before you place them in the kitchen cabinets to prevent bacterial growth and odor.
3. Countertop
Use: Mild cleaning liquid diluted in water or lemon juice with a soft sponge
Frequency: Once at the end of the day.
4. Kitchen Floor
Use: Broom, Mop, Floor Cleaning Liquid
Frequency: Broom kitchen floor once at the end of the day. Mopping can be done every other day, in case of no spills or oil stains.
Weekly Cleaning Checklist
1. Kitchen Cabinet Surface
Use: Microfiber cloth to wipe down any stains or splatters on the cabinets.
Tips: Ensure that there is a good closure seal to prevent contamination of the cabinets’ contents from external factors.
2. Tiles
Use: Tile cleaner, toothbrush
Frequency: Clean the tiles using a tile cleaner and a cloth every week. The joints may be cleaned less frequently using a toothbrush (be careful to avoid scratching the tiles)
3. Kitchen Appliances
Use: Lukewarm water, lemon juice
Tips: Clean the inside of your refrigerator and microwave using a mix of lukewarm water and lemon juice to retain a pleasant odour.
Monthly Cleaning Checklist
1. Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers (Inside)
Use: Soft cloth or sponge
Tips: Empty the cabinets once every month, discard expired items, clean the shelves using a soft cloth or sponge, and reorganise the items.
2. Pipes and Faucets
Use: Diluted vinegar
Tips: Shining pipes and faucets can make your kitchen look brand new for years to come!
3. Ceiling Fans
Use: Ceiling fan broom or a dry cloth
Tips: Ensure that there are no edible items on the counters left open as you are cleaning your kitchen fan.
Annual Cleaning Checklist
1. Vents & Exhaust Fans
Use: Warm water and vinegar
Tips: Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional if you are unsure of how to clean your vents and exhaust fans.
2. Chimney
Use: Diluted vinegar water
Tips: Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional if you are unsure of how to clean your chimney.
With these small changes, you can keep your modular kitchen clean, making it look just like the day Bespoke Decor first installed it in your home! A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen!
4 Hacks to Increasing the Life of your Modular Kitchen
Extend your modular kitchen life with a few simple tricks!
When it comes to choosing a conventional carpenter kitchen or a modern modular kitchen, most people gravitate towards the latter for its obvious benefits. Even when it comes to maintaining the kitchen to look as good as new even years later, modular kitchens emerge victoriously.
Here are 4 simple hacks that you could easily incorporate into your routine and kitchen cleaning schedule to extend your modular kitchen life as a whole.
1. Create a kitchen cleaning schedule (and stick to it)
To keep any kitchen looking fresh as new for a longer span of time, it is important to set up a daily, weekly, monthly and annual cleaning schedule. Try to adhere to the schedule as strictly as possible- we all know how a disciplined life is always the better way forward! Right from the countertops to the cabinets and kitchen appliances, extend your kitchen life and keep a termite and leakage-free kitchen. It is important not to miss the nooks and crannies too.
For more tips and details on cleaning schedules, head on over to our kitchen cleaning blog.
2. Gentle (opening & closing) does it
It is a universal habit for people to shut their new modular kitchen cabinets and drawers gently over the course of the first year. However, once they get used to it, odds are that these drawers and cabinets become recipients of a little more force. The smooth closures on your cabinets or drawers may get affected with harsh openings and closures. You may also put pressure on the hinges, which then get worn out at an accelerated rate.
Advise your family members and consciously make an effort yourself to be as light as possible when closing cabinets and drawers, especially in the case of soft close cabinets and drawers.
3. Clutter-free kitchen cabinets are the way to go!
Over time, people have the tendency to clutter their kitchen cabinets since the kitchen is a hotspot for collecting clutter. Quit your hoarding tendencies immediately- it’s doing your kitchen cabinets more damage than you think. Based on the intended purpose, cabinets and drawers have a certain weight allowance, crossing which may cause it to sag and alter the alignment. It is also important to remember that cabinets should always be used for the purpose they were meant to serve only.
4. Repair and restore cracks immediately
Though modular kitchens are resilient to damage, in the unlikely event of a crack occurring, it is imperative that you get it addressed by a professional immediately. If not, you risk its propagation and lending your kitchen an unaesthetic vibe. This is quite easily a possibility with a company like Bespoke Decor and its brilliant after-sales service.
If you’re considering investing in a modular kitchen that will serve you well in the long-run, reach out to Bespoke Decor at +91 90 20 10 70 22 | 23 today!