Tag: Cleaning

Posted on

26 Staff-Favorite Cleaning Tools and Products for a Cleaner Kitchen in 2023

26 Staff-Favorite Cleaning Tools and Products for a Cleaner Kitchen in 2023

If there’s one thing we learned in 2022, it’s that Epi readers (that’s you!) love stories about cleaning just about as much as you love stories about cooking. We know, we know—this doesn’t necessarily mean you like to clean as much as you like to cook. But it’s hard to do one without doing the other, and the most enthusiastic home cooks often rely on products and tools that can make cleaning the kitchen quicker, easier, and more effective so you can get back to the fun stuff: making pasta dishes, cocktails, soup, salad, and of course, cake (so much cake).

The good news for all of us is that I really enjoy testing and writing about cleaning products—maybe even more than you love cooking if you can believe it—so I had plenty to rave about this year. My colleagues shared a few of their favorites (and least favorites) over the last twelve months, too, and when we looked back at everything put together, it turned out to be a pretty great list of what you need to keep your kitchen clean in the new year. 

So without further ado, here are the 26 cleaning products Epi editors recommended in 2022. 

Dish-washing tools and detergents

Euroscrubby 

When I wrote about this colorful dish scrubby that my mother-in-law put in my Easter basket a decade ago, I knew it would be popular—it’s effective, versatile, and machine washable—but I had no idea it would end up being the best-selling product of everything we recommended in 2022. 

Euroscrubby Original, 3 Pack

Scrub Daddy

The Euroscrubby wasn’t the only dish scrubber we recommended this year. Professional baker and Epi contributor Genevieve Yam is equally enamored with her smiling Scrub Daddy sponge for dislodging the most baked-on gunk from her pots and pans. 

Expandable sponges

If you’re still holding onto the idea of using a cellulose sponge, Epi’s digital director Maggie Hoffman recommends these expandable and compostable sponges as a space-saving, eco-friendly option. 

Natural Vegetable Cellulose Pop up Sponges 12 Sponges, 1 Pack

Sponge holder 

And whatever sponge or scrubber you use, you definitely need a place to keep it that’s not the bottom of the sink. Associate commerce editor Megan Wahn recommends this matte black model that hangs around the base of the faucet.

Dishwashing gloves

I aspire to be the kind of person who uses dishwashing gloves and I know I’m not alone because this pretty pink pair was the third best-selling item we recommended in 2022. After testing seven different styles, Epi and Bon Appétit’s associate director of commerce Emily Johnson wrote that “if any dishwashing gloves could be called fancy, it’s these.” 

For an even more luxe option, Genevieve recommends these cotton-lined latex-free dishwashing gloves from Garden Works. They’re machine washable and also pink (though you can buy blue ones, too). 

Garden Works Latex-Free Cleaning & Dishwashing Gloves (Set of 2)

Liquid dish soap

Until I do become a person who remembers to wear dish gloves, I’m glad to know that dishwashing soap is safe for my hands, as long as I’m using the right one. Earlier this year, I talked to a cosmetic chemist who confirmed that it’s safe to wash your hands with certain dish soaps and it turns out one of my favorites is a great dual-purpose option. 

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lavender Liquid Dish Soap, 16 Ounces

Sadly, the cosmetic chemist I consulted said pine oil isn’t really the best thing to put on your skin, but it sure does make dish soap smell nice. So of course I sniffed every pine-scented dish soap I could get my (er, bare) hands on to find the most festive, luxe bottle to use for the holidays and this Williams Sonoma seasonal offering was the clear winner. 

A modern soap dish

Speaking of soap for hands and/or dishes, according to my fellow commerce writer Wilder Davies, soap dishes are back and better than ever. Here’s one he recommends for keeping by the bathroom or kitchen sink. 

Washing-up bowl

If your kitchen sink feels too small—or too big—you might need a washing-up bowl for soaking or sectioning off dirty dishes. I love this modern version with handles and a drain on the bottom. 

Joseph Joseph Wash & Drain Washing-Up Bowl

Cascade dishwasher pods

And where would we be without the dishwasher? (Probably still standing at the kitchen sink scrubbing gunk from pots and pans, that’s where.) For those of us lucky enough to have an appliance that handles this one bit of housework, Megan tested various types of dishwasher detergents and found that these pricey pods were the best bet for squeaky-clean dishes. 

Cascade Platinum ActionPac Dishwasher Pods

Dishwasher prong caps

While we’re on the topic of dishwashers, if yours has seen better days, these not-so-pricey little caps may be able to prolong its life a little by keeping rusty prongs from staining your white plates and bowls. 

Cenipar Dishwasher Rack Tine Prong Repair End Cover Caps (100 pack)

Bürstenhaus Redecker pot brush

Of course, some things should never go in the dishwasher, including a cast iron skillet. When it’s time to clean hers, Epi contributor Rebecca Firkser reaches for this squatty little German-made pot brush. She says it’s the only thing that really dislodges most cooked-on gunk and the brush itself is easy to clean, too.

Bürstenhaus Redecker Pot Brush

Superfine steel wool

Sometimes, if you use the wrong dishwasher detergent or if you have hard water, your glassware can start to look kinda cloudy. Wilder swears by super-fine steel wool for buffing clear glasses back to their original condition. 

Mr. Siga ultrafine microfiber cloths

And if you just want to remove spots and streaks from your glassware (or your eyeglasses) this high-quality microfiber cloth is the way to go. I was so enthusiastic in my recommendation that it was the second best-selling product we wrote about this year.

Mr. Siga Ultra Fine Microfiber Cloths for Glass, Pack of 6

Tools and products for cleaning the kitchen

Tide powder with bleach

Even with all of those products I recommended for use at the kitchen sink, this year I came clean about the fact that I actually use powdered laundry detergent to keep mine bright and white.

Tide Laundry Detergent with Bleach Powder, 95 Ounces

Generic Simplehuman trash can liners

Supply chain issues forced me to try out generic liners for my Simplehuman trash can and even though I could switch back to the name brand now, I’m still buying these on Amazon. In fact, I like them so much I have them on subscription.  

Plasticplace Code K Trash Bags, Box of 200

Scrap trap

Emily Johnson (not to be confused with me, Emily Farris, even though people mix us up all the time) knows the key to keeping a tidy kitchen is cleaning as you cook. This clever little scrap trap attaches to the top of a lower cabinet door and makes it easy to brush peels and ends out of the way. 

Over-Cabinet Garbage Bowl

A safer grill brush

Whether you use gas, charcoal, pellets, or a kamado-style smoker, a grill is the heart of any outdoor kitchen and keeping it clean is super important. Just as important? Using a safe grill brush, like this nylon and steel-wool option that will clean your grates without leaving behind any dangerous surprises. 

Oklahoma Joe’s Blacksmith Combo Grill Brush

An air purifier for the kitchen

The smell of anything cooking is only pleasant for so long. If you’re having trouble banishing lingering aromas from the kitchen and beyond, Wilder recommends putting an air purifier in your cooking zone—especially if you don’t have a functional oven hood. It can help clear out unwanted gasses and other particles more quickly, too. 

Coway Airmega True HEPA Purifier

Our favorite floor-cleaning tools of 2022

Mop vacs

This was the year I fell in love with the life-changing magic of the mop vac, a vacuum cleaner that actually and effectively mops the floor as it sucks up dirt, debris, and at my house, dog hair. I ended up testing nine different mop vacs from $140 to $750 and this Tineco model came out on top. 

Tineco Floor One S5 Combo

While I was falling hard for my Tineco, my colleague Jarrett Melendez was having a similar love affair with the more budget-friendly Bissell Crosswave mop vac. 

Bissell CrossWave Wet-Dry Vacuum

Vacuum cleaners

We were all about floor care at Epi this year, and I had way too much fun testing products in search of the best vacuum cleaner—especially because it was my first time using a canister-style vacuum. It was also my first time using a Miele, and one of the brand’s bagless models ended up being the top pick for the kitchen and beyond. 

Miele Boost CX1 Bagless Canister Vacuum

Corded vacuum cleaners will run as long as you need them to at max power and this budget-friendly Shark Vertex Ultralight combines the power of a corded vacuum with the mobility of a stick. It was one of the best vacuum cleaners I tested this year and it has attachments you can use in the kitchen.

This cordless stick vacuum from Tineco is super powerful, surprisingly quiet, and more affordable than comparable vacuums from Dyson (which I also love). Of all the cordless stick vacuums I tested in 2022, the Tineco Pure One S11 was my favorite for the kitchen and every other room in the house. 

Posted on

12 Kitchen Tools You’re Not Properly Cleaning or Storing

12 Kitchen Tools You’re Not Properly Cleaning or Storing

Everyday cooking, even in the most careful kitchens, can leave kitchen tools dull and dinged up from use. Many of us mistreat our kitchen tools without even realizing it, from failing to properly clean and store them to exposing them to harmful elements like excess heat and acid. We’re here to help keep your trusty utensils in good working order with tips to maximize their longevity. Learn the 11 most mistreated tools in your kitchen below.

Rubber Spatulas

Courtesy of Amazon


Rubber spatulas scrape the last bit of batter from bowls with ease, but they are a top contender for misuse for a couple of reasons. First, not all rubber spatulas are heatproof, which means they can melt if you use them to stir food in a hot pan. The DI ORO Seamless Series 3 Piece Silicone Spatula Set, for example, can withstand up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

A spatula can also get damaged when scraping a mixer bowl while the mixer is on, as the blade can catch the spatula edge and chip pieces off into your food. So, always turn off your mixer before scraping. Finally, make sure you clean between the spatula head and handle to keep food remnants from building up.

Price at time of publish: $33


Cast Iron Skillets

Courtesy of Amazon


Cast iron has a reputation for being difficult to maintain, but it’s also incredibly durable, lasting decades if treated with care. Unlike most materials, cast iron isn’t wash-and-go: It requires proper seasoning and storing, and it can’t be exposed to water for extended periods. Thankfully, the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet you have had for years is also resilient, so even if it’s had a rough go, you can revive it with a bit of elbow grease.

“If it’s a brand new or used pan that shows possible rusting, make a small amount of roux and toss it out after you wipe the pan. Then, clean with warm water and dry upside down in a preheated oven for like an hour. When it cools, it should shine,” says chef Chris Holbrook, who seasons cast iron pans about once a year.

Price at time of publish: $29


Knives

Courtesy of Amazon


Almost certainly the most mistreated tools in your kitchen, knives are often used on surfaces that dull them, further worn down in the dishwasher, and tossed in drawers with other tools that bang against their blades. It’s easy to change your habits, however, and treat knives with more care. This means washing knives soon after use (but never in the dishwasher, according to restaurateur John Gianoulidis), thoroughly drying them, and properly storing them in a block or on a magnetic knife strip, like the 16-Inch Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Bar from Modern Innovations.

In addition to avoiding cutting on hard surfaces like glass, using a wooden cutting board and even placing a damp towel or non-slip shelf liner under the cutting board for stability will help preserve your knives, according to chef Chris Holbrook. Finally, use a knife sharpener when needed. Every good meal starts wfith a good knife, so treat them with respect for a noticeable difference.

Price at time of publish: $27

Related: We Tested the Best Chef’s Knife for Every Type of Task


Wooden Cutting Boards

Courtesy of Amazon


Cutting boards can breed bacteria when we neglect them. Wooden cutting boards in particular need more TLC than washing. Wood dries out and warps if it’s cleaned repeatedly with soapy water, so make sure to season wooden boards with mineral oil occasionally, and never let them soak in water for extended periods. After all, if you’ve invested in a beautiful, thick board like the John Boos Block Maple Wood Reversible Cutting Board, one of our favorites, you don’t want to comprise it.

Also important is using the right cutting board for the job: Gianoulidis uses different colors of cutting boards for different tasks to keep meat (and its bacteria) off the boards he uses for raw food. At home, you can have dedicated plastic boards for meat and chicken, and dedicate your wooden cutting boards to veggies and bread.

Price at time of publish: $201


Wooden Spoons

Courtesy of Amazon


Like wooden cutting boards, wooden spoons need a bit of love to last a long time without cracking or warping. Preventing bacteria buildup also matters here. Don’t wait to clean wooden spoons soon after using them with a non-abrasive sponge that won’t leave scour marks on the wood. Never soak these spoons in water for extended periods and, as with your cutting board, occasionally oil them to keep the wood in good condition. We love the Oxo Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Set for several kitchen tasks.

Price at time of publish: $15


Baking Sheets

Courtesy of Amazon


Baking sheets work hard yet don’t get the thanks (or care) they deserve. That said, even those known for durability, like Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheets, can rust and warp. Make sure to clean and dry your baking sheets thoroughly, paying careful attention to cleaning off any oil buildup before it becomes a sticky, hard-to-remove mess. Store your baking sheets completely dry without any heavy pans on top of them, which can dent and ding the metal.

Price at time of publish: $25


Graters and Zesters

Courtesy of Amazon


Box graters and zesters like the Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester help us add zest (and cheese and nutmeg) to our dishes, but we tend to toss them back into the drawer after use without checking that they’re thoroughly cleaned. All those little holes can harbor food bits, causing bacteria build-up, rust, and dulling.

Clean your grater with a vegetable brush inside and out, getting into all the little cracks while keeping your hands away from sharp edges. “Warm water, soap, and a soft-bristled brush should get it done, but you’ll need to scrub mostly with the grain of the grater,” says chef Andy Gonzales. You can also reach for a bar of soap. “I saw someone grate a bar of soap once and it looked silly but it works! Just soak it well and wipe rinse afterward with a cloth to get the soap out,” says Holbrook.

Price at time of publish: $18


Microwaves

Courtesy of Amazon


Microwaves heat dinner in a hurry, but they can also collect food particles and grease. Depending on where your microwave is located in your kitchen, you may not be able to see the inside, but we can say with some authority that it’s probably time to clean it. There are a few easy ways to reduce the amount of food that ends up on the microwave’s interior during use, including properly covering your food before popping it in (the Tovolo Microwave Cover is great for this). But, it’s also good practice to give the inside a regular scrub to avoid it looking like a Jackson Pollack painting.

Price at time of publish: $12


Vegetable Peelers

Courtesy of Amazon


Vegetable peelers and similar utensils like mandolins have nooks and crannies where bits of food can build up, causing dullness and bacterial growth. Peelers are also stored in a drawer, where they can be dulled by coming in contact with other utensils. To avoid this, clean and thoroughly dry your peeler before storage, and try to store it in a way that keeps the blade away from other utensils. Alternatively, buy a peeler with a protective blade cover, like the KitchenAid Gourmet Euro Peeler, our favorite serrated vegetable peeler.

Price at time of publish: $10


Stainless Steel Cookware

Courtesy of Amazon


Though stainless steel cookware heats quickly and gives cooks precise temperature control, it’s also prone to burnt-on messes. Indeed, not even our pick for the overall best stainless steel set, Tramontina’s Gourmet 12-Piece Try-Ply Clad Cookware, was exempt from food sticking during our tests.

To remove crunchy food bits after cooking, just deglaze your hot pan with water, then scrape with a spoon or another tool that won’t gouge the metal. To keep your pans in top shape, scrub them when they get dull, too. “For pans, I highly recommend Bar Keeper’s Friend for the bottoms of pans to keep them gunk-free and shiny. Shiny pans get hotter, faster than dirty pans,” says chef Andy Gonzales.

Price at time of publish: $7


Stand Mixers

Courtesy of Amazon


A beautiful, shiny countertop KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer will tell anyone who visits that you are a serious cook. As effective as it is for mixing, however, all that batter and dough can build up on its attachments, leaving behind rust, bacteria, and more. To avoid this, make sure your attachments are cleaned and dried soon after use, including the little hole where they attach. Wipe the mixer itself down, too, paying special attention to the parts closest to the mixing bowl. For longevity, store the attachments where they won’t get beaten up.

Price at time of publish: $460


Pastry Brushes

Courtesy of Amazon


Even if you don’t use brushes every day, they won’t last indefinitely. Bristles fray and loosen over time, and it’s a good idea to check them now and then to make sure they’re in good working order before you need to bust them out. That said, keeping them from other kitchen tools (that is, from knocking around at the bottom of a drawer) will help a lot, and cleaning and drying them right after use helps, too. If you find you go through pastry brushes too quickly, consider buying silicone brushes like the Oxo Good Grips Silicone Basting and Pastry Brush.

Price at time of publish: $11


Conclusion

You may be mistreating your kitchen tools, but you can still change the fate of your hardworking kitchen helpers with simple changes to your routine. By properly cleaning and drying your tools before properly storing them and seasoning your wood cutting boards, wooden spoons, and cast iron pans from time to time, you can extend the life of your favorite kitchen tools and enjoy them for years to come.


Our Expertise

Dr. Julia Skinner is a culinary instructor, food writer, and food historian with over ten years of experience writing and teaching about food. You can find her work at @rootkitchens, on her website, or in her newsletter.

Chef Chris Holbrook has been cooking his whole life and graduated from The Dedman School of Hospitality at FSU in 2005. He has worked in private clubs, hotels, family restaurants, pubs, and catering companies in kitchen and front-of-house roles. Currently, he manages the Aprons Cooking School in Winter Park and oversees Publix Full-Service Catering for the greater Orlando area.

Chef Andy Gonzales is a partner in Steinbeck’s, Oakhurst Market & The Companion in the Atlanta metro area. His extensive amount of experience in Atlanta’s culinary scene is fundamental to his multicultural style of comfort food and extensive knowledge of beverages.

John Gianoulidis (aka John the Greek) is a restauranteur in the Atlanta area who was raised in restaurants and today owns Park Grounds and The Greek Pizzeria & Gyros.