I Hope I'm Not Going To Regret This!

ceridwen

The "this" in question being I have offered to springclean a friends kitchen. "Springclean" is a mild word - total blitz might be more accurate way of putting things.

Its festooned with cobwebs and layers of grease everywhere and full of loadsa clutter I am going to have to move before I can get at things.

I owe him a few favours though - hence the volunteering (I'm not being sexist here).

I have never had to do QUITE such HEAVY (and I mean heaveeee.....) duty housework before - so am thinking I need to make a "plan of attack". Anyone else faced such a daunting task before - and had to form a plan of action for it. All hints welcome.

I've got as far as thinking in terms of putting something SERIOUSLY "aggressive" on the cooker to start with and leaving it to "stew" whilst I tackle the rest. Dont want to use anything heavy-duty chemical - and then have to breathe in the fumes whilst I'm there doing everything else in the kitchen. So am wondering whether I can make up some drastically effective homemade concoction (along the bicarb of soda/washing soda lines) to do this?

Help!

(PS: Send in an O.S. rescue party with liquid sustenance for afterwards - I might just need it - if I can find the energy to raise a glass to my lips. LOL)

celyn90

*shudders* I had to use neat caustic soda on the last oven I cleaned properly (friend moving out of a student flat) then after it had been stewing a couple of hours added salt and scrubbed until it lifted (nice and abrasive!). I would advise wearing eye protection if your going to do this though as the splatters aren't nice.
We had to deep clean the whole place as it was vile (it was vile when they moved in, but they hadn't exactly made an effort)

First thing I did was empty the cupboards and surfaces of everything - I stacked it in the hall way.
Then I treated the oven, left it and and threw stardrops down the sink (it smelt nasty). I plugged the sink and filled it with water and vinger (to kill the limescale). I soaked some old socks in vinger and put them over the taps and left them whilst I did other stuff)
The surfaces were done using a degreaser meant for commerical kitchens - (honestly you could have written your name in it) and cupboard tops and interiors. I lined the interiors with cheap wallpaper lining paper (1.50 from Wilkos) and left them open to air for a bit. Let the water out of the sink then scrubbed with a paste made of salt and liquid soap and a soft scouring pad. Plug and fittings finished with an old electric toothbrush.

Then I took off the U-bend and emptied it (to remove the smell) dropped it in a bucket of boiling water and stardrops and left it to soak for a bit. Reassmebled sink.

Cleaned oven, then moved white goods into the centres and cleaned the backs of them and the floor. Cleaned fridge _pale_ then the floor.

Then I washed almost every single item before it went back into the kitchen - chucking out broken stuff and junk as I went.

It was a long job, but very satisifed when it was over - I'd advise you have lots of pairs of gloves (I actually borrowed hazchem overalls!) and something to sit on if you are doing tasks when you have to sit on the floor or kneel - really does make a difference. And chocolate - lots and lots of chocolate

mary43

Its festooned with cobwebs and layers of grease everywhere and full of loadsa clutter I am going to have to move before I can get at things.

ceridwen -(hanging head in sham) that sounds like mine.............wonder if I get someone to do the same favour...............lol
Not been able to do so much since I put my back out last year and OH does his best.............and I am getting rid of the clutter bit by bit really I am:j

celyn90 - I'm making notes of all your hints and tips...................:T

Really though........ours isn't that bad but it was when we moved in. It had been let out as bedsits...............yuk !!

champys

Ceridwen if I didn't live so far away I'd come over and give you a hand! These sort of tasks are much better tackled by a team - if only to keep the morale and a sense of humour.... :-)

celyn90 - I am most impressed. Especially by you taking off the U-bend and using hazchem overalls! The old socks in soaked vinegar are a really good one which I will be sure to adopt.

Much admire both your courage - cheers!

poppett

Go in armed with Stardrops....as you know, they have many many uses.

Pity I'm not close by too or I'd come give you a hand as well....I love cleaning! (MAD?.....maybe)

ceridwen

Such a good offer (giving me a hand) - but yep daytrip from France for the purpose...well it might be a bit far!:D

Right - have just made notes of that plan of action. Whereabouts does one get neat caustic soda please? Also - I have some commercial degreaser myself - so I know what you mean - but I've had it for so long I'm blowed if I know where I got it now - would an ordinary supermarket have that? Liquid soap - presume you mean ordinary handwashing liquid soap in one of those "press" type containers?

Yep - I'm planning on doing it in my oldest clothes (decorating clothes - thats an idea - they're ruined by paint splashes anyway).

Fraid theres no source of supply of Stardrops anywhere near me that I've ever come across - looks like its gotta be Flash. Thanks Poppett for the offer too - shame you're also too far away....what you mean you LIKE housework...wow! What a shame you're not near me - you'd have a field day!

mary43

You could try your local hardware shop for caustic soda.........if they don't have it they might know somewhere that has.
Do be very careful with it and wear extra strong rubber gloves

mrbadexample

ceridwen wrote: »

The "this" in question being I have offered to springclean a friends kitchen. "Springclean" is a mild word - total blitz might be more accurate way of putting things.

Its festooned with cobwebs and layers of grease everywhere and full of loadsa clutter I am going to have to move before I can get at things.

ceridwen, I never knew you were so thoughtful. You didn't even tell me! What time are you coming - I'll have the kettle on. :coffee:

icandream

Ceridwen - what a lovely thing to do in return for owing somebody. Will read this with interest and hope to pick up a few tips. However, on a purely selfish level, could you offer to include his bathroom next (assuming it's in a similar state ), as mine is in desperate need of a vicious springclean and I've slightly lost the plot and the energy in terms of where to begin.

Olliebeak

Ceridwen - don't forget to put the oven shelves, any metal bits off the cooker, grill pan etc, in the bath (old towel in the bottom first to protect the finish on the bath) and cover with really hot water and biological soap powder to soak BEFORE you make a start on other cleaning. That way they will be mostly done by themselves while you're getting on with something else.

Good Luck - you're certainly a 'gem of friend' to for him to have around.

pavlovs_dog

if you cant find stardrops have you thought about barkeepers friend? that also has a very good reputation for cleaning the uncleanable