Have you ever dug into a home-cooked meal, only to discover that it tasted a bit… off? Even if you followed the recipe to a T, it turns out that your cleaning habits could be to blame! Prepping and cooking takes time and effort, but that effort could be in vain if something is negatively impacting the taste of your food. But this scenario is totally avoidable, as long as you know a few simple tips! :-)
Today I’ll be sharing 9 common cleaning issues that can negatively affect how your food tastes. I’ll also share simple tips for fixing these issues, so you can ensure that your cooking turns out as tasty as possible!
9 Cleaning Mistakes That Can Ruin The Taste Of Your Food
1. You Put Off Cleaning Oven Spills
When food spills or splatters occur inside your oven, it’s easy to procrastinate cleaning them up. It’s not like it’s hurting anyone, right? But leaving splatters and spills in your oven can definitely have an affect on how your food tastes! Food spills will continue to bake and burn in your oven, and it can give off odors that can impact the taste and smell of whatever you cook next. Scrubbing your oven with Bar Keepers Friend is a quick and easy way to remove spills and splatters!
2. You Use Too Much Dishwasher Detergent
Using more detergent than necessary can make it impossible for your dishwasher to completely rinse your dishes. It could leave behind a detergent residue on your dishes that may taint the taste of whatever food you serve on them. To prevent this from happening, make sure you’re only using as much detergent as the package recommends.
3. You Don’t Rinse Surfaces Well Enough
Most cleaners you use on your kitchen surfaces don’t need to be rinsed with water, but some do! Any time you use a bleach solution when cleaning your kitchen, make sure to rinse the area thoroughly. This simple step will help prevent cleaner residue from getting transferred to your food!
4. You Put Your Garlic Press In The Dishwasher
Tossing your garlic press into your dishwasher may not be getting it as clean as you’d hope. In order to keep old garlic bits from clogging up the holes, you’re better off hand-washing your garlic press. Use an old toothbrush to get into all those nooks and crannies!
5. Your Utensils All Face The Same Way
If your utensils all face the same way in the dishwasher, they may not be getting completely clean. Spoons have a tendency to nestle together, making it hard for the dishwasher to clean the space between them. Instead, load utensils in alternating directions to help prevent them from nestling together.
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6. You Put Cast Iron In The Dishwasher
Washing cast iron in your dishwasher is a big no-no! Your dishwasher will quickly remove the outer seasoned layer from a cast iron pan. An unseasoned cast iron pan will cook less evenly and be more prone to sticking, which will surely affect the taste of the foods you cook in it (here’s a quick guide to re-seasoning your cast iron skillets!) Learn how to properly clean and care for cast iron by reading my post at the link below!
Related: How To Clean And Care For Your Cast Iron Skillet
7. You Don’t Clean Food Containers Thoroughly
Plastic food storage containers can absorb the colors and smells of certain foods. The containers can then pass on that smell and taste to whatever food you happen to store next. But there’s an easy way to eliminate food residues and odors from your storage containers. Just pour a splash or two of white vinegar into the container, then fill it the rest of the way with warm water. Let it sit out for a few hours, then wash as usual. The container will be much fresher after the vinegar soak!
8. Your Grill Is Dirty
Cooking on a grill grate that is crusted with charred gunk will definitely affect the taste of your food! Be sure to scrub your grill’s grates clean before each use. You can use half an onion speared on a BBQ fork to scrub your grill grates, and it won’t leave any bristles behind!
9. Your Coffee Maker Needs Descaling
In order to keep your coffee tasting great, make sure to descale your coffee machine every once in a while! Minerals from your water can build up on the inside of the machine over time, affecting the taste of the coffee it brews. Luckily, descaling your coffee machine is easy! Just fill your coffee machine’s water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water. Run a brewing cycle (with no coffee or filter), then discard the water and vinegar mixture. Run the machine at least twice more with clean water each time to flush out any remaining vinegar.
When you clean your coffee machine with vinegar,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.first put baking soda down your sink and then pour the used vinegar down the sink. You don’t have to rinse.
It will clean your pipes! It’s safe! it won’t hurt your pipes or garbage disposal. It will just make them smell better!
That way you’re not wasting the used vinegar! : )
The Silver ware in dishwasher basket looks brand new. Are they? I have tried a few things but can’t get my silverware to look “new”. I wash everything by hand.Any suggestions?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am very careful about cleaning & rinsing counter tops & other things as I do not want any residue to get on my food. Even when using those wipes evaporate, I don’t know what is left behind.
The silverware is not brand new. I would suggest using a dry microfiber cloth to shine them up! If your silverware is older or a little tarnished, then I would try using Bar Keeper’s Friend :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think lots of people use cleaners on counter top, high chair trays, etc that should be rinsed afterwards, but they don’t bother reading the the directions (I have witnessed this). Even if you did rinse, it probably doesn’t completely remove it. I have even known of people using Lysol wipes as hand wipes, when you should really wash your hands or wear gloves when using those things! This is more than just an issue of affecting the taste of food, it’s consuming toxic chemicals in the name of disinfecting. I try to only use home made cleaners with vinegar or commercial sprays/wipes that are food safe and don’t require rinsing. I also don’t place food directly on my counter top or table, but if something does happen to land there I don’t worry about it when using non toxic cleaners.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just want to mention that bleach is not a disinfectant. Products like Clorox wipes have other disinfecting ingredients.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Bleach is a disinfectant. Not sure what your point is.
Bleach is definitely a strong disinfectant…
I think you might’ve meant that bleach isn’t a surfectant? Bleach will sanitize but should be used with another surfectant (soap) and bleach also needs to set for several minutes to work it’s magic. Peroxcide is actually a much better choice because even though it’s very gentle, it quickly and easily kills more germs than bleach and doesn’t have the added harsh fumes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.#4, the garlic press– You can also use a toothpick to push through any remaining bits of garlic when you wash your press, if the toothbrush does not get the job done. Thank you so much Jillee for all the helpful hints you send out daily. I look forward each day to see what you posted new. Keep up the great work.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea, thanks Gail!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I learned a long time ago, I think from a Tupperware rep.: To get rid of smells in plastic, dampen a paper towel and throw it in the plastic. Seal and put in freezer. When the paper towel is frozen, it absorbs, the smell. Just take the paper towel out and discard it. Wha-la, a no scented plastic container.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love all your tips! Keep up the good work.
Most chemists reccomend using glass containers instead of plastic. Plastic can leach lots of bad things into your food. If you have really old plastic discard them immediately.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How interesting, I’ll have to try that! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good Morning and Happy Friday, dear Jillee:
I have a Keurig coffeemaker that I love beyond words. Can I clean it with the half white vinegar/half water solution, too? I appreciate all of your wonderful ideas.
May God always bless you and your family with good things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, you can! I used to fill the reservoir halfway with equal parts vinegar and water and then run hot water cycles until it’s empty. Then fill it up and run fresh water through until it’s empty or until you can’t smell/taste any vinegar in the hot water and that usually works quite well! You can bypass the need to de-scale by using distilled water. I’ve been using distilled water in the keurig I bought 3 years ago and I haven’t needed to de-scale once!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was just about to ask that question! Thanks, Sharon! And thank you Jillee for all your wonderful hints and ideas.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found when I used a scented dishwasher pod that smelled absolutely wonderful before I used it, that it also left that same scent on my dishes. It was so strong that it overpowered my food and literally made me nauseous! After that I used the remainder as garbage disposal cleaner and never bought it again.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.instead of dishwasher soap, I use oxiclean (at the dollar store) using 1/2 tsp. and a squirt of dawn dish soap per load. I also use straight white vinegar in the rinse aid compartment (on the door). My dishes come out clean without residue…………………………..Love it………………..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good Ideas. Will give these a try. I love saving money on cleaning supplies. Thanks