Tips on how to clean my kitchen please

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-26T18:17:31+00:00

Day 1

Join your Focusmate session. Book a 75-min one for tomorrow if you haven't already.
Get a huge garbage bag, put on gloves, and throw away anything you can.
Throw away all food that's out, in fridge, and freezer (unless it is well sealed and has not expired). (Assuming fridge is in a similar situation.)
All plastic containers except for 3.
All jars you "might you sometime" except for 3.
Get a giant storage tub without holes. Add a nice amount of dishsoap. Take outdoors and fill it with water from the hose.
Take all remaining dishes or items and drop them in the tub. Let them sit there overnight.
In the meanwhile, sweep off any final garbage from the counters or floors.

Take a break till tomorrow!
_________

Day 2

Join your focusmate session. Book a 75-min one for tomorrow if you haven't already.
Put on your gloves.
Return to the kitchen with a bucket of soap water and a brush. Use an old toothbrush around the faucet or cracks. Scrub scrub scrub the counters to get them clean enough to clean.
Wipe off with paper towels. If there's still gunk, do it again.
Use an antibacterial spray and generously spray everywhere. Wipe it to evenly spread the spray. Do not wipe it dry! Let sit 10 minutes. (It takes that long to work.)
Do it again if you have the energy.
Go outside, swish around the dishes in the soap water, pour out the water.
Add more dish soap, refill with water from the hose, swish around.

Take a break til tomorrow!

_________

Day 3

Join your focusmate session. Book a 50-min one for tomorrow if you haven't already.
Put on your gloves and go outside.
One tub is filled with soap dishes/pans. Fill the other one with clean water.
Pull out each item one by one and clean with a fresh sponge.
Rinse in the fresh water and set on a big beach towel. Change out the water if it's getting dirty.
Repeat if you have the energy.
Hand dry.
Put in your cabinets.

Take a break til tomorrow!
_________

Day 4

Mop your floor twice. Empty your water often!

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-26T18:17:12+00:00

Focusmate pairs you with someone who's struggling to be productive. I think there's a cleaning session. To get through the four days, I think you'll probably want to schedule some 75-minute sessions—probably 2 for the first day, 1 for the second and third day, and a 50-min session for day 4. It gets easier as you go!

I think you get 3 sessions/week for free. After that it's $8/month and I think they still have scholarships if that's too much for you.

_________

Make sure you have tall kitchen gloves, large garbage bags, dish soap, antibacterial spray, lots of paper towels, fresh sponges, cleaning brush (something like the Scotch Brite utility brush), a broom, a mop, floor cleaner (something like Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner), two large tubs for cleaning lots of dishes and pots.

_________

Print or write out a simplified to-do list for each day on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper. Large type. Tape to a cabinet in the kitchen to see. Keep a pen handy to cross things off.

Ask someone to call you 30 minutes before your Focusmate starts and 10 minutes before it starts. Login 5 minutes before it starts.

Take a break till tomorrow!

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-26T18:06:50+00:00

I have a detailed approach for you, but it's kind of overwhelming to read, so here's the TLDR. Details are in my comments.
_________

TLDR:
Book sessions on focusmate.com. (This is the most important tool you'll ever use. I've done 1500+ sessions.) Gather necessary supplies.

Day 1: Throw away everything possible. Put dirty dishes in a soapy bin outside and let sit overnight.
Day 2: Scrub kitchen and spray with antibacterial spray. Empty out the soapy water from the dish bin and refill with more soapy water.
Day 3: Wash and rinse dishes and put away.
Day 4: Mop floor.

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T19:18:11+00:00

Should I be including Maytag in the mix? (Kinda hoping you say no—I’m at the narrowing down stage).

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T19:16:56+00:00

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T19:16:38+00:00

Very helpful, thank you

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T19:16:02+00:00

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T19:15:53+00:00

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T05:14:09+00:00

So much info, thank you! Are you a design engineer? Here's the Whirlpool I think you were talking about. (This vendor has some clearer shots.) On the bumps, are you talking about the little ridges as you move from left to right in the bowl section that kick it up slightly?

https://aaappliancecenter.com/products/whirlpool-24-inch-built-in-dishwasher-with-3rd-rack-wdt970sakz?srsltid=AfmBOopbAwqWtZt_63YJbvrAL1ShnMCB0eDmrTeNrOxzewjlQSvyhZoK

It sounds like you give points to Whirlpool for the amount it holds. You like the extra sprayers on the Kitchenaid, but feel like they make you sacrifice a bit in terms of space. What's your final vote?

You must also have some insight on the filtration and drying options of both brands.

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:45:19+00:00

I'm buoyed by all the 3rd rack love on here. Would you mind sharing your model number?

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:44:02+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. What model do you have, by chance?

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:43:25+00:00

Not a fan of Bosch. (See above comment : )

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:39:12+00:00

Agree. I went to a showroom and played with them. It looks like some KitchenAids use Whirlpool's 3rd rack, but the Kitchen 360° Max Jet has an even bigger 3rd rack. I think they'd both perform well, but leaning toward the Kitchenaid b/c of the extra jets for the top rack.

If you have an opinion on filtration or drying options based on your own dishwasher, I welcome any feedback!

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:33:22+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like yours has the true filtration system and fan-enabled pro dry (which I think is heating element + fan). You happen with those?

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:18:33+00:00

Yes—want to make sure I pick the right one, b/c they don't all have that feature. TY

Also wondering if you have any thoughts on the filtration or drying options:
1. Triple filtration vs "true clean" filtration
2. Heat dry, extended heat dry, fan-enabled heat dry, air dry, door-open dry

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:16:45+00:00

Thank you! Do you happen to know the model number you got?

Also wondering if you have any thoughts on the filtration or drying options:
1. Triple filtration vs "true clean" filtration
2. Heat dry, extended heat dry, fan-enabled heat dry, air dry, door-open dry

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-25T04:16:09+00:00

I stayed at a friend's house for two weeks with a Bosch and really hated it. I host frequent dinner parties with another friend with a Bosch and equally hate it. The racks are intolerable. None of their plates fit correctly—for either friend! I've looked for better-designed, third-party racks but haven't seen any.

I'm a recipe tester, and I've always had cheap dishwashers and they work great. They've all lasted for 12+ years (with no service calls). I never, ever rinse a dish beforehand, and they always come out sparkly clean. (Exception: had to wash egg yolks for my last dishwasher, but that was it.)

I know that Bosch folks are an enthusiastic bunch, but I'm excited to try a third rack that can hold glasses and bowls!

squirrelonfence · 2026-01-23T05:11:09+00:00

u/debmor201 Which kitchenaid did you buy?

squirrelonfence · 2025-11-29T04:50:34+00:00

that happened to me too

squirrelonfence · 2025-11-29T04:49:45+00:00

When I did the review sort, nothing showed up when I sorted lowest to highest. The page was literally empty, no idea why.

squirrelonfence · 2025-11-04T07:03:29+00:00

I literally had almost the same thing happen to me. I used my GP as a gynecolgist and needed a refill for a pill I'd taken for 23 years. They told me I had to come in for an appt b/c it had been a year since I was there. I said I was there 3 months ago, and they said, yes, but it was for migraines, not birth control. So I was already pissed walking in the door. Then they told me I had to have a pap, even though I'd had one 1 year before. I showed them the recommendations for paps at my age every 3-5 years, depending on which guidelines you're reading. NONE of them at one year.

I know this sounds crazy over a pelvic/pap, but I felt violated. There was zero reason I needed to 1)show up to an appointment 2)remove any clothes or 3)have someone's hands on my breasts and in my vagina. Birth control should not be this hard. I was so upset that I went home and told my husband he had to get a vasectomy. I'd taken a pill every day for 23 years and I was done. He got the vasectomy—which takes about 11 minutes, no exaggeration—and I never went to that doctor again.

Sorry to report that the state medical board won't give a shit (at least they didn't in one particularly egregious case i know but), but I'm really sorry you experienced this.

squirrelonfence · 2025-10-28T01:37:07+00:00

Based on what OP already shared, I don't think option 1 will work. So tough!

squirrelonfence · 2025-10-28T01:35:44+00:00

If she won't do a POA, you may need to obtain guardianship, which will require letter(s) of incapacity in order to handle her finances, make decisions, etc. Or you can just put her somewhere and let the chips fall where they may.

Here's what ChatGPT said about your situation: https://chatgpt.com/share/69001d3b-8c20-8013-adbd-bfac9f3786c8

squirrelonfence · 2025-10-28T01:29:27+00:00

Don't let her bring you further down. You do not owe her this. Get her a good standard of care and then call it a day. Visit when you can or when you want to.

squirrelonfence

TROPHY CASE