National Cleaning Week will be March 24-30 this year. The American Cleaning Institute says 95% of American households take part in some form of spring cleaning. What better way to kick off your spring cleaning than with the heart of your home, the kitchen? Here is a checklist of spring-cleaning tasks to get your kitchen clean and set up:

• Pantry: Remove all items and wipe down shelves with warm, soapy water. Toss or give away old items. Dried spices are often best used within two years. When placing items back into the pantry, place items that will expire soon closest to your reach. Place older items in the front so you will use them up first.
• Refrigerator and freezer: Remove items and wipe down shelves, compartments in the door, and bins with warm, soapy water. Throw away rotting produce and old, out-of-date items. Don’t forget the saying, “Four days throw away,” to decide on any leftovers you have on hand. To keep fresh produce longer, move veggies to the high-humidity bins. Move fruits to the low-humidity bins if your fridge has those choices. Restock items in your freezer with the items that need to be eaten soon on top or in close reach.
• Appliances: After you have cleaned and set up all the drawers and cabinets, don’t forget to wipe down your appliances. Unplug appliances before cleaning. Use warm, soapy water to wipe your toaster (and shake out those crumbs), coffee maker, and all those microwave splatters. Use a paste of baking soda and water to scrub buildup from your oven. These tasks don’t need to all happen on the same day. Spread out deep cleaning tasks as needed and when you have the time. Clean countertops and cooking equipment daily. This will help keep your kitchen sparkling year-round.