CLEAN THE KITCHEN: Cleaning the kitchen may be more challenging these days because the stove and prep surfaces are getting more use, but cleaning effectively can be done with a few simple tools. Those tools include a sponge, baking soda, a soft cloth, disinfectant, dish soap, an abrasive cleaner and a glass cleaner or stainless steel polish. Consumer Reports shared the following tips for making the kitchen sparkle, using these tools:

For those with stainless steel appliances, it is easy to remove smudges by using a polishing product. For others, a damp cloth should be sufficient.

For the stovetop, wipe off food and grease with a scrub pad and hot, soapy water. Next, cover a tough stain with a wet cloth and let sit before applying soapy water and the scrub pad to remove it completely.

If the dishwasher has a distinct odor, it helps to clean out any large pieces of food in the bottom and then rinse the filter. Use a toothpick to clean out any food stuck in the spray arms — once you have removed them.

Finally, an old credit card can be effective for helping to scrape off caked-on food in the microwave. A bowl of water mixed with a quarter-cup of lemon juice should be put in the microwave on high for one minute to help loosen those food bits.

To clean the coffee maker, wipe away stains with a damp sponge, then run a mixture of water and white vinegar through the machine (details on the ratio should be available in the coffee maker’s owner’s manual).