No matter how thoroughly we clean the kitchen, there always seems to be a crumb or two left behind. It’s only natural, considering the amount of food prep and dishing up that goes on in here. But while a couple of crumbs can’t be helped, a pile of crumbs hidden away certainly can.
Not only are hidden crumbs pretty gross to think about, they’re encouraging bacteria, mould and – what’s worse – rodents in your kitchen. Even the cleanest of kitchens will be irresistible to a local mouse if there’s a stockpile of crumbs behind closed doors. So, where can you find these secret buffets? Here’s where to look and how best to clean them.
1. Drawer under the oven
If your oven has a drawer beneath it – a spot usually reserved for lesser-used baking trays and cookware – you might want to take a closer look. As food goes in and out of the oven, it’s easy for a crumb to just slip from the tray. It then falls down the crack between the oven door and the oven itself and sits on the rim of the drawer. Then, when the time comes to open the drawer, it gets knocked in – never to be seen again.
These crumbs are ones to keep an eye on; it’s easy to miss them amassing, and being at floor level, they’re particularly inviting to any passing rodents. Start by removing everything from the drawer. If you suspect mice have already paid a visit (there might be mice poop left behind), everything will need disinfecting and thoroughly washing. For any crumbs left behind, collect with a dustpan and brush or a damp paper towel, then apply an antibacterial surface cleaner.
2. Behind the kickboards
If you don’t have this drawer, odds are you have kickboards instead (short panels you can remove from beneath your kitchen cabinets). As these border your kitchen floor, it’s easy for crumbs to accumulate against them or even behind them. If crumbs find their way under your kickboards, they can go for months without being noticed – and they’re prime real estate for a hungry mouse.
Take a moment to remove your kickboards and inspect the floors; even if you don’t find any crumbs here, it’s good practice to keep your floors sparkling clean to remove dust and any sticky residue. If there are indeed crumbs, start by sweeping them away with a dustpan and brush. You don’t want to vacuum these if you can help it, as the residue will encourage bacterial growth in the canister – that’s if it doesn’t jam first. Then, give the floor a much-needed clean with an antibacterial floor cleaner and one of the best flat mops (a flat mop will give the best reach under the cabinets, but check there are no obstructions or electricals under here first). Leave to dry and then replace the kickboards. If you’re noticing lots of crumbs passing through, it’s worth checking the fit and upgrading the kkckboards if needed.
3. Around the hob
This one you might be aware of already, but not know how to clean it. Crumbs will easily catch under the edge of a glass hob while we wipe them from kitchen surfaces. It might not seem like many at first, but over time you realise how bad it is when your microfibre cloth catches a few as you polish the edges!
This is a tricky spot to reach, but it’s not impossible. All you need is a blunt, thin knife and an antibacterial wipe. Power off the hob, make sure it's cool, then fold the wipe over the flat edge of the knife, and carefully run it under the edge of the hob, replacing the wipe as needed. Always check with the hob's manufacturer first before using an antibacterial wipe to make sure it's not too abrasive. You can alternatively use a damp paper towel, but in either case, the towel or wipe should be damp, not saturated. Otherwise, you could use an old thin paintbrush to swipe away the excess crumbs or even a cotton ear bud.
4. In the bread bin
How often do you clean your bread bin? Probably not often enough, considering the number of crumbs that accumulate here. It’s only natural, especially if your bread is wrapped in paper or loose packaging. But mice can get in here, too, though you might think it’s sealed. They can wriggle through holes smaller than 1cm and can chew through wood and plastic if needed, so your bread bin needs attention.
Start by shaking it over your kitchen bin to remove any crumbs, then give the surface a once over with a food-safe antibacterial surface wipe, paying close attention to the corners and crevices, then leave to dry. To make your bread last longer, keep it sealed in its plastic bag, or for bakery loaves, wrap tightly in clingfilm to contain the smell. You can always freeze your loaves if you’re concerned about mice getting to them. Try to inspect and clean your bread bin once a week.
5. The backs of kitchen cabinets
Seems like an obvious one, but crumbs will always find their way into your kitchen cabinets, and these are a prime attraction for mice, with all the food stored in them!
Every one to two months, take all the food out of your cabinets, and remove any residue that’s been left behind; look out for loose rice, flour and bits of pasta. Then give the surfaces a thorough wipe with a food-safe antibacterial surface cleaner. Remove any sticky spills that have leaked and look out for any small gaps a mouse could squeeze through (these can be temporarily sealed with steel wool). Leave to dry, then you can start to replace your food.
But before this, go through your food and dispose of any that’s past its use-by date, or offer it out to neighbours if it’s not something you’re going to use. Anything open should be stored in sealed containers to keep it fresh and to deter pests. The rest should be stored in reverse date order, so you use the eldest products first.
