Thanksgiving Clean Up Tips with Melissa Maker

Cleaning expert Melissa Maker from the YouTube channel Clean My Space, shares with us some cleaning tips for that big Thanksgiving dinner. She wants to make sure that with her expertise, this year’s dinner is our best and cleanest ever. She admits that cooking is a messy business but that there are a few things that you can do to set yourself up for success and that will make cleanup much easier.

First grease your roasting pans either with cooking spray or with a bit of oil prior to use. For casserole dishes and cookie sheets, a great way to save on cleanup time is using silicone pads or parchment paper. One way to bypass the tedious task of cleaning is to use disposable bakeware and there are also some environmentally friendly options out there. One wonderful option is to bake with silicone cookware. It is heat resistant up to 500°C, cleans beautifully with just soap and water and practically nothing sticks to it when baking. It is also conveniently dishwasher safe.

Melissa has a game plan for us once we have done the bulk of our cooking, when our kitchen looks like a whirlwind. Her first suggestion is to remove all recyclable items such as boxes, containers, cans and jars. All garbage should go in that receptacle and any food scraps should go in the composter container. Next wipe down all your counter surfaces and all dishes and cutlery used during cooking should be placed in the dishwasher. Continue with cleaning your pots and pans and finish with giving your sinks a good wash.

Once all your food is ready and you are close to serving your guests, there are just a few more things you can do to set yourself up for the easiest Thanksgiving cleaning ever. The larger cooking vessels that were used such as the turkey can be left soaking with water and dish soap for easier cleaning after the meal. Melissa suggests setting up a station such as a compost container, a garbage bag and a bin with dish soap and water in which guests can simply place their dirty dishes themselves.

By following these simple tips, you will have a much smoother, cleaner and more delicious Thanksgiving dinner.