How to Clean Kitchen Window Nets and Keep Organisers Spotless
To clean a kitchen window net that is fixed in place, spray soapy water onto a soft microfibre cloth and wipe gently with the least possible pressure — never a scrubber, or the mesh will loosen and develop gaps.
We bring home plenty of nice things, but often we don’t know how to maintain them or clean the spots that seem beyond reach. Two of the hardest are window nets over the gas stove and the organisers we forget about. Here is how to keep both spotless, plus simple, no-cost ways to store dust-prone items and important files.
How do I clean a kitchen window net without damaging it?
A net on your windows and doors keeps lizards and pests out, but it needs maintenance — and cleaning it is not easy. When it sits over the kitchen window right next to the stove, cooking splatters land on it constantly.
Many nets are fixed in place and cannot be removed. If yours lifts out, you can carry it to the bathroom and clean it however you like. But a permanently attached net has to be cleaned right where it is, carefully.
Follow these steps:
- Take some nice soapy water and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Spray the soapy water onto a soft cloth — a microfibre cloth is ideal.
- Wipe the net using gentle pressure, rubbing well to lift the splatters.
- Keep the pressure minimal so the net doesn’t come loose or get damaged.
- Work section by section until the whole net is done.
The two things you must never do: don’t use a scrubber, and don’t use a very thick cloth. Both create gaps in the mesh over time. With soapy water and a microfibre cloth alone, a large net cleans up beautifully — no scrubber needed.
Do set aside enough time. A big window won’t clean in 5-10 minutes; the net takes a while no matter your method. Save this task for when you have some spare time.
Why do my kitchen organisers start looking old and shabby?
We fill our homes with organisers, then neglect them until they’re unpleasant to look at. Bring every organiser home with the understanding that it, too, needs maintenance.
The organiser that holds scrubbers near the sink is a prime example. Soap, splatters, and dirty-dish water hit it constantly, so it gets dirty fast. If organisers only hold things but are never cleaned, the whole surrounding area looks unclean no matter how much else you tidy. Neglected organisers also develop permanent scratches and stains, and they get damaged quickly.
The good news: cleaning them takes very little time. Do it while you cook. When food is on the gas, instead of sitting down to watch TV, stay in the kitchen and check which small items haven’t been cleaned in a while. Your food cooks and the cleaning gets done in the same window of time.
Should I wait for guests before deep-cleaning my kitchen?
No. Don’t clean to show anyone — clean for yourself. Outsiders rarely notice if something is dirty; even if a spot is left uncleaned, hardly anyone will spot it. But you know it’s there.
You work in the kitchen all day. When things look clean to you, you feel good, and working in a clean, organised kitchen is simply easier. So don’t wait for guests or a festival. The moment something looks dirty, take out 5-10 minutes and clean it.
Two habits make organiser-cleaning last:
- Clean the surface behind it too. Whenever you take out a rack, basket, or organiser, clean the area and surface behind it before putting it back. Since you won’t remove it again for a while, that spot gets cleaned in the same go.
- Let scrubber holders dry before closing. After returning washed scrubbers and brushes, leave the holder open until everything dries fully. Water collects at the bottom — take out that base section, drain it, dry it, and put it back. A dry brush means no germs and no smell.
How can I store towels and household items so dust doesn’t ruin them?
Many items collect dust when left in the open, forcing you to wash them again before use — things like moulds, extra towels, and masks. The fix is to store them so dust never gets inside, using simple methods.
Don’t complicate your storage. You already have plenty of the polythene and plastic covers that come free with clothes and purchases. Keep those neatly and reuse them: put an item inside, and if dust settles, it settles on the plastic while the item stays clean. A cloth cover works just as well.
For extra kitchen towels, bath towels, or face towels, transparent boxes are excellent. You can fold and store many towels together, the boxes don’t take much space, and because they’re see-through, you can tell at a glance how many towels are left and when to wash them.
How do I organise files and documents so I find them instantly?
Medical files and important documents are easy to misplace, yet they matter most in an emergency. Start by taking out all the files, cleaning them, and grouping them into categories.
You don’t need to buy anything to store them. Take a carton box and cover it with an old t-shirt: tuck the t-shirt inside and fold it over the top so the box looks nicer, won’t smell, and won’t attract cockroaches or insects — a common worry with plain carton boxes. A plastic box or store-bought basket works too.
Place the files vertically so they’re easy to reach, then keep each category separated so they never mix up:
- Attach files for one category onto a wooden cloth clip.
- Write the category name on the clip — for example, “medical file” — or use a family member’s name.
- If you don’t have wooden clips, use binder clips with a tag attached instead.
Stored this way, your files stay segregated and always ready, so you never waste time searching when it matters.
📺 About this video. This post draws on Jasmine Choudhari’s YouTube video Best Kitchen Organization Ideas With Clean Organizers. Watch the full video for visual demonstrations of every tip.
Watch the video
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean a kitchen window net that is fixed over the gas stove?
Spray soapy water onto a soft microfibre cloth and wipe the net gently with the least possible pressure. Cooking splatters build up on nets next to the stove, so soapy water lifts the grime quickly. Never use a scrubber or thick cloth, and avoid pressing hard, or the net loosens and gaps appear.
Why should I avoid using a scrubber on a window net?
A scrubber damages the net and, over time, creates gaps in the mesh. Hard scrubbing loosens a net that is fixed in place, defeating its purpose of keeping lizards and pests out. A soft cloth with gentle pressure cleans it just as well without harm.
How often should I clean the organisers in my kitchen?
Clean organisers regularly, not just before guests or festivals. Sink-area organisers that hold scrubbers get dirty fast from soap and splatters, and neglected racks develop permanent scratches and stains. Frequent quick cleaning keeps the whole area looking clean and prevents damage.
Can I clean my kitchen while cooking to save time?
Yes, cleaning small organisers while food cooks is an efficient use of otherwise idle time. Instead of sitting to watch TV once food is on the gas, stay in the kitchen and clean items that have been neglected. Your food cooks and the cleaning gets done together.
Should I clean my kitchen only when guests are coming?
No, clean for yourself, not to show anyone. Outsiders rarely notice if something is dirty, but you work in the kitchen all day, so a clean space makes your own work easier and more pleasant. If something looks dirty, take 5-10 minutes and clean it right then.
How can I store towels and dust-prone items without buying anything?
Use the spare polythene and plastic covers that come free with clothes and purchases. Place items like extra towels, moulds, or masks inside so dust settles on the plastic, not the item. Transparent boxes also work well for towels because you can see how many are left.
How do I organise files and important documents so they don't get mixed up?
Group files by category and stand them vertically in a box, then separate each category with a labelled clip. Use wooden cloth clips or binder clips with tags, writing the category or family member's name on each. This keeps files segregated so you find them instantly in an emergency.
Do I need to buy a storage box for my files?
No, a carton box covered with an old t-shirt works perfectly. Tuck the t-shirt inside the box so it looks neater and keeps out smells and insects like cockroaches. If you prefer, a plastic box or a store-bought basket also works, but you don't need to spend anything.
About Jasmine Choudhari
Jasmine Choudhari shares practical, no-frills ideas for organising small Indian kitchens and homes. Follow her on YouTube (600K+ subscribers · Silver Play Button), Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. For collaborations: collab@jasminechoudhari.com.