Save time, money and your sanity with housekeeping guru Mbali Nhlapo’s kitchen cleaning tips

According to South Africa's housekeeping guru Mbali Nhlapo, cleaning the kitchen doesn’t have to feel like a punishment.

Nhlapo says the kitchen is the heart of the home, and when it’s chaotic, everything else feels harder. 

Her golden rule? Work smart, not hard.

"Take it easy. That is your home."

Nhlapo's practical kitchen rules include:

Declutter countertops - if you don’t use it daily, pack it away

Give every item a "home", so clutter doesn’t creep in

Clean as you cook to avoid massive clean-ups later

Her most talked-about tip remains a DIY kitchen spray made from pantry staples - warm water (1 cup), white vinegar (1 cup), dishwashing liquid (1 tablespoon) and a squeeze of lemon or lemon juice (2 tablespoons).

"That spray bottle helps you not to have a build-up of grease; chances of flies sitting on your surfaces are close to zero because there's vinegar in there and lemon."

Nhlapo also flagged the kitchen’s most overlooked dirt traps, where grime quietly builds up:

The wall behind the stove

The kitchen sink and drain

Fridge shelves - wipe spills immediately

Extractor fan filters

Dishwasher and washing machine doors and filters

From cleaning sinks and fridges to extractor fans, Nhlapo’s message is clear - work smart, use what’s already in your pantry, and cleaning will stop feeling overwhelming.

For more cleaning tips, click the audio below to listen to Mbali Nhlapo in conversation with CapeTalk's Pippa Hudson: