Spring has sprung and with all the light coming into your kitchen/bar after Daylight Savings Time you see what winter has done to your floors, walls and seating.  It may be time to do some spring cleaning to clean out the dark days of winter and welcome in the warmer days and floral smells.

Dining area blind spots

There are places we check every day like the tables, floors and cushions but when was the last time you looked under the table?  Here are a few spots that could use a cleaning:

Under the tables

Look for gum or other unwanted stains that could have been bloomed through the season full of dark beers and darker sauces.

Frames

Check the tops of your painting’s frames for some timely dusting and check the wall behind them while you’re up there.  It is also a great opportunity to check the door frames and window sills.  Sure the windows look sparkling every day but when was the last time your check the sills.  It could be time to give the window frames a good cleaning with a small brush.  Just a little polish for any wood frames will bring a new vibrancy to your space.  Don’t forget the blinds and curtains could use a cleaning too.

Fans

If you have fans as part of your motif it is a great time to get the dust off before they get high use in the summer and covers your patrons in dust.

Plant leaves

Dust makes it harder for plants to absorb sunlight.  Dusting them off and maybe rearrange them in the space for a new feel for the season.

Kitchen deep clean

Now that the front of the house is looking in top shape for all those spring customers, don’t forget that the kitchen could probably use a little cleaning to keep the staff going strong.  Here are a few places to check out:

Ice Machine

It is time to give the ice machine a cleaning; before the warmer months require more ice for smoothies and cold drinks.  Clean the filters, defrost the machine on a cool day, and give it a thorough cleaning inside and out.  National Chemicals’ Ice Machine Cleaner and one of Carlisle’s utility brushes could help get all the nooks and crannies shining bright.

Drink Dispenser

This is more than a hand wash of the nozzle for the soda machine or blowing out the lines for a new flavor.  To do a deep clean run a system cleaner. National Chemicals has BLC® and Penetrate Beverage Line Cleaners for your soda and beer dispensers and CPC® Coffee Pot Cleaner for your coffee pots.

Refrigerator coils

This could not only keep your food cooler but also save you some money.  It should be cleaned monthly but now is a good time to check the coils for a little verification that everything is running properly, particularly if your gauges are reading on the high side.

Equipment Sides

Check each piece of equipment from the ovens to the meat slicer to see if they have been only cleaned in areas that food touches.  Now is the time to clean under and around.  Behind your grill isn’t just a place where a spice can fall but a place where vermin can find that spice and take it as a buffet.  Don’t forget the clean the front!  Try some FOG® Fryer/Oven/Grill Cleaner for your fryer, oven or grill to get out the lime scale or hard-water build-up.

Replace what you can’t clean

Some items are just beyond a deep cleaning and need some additional investment to either replace or cover.  Here are a few things you may need to invest a little in for a full spring cleaning:

Paint

If you have splashes or stains that just won’t wash off it may be time to put on a fresh coat.

Dishes

It may be time to update your plates if you have either new entrées or if there have been just too many broken dishes in the last season. If a new set is in your future check out our selection of tabletop items from World Tableware.

Pans

The sauce pans may have a little too many grease stains on the sides and there may be a warp radiating from the outside.  It is a great time to replace your pots and pans before the rush of summer sets in.  Pots and pans from the Challenger line could be a quick way to replace those pieces without much fuss.

Menu Covers

The edges of the menus could be stained beyond repair, while other menus covers may be scratched or bent and need replacing to continue to give your restaurant a warm and inviting environment.  H Risch Inc. has some menu covers that could be right up your alley

Cleaning supplies

After all the cleaning you just completed the broom may need replacing.  Check out Zephyr for any mops or brooms that could sweep you off your feet.

When it comes to spring cleaning we all have our places that are a priority.  Please let Houston’s know if there are any places your commercial kitchen or bar needs a few items to make it flourish in spring.