When Americans were polled about the type of housework they disliked the most, cleaning the kitchen ranked at the top of the list. Whether it's sweeping the dog's hair off of the tile floor, scrubbing old food off the pots and pans, disinfecting countertops, or cleaning the microwave, cleaning the kitchen isn't always pleasant. To make it seem like less of a chore, you might want to try some of the following tips from our cleaning experts.

The number one cause of frustration in the kitchen is a lack of organization. The solution? Have a place for everything. It's easier to clean a plate, a fork, and measuring spoons when you know exactly where they should go. Organize your kitchen based on appliances and items you use most frequently. The more often you use something, the easier it should be to take out and put away. Items like tin foil and saran wrap, if you use them frequently, might work well in a top drawer in the kitchen.

Countless people will waste valuable kitchen space with items that they rarely or never use. Just because your parents got you a George Foreman® Grill for your anniversary doesn't mean you need to fill up your drawer with it and its accessories. If you never use this grill, put it in the garage. Or better yet, donate it to charity. Which brings us to our next tip.

De-Clutter. Our lives are complicated enough. With a clean, clutter-free kitchen, cooking and cleaning up will be a breeze. You know those dirty stained pots with caked on spaghetti sauce that have been sitting in the cupboard for years? The ones you think you might use again someday, but never have? You don't want to waste time scrubbing them, since you usually use your newer set of pots and pans. Throw them away. There's no reason to hold onto something that you don't use. It simply makes the kitchen a less enjoyable place. Take a few minutes today to identify the areas in your kitchen that are prone to clutter. Clear the clutter, and make sure all items are put back where they belong. Believe me - in a month, you won't miss seeing the dirty pots and pans.

There's nothing worse than waking up in the morning to a dirty kitchen sink. Our third tip: Wipe down the kitchen sink and run the dishwasher each night before bed. In the morning, you'll be able to unload the dishes and have a nice, clean kitchen to start the day.

Here are some other handy tips that will help you keep your kitchen its cleanest:

• Garbage disposal not smelling so great? Pour ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda on a scrub brush, and scrub the inside of your disposal. In just seconds, it will smell like new. Or, simply sprinkle the ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda into the disposal, add some ice cubes, and turn it on. Then run hot water for a minute while the disposal runs. This will take the place of scrubbing.
• Refrigerator odors are caused by hidden or invisible food particles. Try cleaning the inside of your refrigerator with 1/4 cup of Vinegar, 2 Tablespoons of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda, and a quart of water. After a thorough scrubbing with this miracle combination, lingering smells in your fridge should disappear.
• Appliances are easiest to clean with a foaming cleaner, such as OxiClean® Miracle Foam Spray. Because appliances are vertical surfaces, the foam adheres to the appliance and breaks down grease and dirt. Why waste your time scrubbing when you don't have to?
• Having trouble cleaning the caked on food in your microwave? Try this: fill a coffee mug halfway with water, add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice, and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. The water will evaporate, creating steam in your microwave. Then simply wipe the inside of the microwave with a paper towel. Repeat if needed.
• To clean stainless steel stoves, cookware, or appliances, Cameo® Stainless Steel Cleaner works best. Also remember to always put a rubber mat down in a stainless steel sink, to prevent scratching.
• To clean a blender, pour a little liquid soap into it, then fill it halfway with warm water. Cover and blend, then rinse. This also is a great way to clean a food processor.
• For an inexpensive way to clean and deodorize your dishwasher, fill one dispenser with Tang powdered drink mix, and the other dispenser with your favorite dishwasher detergent, and run the dishwasher (without any dishes inside). Trust us, it works!

Cleaning the kitchen is a part of life. It's easier to cook in a clean kitchen, and it's safer for your family if the countertops and appliances are clean and sanitized. We hope that you'll implement some of these tips into your own kitchen cleaning regimen. By making cleaning second nature, you'll save time, energy, and money!