March 1, 2025 by Abby Urbinek
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, and for good reason. It’s where we prepare meals, share moments with family, and even unwind after a long day. However, it’s also one of the most challenging spaces to keep clean, given the constant activity—from cooking to storing groceries to washing dishes.
Keeping your kitchen spotless doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following a few simple and effective tips, you can make your kitchen a gleaming, hygienic space where you’ll love to spend time. Here’s how to clean your kitchen in a way that’s both efficient and effective.
1. Tackle the Dishes First
One of the quickest ways to make your kitchen feel clean is to stay on top of the dishes. Whether you have a dishwasher or wash by hand, getting the dishes out of sight immediately after each meal will create a noticeable difference. When dishes start to pile up, it can feel overwhelming to clean, but if you handle them as you go, it’ll be much easier to maintain order.
After every meal, make it a habit to wash dishes, or at least rinse them and load them into the dishwasher. This will keep the sink from becoming cluttered and prevent food from hardening, making it easier to clean later.
2. Wipe Down Surfaces Frequently
Surfaces like countertops, stovetops, and the kitchen table accumulate crumbs, spills, and splashes on a daily basis. A quick wipe-down after each use keeps things from building up and making a bigger mess later.
To keep your kitchen looking fresh, wipe down counters and surfaces regularly with an all-purpose cleaner or a natural solution like vinegar and water. Be sure to pay special attention to high-use areas like your cutting board space, where food particles can linger, and the stove, where grease and splatters can build up.
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down surfaces. They’re more effective at picking up dirt and debris and are less likely to leave streaks than traditional paper towels or cotton cloths.
3. Clean Your Appliances (Inside and Out)
The kitchen appliances we use every day—such as the fridge, oven, microwave, and coffee maker—can quickly become dirty, even if we don’t realize it. Regular cleaning of these items will not only keep your kitchen looking tidy but also help extend the lifespan of your appliances.
Fridge: Remove expired items and clean spills as soon as they happen. Every few weeks, give the shelves and drawers a deep clean with warm soapy water. Don’t forget to wipe down the exterior as well!
Stove & Oven: Clean your stovetop after every use, especially if food spills over. For your oven, use a gentle cleaner (or baking soda paste) to tackle grease and spills. Consider using an oven liner to make cleaning even easier.
Microwave: Wipe down the microwave interior every week to prevent food splatters from building up. If you notice stubborn stains or smells, heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for a few minutes to loosen grime and freshen up the space.
Coffee Maker: If you use your coffee maker daily, it can accumulate oils and grime. Run a mixture of water and white vinegar through it once a month to clean the internal parts and prevent buildup.
4. Don’t Forget the Floor
The kitchen floor can quickly accumulate dirt, crumbs, and spills, especially around the cooking and eating areas. To keep your kitchen floor in top condition, vacuum or sweep regularly, and mop weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the amount of traffic.
Pro Tip: For sticky messes (like syrup or spilled juice), use a natural cleaning solution like a mixture of water and dish soap. It’s gentle enough not to damage the floor, but effective at cleaning up tougher spots.
If you have tile floors, don’t forget to scrub the grout occasionally to keep it from looking dingy. A grout brush and some baking soda will do the trick.
5. Sanitize High-Touch Areas
In the kitchen, you handle many high-touch surfaces, such as cabinet handles, light switches, and door knobs. These areas can accumulate bacteria, especially after food preparation.
To ensure your kitchen is truly clean, use a disinfectant to wipe down these high-touch surfaces regularly. Pay special attention to areas that come into contact with raw meat or dairy products, as these are the areas most likely to harbor bacteria.
Keep disinfectant wipes or a spray bottle with diluted disinfectant handy for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
6. Deep Clean the Sink
Your kitchen sink is used frequently throughout the day, so it’s important to clean it regularly. Wash the sink itself with a non-abrasive cleaner to remove food particles and grime. After washing, wipe it down with a dry cloth to prevent water spots from forming.
For a sparkling finish, give your sink a quick shine with a little bit of lemon juice or vinegar to remove water stains and add a fresh scent.
7. Dispose of Trash and Compost Daily
Trash is something that can quickly accumulate in a kitchen, especially when there’s food packaging, leftovers, or other waste. Make it a habit to empty the trash can and compost bin at least once a day to keep odors and messes from building up.
If you don’t already compost, consider starting. It’s a great way to reduce waste while also keeping your kitchen cleaner.
Regularly wash the trash and compost bins to keep them smelling fresh and avoid sticky buildup at the bottom.
8. Organize Your Kitchen Items
An organized kitchen is much easier to clean. Take time each week to tidy up and arrange items in a way that makes sense. Store pots, pans, and utensils in places that make sense for your cooking routine. Keep cleaning supplies in a convenient location for easy access, and designate a space for small appliances so they don’t clutter up your countertops.
Use drawer dividers, bins, and shelves to keep things organized. It will make cleaning more efficient and save you time looking for things.
Cleaning your kitchen doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By making small, daily habits part of your routine—like wiping down surfaces, keeping your appliances clean, and staying on top of trash—you can create a kitchen that’s not only functional but a joy to use.
At Simply Clean, we understand that a spotless kitchen can be a challenge, but with the right techniques and the right mindset, it’s achievable. Keep your kitchen sparkling with these simple steps, and you’ll be able to enjoy every moment you spend in your kitchen.