Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy is essential for maintaining a healthy household. A spotless kitchen not only looks great but helps prevent the spread of germs and foodborne illnesses. Establishing a routine cleaning checklist is the best way to keep your kitchen in top shape. This comprehensive guide provides tips and a customizable checklist to help you easily stay on top of all kitchen cleaning tasks.
Daily Kitchen Cleaning
Performing small cleaning tasks daily prevents mess and grime from building up in your kitchen. Try to do these quick cleaning tasks each day:
Clear Countertops
- Wipe down all counters with a disinfecting spray or soapy water.
- Place appliances and items back in their homes. Don’t allow clutter to accumulate.
- Disinfect high touch surfaces like refrigerator handles.
Wash Dishes
- Wash dishes promptly after each meal.
- Use hot soapy water and let air dry instead of using dishcloths which can spread germs.
- Empty the sink and sanitize as needed.
Take Out Trash
- Remove trash from bins daily to avoid odors or attracting pests.
- Replace trash bags.
- Take trash and recycling bins out to curb when full.
Tidy Floors
- Sweep or vacuum to remove crumbs and debris.
- Spot mop spills right away to avoid tracking messes.
Performing these small tasks daily keeps your kitchen fresh and prevents bigger cleaning jobs.
Weekly Kitchen Cleaning
Set aside time once a week for a more thorough kitchen cleaning session. These tasks will keep all surfaces sparkling:
Wash Interior Appliances
- Clean inside microwave by mixing water with lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl, heating, and wiping away grime.
- Remove refrigerator shelves and drawers and wash in sink in warm soapy water. Clean fridge interior well.
- Clean inside of oven by spraying cleaner over night and wiping clean in the morning. Use oven liners to simplify cleaning.
- Descale coffee maker and tea kettle. Run vinegar through the water reservoir followed by plain water.
Clean Sink and Counters
- Use a soft sponge or cloth with an all-purpose cleaner. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads which can scratch.
- For stuck-on food or grime, let sit for 15 minutes after spraying with cleaner to soften before scrubbing.
- Sanitize and polish faucets and handles.
Dust Appliances Exteriors
- Unplug appliances first for safety. Use microfiber cloth to dust off exteriors of appliances.
- For stainless steel, rub in direction of grain. You can also use stainless steel cleaner and polish.
Wash Cabinets and Drawers
- Use all-purpose cleaner and clean cloths to wash down exterior of cabinets and drawers.
- Clean handles and knobs well.
- Don’t forget inside of lower cabinets and drawers where grime collects.
Clean Tables, Chairs, and Highchair
- Wash tabletops with soap and water or all-purpose cleaner.
- Sanitize high chair tray thoroughly.
- Vacuum crumbs from eating area chairs.
Mop Floors
- Sweep first before mopping using a microfiber mop and all-purpose floor cleaner.
- Move appliances like refrigerator out to clean behind.
- Don’t forget along edges and into corners.
Performing a deep clean of the kitchen once a week keeps all surfaces free of sticky messes and debris.
Monthly Kitchen Cleaning
Some cleaning tasks only need doing once a month. Be sure to add these to your calendar:
Clean Windows
- Wash inside of windows with glass cleaner and wipe dry with paper towels or a microfiber cloth.
- Vacuum blinds and wipe down window sills which collect dust.
Clean Light Fixtures
- Use duster wand to remove cobwebs from ceiling lights and fixtures.
- Wipe down exterior of fixtures with soft cloth.
- Check for burned out light bulbs and replace.
Clean Vent Hood
- Remove filters and soak in warm soapy water. Rinse and let dry before replacing.
- Clean grease off interior hood surfaces with degreasing spray and soft cloth.
Scrub Sinks
- Use soft scrub product and brush to remove stains in porcelain sinks.
- Rinse well and sanitize entire sink including drain area.
Descale Faucets
- Remove limescale and water spots on faucets by covering with white vinegar for 15 minutes before rinsing.
- Polish faucets with soft cloth until gleaming.
Vacuum Fridge Coils
- Pull refrigerator out and use crevice tool to vacuum dust from condenser coils underneath and backside.
- Coils must be kept clean for optimal efficiency.
Clean Trash Bins
- Take bins outside and wash out with hose. Use hot soapy water for inside.
- Disinfect bins with bleach solution before replacing bags.
Monthly cleaning ensures kitchen is truly spotless from top to bottom.
Seasonal Deep Cleaning
Some heavy duty cleaning tasks should be done on a seasonal basis such as:
Spring
- Wash walls, cabinets, and drawers. Use TSP substitute cleaner and rinse walls well.
- Clean behind appliances by pulling out from wall.
- Wash curtains, refrigerator door gasket, and dishwasher gasket.
- Flip mattresses, vacuum coils, and wipe down exterior of kitchen appliances.
Summer
- Defrost freezer if heavy ice buildup.
- Clean exhaust fan filters and vents.
- Wash trash bins and recycling bins in driveway with hose.
Fall
- Clean oven well including racks and broiler pan. Use oven cleaner spray.
- Wash out humidifier and dehumidifier. Discard old filters and replace.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils thoroughly when pulling out to clean behind.
Winter
- Sanitize all removable sink parts in vinegar followed by hydrogen peroxide.
- Descale dishwashers and washing machines. Run vinegar through empty cycle first.
- Wash window treatments like curtains.
Seasonal cleaning ensures everything stays fresh and your kitchen is truly deep cleaned at least twice a year.
The Perfect Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
Print out this checklist to help you keep on top of all kitchen cleaning tasks for a sparkling space:
Daily Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
- [ ] Clear all countertops and sanitize
- [ ] Wash all dishes promptly
- [ ] Take out trash and recycling
- [ ] Sweep floors
- [ ] Spot mop spills
Weekly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
- [ ] Wash interior appliances – microwave, fridge, oven
- [ ] Clean sink, counters, and backsplashes
- [ ] Dust exterior of appliances
- [ ] Wash cabinets and drawers
- [ ] Clean tables and chairs
- [ ] Mop floors thoroughly
Monthly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
- [ ] Clean windows and sills
- [ ] Dust lighting fixtures
- [ ] Clean range hood filters
- [ ] Scrub sinks with soft scrub
- [ ] Descale faucets
- [ ] Vacuum fridge coils
- [ ] Wash trash bins
Seasonal Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
Spring
- [ ] Wash walls, cabinets, drawers
- [ ] Clean behind appliances
- [ ] Wash fridge gaskets and dishwasher gasket
- [ ] Flip or replace mattresses
Summer
- [ ] Defrost freezer if needed
- [ ] Clean vents and exhaust fans
- [ ] Deep clean outdoor trash and recycling bins
Fall
- [ ] Deep clean oven and racks
- [ ] Clean humidifiers and dehumidifiers
- [ ] Vacuum fridge coils when pulling out
Winter
- [ ] Sanitize sink parts in vinegar and peroxide
- [ ] Descale washing machine and dishwasher
- [ ] Wash window treatments
Use this checklist to help establish a kitchen cleaning routine that keeps your space spotless year-round! Customize it to match your specific appliances and kitchen setup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Cleaning
How often should you mop your kitchen floor?
It’s best to mop your kitchen floors at least once per week. High traffic kitchens may need mopping more often, even daily. Always sweep first and spot clean spills right away.
How do you sanitize your kitchen without chemicals?
Skip the harsh chemicals by sanitizing with a half water, half white vinegar solution. Also, hydrogen peroxide is a natural sanitizer. For heavy duty scrubbing, use baking soda.
What is the best way to clean grease on kitchen cabinets?
Dish soap on a soft sponge can remove mild grease. For heavy grease buildup, mix baking soda and water into a paste and let sit for 20 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing clean.
What should you not mix when cleaning your kitchen?
Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia. This causes toxic fumes. Also avoid mixing bleach with hydrogen peroxide, which can create a corrosive acid.
How do you deep clean kitchen drains?
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the kitchen sink drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover and let bubble for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with hot water. Repeat weekly.
How often should you clean the inside of a refrigerator?
Plan to wash interior refrigerator shelves, drawers, walls, and gaskets at least once a month. This prevents odors and keeps fridge free of mold and bacteria.
What is the best way to clean an oven without chemicals?
Make a paste of baking soda, salt, and water. Apply to oven interior and let sit overnight before scrubbing off. The abrasives in the paste naturally scour off grime.
Should you clean granite countertops with vinegar?
White vinegar is fine for cleaning and sanitizing granite. Avoid using other types of vinegar which could etch the stone. Always thoroughly rinse counters after using vinegar.
What should you not use to clean hardwood floors?
Avoid excessive water, vinegar, dish soap, or ammonia-based cleaners on hardwood floors as these can damage the finish. Instead opt for dedicated hardwood floor cleaner.
How often should you wash kitchen curtains?
To keep kitchen curtains fresh, wash them every 2-3 months depending on how much cooking you do. Take them down and launder according to care instructions.
Conclusion
By following this comprehensive kitchen cleaning guide and customizing the printable checklist, you can easily stay on top of cleaning. Performing small daily tasks like washing dishes and sweeping keeps the kitchen constantly tidy. Set aside time for weekly and monthly deep cleaning sessions to scrub surfaces. And be sure to seasonally deep clean for a sparkling space year-round. Keep this guide on your fridge for easy reference!