Keeping a clean and organized kitchen is an important part of maintaining a healthy home. However, it’s easy to let regular cleaning slide with our busy schedules. You might think you can skip cleaning some areas of your kitchen more often, but don’t – consistent cleaning is key for preventing messes, germs and contamination in your kitchen. Here’s a guide on how often you should be cleaning everything in your kitchen for optimal health and organization.
How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Counters?
Kitchen counters tend to attract crumbs, spills, grease, and dirt on a daily basis. For that reason, your kitchen counters are one of the areas that need frequent cleaning. Here’s how often you should aim to clean kitchen counters:
- Daily: Wipe down all counters at the end of each day. Use an all-purpose cleaner or disinfecting wipes to remove crumbs, spills, grease, and dirt. Pay close attention to areas around the stove, sink, and appliances.
- Weekly: Do a deeper clean of all counters once a week using a multi-surface cleaner. Remove everything from counters and thoroughly scrub all surfaces. This helps remove stains and stuck-on debris.
- As Needed: Immediately wipe up spills, messes, and splatters as they happen to prevent staining or sticking.
Getting into a habit of quick daily wipe downs and weekly deep cleaning sessions will keep your kitchen counters free of sticky messes, bacteria, and grime. Don’t skip regular counter cleaning – it takes just minutes and is essential for cleanliness.
How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Appliances?
Kitchen appliances see a lot of action and need to be cleaned frequently to keep them looking shiny and germ-free. Here’s a guide on how often to clean common kitchen appliances:
Refrigerator
- Weekly: Wipe down exterior surfaces with a multi-surface cleaner. Use disinfecting wipes on handles and doors.
- Every 2-3 Months: Remove shelves, bins, and drawers and wash in warm soapy water. Clean interior surfaces with a fridge cleaner or baking soda solution.
- Yearly: Unplug and empty fridge completely. Clean condenser coils and vacuum out dust buildup underneath and behind the fridge.
Oven and Range
- After Each Use: Clean up spills, splatters, and grease around the stove after cooking. Scrub grates after use to remove stuck-on food.
- Weekly: Thoroughly scrub grates, burners, knobs, and surfaces around the oven. Use an oven cleaner according to product instructions.
- Every 3-6 Months: Do a deep clean by removing racks and scrubbing interior oven surfaces with an oven cleaner. Use a stiff brush or abrasive sponge on stubborn grease stains.
Dishwasher
- Weekly: Remove any food particles from the filter. Run an empty wash cycle with vinegar or dishwasher cleaner to remove grease and limescale.
- Monthly: Remove built-up grime and food from interior surfaces, paying close attention to the door gasket. Clean door exterior as well.
- Every 6 Months: Remove and scrub debris that builds up in the bottom drain area. Flush out hoses and spray arms with vinegar.
Sink
- Daily: Scrub sink with a soft sponge, mild soap, and hot water to remove stains. Disinfect and shine faucet fixtures as part of daily kitchen cleanup.
- Weekly: Use a sink scrub brush and abrasive cleaner to remove mineral deposits and stains from the sink basin. Clean soap scum and gunk from a stainless steel sink.
- Monthly: Flush pipes and drain with boiling water and baking soda. Freshen drain pipes by sending vinegar or enzyme cleaner down the drain before bed.
Make appliance cleaning part of your regular kitchen cleaning routine. Don’t skip detailed appliance cleaning – it improves functionality and longevity. Follow this schedule for clean and hygienic kitchen appliances.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Floors?
Kitchen floors tend to get a lot of foot traffic and are prone to spills, grease, dropped foods, and dirt. Regular mopping and deep cleaning sessions are a must. Here’s how often kitchen floors need cleaning:
- Daily: Quickly sweep, mop, or vacuum floors after cooking and eating to remove surface dirt, crumbs, and debris. Spot mop spills and splatters immediately.
- 2-3 Times Per Week: Thoroughly mop floors using a cleaning solution suited for your floor type – vinyl, tile, wood, etc. Get into corners and along edges for a deeper clean.
- Weekly: Scrub floors on hands and knees to remove stuck-on grime and reveal shine. Use grout brush on tile. Disinfect floors for extra protection.
- Every 2-3 Months: Deep clean using a floor steamer or cleaner made for your floor type. This removes stubborn spots and embedded dirt that routine mopping misses.
- Yearly: Professionally shampoo carpeted floors to brighten up stained and matted areas. Refinish or reseal floors as needed.
Cleaning kitchen floors every few days keeps them free of sticky messes, debris, and harmful bacteria from raw foods. Don’t skip regular mopping – dirty floors spread germs quickly. Follow this cleaning schedule for sparkling floors.
How Often Should You Give Your Kitchen a Deep Clean?
In addition to daily and weekly surface cleaning tasks, it’s important to give your entire kitchen a thorough deep cleaning on a regular basis. Here’s how often to schedule those major cleaning sessions:
- Every 3 Months: Clear all countertops and thoroughly clean inside cabinets, drawers, and pantries. Use disinfectants on handles, knobs, and surfaces.
- Every 6 Months: Empty fridge and freezer to wipe down interior surfaces. Clean walls, vent hoods, light fixtures and the tops of cabinets.
- Annually: Schedule an intensive kitchen deep clean. Move appliances to clean behind and underneath. Scrub walls, floors, light fixtures and window treatments.
- As Needed: Do an extensive kitchen clean after completing any remodeling work, before/after moving houses, when changing seasonal dishes and cookware, after appliance repairs or leaks, or if you notice an accumulation of grime.
Don’t skip these periodic deep cleaning sessions – they keep your kitchen truly clean and sanitary from top to bottom. Remove hidden grime, refresh neglected areas, and declutter. You’ll have a sparkling kitchen that’s healthy and ready for holiday hosting and dinner parties.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets easily collect dust, grime, splatters, and vapors from cooking. Keep them looking fresh with regular cleaning:
- Weekly: Wipe down exterior cabinet surfaces using a multi-surface cleaner and microfiber cloths.
- Monthly: Remove everything and clean inside cabinets and drawers. Use a degreasing cleaner for sticky buildup or stubborn spots.
- Every 6 Months: Wash cabinet doors, handles and hardware using a mild soap solution. Dry immediately to prevent water damage.
- As Needed: Spot clean splatters, drips or crumbs using a damp sponge as soon as they happen before they settle in.
Proper cabinet care prevents greasy buildup and preserves the finish of your cabinet surfaces. Don’t skip cleaning cabinets – it keeps stored dishes and cookware clean too.
How Often Should You Clean the Microwave?
The microwave needs frequent cleaning because it’s used to heat up foods that can splatter and leave stains. Follow this schedule:
- Daily: Wipe down outside surfaces and handle with a damp sponge or paper towel. Remove any food splatters immediately.
- Weekly: Clean interior by mixing 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 cup water and microwaving for 2-3 minutes until boiling. Then wipe interior with a sponge or cloth.
- Monthly: For tough stains, make a baking soda and water paste and microwave for 5 minutes before scrubbing with a soft brush. Rinse and wipe dry.
- Every 6 Months: Replace microwave charcoal filter if your model has one. Deep clean walls, turntable and vents.
Don’t skip cleaning the inside – it removes odors and prevents future splatters from getting baked on. Proper microwave cleaning also ensures it runs safely and efficiently.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Towels and Cloths?
Kitchen towels, sponges and cleaning cloths harbor plenty of bacteria, viruses and mold when used repeatedly over time. Here’s how often to wash and replace them:
- Kitchen Towels – Every 2-3 uses, or immediately if used to wipe up meats, eggs or other raw proteins. Use hot water.
- Cleaning Cloths/Rags – After each use. Disinfect and allow to fully dry before reusing. Throw away if smelly or tattered.
- Sponges – Weekly in the dishwasher or hot water cycle. More often if used heavily. Replace monthly.
- Dishcloths – After 1-2 uses. Avoid using on multiple surfaces to prevent cross contamination.
Don’t continue using dirty towels or reusing sponges over and over. Bacteria multiply quickly, so frequent hot water washing and replacement is essential. Keep your kitchen sanitary with clean towels.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Walls and Ceilings?
It’s easy to overlook kitchen walls and ceilings, but they require occasional cleaning too:
- Every 3-4 Months: Clean grease, dust and grime that accumulate on walls around the stove, vent hood and prep areas using a degreasing cleaner.
- Every 6-12 Months: Wash all walls, railings and ceilings to remove dirt, cobwebs and splatters. Use warm soapy water and a sponge mop for textured surfaces.
- As Needed: Immediately spot clean any splatters or obvious dirt. Don’t let it settle in. Touch up paint as needed.
- Annually: Professionally clean ceiling vent hoods and ducts to remove accumulated grease residue.
Don’t let your kitchen walls and ceiling get overly filthy. Regular cleaning keeps your kitchen looking fresh and prevents buildup that’s harder to remove.
How Often Should You Clean the Garbage Can?
Your kitchen garbage can likely gets used multiple times per day, making it a hot spot for germs. Here’s how often it needs cleaning:
- Weekly: Empty garbage and use disinfecting wipes to quickly clean the can rim and exterior surfaces.
- Monthly: Thoroughly wash and scrub the entire garbage can interior and exterior using hot soapy water and disinfectant. Rinse well.
- As Needed: Immediately spot clean drips, leaks or visible dirt on the outside. Empty immediately if you notice odors.
- Every 6 Months: Deep clean using baking soda and vinegar to remove stains and deodorize if necessary. Occasionally replace very worn cans.
Getting into a habit of quick weekly wipe downs prevents sticky, smelly build up. Regular cleaning keeps your kitchen garbage can hygienic and odor-free. Don’t skip it!
How Often Should You Clean Out the Fridge and Freezer?
It’s easy for fridge and freezers to become disorganized catch-alls for leftovers, condiments and forgotten foods. Here’s how often to tackle them:
Fridge Clean Out
- Weekly: Toss expired or spoiled foods. Check condiments and wipe spills. Organize shelves.
- Monthly: Remove everything and fully wipe down all surfaces. Check dates on packaged foods.
- Every 6 Months: Deep clean drawers, compartments and racks. Scrub interior surfaces and clean coils and vents if accessible.
Freezer Clean Out
- 6 Months: Remove all contents and sort/organize before replacing items you’re keeping. Discard anything expired.
- Annually: Unplug freezer and fully defrost contents before scrubbing down interior surfaces. Clean coils if accessible.
- As Needed: If you notice ice buildup or difficulty opening the freezer, it needs cleaning. Don’t let it get out of hand.
Doing a full clean out periodically prevents forgotten items from getting buried and unused foods from expiring. It also improves freezer efficiency and prevents icing issues.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Windows?
Kitchen windows easily get smudged and spotted thanks to steam, grease, and food splatters from cooking. Here’s how often to clean them:
- Weekly: Clean handprints, fingerprints and surface dust using glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
- Monthly: Clean exterior windows more thoroughly using a sponge, soft brush, or scraper for stuck-on debris.
- Every 6 Months: Wash interior windows thoroughly including sills, tracks and screens. Use a vinegar solution for hard water spots.
- Annually: Schedule professional window washing to fully clean exterior windows, sills, screens and window frames.
Don’t let your kitchen windows get too grimy. Regular cleaning lets sunlight shine in and gives you a clearer view outdoors. Make it part of your weekly and monthly cleaning routines.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Curtains?
Kitchen curtains easily collect dust, grease, and odors that should be removed through regular washing:
- Monthly: Remove curtains and toss in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Use hot water and add 1/2 cup white vinegar or baking soda as a deodorizer.
- Every 3-4 Months: Dry clean heavy curtains and valances instead of machine washing. This removes embedded odors and brightens dingy fabrics.
- As Needed: Immediately spot treat any visible stains or splatters before washing fully. Steam wrinkled curtains back to shape between washes.
Don’t let your kitchen curtains get overly dirty. The fabrics will hold odors over time. Regular cleaning keeps them fresh and bright.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Rugs and Mats?
Kitchen rugs and mats take a daily beating. Here’s how often to clean them:
- Weekly: Carry removable rugs outside and shake out dirt, crumbs and debris. Spot clean stains immediately as they happen.
- Monthly: Machine wash small removable rugs on a gentle cycle with vinegar or carpet cleaner. Air dry.
- Every 6 Months: Rent a carpet cleaning machine to deep clean larger area rugs. Professionally clean delicate or hand-woven rugs.
- Annually: Replace excessively worn, stained or damaged rugs that can’t be revived through cleaning.
Frequent shaking out and washing keeps kitchen rugs fresh and free of crumbs that can cut into fibers if ground in. Don’t let them get overly soiled. Clean rugs last longer.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Gadgets?
Your handy kitchen gadgets like spatulas, ladles, whisks and more need periodic cleaning too:
- After Each Use: Hand wash gadgets immediately after using to remove food residue before it dries and sticks.
- Weekly: sanitize utensils and gadgets either in the dishwasher or by hand washing with hot soapy water.
- Monthly: Detail clean crevices, joints and connections on things like food processors, stand mixers, and spice grinders.
- As Needed: Spot clean surfaces with baking soda or a scrubby sponge to remove stains and discoloration.
Don’t let food and oils cake onto your useful kitchen gadgets. Regular cleaning improves functionality and longevity.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Exhaust Fans and Vents?
Kitchen exhaust fans and overhead vents suck up airborne oils, grease and particles when cooking. Built-up grease is a fire hazard. Here is how often to clean them:
- Monthly: Remove the vent filter and wash with hot soapy water. Scrub off stuck-on debris and allow to fully dry before replacing.
- Every 6 Months: Use a degreaser to thoroughly clean accumulated greasy build up on fans, vents and surrounding surfaces near the range.
- Annually: Schedule professional duct and vent hood cleaning. They can safely reach vents over the range and properly remove built-up grease.
Don’t skip cleaning exhaust fans – it reduces the risk of kitchen fires. Make fan and vent cleaning part of your regular kitchen maintenance routine.
How Often Should You Clean Behind Kitchen Appliances?
It’s easy to overlook the areas behind appliances when cleaning your kitchen. But they need periodic attention too to prevent buildups of dirt and dust:
- Every 3 Months: Pull out appliances like the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher to access areas behind. Sweep and mop to remove debris, dust and dirt.
- Every 6 Months: Vacuum dust and dirt from openings and coils underneath large appliances like refrigerators and stoves.
- Annually: Move appliances fully out of nooks and off countertops to thoroughly clean walls, cabinets and floors hidden underneath.
- As Needed: Rearrange appliances to access dust and crumbs if you notice debris creeping out or appliances not sitting flush against walls.
Don’t neglect the hidden zones behind kitchen appliances as they collect unseen grime. Thorough cleaning improves air circulation and appliance efficiency too.
How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Sinks?
Kitchen sinks withstand near-constant use and require frequent cleaning. Here’s how often:
- Daily: Scrub with a soft sponge and dish soap after each use to remove stains. Disinfect metal sink surfaces.
- Weekly: Remove stuck-on debris from sink basins. Pour baking soda down drains to freshen.
- Monthly: Deep clean with scrub brushes and abrasive sink cleaners to remove mineral deposits and stains.
- Every 6 Months: Flush