The kitchen is the heart of the home—a place where meals are prepared, families gather, and memories are made. However, it’s also one of the busiest and messiest spaces in the house. From splattered sauce on the countertops to crumbs on the floor, keeping a kitchen clean can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. But with the right approach, maintaining a sparkling, organized kitchen doesn’t have to be difficult.
In this easy guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to effectively clean your kitchen, from wiping down surfaces to managing trash with 13 gallon trash bags. With a little effort and the right tools, your kitchen will always be ready for the next meal.
1. Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to have all your cleaning supplies on hand. Here’s a list of essentials that will help you tackle every part of your kitchen:
- All-purpose cleaner or dish soap
- Microfiber cloths or sponges
- Scrub brush for tougher stains
- Broom, mop, or vacuum for floors
- Trash can with tall kitchen bags
- Disinfecting wipes or sprays for high-touch areas
- Baking soda and vinegar for natural cleaning options
- Rubber gloves to protect your hands from cleaning chemicals
Having everything within reach will streamline the cleaning process and prevent you from having to stop mid-clean to look for something.
2. Clear Out the Trash
The first step in cleaning your kitchen is clearing out the trash. Remove any food scraps, packaging, or disposable items that are cluttering up your countertops and sink. Don’t forget to check the refrigerator and pantry for expired food that may need to be tossed.
For daily kitchen waste, 13 gallon trash bags are typically the perfect size. They fit most standard kitchen trash cans and offer enough capacity to handle the usual mix of food scraps, packaging, and paper towels without needing to be changed constantly. Once your bag is full, be sure to take it out to the outdoor trash bin and replace it with fresh tall kitchen bags before moving on to the next cleaning step.
3. Tackle the Dishes
A sink full of dirty dishes can make any kitchen feel chaotic. Start by loading your dishwasher if you have one. If you don’t, fill your sink with hot, soapy water and let the dishes soak for a few minutes. Soaking helps loosen any stuck-on food, making it easier to scrub off.
Use a sponge or scrub brush to clean each dish thoroughly, paying attention to greasy pans or stubborn stains. If you’re handwashing, rinse each item in warm water after scrubbing and set them aside to dry or use a clean dish towel to dry them immediately.
Once the dishes are cleaned and put away, wipe down the inside of the sink to remove any grime, food particles, or soap residue. If your sink has a garbage disposal, freshen it up by running a few lemon peels or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to neutralize odors.
4. Clean Surfaces and Appliances
Next, it’s time to tackle the countertops, stove, and other kitchen surfaces. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning these areas effectively:
Countertops
Start by removing all items from your countertops—appliances, utensil holders, spice racks, and anything else that might be cluttering the surface. Use an all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water to wipe down the countertops thoroughly. Make sure to clean in the corners, around the edges, and any crevices where crumbs or spills may have accumulated.
Stovetop
Your stovetop is one of the most heavily used surfaces in the kitchen and can quickly become dirty with spills, grease, and food splatters. Use a degreaser or a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub the surface. For stubborn stains, let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to clean the knobs and control panels, which can also collect grease over time.
Microwave and Oven
For the microwave, place a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and a few slices of lemon inside. Heat it on high for 2-3 minutes to create steam, which will loosen food splatters. Afterward, wipe the interior clean with a damp cloth.
For your oven, many modern ovens have a self-cleaning function, which is highly effective at burning off stuck-on food. If your oven doesn’t have this feature, use an oven cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub away grime from the interior.
Refrigerator and Freezer
Wipe down the exterior of your refrigerator, including the handles and any high-touch areas. For the interior, remove expired or spoiled food and wipe down the shelves with a food-safe cleaner. If there are stubborn spills or stains, a mixture of baking soda and water works wonders for scrubbing them away.
5. Clean Floors
After the countertops and appliances are clean, the next step is to address the floors. Start by sweeping or vacuuming to remove any crumbs, dust, or dirt. Pay extra attention to corners and under cabinets, where food particles tend to accumulate.
If you have tile or hardwood floors, mop them with a cleaner designed for your specific floor type. For tile floors, a mild soap solution will do the trick, while hardwood floors may require a specialized wood cleaner to protect the finish. Make sure to mop in sections and allow the floor to dry completely before walking on it again.
6. Clean and Organize Cabinets and Drawers
Over time, kitchen cabinets and drawers can become cluttered with old utensils, mismatched containers, and unused gadgets. Take the time to empty out each drawer and cabinet, wiping down the interior with a damp cloth. Sort through the contents and get rid of anything you no longer need or use.
Once the cabinets and drawers are clean, organize them in a way that makes sense for how you use your kitchen. For example, keep frequently used items like spatulas, measuring cups, and cutting boards easily accessible, and store less-used items in the back or on higher shelves.
7. Polish and Shine
Now that the heavy cleaning is done, it’s time to add the finishing touches that will make your kitchen sparkle. Use a glass cleaner to polish any glass surfaces, such as windows, mirrors, or appliance doors. For stainless steel appliances, use a stainless steel cleaner to remove smudges and fingerprints, leaving them shiny and streak-free.
If you have wooden cabinets or furniture in your kitchen, consider using a wood polish to give them a refreshed look. This extra step not only makes your kitchen look pristine but also helps preserve the surfaces over time.
8. Final Touch: Take Out the Trash
As you finish cleaning, don’t forget to take out the trash one last time. If you’ve been collecting food scraps and other waste throughout the cleaning process, your tall kitchen bags may be getting full. Tie off the 13 gallon trash bags securely and take them outside to your main trash bin. Replace the kitchen trash can with a fresh bag so that it’s ready for your next meal prep.
Bonus Tips for Maintaining a Clean Kitchen
- Clean as You Cook: One of the easiest ways to keep your kitchen clean is by tidying up as you cook. Wash dishes or utensils while waiting for food to cook, wipe down countertops after spills, and toss food scraps in the trash immediately. This habit prevents messes from piling up.
- Set a Cleaning Schedule: To avoid letting your kitchen get too dirty, set a weekly cleaning schedule. For example, deep clean your stovetop every Sunday, wipe down appliances on Wednesdays, and mop the floor every Friday.
- Use a Trash Can with a Lid: A trash can with a lid helps keep odors contained, especially when dealing with food waste. Use 13 gallon trash bags with drawstrings to make disposal quick and easy.
- Organize Your Space: Keep your kitchen clutter-free by organizing storage areas. Group similar items together, use containers for dry goods, and invest in drawer organizers to keep utensils and tools in their place.
Conclusion
Cleaning your kitchen doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following this easy guide, you can break the process down into manageable steps, ensuring that every surface and appliance is properly cleaned. From wiping down countertops to emptying tall kitchen bags full of trash, each step contributes to a sparkling, organized kitchen that’s ready for cooking and entertaining.
Make cleaning a regular habit, and you’ll find that your kitchen stays cleaner for longer—and cooking in a clean kitchen is always more enjoyable.