The Ultimate 10-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Kitchen

Cleaning may seem like a chore to some people, but it does not have to be overwhelming. Everyone loves a clean kitchen, but sometimes it is hard to know where to begin. And isn’t it nice to cook a meal when the kitchen is clean from the start? Simplify cleaning and get inspired by following this step-by-step guide to save time and make your kitchen look and smell fresh.

• How to start

How much do you like cleaning? What about cleaning the kitchen? Cleaning may seem difficult, but it does not have to be. Many people may think of it as a chore and put it off. Or find it hard to manage to keep everything clean, so they just give up. Just when you think you’ve cleaned everything, it seems to get messy again and feels like an endless task.

Need help knowing where to begin? We break down simple steps for you to tackle your kitchen head-on. Follow this step-by-step guide to get inspired and simplify your kitchen cleaning. It does not have to take much time. Every little bit counts, and before you know it, you’ll have a clean kitchen to enjoy!

Before you get started, if the weather is nice, open the windows and get a fresh breeze. If you’re inclined to, put on your favorite upbeat playlist and turn the music up. Remember to have fun in the process!

Step 1: Clear the countertops

Any dishes or kitchen items that are left on the counter, put them in the right place. Put dishes in the sink to wash. If certain items have found their way on the counter, find a spot on a shelf or cupboard to store them. Unless you use them on a daily basis, keep them elsewhere out of sight. You’ll be amazed at how clean your kitchen feels when the surfaces are clear!

Next, give your counters a thorough wipe to clean up any dust or crumbs and a second wipe with a soapy rag to clean up tougher messes. Wipe under any appliances that you leave on the counter. If you have marble countertops, remember to use a gentle cleaner.

Step 2: Do the dishes

After step 1, get some hot water running to wash your dishes. Or if you have a dishwasher, load it and run a cycle while you finish the other steps. Once you clean your sink of dishes, you can scrub it down and sanitize it.

Step 3: Sanitize the sink

We like to use a spray solution of vinegar and water to sanitize the sink naturally. Grab an empty spray bottle and fill it up with equal parts vinegar and water. Spray this in the sink and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to work its magic. After 30 minutes, simply rinse it with hot water. This works for almost anything except marble and granite countertops and hardwood floors. In the meantime, get started on your microwave.

An extra tip if you have a garbage disposal is to run half a lemon through it. It will give you an energizing burst of citrus scent and make everything smell great!

Step 4: Clean the microwave

Next, take out the turntable and give it a soapy scrub. To easily get off dried food inside the microwave with ease, microwave a bowl of water with a few tablespoons of vinegar. Another option is instead of vinegar, you can use water mixed with the juice of the other half of the lemon from step 3. Once this heats up and steams, any leftovers on the inside of your microwave will be much easier to wipe clean. And you can get rid of stubborn smells!

Step 5: Clean the refrigerator

Start with the basics of cleaning out old leftovers that have been in there too long. Check the dates on food items, and dispose of anything that is past the expiration date.

Wipe surfaces with a sanitizing solution, and don’t forget about the door and the handles. If you have extra time, take out the drawers and shelves and wash them by hand now that the sink is clear.

A pro tip is to keep an open box of baking soda in the back of your refrigerator to deodorize any foul food smells.

Step 5: Scrub the stove
Wipe and sanitize the stovetop. In this step, you can use your vinegar solution, and it is safe for a glass stove. If you have food spills, let them soak for a while to make them easier to clean.

If you really want a deep clean for a range, remove the burners and take out the pans underneath. Wipe them clean of any crumbs or spilled food and wash them or run them through the dishwasher.

Step 6: Wipe down cabinets

Grab a cloth and make a solution of mild soap and water to wipe down the cabinets. Once you give them a close inspection, you may be surprised at the spills you hadn’t noticed before. Pay attention to around handles and knobs, and don’t forget the front of the oven. Next time the sun shines in the kitchen, you’ll notice the difference!

Step 7: Sanitize all surfaces

Once counters are clear and everything else is clean, give all extra surfaces and handles a wipe with a sanitizing cloth or spray. This will kill all germs and bacteria on frequently touched surfaces. Be careful about having chemicals where you food prep. We prefer the vinegar solution as a natural alternative to kill germs and bacteria.

Step 8: Take out trash

When you are all done with the previous steps, remember to take out the trash. Before you replace the bag, spray a disinfectant cleaner on the bottom to deodorize and kill any germs or bad odors.

Once you replace the bag, a helpful tip is to leave an extra bag at the bottom of the trash can to make it easier next time.

Step 9: Clean the floors

You’re almost there. Sweep your kitchen floors for any dirt and crumbs, paying attention to the corners, by the baseboards, under the refrigerator, and around the trash can. You could also vacuum during this step.

Next, get a bucket of water to mop floors with your preferred solution and method to break down any dirt or stains. Work your way from the far corner of the kitchen to the entrance so you can let it dry without walking back on it.

Step 10: Take a deep breath

Finally, don’t forget to take a minute to catch your breath and admire your hard work and clean kitchen. Take a deep breath and give yourself a pat on the back. Notice and enjoy how clean your kitchen looks and smells now.

Conclusion:

If you don’t have time to clean yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. They can come one time for a deep clean or on a regular basis. Sometimes we need a little extra help, and there are many professional cleaners available. Check out the many on-demand home cleaning services listed on the MySquard app.

Have any favorite kitchen cleaning tips or hacks? Let us know in the comments below!