The Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Transform your kitchen into a gleaming oasis with this comprehensive cleaning guide.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it's also a magnet for messes. From the basic walls and floors to the myriad of appliances and potential odor-causing drains, there's a lot to tackle. The stove area alone, with its burners and backsplash, can be a daunting task. And let's not forget the cabinets, oven, microwave, and refrigerator, each harboring its own set of sticky residues and grime both inside and out. It's enough to make anyone want to throw in the towel.

However, neglecting your kitchen cleaning duties will only lead to regret later on. Imagine settling in to cook a delightful meal, only to be greeted by unsightly countertops and uninviting pots and pans left soaking in the sink for days. When was the last time you thoroughly sanitized your cutting board? And every time you preheat the oven, it emits an unpleasant odor. Even the dishwasher seems to have developed its own funky scent. It's tempting to wish you could simply toss the entire kitchen down the garbage disposal and start anew.

Fear not, for we have created the ultimate, definitive kitchen cleaning checklist to guide you through the process. Divided into daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks, this checklist will help you stay on top of your kitchen cleaning game. While we don't want to sound like a nagging parent, we strongly encourage you to adopt a regular cleaning routine. By consistently tidying up bit by bit, you'll prevent your kitchen from becoming an overwhelming mess. Tackling small tasks regularly will ensure that no single chore feels too monumental to conquer.

Essential Cleaning Supplies for Your Kitchen

Streamline your cleaning routine with these must-have items.

Eco-friendly dish soap (like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day)
Non-scratch sponge or gentle scrub brush
All-purpose cleaner (we love Method's line)
Baking soda, the ultimate multitasker for tough stains, odors, and baked-on messes
White vinegar, a natural and effective cleaning agent
Microfiber mop for quick and easy floor cleaning
Extendable microfiber duster for reaching high and tight spaces
Melamine foam eraser for tackling stubborn marks and stains

Nightly kitchen tidying tasks

Clean all dishes thoroughly. Load the dishwasher with plates, bowls, glasses and silverware. Wash delicate or oversized items by hand.
Rinse and wipe out the sink after each use. For a quick clean, scrub the sink with a sponge, hot water and dish detergent.
Unload the dishwasher when cycle is complete.
Deep clean the dishwasher periodically. Run a hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack to remove odors and buildup. Keep the door ajar overnight to allow the interior to fully dry.
Disinfect countertops using an all-purpose cleaning spray.
Clear crumbs and splatters from the stovetop. Don't forget to clean the burners regularly too.
Use a Swiffer or similar tool to quickly sweep the floor. Dispose of the dirty mop pad after use.
Declutter and organize countertops. Go through any accumulated papers or mail, put away loose items, and designate a spot to always keep your keys.
Load the dishwasher with plates, bowls, glasses and silverware.
Wash delicate or oversized items by hand.
For a quick clean, scrub the sink with a sponge, hot water and dish detergent.
Run a hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack to remove odors and buildup. Keep the door ajar overnight to allow the interior to fully dry.
Dispose of the dirty mop pad after use.

Daily Kitchen Cleaning Routine

Check for expired food in the fridge. If it's past its prime or has a funky odor, it's time to say goodbye.
Wipe down the exterior of appliances. A simple mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar will cut through grease on stainless steel. For extra shine and fingerprint resistance, buff with a tiny amount of olive oil.
Clean the microwave interior. Boil a cup of white vinegar in the microwave to steam clean and loosen stubborn splatters. Wipe down with a soapy sponge, rinse with a damp cloth, and let air dry with the door open.
Sanitize the sink and faucets.
Disinfect sponges. Zap damp sponges in the microwave on high for one minute to kill germs.
Mop the floors. Skip the bucket and opt for a Swiffer-style flat mop with disposable wet pads. Use the dry pad to sweep, then the wet pad for spills and stains. Toss the used pads when finished.
Wash dish towels.
Give the sink a deep clean. Sprinkle baking soda in the basin, let it sit briefly, then scrub and rinse with warm water. For extra-grimy sinks, let the baking soda sit overnight or use a degreasing product.
Spot clean cabinet smudges. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders on marks and scuffs. For a deeper clean, spray with Mr. Clean Clean Freak Mist or a 1:1 vinegar/water solution and wipe.
A simple mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar will cut through grease on stainless steel. For extra shine and fingerprint resistance, buff with a tiny amount of olive oil.
Boil a cup of white vinegar in the microwave to steam clean and loosen stubborn splatters. Wipe down with a soapy sponge, rinse with a damp cloth, and let air dry with the door open.
Zap damp sponges in the microwave on high for one minute to kill germs.
Skip the bucket and opt for a Swiffer-style flat mop with disposable wet pads. Use the dry pad to sweep, then the wet pad for spills and stains. Toss the used pads when finished.
Sprinkle baking soda in the basin, let it sit briefly, then scrub and rinse with warm water. For extra-grimy sinks, let the baking soda sit overnight or use a degreasing product.
A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders on marks and scuffs.
For a deeper clean, spray with Mr. Clean Clean Freak Mist or a 1:1 vinegar/water solution and wipe.
Empty the trash as needed.
Take out the recycling. Periodically rinse the recycling bin with soapy water and let it air dry with the lid off to prevent sticky, smelly buildup from drips and residue.
Freshen the garbage disposal. Toss in some ice cubes and run the disposal to dislodge grime from the blades. Flush with boiling water. Grind fresh citrus peels for a clean scent.
Toss in some ice cubes and run the disposal to dislodge grime from the blades.
Flush with boiling water.
Grind fresh citrus peels for a clean scent.

Monthly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Wipe down cabinet doors and drawers, paying attention to handles and knobs.
Organize the pantry and check expiration dates. Discard any expired or stale items, and donate non-perishables that you won't use.
Clean out the freezer, removing any items with excessive freezer burn or discoloration. Organize remaining items for easy access.
Use a long-handled duster to clean the tops of cabinets and the refrigerator, removing any accumulated dust and debris.
Thoroughly clean and sanitize trash and recycling bins using a mild bleach solution. Allow them to air dry completely before replacing bags.
Run the dishwasher with a cleaning tablet or solution to remove built-up grime and maintain optimal performance.
Clean the dish drying rack by running it through the dishwasher or washing it by hand with warm, soapy water.
Tackle tile grout stains using a homemade cleaning paste or solution.
Create a paste using baking soda and water (3:1 ratio), apply it to stained grout, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Alternatively, spray a vinegar and water solution onto grout, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Descale and clean the coffee maker by running a cycle with white vinegar, followed by a cycle with plain water to rinse. Leave the water chamber lid open to air dry.
Launder kitchen rugs and mats according to care instructions.
Use a long-handled duster to clean light fixtures, ensuring that dust is captured and not scattered.
A long-handled duster makes it easy to reach high surfaces without the need for a stool or chair.
Dilute bleach with water and use the solution to thoroughly clean the inside of trash and recycling bins. Allow them to air dry completely before replacing bags.
Simplify dishwasher cleaning by using a combination detergent and cleaner, which cleans the machine while it washes your dishes.
Save time by placing the dish drying rack in the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning.
To clean and descale the coffee maker, run a cycle with white vinegar, then follow up with a cycle using plain water to rinse. Leave the water chamber lid open to air dry completely.
A long-handled duster is ideal for cleaning light fixtures, as it captures dust particles and prevents them from falling onto surfaces below.

Thorough Kitchen Cleaning Checklist for Each Season

Wash and sanitize drawer organizers and dividers
Use a vacuum to remove crumbs and debris from drawers
Thoroughly clean refrigerator interior, including shelves and drawers
Sweep and mop the floor beneath the refrigerator
Clean the oven inside and out
Sort and arrange cooking utensils
Tidy up and organize the pantry
Check expiration dates on spices and discard expired items
Inspect dishware and glassware for damage, repair or replace as necessary

Strategies for Maintaining a Consistent Routine

Keep this checklist readily accessible for quick reference. Consider printing it out and displaying it prominently, such as on your refrigerator. Add this task to your checklist for the day.
Develop positive habits. We understand, it may sound like something a preschool instructor would say. However, consistently completing your daily and weekly tasks will make your monthly and seasonal responsibilities significantly more manageable.
Assign weekly tasks to specific days of the week. For instance, "Mopping occurs on Mondays."
Select a few monthly tasks to accomplish each week to break them down into smaller, achievable portions. For example, descaling the coffee maker every first week of the month. Create a mini-calendar and reward yourself with gold stars, just like when you were a child! Who doesn't enjoy stickers?
Even better, involve your children and roommates in the household chores. Provide them with a calendar and gold stars! It's not patronizing; it's enjoyable!
Coordinate your seasonal tasks with the equinoxes for a simple way to remember when to tackle those larger chores. Let the stars and seasons guide you to your significant semiannual refrigerator deep cleaning.