19 Pro Tips on How To Clean A Kitchen

Wouldn't you love to clean your kitchen better in less time? You're not alone! The kitchen is often the most time-consuming place to clean in the entire home. Many homeowners struggle with knowing where to even start.

Lucky for you, Homekeepers who use TIDY are experts in cleaning kitchens. Here's a collection of tips gathered from interviews with our top Homekeepers to help you clean your kitchen like a pro.

Here are some kitchen cleaning tips from the experts:

The Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

First, create a kitchen cleaning checklist. In The Checklist Manifesto, the author explains why even experts benefit from using checklists to maintain productivity. This applies to everyone from airplane pilots to doctors.

Many Homekeepers recommend creating a personalized checklist to ensure you address every area of the kitchen effectively.

Not sure where to start? Here's an example checklist to get you going:

1. Gather Your Equipment: Cleaning is faster when you have everything within reach. Here's a suggested list:
   • Flat-headed mop with terry cloth or microfiber towels
   • Spray bottle of all-purpose liquid cleaner
   • Spray bottle of glass cleaner
   • Can of powdered cleaner
   • Scouring pads (at least two)
   • Pad of steel wool
   • Whisk broom
   • Lambswool duster
   • Rubber gloves
   • Bottle of floor cleaner
   • Cleaning cloths (at least a dozen folded white ones)
   • Old toothbrushes
   • Scraper
   • Two large trash can bags
2. Prepare Your Supplies: Put on an apron with roomy pockets or use a carrying tray to keep all your supplies in one place. Most homekeepers prefer a carrying tray for its speed and convenience.
3. Map Out Your Kitchen: Plan your cleaning route to avoid backtracking. Homekeepers often recommend moving through the kitchen in a consistent pattern, such as clockwise from the entrance.
4. Set Up the Room: Remove any mats from the kitchen to facilitate easy floor cleaning.
5. Clean High to Low: Start cleaning from the highest points to the lowest. If your kitchen has a window, begin there. Lightly spray glass cleaner and wipe until dry to prevent streaks, especially on sunny days.

Remember: A rookie mistake is using too much product. Less is more!

Pro Cleaning Tips for Your Kitchen

1. Knock down cobwebs with the duster as you move around the kitchen. For hard-to-reach areas, attach the duster to your vacuum cleaner extension.
2. Clean wall cabinets, wiping away fingerprints with an all-purpose cleaner and a cleaning cloth. Follow up with a dry cloth.
3. Keep your cleaning cloths clean. Replace dirty cloths to avoid spreading dirt.
4. Skip cleaning what doesn't need it. Focus on surfaces that require cleaning for hygiene, but feel free to skip cabinets if they appear clean.
5. Clean above the stove, starting with the vent hood. Soak vent filters in the sink if needed, and check if they can be washed in the dishwasher. Clean burners with scouring pads and scrapers. Use toothbrushes for knobs.
6. Clean countertops every time to maintain hygiene. Move items aside, dust, and replace them. Don't forget to dust behind hanging shelves or spice racks.
7. For stubborn gunk on countertops, spray with all-purpose cleaner, let it sit, and then scour. Use a scraper or razor blade at a low angle if necessary.
8. Clean floor cabinets, wiping away fingerprints and grime around knobs and handles. Use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.
9. Wipe the top of the fridge and move downward, cleaning fingerprints and grime. Use toothbrushes for stubborn spots. Clean the rubber gasket and air vent.
10. Clean the front of the stove, then open the door and spray with all-purpose cleaner. Use a razor blade for deep, crusty grime.
11. Clean small appliances on the kitchen island, such as the toaster. Unplug appliances before cleaning and avoid spraying cleaner directly onto them.
12. Clean the sink, ensuring it's free of dishes. Clean around the rim and use a toothbrush around faucets and handles. Use powdered cleaner in the bowl of the sink, spread with a scouring pad, and rinse thoroughly.
13. Put away counter cleaners and dust cloths in another room. Get your floor cleaner, mop, and vacuum.
14. Clean floors last, as dirt falls from higher surfaces.
15. Sweep or vacuum the floor first to remove large dirt particles.
16. Mop your floors, paying attention to the specific type of flooring. Refer to guides on how to clean:
    • Hardwood floors
    • Tile floors
    • Vinyl or laminate floors
    • Stone floors

Need Help Mopping?

One approach is to use ammonia. Close the sink drain and quarter-fill it with warm water. Add a bit of ammonia, dip in a terry cloth or microfiber cloth, wring it out, and slip it on the mop head.

Start mopping in the corner farthest from the door. When the cloth becomes dirty, replace it. Put dirty cloths into the wash immediately. Drain the sink, rinse it, and mop your way out of the room.