Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist: Get a Spotless Kitchen

It’s hard to keep your kitchen clean, especially if it’s high traffic. This kitchen cleaning checklist will help you stay on top of your cleaning routine and make it easier.

Don’t let your busy schedule stop you from having a clean kitchen! It’s too important for not only keeping your home looking nice, but also your health and safety around food.

The way this post is organized: the checklist is just below. After that, there are a bunch more helpful tips for you.

The Checklist

Daily Tasks

Wash Dishes: Hand wash or load the dishwasher with dirty dishes.
Wipe Countertops: Clean and disinfect countertops, including any small appliances like toasters or coffee makers.
Clean Stovetop: Wipe down the stovetop and remove any spills or splatters.
Sweep or Vacuum Floors: Remove crumbs and debris from the floor.
Empty Trash: Take out the trash and replace the bag as needed.
Inspect sponges and dishrags: look at and smell sponges and dishrags to see if they need to be washed or replaced (even when you clean sponges, they don’t last long).

Weekly Tasks

Mop Floors: Give the kitchen floor a thorough mopping.
Clean Microwave: Wipe down the inside and outside of the microwave.
Clean Small Appliances: Clean appliances like the toaster, blender, and coffee maker.
Sanitize Sink and Drain: Disinfect the sink and clean the drain with baking soda and vinegar.
Wipe Cabinet Exteriors: Wipe down the outside of cabinets, especially near handles.
Clean Refrigerator: Check for expired items, wipe down shelves, and clean any spills.

Monthly Tasks

Clean Oven: If applicable, clean the oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (You may be able to do this less often than monthly, depending how often you cook.)
Wash Curtains or Blinds: Clean blinds or curtains in the kitchen, if you have them.
Deep Clean Appliances: Remove and clean the refrigerator shelves, and clean the inside of the dishwasher.
Clean Garbage Can: Wash the inside and outside of the garbage can.

Seasonal or Occasional Tasks

Clean and Organize Pantry: Discard expired items and organize pantry shelves.
Clean Oven Hood and Filter: Remove and clean the filter, if applicable, and wipe down the hood.
Clean Behind and Under Appliances: Move appliances and clean behind and underneath them.
Clean Ceiling and Walls: Check for cobwebs or grease splatters and clean as needed.
Inspect and Replace Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths: Replace old sponges and dishcloths to prevent bacterial buildup.

Yearly Tasks

Clean and Inspect Ventilation: If you have a range hood or exhaust fan, clean and inspect it to make sure it’s working.
Check and Clean the Oven and Refrigerator Coils: Unplug the appliances and vacuum the coils to improve efficiency.
Reseal Countertops: If you have natural stone countertops, check if they need resealing.
Inspect and Clean the Dishwasher Trap: Remove and clean the dishwasher filter or trap. Get more tips on how to clean a dishwasher.

Your Supplies

There are a few items you’ll need to do these tasks.

Cleaning solutions: all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, glass cleaner, oven cleaner, etc. Homemade cleaners are a great option!
Microfiber cloths or sponges
Scrub brushes
Rubber gloves
Baking soda and vinegar (natural cleaning alternatives)
Trash bags
Step stool or ladder (for hard-to-reach areas)

Clearing and Organizing Countertops

Before you start cleaning, it’s a good idea to clear off all the items from your countertops, including small appliances, utensils, and decorations.

Wipe down the surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. Pay extra attention to removing any stains or spills.

Once the countertops are clean, take a good look at which of the removed items you actually use daily and put those back. Find a cabinet or other area to stash the rest away – out of sight.

If you need more tips for organizing your kitchen, we’ve got them!

Deep Cleaning Appliances

Appliances like the refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher need regular deep cleaning to maintain their efficiency and make them last.

Refrigerator:

Empty the contents of the refrigerator.
Remove shelves and drawers and soak them in warm soapy water.
Wipe down the interior with a mixture of water and baking soda.
Clean the rubber seal using a toothbrush and mild detergent to remove any mold or grime.
Dry the shelves and drawers before placing them back inside.

Oven:

Remove oven racks and soak them in a sink filled with warm soapy water.
Apply an oven cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions and let it sit for the recommended time.
Scrub the interior with a scrub brush or sponge, paying attention to stubborn stains.
Wipe away any residue with a damp cloth.

Microwave:

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with equal parts water and vinegar.
Heat the mixture in the microwave for a few minutes until it creates steam.
Carefully remove the bowl (it will be hot) and wipe down the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.

Dishwasher:

Remove the bottom rack and clean out any debris or food particles.
Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle to eliminate odors and buildup.

Sink and Faucets

A clean sink is not only nice to look at but also important for keeping your food and dishes safely clean.

Remove any dishes or debris from the sink.
Rinse the sink with warm water to remove loose dirt.
Sprinkle baking soda on the sink’s surface and scrub using a sponge or scrub brush.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Polish faucets using glass cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water.

Organizing Cabinets and Drawers

Having well-organized cabinets and drawers not only makes it easier to find what you need but also helps maintain cleanliness. If you’ve never decluttered your kitchen, it’s worth doing once a year or so.

Empty out all cabinets and drawers.
Discard any expired or unused items.
Wipe down the interiors using a damp cloth or sponge.
Consider using drawer dividers or organizers to separate different categories of items.
Place frequently used items within reach for convenience.

Cleaning Floors

Cleaning your kitchen floors is an essential step in maintaining overall hygiene. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt and debris.
Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap or floor cleaner.
Dip a mop into the solution and wring out excess water.
Mop the floor, working in sections from one end to another.
For stubborn stains, use a scrub brush or sponge.
Rinse the mop frequently in clean water to avoid spreading dirt.

Tackling Grime on Walls and Backsplashes

Over time, walls and backsplashes can accumulate grease splatters, food stains, and other grime.

Dust off any loose dirt using a microfiber cloth or duster.
Prepare a solution of warm water and mild dish soap.
Dip a sponge into the solution and wring out excess water.
Gently scrub the walls and backsplashes, paying extra attention to areas near the stove or sink.
Rinse with a clean sponge or cloth dampened in warm water.

Don’t Forget About Small Appliances

Small appliances like coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and mixers also accumulate dirt and grime over time. Here’s how you can keep them clean:

Unplug the appliances before cleaning.
Wipe down the exteriors using a damp cloth or sponge.
For removable parts, such as blender blades or coffee maker filters, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper cleaning.
Clean inside toaster slots using a soft brush or toothbrush to remove crumbs.