Have you ever felt the importance for a kitchen cleaning checklist? Sure, you did. Kitchen is just like the heart of the house. And it is the most used of the whole house and holds most of the germs also.
Many people feel that keeping the kitchen clean and free of germs is a daunting task. It can be difficult if you do not adhere to certain routines and guidelines. But if you do the kitchen cleaning by following a specific schedule, and guidelines, you can quickly get a sparkling cooking place. These cleaning work schedules should be your own, but for your convenience, we've shared an ideal kitchen cleaning checklist below. You can follow this checklist if you want, or you can create your list based on it.
Kitchen cleaning list
We split the kitchen cleaning checklist into three parts. It will reduce your workload on the one hand, and on the other hand, your kitchen will always be dazzling.
- Wash used dishes as they happen
- Wash out the kitchen sink after finish the dish cleaning job
- Run dishwasher, as necessary
- Empty dish drainer and dishwasher as needed
- Wipe spills from appliances, floors, and counter
- Sweep floor
- Clean desk
- Set out clean rag for the next day
- Empty the trash can
- Clean your microwave both inside and outside
- Clean outside of all appliances
- Through leftover foods in the fridge
- Mop the floor
- Sanitize sponges
- Replace dishtowels with the clean ones
- Wipe and clean the faucets
- Spot –clean grout
- Clean the sink drain if necessary
- Clean inside of dishwasher bottle if necessary
- Clean refrigerator and wipe the drawers and shelves
- Drive, an inventory of freezer items that need to eat, tossed soon or restocked
- Also inventory your pantry items to find what is need to be restocked and what is outdated
- Clean your refrigerator and tops of cabinets
- Organize the shelves and cabinets
- Wash out or vacuum the kitchen rug and you should use a carpet cleaning machine for it
- Check the pest control system for its effectiveness
Kitchen cleaning tips
Once you establish your kitchen cleaning list, keep these smart kitchen tips and tricks in your mind.
- Print your checklist and stay committed with it. The visual presence of a kitchen duties list is a great reminder. Hang these printed lists in a kitchen space that will easily catch your eye. This printed checklist will keep you motivated to keep your kitchen chores organized.
- Tackle messes and spills as they happen and throughout if needed. Clean the spilled milk, oil and other liquid that splashes across the cooking counter and onto the floor regularly. Check the kitchen cabinets and drawers to assess the extent of the mess.
- Keep a broom along with a dustpan in the kitchen for sweeping after cooking and meal sessions.
- For an efficient and quick cleanup, keep a spray bottle of your hand-made liquid cleaner in your kitchen and use it when you need.
- Keep dangerous items such as knives, scissors, fire accessories, etc. out of reach of children. And try to use them when the kids are not around.
- Keep a clear idea about your kitchen materials. It will help to choose the cleaner. Choose what is suitable for granite or quartz countertops and what is best for the laminate floor. To make sparkling your kitchen surfaces, pick the appropriate cleaner materials.
- After the wipe and clean the dust, lay down a paper or foil paper on the top of the fridge and kitchen counter to catch dust in the future.
- Cutting board is such type of kitchen appliance which you need to use daily. If your cutting board is made of wood, you can make it shiny and odorless with just lemon and salt.
- If you do not have enough time for cleaning, then devide the responsibilities into the family members. But do not forget to supervise because your direction will make their task easy, and their collaborative effort will reduce your work pressure.
- Use baking soda for making your stainless steel sink shine. Brush and sponge can make your job easier. A piece of lemon can also give your kitchen sink a new look, and it is eco-friendly too.
Here's below we are discussing precisely how to clean Stainless steel sink. Let's see;
How to Clean Stainless Steel Sink
Before cleaning your stainless steel sink, you might need these ingredients;
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Lemon peel
- Water
- Sponge and microfiber cloth
- Rubber gloves
Now start your sink cleaning task by following this procedure;
- First clean any leftover food and remove dirty dishes from the sink.
- Then sprinkle the baking soda all around the sink. Actually, this baking soda will help break up all food particles and clean softly the sink without scratching.
- Now put on your rubber gloves and pour a bit of dish soap onto the sponge.
- In this step, scrub the sink with hot water. Of course you will scrub the entire sink nicely until the dirt or stain has disappeared
- Rinse the whole sink surface area completely (never forget to clean faucets, drain, and outer rim during sink cleaning. And to do this, you will also use microfiber towel, dish soap, and hot water also)
- 6. In this step, put orange or lemon peel to good use and rub all around your sink with a section of peel. It will help deodorize the sink as well as offer new shiny look. For more shiny/shinier look, dry the sink with a towel and use a little bit of olive oil around the sink.
- Last but not least, after sink cleaning, you will run hot water into that drain. It will also help remove bad smell and soften any sticky materials which may block the drain in future. Apart from that, sometimes you can also feel disgusting smell from sink trap. Don't worry. In this situation, just clean the sink trap properly. And to do this, you will soak it overnight into the mixture of baking soda and soapy water, then wash and replace it again. During washing this, of course you will clean all the nooks and crannies with an old toothbrush, and rinse well.
On positive note:By using this baking soda and dishwashing liquid solution, you can also clean your stainless steel knife, kitchen stove, spoon, or any kitchen item that is made of stainless steel. But if you are interested to use commercial cleaning product, then "THE PINK STUFF" would be best. This baking soda solution or The Pink Stuff is the best for oven cleaning also.
How to clean kitchen floor
There are different kitchen cleaning methods on different floors.Your kitchen flooring can be made of various materials such as wood, laminate, ceramic tile, or vinyl. For some of the everyday kitchen spills such as grease, food, or sticky messes, you should at first try clean with a damp paper towel. If the wet towel doesn’t work correctly, then you can take an appropriate cleaner for each floor type. Here we are going to discuss the cleaning method of various kitchens flooring surface.
1. How to clean a hardwood floor
Use water for cleaning a hardwood floor can be harmful. Standing water can damage or discolor wood floors. Fixing this kind of mistake can be time-consuming and expensive also. You should use the best hardwood floor vacuum for proper cleaning. However, before using this vacuum you will perform some cleaning procedure. Let’s see this cleaning method.
- Broom
- Microfiber mop
- Bona hardwood floor cleaner
- At first sweeps the floor. Don’t forget to reach in the corner and under the appliances.
- According to the instructions stated on the hardwood cleaner bottle, mix the liquid to the appropriate quantity, and apply to the microfiber cloths directly.
- In another way, lightly wipe the floor with a soft wet cloth without pouring the liquid cleaner or water onto the hardwood floor.
- And finally, take your vacuum and clean all around the kitchen without using any liquid cleaner and water
2. How to clean a vinyl floor
The Vinyl floor may be the most common kitchen floor, and it is quite easy to clean and maintain also. But the important thing is that you have to remove all stains from vinyl as soon as possible because if any stain dries and set on it, and then it may be impossible to remove.
- Lean towels
- Broom
- Floor cleaner
- Mop
- Soft cloth or brush with rubber bristles
- Mild dish detergent such as Ivory
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Start your cleaning by sweeping the floor. Make sure to flush dirt from under the appliances and corners.
- Take your next attempt to clean your floor with a mop and warm water. Most of the times, you don’t need to use detergents.
- If still some of the dirt remains, you can use Ivory dish soap with warm water. Stay away from using an excess amount of dish soap; only light bubbles will enough for a good result.
- Scrub the floor gently by using a soft cloth and a mop. You should take help from the rubber bristled brush to remove some stubborn spots.
- You need to allow drying the wet floor completely. You can use towels to soak excess moisture.
- You can also try other floor cleaners if still, any dirt remains. Just follow the instruction stated on the cleaner bottle and apply the cleaner on the floor, scrub with the brush, then clean properly.
3. How to clean a ceramic tile floor
Usually, a glazed ceramic tile floor needs a very low-maintenance. If you fail to clean appropriately by following bellow process, then you should consider a commercial ceramic cleaner like Sidol.
- Broom
- Bucket
- Mild dish detergent such as Ivory
- Warm water
- Mop or sponge
- Start your kitchen cleaning job with sweeping the floor thoroughly. Make sure under the edges of appliances and the corners clean properly.
- Now take a bucket with warm water.
- Add some dish detergent if there are some greasy and sticky spots on your kitchen floor. Otherwise, only the heated water is enough for shining your floor.
- Sponge or mop the floor, ringing frequently.
- Let the floor dry entirely for next use
4. How to clean a Wood Laminate floor
The key formula to keep the laminate floor clean is to avoid socking it with water.That's because excess moisture can enter into the layers and causing them to swell and damage the floor.
- Broom
- Soft cloth
- White vinegar
- Water
- Bucket
- Sweeping the floor should be your first task of kitchen cleaning.
- Now take one gallon of water in a bucket and add one cup of vinegar and mix them well. You have to choose one cup of vinegar for per gallon of water.
- Dip one piece of soft cloth into the bucket solution so that it can saturate with the solution.
- Twist the cloth into the bucket so that the moisture can remove as much as possible.
- Now wipe the entire floor with this damp cloth, turning frequently.
- When it gets dirty wash out with the clean water at first then submerging the cloth into the solution again.
- Repeat the steps 3 to 5 times if needed.
- Let the floor dry completely for the next use.
Instead of this method,you can also use the best vacuum for laminate floors for your kitchen as well as livingroom or bedroom.
Some additional tips and advice
Clean all types of spills immediately when they happen to avoid damage or stains.Actually, Grease is a very common kitchen mess which can easily remove from the floor by using the water and the ordinary dish soap. And The wire scouring pad is harmful to any type of floor. So you should use a scotch-Brite pad to scrub stubborn stains
Kitchen cabinet storage ideas
Your kitchen cleaning job can be easier if you can properly organize the appliances. Here are some smart kitchen cabinet storage ideas which will be very useful for small kitchen.
- Hang a pegboard: Your wall can collaborate to hold many things even you can imagine. You can hang pans, pots even the canisters also.
- Custom pantry: You can make a pantry for custom use. An average size pantry can hold almost all grocery along with various container and pots.
- Use refrigerator: A refrigerator can be beautiful kitchen storage. Use separate boxes to store food and zipper bag for veggies, fruits, etc. Even you can use the top of the fridge for lightweight things like cookie pot.
- Corner drawer: Multipurpose corner drawer can be a creative solution for the awkward corners. The drawers run crosswise the corner have a bigger storage punch.
- Use the tops of the cabinets: The tops of the cabinets offer large spaces for storage. You can use them for extra pantry supplies which you may do not need immediately.
- Under-sink drawer: If your kitchen is small in size, no space can be left unused. Underneath the sink, you can create a nice cabinet where you can keep your kitchen cleaning supplies.
- Downsize the furniture: You might be surprised, but it's a really rewarding idea. Any downsize furniture will much space than a full size. Such as a downsize breakfast table can be a great idea. You can use a half-moon breakfast table instead of a round shape.
- Add a cabinet under the countertop: You can also arrange a small size cabinet under the countertop. In fact, it is a great idea to add some extra storage for small dishes, cookbooks, or magazines.
Verdict
Follow the kitchen cleaning checklist can make your job easier. As kitchen cleaning is not a single day task so you should do it in an organized way. This article contains all the necessary tips and ideas that you may look for making your job light. I hope this will be helpful enough for you. If you have more smart ideas, then please don’t hesitate to share with us.
