Kitchen cleaning checklist for a spotless kitchen

Here’s a checklist to help you clean every nook and cranny of your kitchen

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Last updated on August 18, 2023


Cleaning every nook and cranny of your kitchen can be daunting, but a kitchen cleaning checklist can help. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every part of your kitchen that needs cleaning, scrubbing, or polishing so you don’t miss a spot. We’ll also share kitchen cleaning tips and supplies you need to get the job done. 

Man washing dishes in kitchen

Sink area

☐ Dishes

Wash dishes as soon as possible, ideally right after use. Food residue can dry and harden, making it harder to clean and more prone to bacteria the longer you wait. You can use hot water and a grease-cutting detergent to wash heavily soiled dishes. 

☐ Kitchen sponges

Business Insider says the typical kitchen sponge is dirtier than your toilet! Make sure you disinfect your sponge daily and replace it regularly.

☐ Dish towels, hand towels, and rags

Toss these in the laundry regularly to avoid accumulating dirt and causing cross-contamination. It’s best to sanitise these cloths in warm soapy water between washes. 

☐ Sink

Keep food particles out of the drain to avoid clogs, disinfect it before you put different types of food in (e.g., raw chicken, followed by vegetables), and disinfect the faucet.

Bonus tips: Consider biodegradable dish scrubbies or brushes if you're not keen on throwing out too many plastic sponges. You can also unclog your kitchen drain naturally with baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water.

Cleaning dirty oven door with soap and sponge

Appliances

Note: Avoid spraying cleaning solution directly on the electrical components. You should be careful not to wet any electrical components.

☐ Exhaust fan

  • Unplug the fan and remove the grease filter. 
  • Place the grease filter in a container, then pour a hot cleaning solution (baking soda, dish soap, and water). 
  • Soak for 30 minutes, then scrub the filter with a soft brush. 
  • Rinse with hot water and air-dry the filter. Wipe down greasy blades with a damp cloth or sponge and a mild detergent.  

☐ Refrigerator

  • Check for expired goods, wash every drawer, shelf, and tray, then put them back in the fridge once they’re dry. 
  • Use an old toothbrush to reach any corners and gaskets. 
  • Check under and behind the refrigerator as well for any dust and debris. 

☐ Oven

Use an oven cleaner of your choice. You can go with a store-bought oven cleaner or a natural baking soda and water cleaning solution.

Check out this oven cleaning guide for detailed steps.

☐ Drip pans and burner grates

These extra dirty and greasy parts should be soaked in soapy water first. After 10 minutes, you can scrub, rinse, and dry them. Doing this quick kitchen cleaning hack saves you from endless scrubbing!

Wiping kitchen light switch, cleaning

Furniture and surfaces

☐ Counters, tabletops, cupboards, and chairs

Keeping your kitchen clean should include wiping down these surfaces regularly. Make sure the surface cleaners are appropriate for the materials used. Skip the fancy or harsh chemicals, and stick to warm soapy water. Don’t forget to dust the countertops and check under the cabinets for any food particles!

☐ Switches, knobs, and handles

These little bits and pieces are handled quite often, so make sure to sanitise them, too. 

☐ Pantry

Check your pantry for expired goods or items about to go bad every month. 

☐ Floors

 Sweep and mop the floors regularly and after any spills.

Arranging clean wine glasses in kitchen cabinet

Kitchen utensils and tableware

☐ Cooking tools

Make it a point to check and organise your cooking tools regularly! Wash the dusty, less-used ones, clean the containers, sharpen the knives, and repair or toss any broken tools. 

☐ Dishware and glassware 

Every month (or every quarter), you should go through your dishware and glassware. Rinse out the dusty pieces, re-organise if needed, and repair or toss any broken glasses or plates.

Also read: How to clean wine glasses and make them sparkle

Emptying kitchen bin, taking out rubbish

Miscellaneous

☐ Trash and garbage disposal

  • Take out the rubbish regularly, clean the bins, then change the liners.
  • To clean the kitchen bin, spray a multi-purpose disinfectant, scrub, and rinse. If your bin has mould, you can dry it in the sun.

  • For the garbage disposal, toss a couple of ice cubes to remove debris, followed by boiling water. You can even toss in some citrus peels for a fresh scent. 

☐ Light fixtures

  • Unplug and dust all the light fixtures in your kitchen. 

☐ Tile grout

  • Don’t let the tile grout become gross! Make a paste with some baking soda and use an old toothbrush to clean between the tiles. Leave the paste on for a few minutes, then rinse and dry.

Need help with your cleaning to-do list? 

Even the most well-thought-out cleaning checklist can sometimes not fit your busy schedule. But that doesn’t mean you have to make do with a crumb-and-stain-filled kitchen until you find the time to clean. 

With Airtasker, you can hire a cleaner or a housekeeper to handle your cleaning chores. Come home to sparkling countertops and floors by booking a Tasker when you need help!

Also read: House cleaning cost guide
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FAQs on kitchen cleaning

Dirty countertops and kitchen utensils can put you and your loved ones at risk of foodborne illnesses. This is why keeping your kitchen clean is essential. Aside from preventing sickness, cleaning keeps grime and bad odours at bay. Not to mention, food prep is much more efficient with a clean and organised kitchen. 

While there are many checklists and steps involved when it comes to keeping your kitchen clean, they can be simplified into five steps: 

  • First, clear the table. The part of the kitchen that should be cleaned first is actually your dining table. Bring all the dishes to the sink and use a wet rag to remove any crumbs and mop up any spills. 
  • Next, do the dishes and clean the sink. 
  • Third, clean the stovetop and wipe down the counters. 
  • Next, sweep or mop the floor. 
  • Finally, take out the rubbish. 

This simplified kitchen chore list works best for daily clean-ups and not extensive kitchen deep cleaning.

Professional cleaners’ tasks pretty much follow the list above, whether they’re cleaning a dirty kitchen in a home or a commercial kitchen in a restaurant. But cleaning checklists can vary, depending on the type of cleaning service you hire. Cleaners may have their own version of a kitchen cleaning checklist, as well as methods for deep cleaning.

How do you clean your kitchen in two hours, tops? Just follow this checklist: 

  • First, soak dishes, drip pans, and burner grates. After around 10 minutes in hot soapy water, it’ll be easier to scrub them all clean. 
  • Next, wipe down all the countertops, the stovetop, as well as the cabinet knobs, drawer handles, and any other surfaces. 
  • Third, clean all your appliances, from your oven to your fridge and even your coffee maker. Next, clean out your refrigerator. This includes discarding expired food and wiping every nook and cranny. 
  • Finally, sweep and mop the floor and throw out the rubbish.

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