It’s that time again: the grime is starting to build up in the kitchen. You’ve run out of clean dishes, the refrigerator has an unusual smell, and you’re afraid to check the expiration dates on the food in your cabinets.

It’s time to get cleaning. It’s part of your home maintenance! 

Cleaning the kitchen feels like a huge task, but it doesn’t have to take all day. We’re here to teach you how to clean your kitchen step-by-step.  Read on for our top cleaning tips. 

Gather Your Supplies

You don’t want to have to stop the cleaning process to go find a cleaning tool that you’ve forgotten. Gather all of your supplies before you start cleaning and keep them in a bucket or basket.

At the very least, you’re going to need:

  • Microfiber cloths
  • Sponges
  • Your favorite liquid cleaning products
  • Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • A mop or other floor cleaning tool
  • A garbage bag
  • A vacuum or broom
  • Gloves

Remove Obstacles (Clean Them Later)

Do you have any obstacles in your kitchen? It’s time to find a place for them elsewhere so you can clean uninterrupted.

If there’s a rug, garbage can, or any large removable appliances (like an Instant Pot) that can get in the way, tuck it away. If the obstacle needs cleaning, take care of that while you’re waiting for your floor to dry later on. 

Declutter Cabinets, Refrigerator, and Freezer

This is the most time-consuming part of the cleaning process, but you’ll be relieved when it’s over. Note: it’s only necessary if it’s been a while since you’ve deep cleaned your kitchen.

Now that your counters and tables are free of obstacles, remove all of the food from your cabinets, freezer, and refrigerator. Check everything to see if it’s still edible. Everything that’s out of date (or that doesn’t pass the smell test) should go into a garbage bag.

Clean the Refrigerator

Because your refrigerated and frozen items are sitting out, you want to take care of the refrigerator first. 

We recommend removing shelves and drawers if it’s possible to do so. This will make them easier to clean. Drawers often have difficult-to-remove grime hidden in the crevices.

If your drawers are challenging to clean, consider filling the bottoms with water and dish detergent and allowing them to soak while you clean the rest of the refrigerator. 

Wipe the shelves, walls, and door with warm soapy water. Then use a clean damp sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe away any residual soap. 

Place an open box of baking soda in the back of the refrigerator to remove any odors and put the shelves and drawers back where they belong. 

Wipe Down the Cabinets

Cabinets are usually easier to clean unless there’s been a spill.

Use a cloth and dustpan to get rid of any debris. Focus on areas where you were storing dry foods, like cereal or rice. It’s common for there to be small spills on the backs of cabinets. 

Then, wipe down the cabinets with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner. Don’t forget to wipe the doors.  

Organize Food

Now that everything is clean, it’s time to start putting food back where it belongs. Set up an organization system to make things easier. 

We love using DIY cabinet organizers to organize our own cabinets, but you can also just use labels to make sure that everything goes where it needs to go. It’s a good idea to put perishable foods closer to the front so you don’t forget about them.

When it comes to the refrigerator, consider a labeling system for homemade foods. You can use a dry-erase marker to write the date that you made the food so that you can use it quickly if necessary. 

Clean the Stove and Oven

Now it’s time to conquer the stove and oven. It’s likely that there’s some caked-on grime. 

Remove the drip pans and place them in a sink full of hot water. Allow them to soak for 10 minutes before draining the water and covering each pan in white vinegar. After letting the vinegar sit for a half-hour, sprinkle baking soda on top and start rubbing it in with your fingers or a clean sponge.

After about 15 minutes, you can start trying to remove the grime and baking soda mixture. You should notice that the pans are noticeably cleaner. 

While the pans are off of the stove, spray the surface with vinegar and sprinkle baking soda on top. Leave this to sit for about 15 minutes before wiping the mixture off with a sponge. wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any residue. 

To clean the oven, mix a half cup of baking soda with enough vinegar to make a paste. Spread the paste all over the oven with your hands (wear gloves) or a clean paintbrush. Don’t forget the door. 

Let it sit for at least one hour, but grimy ovens may require overnight cleaning. 

If there’s grime to scrape off, do so. Then wipe down the oven with a damp sponge or cloth. Spray it with vinegar one more time and then wipe it again so you remove any residual baking soda. 

Clean Sink, Counters, and Floors 

Now it’s time to wipe down the visible surfaces of your kitchen.

Start with the counters. Use a small duster and dustpan to get rid of any debris. Wipe the counter with an all-purpose cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth.

If grime falls into the sink or onto the floor, it’s okay. 

Move onto the sink. Wipe down the faucet and the sink itself. If necessary, let the sink soak in hot water with dish detergent. 

Move onto the floors. Use a vacuum or broom first to get rid of crumbs or other debris. Then, starting at the farthest point from the door or entryway, start mopping. 

Make sure not to mop yourself into a corner! 

That’s How to Clean Your Kitchen

Cleaning a kitchen is a huge task, so set aside about an hour for it (plus the time required for soaking). Now that you know how to clean your kitchen, it’s time to gather your supplies and get to work!

Does this all seem like too much effort? Why not hire kitchen cleaners to do it for you? At Golden Maid, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us to request a quote today.