For many people, the kitchen is the most central room in the house. With more daily traffic than almost every other room, the kitchen is where meals are cooked, where snacks are prepared, and where families and friends gather. However, with so much use, it can quickly become dirty and cluttered. Keeping your kitchen clean can help you feel more organized, reduce stress, and even make cooking more enjoyable. Here are some practical tips to help you keep your kitchen more clean and organized.
1. Clean as You Go
One of the most effective ways to keep your kitchen clean is to clean as you go. Instead of letting dishes pile up, wash them or load them into the dishwasher immediately after use. Wipe down countertops and surfaces as you cook to prevent spills and stains from hardening. This habit reduces the amount of cleaning you need to do after meals and keeps your kitchen looking tidy throughout the day.
2. Set a Daily Cleaning Routine
Having a daily cleaning routine can help you stay on top of kitchen messes. This can even look like taking a few minutes before bedtime to do the following:
- Wash the dishes or fill/empty the dishwasher
- Wipe down countertops, stovetops, and the sink
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Put away any items left on the countertops
3. Deep Clean Regularly
In addition to daily cleaning tasks, try to stick to a regular deep cleaning schedule. These deeper cleaning tasks might include:
- Scrubbing the oven and stovetop burners
- Cleaning the refrigerator and freezer (including wiping down shelves and drawers)
- Cleaning the coffee maker, toaster, and other small appliances
- Wiping down cabinet doors and handles
- Mopping the floor
If you don’t have the time or energy to tackle everything in one go, try to stagger them on your schedule so it’s less overwhelming.
4. Declutter and Organize
A cluttered kitchen can make cleaning more difficult, especially when you need to wipe down the counters or clean around items that just take up space. Take some time to declutter and organize your kitchen to create a more efficient space.
- Clear countertops of non-essential items to create more counter space
- Use drawer dividers and cabinet organizers to keep utensils, plates, and kitchen tools neatly stored
- Store frequently used items within easy reach and place lesser used items in higher or lower cabinets
- Implement a system for pantry organization, like using clear containers with labels
5. Make Cleaning Supplies Easily Accessible
Having your cleaning supplies readily accessible can make it easier to clean up spills and messes as they happen. Designate a cabinet or caddy to store essential cleaning supplies, like all-purpose cleaner, soap, sponges, microfiber cloths, and a scrub brush. This way, you can quickly grab what you need to tackle any mess.
6. Focus on High-Touch Areas
Handles, knobs, light switches, faucet handles, and other high-touch areas in the kitchen can gather germs and bacteria over time. Try to make it a habit to disinfect these areas regularly to discourage germs.
7. Use Proper Ventilation
Cooking produces smoke, steam, grease, and odors that can linger in your kitchen. Proper ventilation helps reduce grease buildup and keeps the air fresh! If you have a range hood or exhaust fan, use it while cooking, and open windows when possible to let fresh air circulate. Still, remember to wipe down surfaces every so often to remove any grease buildup.
8. Address Stains and Spills Immediately
Whether it’s a splash of tomato sauce on the countertop or a spill on the floor, cleaning it up right away prevents it from becoming more difficult to remove. Letting it linger can also increase the chances of it spreading on the counter or getting tracked to another room.
Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy may feel like a never-ending task, but with the right habits and routines, it can become a manageable—and even enjoyable—part of your daily life.