The Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist for Great Results

For many families, the kitchen is the social hub of the home, so it’s important to clean it regularly. Some areas of your kitchen will need regular attention, such as the stovetop. Other areas, such as larger appliances like the refrigerator or oven, can be cleaned weekly or even monthly.

Below you will find daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal kitchen cleaning checklists to simplify your routine. These detailed instructions will help you create and maintain a tidy kitchen space.

Supplies you need

Before you begin, make sure you have the right cleaning tools and solutions. Here’s a comprehensive list detailing all the items you’ll need for the four kitchen cleaning checklists in this guide.

• Broom and dustpan
• Mop
• Vacuum cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• Dishwasher detergent
• Dish soap
• All-purpose cleaner (or homemade all-purpose cleaner)
• Old toothbrush
• Soft bristle brush or abrasive sponge
• Dust mop
• Glass cleaner (or homemade glass cleaner)
• Distilled white vinegar
• Leavening

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Daily Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

For your daily kitchen cleaning checklist, focus your attention on the counters and floors. Keeping these high-use areas clean will help you create a more sanitary environment.

• Remove any decorations, appliances or clutter from the kitchen countertop.
• Wipe down the countertop with a clean, damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner or warm, soapy water. You can also use a homemade all-purpose cleaner made from diluted vinegar. Consider wiping down high-traffic areas at this time, such as drawer and cabinet handles and the handle on your microwave.
• Scan floors.
• Replace the objects you have moved back to their correct positions on the kitchen counter or elsewhere.
• Remove the dishes from the dishwasher and dispose of the dirty dishes by hand washing or placing the dishes in the dishwasher.
• Wipe down the faucet and inside of the sink with an all-purpose cleaner. Pay close attention to any corners and crevices where dirt can accumulate.
• Take out your trash and recycle.
• Place the dishcloth or kitchen towel in the washing machine and replace it with a clean cloth.

Weekly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

In addition to your daily cleaning regimen, your weekly routine should include frequently used appliances like your microwave and refrigerator. Start your weekly cleaning routine with the steps below, then finish with the daily kitchen cleaning checklist above.

• Clean the inside and outside of countertop kitchen appliances, including toasters, coffee makers and microwaves.
• Next, it’s time to clean the refrigerator. You’ll need to rearrange or remove items as you clean, so you can wipe down all the shelf and drawer space. As you clean, check for expired items and throw them away. Be sure to wipe down the refrigerator top and handles, too. (Save the freezer for your monthly kitchen cleaning checklist.)
• Clean the stovetop with a store-bought or homemade all-purpose cleaner. Don’t forget to wipe down the oven.
• Next, wipe down frequently used areas like light switches, drawer handles, cabinet handles, and door knobs.
• Turn off (at the circuit breaker box) and clean the garbage disposal with distilled white vinegar and baking soda.
• Finally, you can move on to your daily cleaning checklist and complete your weekly routine by mopping your kitchen floor.

Monthly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Your monthly kitchen cleaning checklist provides an opportunity to clean and disinfect areas that aren’t used as often but still accumulate dirt over time. This includes cabinet and drawer tops, windows, and even the inside of your trash can. Start with your daily kitchen cleaning checklist, then move on to the tasks below.

1. Complete your daily kitchen cleaning checklist.
2. Clean the kitchen hood.
3. Replace the filter in the microwave.
4. Empty all cabinets and drawers in preparation for cleaning and organizing (we recommend following steps three and four for each cabinet or drawer). This includes pantries.
5. Wipe the inside of the drawer or cabinet with an all-purpose cleaner, then wipe down the top of the cabinet or drawer.
6. Return items to the cabinet or drawer, organizing as you go. Move to the next cabinet or drawer and repeat steps three and four until you have addressed the entire storage space.
7. Clean any tile and grout, such as backsplashes, with an all-purpose cleaner.
8. Next, wipe down areas where dust can accumulate, such as cabinet tops and light fixtures.
9. Clean the inside of windows with a store-bought or homemade glass cleaner.
10. Vacuum or clean kitchen rugs or floor mats.
11. Clean the inside of your dishwasher with a soft abrasive brush or sponge, distilled white vinegar, and baking soda. Be sure to wipe down the dishwasher’s surface with an all-purpose cleaner when you’re done.

Seasonal Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

While the above checklists will help you maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen, there are still some lingering tasks that you should complete every few months.

1. Set your oven to self-clean. Note that this process requires some preparation (like removing the racks and turning on the oven vent) and can take several hours.
2. Clean the microwave filter.
3. Using a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the ceiling and walls in your kitchen. As you complete this step, pay attention to areas where grease or moisture may accumulate, such as the wall behind the kitchen faucet and the ceiling area above the range hood.
4. As you clean out and deep clean your kitchen cabinets and drawers (as part of your monthly kitchen cleaning checklist), look for any kitchen utensils and supplies that you can donate or throw away. For cabinets or drawers that contain food (as well as pantries), see if there are any items that need to be replaced or replenished, such as expired goods or spices that are running low.
5. Sharpen your kitchen knives.
6. Clean the oven thoroughly (instead of using the self-cleaning mode).
7. Unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. Wipe down the top of the refrigerator, the floor underneath the refrigerator, and even the coils behind the refrigerator. Use a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner on the top of the refrigerator and the coils, then use a broom, dustpan, and mop on the floor. Plug the refrigerator back into the wall, then reinstall it in place.
8. Finally, clean the inside of your trash and recycling bins. Wipe down the outside when you’re done.

Tips for Sticking to Your Kitchen Cleaning Schedule

Following the kitchen cleaning checklist above will take time and discipline, but there are a few tips you can use to help you get the job done.

• Schedule kitchen cleaning in your calendar. This is especially important for your monthly and seasonal kitchen cleaning checklist.
• Keep your kitchen tidy. Maintaining an organized kitchen will help avoid clutter, optimize food storage, and quickly notice and deal with any grease, spills, and other debris.
• Put the toiletries in the bin. Keeping the items needed for each checklist in labeled plastic bins can help you quickly grab what you need when it’s time to complete your cleaning checklist.
• Clean regularly. Instead of waiting until you complete your kitchen cleaning checklist, make sure you regularly look for and discard any expired products or tools/utensils that you don’t use.