Step 6: Wash the Dishes in a Safe Order
- A clear sink is an essential part of how to clean a messy kitchen efficiently.
Fill the sink or washing-up bowl with hot, soapy water at a temperature comfortable for your hands.
Wash the least greasy items first:
- Glasses
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Plates and bowls
- Food-storage containers
- Pots and pans
Change the water when it becomes cold, greasy, or visibly dirty. Washing dozens of dishes in heavily contaminated water does not clean them effectively.
Allow dried-on pans to soak while you work on easier items. Avoid using metal scrubbers on non-stick coatings because they can damage the surface.
Rinse according to the instructions for your dishwashing product and local practice. Place clean dishes on a clean drying rack rather than on a dirty towel or contaminated counter.
Do not dry clean dishes with the same cloth used to wipe raw food spills or dirty surfaces.
Step 7: Clear and Organize the Counters
Once the dishes are controlled, remove everything that does not belong on the counters.
Use three temporary groups:
- Keep in the kitchen
- Move to another room
- Discard or recycle
Place objects belonging elsewhere into a basket rather than leaving the kitchen repeatedly. When the main cleanup is finished, carry the basket through the home and return each item to its proper place.
Keep only regularly used equipment on the counters. Too many appliances, containers, papers, and decorations reduce usable workspace and make daily cleaning harder.
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Step 8: Clean From Top to Bottom
Working from top to bottom is one of the most effective rules for how to clean a messy kitchen.
Working from top to bottom prevents dust and crumbs from falling onto surfaces you have already cleaned.
Start with:
- Cabinet fronts
- Shelves
- Window ledges
- Splashbacks
- Appliance exteriors
- Countertops
- Lower cabinets
- Skirting boards
- Floor
Apply cleaning products according to the label. More product does not necessarily provide better results. Excess cleaner can leave sticky residue that attracts more dirt.
For painted, wooden, stone, stainless-steel, laminate, and composite surfaces, confirm that the product is suitable for the material. Acidic products such as vinegar can damage certain natural stones, while abrasive powders may scratch glossy surfaces.
Test unfamiliar products in a small, inconspicuous area first.
Step 9: Clean and Sanitize Correctly
Cleaning and sanitizing are different processes.
Cleaning removes grease, crumbs, dirt, and many germs using soap or detergent and water.
Sanitizing or disinfecting uses an appropriate product to reduce or kill microorganisms according to the label.
A surface covered in grease and food residue should be cleaned before a sanitizer or disinfectant is applied. Otherwise, the organic material may interfere with the product.
Pay particular attention to:
- Food-preparation counters
- Sink handles
- Taps
- Refrigerator handles
- Cabinet pulls
- Light switches
- Bin lids
- Chopping boards
- Areas contaminated by raw meat or eggs
Follow the product label for dilution, contact time, ventilation, rinsing requirements, and suitable surfaces.
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice program can help consumers identify cleaning products whose ingredients have been reviewed against specific safety criteria.
Never Mix Cleaning Products
This rule is extremely important.
Never mix bleach with:
- Ammonia
- Vinegar
- Toilet cleaner
- Acidic descalers
- Rubbing alcohol
- Other household cleaning products
Mixing chemicals can release dangerous gases or create harmful compounds. “Natural” ingredients are not automatically safe to combine with commercial cleaners.
Use one product at a time, read the complete label, ventilate the area, and store chemicals in their original containers.
If cleaning products are accidentally mixed and anyone experiences coughing, breathing difficulty, chest pain, eye irritation, or dizziness, leave the area and contact emergency services or poison control.
Step 10: Clean the Sink and Floor Last
Once the counters and dishes are finished, clean the sink. Remove food debris from the strainer, wash the basin with an appropriate product, rinse it, and dry the taps where possible.
Do not combine drain cleaners with bleach, acids, or other products. If the drain is badly blocked, mechanical removal or professional plumbing help may be safer than repeatedly adding chemicals.
Sweep or vacuum the floor before mopping. Pick up larger debris first, especially glass or sharp fragments.
Begin mopping at the farthest point from the exit and move backward so you do not walk over the wet floor. Allow it to dry before returning furniture, bins, or pet bowls.
How to Clean Specific Kitchen Areas
The Refrigerator
Discard clearly spoiled food and any unsafe perishable items. Remove shelves and drawers only if the manufacturer’s instructions permit it.
Wash removable parts with warm, soapy water and allow cold glass shelves to reach room temperature before exposing them to hot water, as sudden temperature changes can cause cracking.
Wipe internal surfaces, dry them, and return safe food. Keep raw meat and seafood contained and separated from ready-to-eat food.
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The Oven and Hob
Wait until all surfaces are completely cool.
Remove loose crumbs and burnt food before applying a product. Use a cleaner recommended for the appliance’s finish, and avoid spraying electrical components, heating elements, or ignition points.
Do not line the bottom of an oven with materials that the manufacturer does not recommend. This may interfere with airflow or damage the appliance.
The Microwave
Place a microwave-safe bowl of water inside and heat it briefly until steam loosens dried splashes. Let it stand before opening, then wipe the interior carefully.
The bowl and water may be extremely hot. Use oven gloves and keep your face away from escaping steam.
Remove and wash the turntable according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Small Appliances
Unplug coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and other appliances before cleaning.
Empty toaster crumbs into the rubbish once the appliance is cool. Never insert metal utensils into a toaster.
For blenders and food processors, handle blades separately and carefully. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning directions.