Clean Your Kitchen In 15 minutes - A Checklist

Imagine coming home after a long night. You stumble into your kitchen, flick the lights on and BAM - dirty dishes are piling up in the sink, the counters are full of stuff, and what is that weird smell?

Look, we've all been there. A messy kitchen isn't your fault. Besides, there are many enjoyable activities to do than cleaning your kitchen.

But what if you could just follow a simple checklist that guarantees a spotless, fresh smelling kitchen that you, and your guests, will love? Luckily for you, we compiled everything in an easy to follow checklist.

Here's How:

Every Day

  • Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
  • Wipe down the stove top (1 minute).
  • Wipe down the counters (1 minute).
  • Sweep or vacuum the floor (2 minutes).
  • Run dishwasher as necessary.

Every Week

  • Mop the floor (5 minutes).
  • Wipe the cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances (10 minutes).
  • Wash the dish rack (4 minutes).
  • Wipe the inside of the garbage can (1 minute).
  • Clean inside microwave with a sponge and mild dish detergent (3 minutes).
  • Sanitize sponges by soaking it overnight in a mixture of 1 cup hot water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 3 tablespoons salt (2 minutes).

Every Season

  • Empty and scrub down the inside of the refrigerator (30 minutes).
  • Empty and clean the insides of the utensil drawers (15 minutes).
  • Scrub down the cupboard exteriors (30 minutes).
  • Clean the stove-hood filter (10 minutes).

More Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Start with grouping your supplies together.

Creating a cleaning kit by storing all your cleaning supplies in a box will make your life significantly easier. No more running around the house to find cleaning supplies, or realize you forgot something. Use a large clear Tupperware container so you can see what you have inside. A basket works too but make sure it doesn't have any holes in case any cleaning supplies leak.

Shine floors with vinegar

To get an unbeatable shine without harsh chemicals, mix 9 parts water with 1 part white vinegar. Use this natural solution to wash your wooden floors and you'll be surprised at how well it cleans.

Wipe splatter on your walls

You may not notice it, but your kitchen walls have a build up of food, oil, and water splatter and over time it can contribute to a dirty looking kitchen. You can easily get rid of this splatter with a wet cloth or paper towel dipped in a mild dish soap mix. Use a damp towel or paper towel after to get rid of any lingering soap.

Get rid of a smelly fridge with soda, charcoal, or coffee

A smelly fridge probably means your should take some time to throw out old food and do a quick wipedown. Once you finish, get rid of the lingering smell by pouring out a plate of unused coffee grinds to absorb strong odors. Charcoal helps absorb and get rid of sour odors really well while soda on a dish is another alternative to freshen the fridge.

Smelly sink drain?

  1. Pour one cup baking soda and one cup white vinegar down the drain and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Pour boiling water down the drain to flush out the mixture
  3. If you have a garbage disposal, fill the drain with ice and one cup of salt. Turn on the cold water and run the disposal until all the ice is gone. This helps clean the blades and get rid of any stuck food.

Get rid of the haze in your coffee pot

Coffee haze builds up over time, especially when you leave a pot of coffee on for a long time. Get rid of the brown haze by filling your coffee pot with ice. then squeeze a lemon into the ice and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Swirl the mixture for 2 minutes.

Put away all of the items that belong in the kitchen but are not in their proper places.

Don't allow yourself to get distracted by rearranging cabinets, drawers, etc. Simply place the items that are out back where they belong.

You've been cleaning your oven wrong this entire time

  1. Start by mixing two spoonfuls of baking soda with a bit of warm water in a bowl, creating a paste.
  2. Spread this paste inside your oven and let it sit for at least 12 hours.
  3. Use a wet rag and wipe out the paste, then use another wet rag to clean up any leftover residue.
  4. Spritz some vinegar on any leftover baking soda residue.
  5. Turn on the oven at a low temperature for 15 minutes to let dry

Cleaning marble surfaces

Always avoid abrasive cleaners like the rough part of your dish sponge. Instead, opt for microfiber clothes.

Cover image from Black Lacquer Design

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