We’re slowly transitioning into summer, but if you’re still in spring-cleaning-mode, the kitchen can be a tough area to tackle. To make it more manageable, we’ve broken it down into different sections. The best part about this list is that you can address one area at a time, without completely disrupting your life. Happy cleaning!

 

KITCHEN DEEP CLEANING CHECKLIST

Pre-Clean:

  • Wash, dry & put away any dirty dishes
  • Quickly clear countertops and wipe clean
  • Clear any clutter that does not belong in the kitchen

 

Pantry and Cooking Cupboards:

  • Take out all food & place on table or countertop
  • Check labels & toss items that are expired, stale, empty, inedible, etc.
  • Fill a bag or box for unopened donation items that you will not be able to eat before they expire, or items that you know your family won’t eat
  • Use clean, well-labeled, airtight containers to store baking & cooking staples such as flour, sugar, bread crumbs, etc.
  • Wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
  • Put food back in cabinet and arrange like items together, making sure the most frequently used containers are easily accessible

 

Refrigerator and Freezer:

  • Take out all food & place on table or countertop
  • Check labels & toss items that are expired, moldy, empty, inedible, etc.
  • Wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
  • Remove produce drawers & wash well
  • Put food back in refrigerator and arrange like items together
  • Remove excess magnets & unneeded papers
  • Clean and/or polish exterior

 

Clean & Organize Storage Cupboards

  • Remove all items from remaining storage cupboards or shelves and place on countertop or kitchen table
  • As you remove items, toss or donate any items that are broken, unwanted, unnecessary or that you haven’t used in over a year
  • Set aside any seasonal items that only get used once or twice a year to be placed with other seasonal items in storage
  • Wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
  • Determine whether you can rearrange any of your storage areas to make your kitchen more efficient
  • Group like items together and place back in cupboards
  • Put seasonal items in storage and bring donation items to local drop-off as soon as possible

 

Storage Drawers

  • Remove all items from drawers and place on countertop or kitchen table
  • As you remove items, toss or donate any items that are broken, unwanted, unnecessary or that you haven’t used in over a year
  • Set aside any seasonal items that only get used once or twice a year to be placed with other seasonal items in storage
  • Wipe down all drawers with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
  • Wash any drawer organizers
  • Determine whether you can rearrange any of your storage areas to make your kitchen more efficient
  • Group like items together and place back in drawers

 

Other Appliances

  • Wipe down microwave inside and out
  • Clean and/or polish exterior of dishwasher
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions to run self-cleaning cycle on oven
  • Clean & polish exterior of oven
  • Clean & polish stovetop
  • Clean & polish small countertop appliances

 

Sink, Countertop, & Cabinets

  • Remove any remaining clutter from countertops; try to get them as clear as possible!
  • Remove countertop appliances
  • Spray countertop with kitchen cleaner; wipe clean and dry well
  • Wipe down cabinet exteriors
  • Polish wood cabinet doors with furniture polish

 

Clean Floors

  • Sweep entire floor well.  Be sure to remove any moveable furniture!
  • Spot clean any sticky or dirty areas or any stains
  • Mop floor with heavy duty floor cleaner
  • Wash throw rugs

 

This content is not the product of the National Association of REALTORS®, and may not reflect NAR's viewpoint or position on these topics and NAR does not verify the accuracy of the content.