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Cleaning a kitchen can be a daily chore.  I actually have a full kitchen cleaning & decluttering 5-day challenge, dedicated to cleaning the kitchen, but today we will focus on cleaning the kitchen surfaces.  Every little bit helps!

kitchen surfaces

CLEANING THE SURFACES:

When you begin, be sure to have your cleaning supplies handy.   I keep mine in my pantry.  I keep it up high so that the kids can not get it.  You could also keep them under your counter on a tension rod.  I find that when I have things that are easy to access, I will be more likely to use them.  When I keep my brooms and mops in my pantry, I can easily grab them, use them, and put them back.  I don’t have to dig them out or go out to find them in the garage.  They are easily accessible.

CLEANING TABLES:

  • Do not use the same washcloth on the counter that you will be using on your dishes.   I like to use new ones each time (I think that this drives my family crazy and it leads to many loads of laundry, but I feel better doing this).  I will use one on the countertops and table and then I will throw it in the laundry.  I get out a new one to use for dishes for the day.
  • If you have a sponge, you can sterilize it by microwaving them for 60 seconds.
  • If you are cleaning areas where the kids are eating or playing, you may want to use less-harsh cleansers like white vinegar and lemon (this will help to deodorize the area).   If you need something to scrub the area, you could use baking soda.

CABINETS:

  • Clean your cabinets daily by just wiping them down with soapy water on a washcloth.  This will take you one minute at night.  I just wipe the spot near the handles (and including the handles) right before bed.  This prevents the grease from sitting there overnight.
  • Keep your cabinets clutter-free so you can easily find what you need and make dinner a snap!

FAUCETS:

  • Do the cleaning routine here as you would with the cabinets.  Take that same washcloth and just wash the faucet, too.  I try to use the corner of it to get the area where the faucet connects to the sink.  You could use a cotton swab or toothbrush, too.  You will want to use the toothbrush for the drain area, too (where the water goes into the sink).

SINK:

Keep the dishes in the dishwasher and out of your sink, if possible (run the dishwasher every evening and unload it before bed.  You will not have any dishes waiting for you in the morning).
Clean your sink with a scrub brush or wash-rag (right before you toss it into the laundry basket).  I spray disinfectant spray in our sink often and just let it sit for at least 10 minutes to clean it out.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL:

If you have a garbage disposal, put a lemon (cut into fourths) into the disposal once a week to clean it out and let it deodorize it.  It is best to follow this up with boiling water.

DOORS:

If you have doors to your kitchen or pantry, clean them, too.  I love the magic eraser to get rid of the mess that ends up by the handles (on my white wooden doors), but I also use a warm, soapy washcloth.   You won’t believe how ‘clean’ this makes the whole area look.   White doors really show those messy little fingerprints (as cute as they are!)

If you are ready for more decluttering & cleaning tips… hop over to my Declutter Course! 

Don’t forget to grab your cleaning printable below! 
DAILY CLEANING LIST FOR BUSY FAMILIES

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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10 Comments

  1. That is a great thing you did with those series, I will definitely read all of that and practice at home. Thank you for sharing those tips especially to housewives like me.

  2. I LOVE clean kitchen as this is the place where we cook and it should be neat and clean.I’m sure these ideas will make an appearance when I do my kitchen room reveal! Thanks a lot for great ideas.

  3. I keep all my cleansers in a rectangular plastic basket with a handle. I can transport them throughout one room or the whole house and they are readily on hand when I need them.

  4. After a summer with the kids home and eating all day, the kitchen definitely needs a major cleaning overhaul. Now I feel inspired!

  5. A clean kitchen will not only look good, it will keep the nasty stuff away from the food you prepare as well. Awesome and very inspiring post! 🙂

  6. Honestly, I feel that it will be more beneficial if we maintain a clean kitchen. Yes, it does not matter how well we shop the grocery items, because if those items arrive to a filthy kitchen, then they loose their usability to some level. Again we never feel easy while working in a dirty kitchen. In fact, a dirty kitchen not only reduces the curb appeal of the home, but also may become a sanctuary for bacterial and other microbes. Hence, if anyone truly loves his kitchen then he should clean it from time to time either by his own or by taking a the help of a professional to make it tasteful and more energy efficient.