The Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist You’ll Ever Need

The kitchen often becomes a haven for lethal germs, bacteria and unpleasant odours due to consistent culinary activities, food spills, crumbs, moisture and organic gunk. Leaving high-touch areas like countertops, sinks, cutting boards, and kitchen appliances dirty can lead to foodborne illnesses and other bacterial infections.

Whether you’re doing a seasonal cleaning or preparing your rental property before the final inspection, a proper kitchen cleaning checklist can make a world of difference. As a responsible tenant, ensure you maintain the property and its crucial areas clean and hygienic. This can also help you get the full bond back without any dispute. You can prefer hiring a professional company for a budget end of lease cleaning Canberra for a stress-free experience.

For regular cleaning and maintenance, consider the following guide and unveil the ultimate kitchen cleaning checklist. It includes every nook and cranny, including cabinets, a stovetop, an oven, a range hood, a garbage disposal, etc. The best part is that you don’t need fancy products for spotless results.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Stock Up on Necessary Cleaning Supplies

When sprucing up kitchen surfaces, you’ll need proper products and tools to tackle burnt food particles, buildup grease, oil stains and splatters. So, ensure you have these supplies in hand:

• Microfiber cloths, rags and dusters
• Sponge
• Scrub brush or an old toothbrush
• Magic eraser
• Swiffer Duster
• Broom and a Microfiber mop
• White vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Lemon
• Dish soap
• Warm Water

Note: Don’t overspend on store-bought degreasers and drain cleaners, as these products contain VOCs that can trigger your allergy and pollute the environment. Instead, prepare a DIY cleaning solution with all-natural products.

2. Dust From Top-to-Bottom

First things first! Begin the process by eliminating dust from kitchen surfaces. Use a damp cloth or a telescopic duster to remove dust particles, cobwebs and gunk from high areas like walls, light fixtures and fittings, top of your shelves and cabinets, etc. Dusting may sound like a basic chore, but it plays a pivotal role in transforming places. So, start from the top and go downwards before tackling stains and grime.

3. De-Clutter, Clean and Organise Your Pantry

The constant exposure to spills, loose food particles, and expired items makes your kitchen pantry a hotspot for pests and germs. Improper storage of food items can harbour mould and mildew as well. Thus, it is good to de-clutter and clean your pantry at regular intervals (every two months).

Remove everything from your pantry and sort items into different categories. Toss the expired or stale items. Set aside the ones that you can donate to reduce food waste. Next, wipe down the shelves using a microfiber cloth. Spray vinegar and water solution for grime and gunk, covering nooks and crannies. Also, gently wash the containers and organisers to prevent food-related diseases.

It is good to group and store similar items when re-organising your pantry. For instance, pack all baking supplies in one basket or rack. You can designate each shelf or area for grains, sauces, other items, etc. This can prevent the buildup of dirt and grime for a longer time.

4. De-greasing Wooden Cabinets

Grease-laden wooden cabinets have secured their place in this ultimate kitchen cleaning checklist due to various reasons. These are one of the key components that can enhance the overall look and feel of your cooking station. However, the food spills, oil splatters and accumulated grease can make them look dull and dirty. That’s one of the reasons why tenants want end of lease cleaning Canberra professionals to deep clean the kitchen cabinets before the final rental inspection.

Ensure you clean cabinets on a weekly basis. All you need is a mix of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Dampen a cloth and gently wipe down the interiors and exteriors of the cabinets. For nooks and crannies, scrub with an old toothbrush. A magic eraser can also do wonders in dislodging grease without leaving scratches behind. Next, wipe down the area with a dry cloth to achieve streak-free results.

Tip: Disinfect cabinet handles with rubbing alcohol to kill lurking germs.

5. Deep Clean Your Range Hood Oven and Stovetop

These are the dirtiest areas in your kitchen, harbouring lethal germs and bacteria. If available, use the self-cleaning function to clean your oven. You can do this on a weekly basis. If not, use eco-friendly products to dislodge burnt food particles, grease and grime from your oven.

First of all! Remove and submerge greasy racks in hot, soapy water. Add half a cup of vinegar to loosen the grime. Meanwhile, apply a thick baking soda and water paste inside your appliance (except for a heating coil). Leave it for a few minutes. In the next step, dampen a cloth in a white vinegar solution. Gently wipe off the oven walls and other parts. Clean the door and handle to tackle dirt and grime. Don’t forget to clean the outside of your range hood. Deep clean the range filter using vinegar.

Also, clean the stovetop using a vinegar solution. You can also scrub the oil splatters off using a soft-bristled brush. Deep clean knobs and buttons as well. Don’t forget the soaking racks! Take them out and scrub them with a sponge or scrubber. Rinse and dry them.

6. Clean Inside and Outside Your Microwave

Include a microwave in your weekly kitchen cleaning checklist. The process is simple and effective. Take a microwave-safe bowl and add vinegar, lemon and water. Heat it for 2-4 minutes and leave the door closed for another 10 minutes. The steam will loosen the grime and grease. Now, take a damp cloth and gently wipe down your microwave interiors. Use the same solution to clean the door and handle.

7. Organise and Clean Your Refrigerator

Wiping the exterior part of your fridge on a weekly basis is good. However, for deep cleaning, include it in your monthly checklist. Remove all food contents and toss the expired and stale ones. If removable, soak racks and shelves in hot soapy water. For drawers and other parts, spray the white vinegar solution and wipe down with a cloth or sponge. Clean the inside, outside and door gaskets of your fridge. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to spruce up the coils and the back gate of your fridge. You can also call the cleaning experts for difficult cleaning tasks.

8. Wipe Down the Countertops Daily

These are the most overlooked areas in the kitchen. Start by removing the clutter. Next, wipe down using a damp cloth. Instead of using vinegar, use baking soda to dislodge grease, food splatters and grime. Clean every nook and cranny. Make sure you wipe down the kitchen countertops daily after preparing your meals.

9. Sink, Faucet, Garbage Disposal and Dishwasher

Baking soda is a perfect natural cleaner for your kitchen sink. Gently apply it on your dirt-laden sink and crannies. Leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing. For clogged drains and disposal, pour a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar. This will dislodge stuck gunk, germs and bad odours. Leave it for a few minutes, and pour three cups of hot water to clear the drain. You can also put a small wedge of lemon peel down the disposal to freshen up your kitchen drains. Also, clean and disinfect the faucets with a microfiber cloth.

When cleaning your dishwasher, run a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar. This will help you remove stubborn stains, grime and bad smells effectively. Wipe down the inside and outside of your appliance with a brush or sponge. Do this every week for sparkling results.

10. Consider Odds and Ends

Here are some important tasks to include in your kitchen checklist and avoid common kitchen cleaning mistakes, especially when moving out of your rented home.

• Empty and clean the trash bin daily
• Wash dishes daily
• Sweep and mop the floors daily
• Steam clean dirty kitchen sponges in a microwave
• Wash kitchen cloths and rags in hot water
• Clean and descale small appliances, like a coffee machine, toaster, etc, weekly.

When vacating a rental property, it is good to hire experts for a detailed end of lease cleaning Canberra. This can help you save the hard-earned bond money (equivalent to four week’s rent ) and prevent unwanted disputes.

The Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Wrapping up

Deep cleaning a kitchen doesn’t have to be a tedious process. With this ultimate checklist, you can regularly maintain your kitchen surfaces and appliances like a pro. It can help prevent the spread of dirt, grime, food spills and disease-causing germs.