I wasn’t always comfortable in the kitchen. TV dinners were a staple and “cooking” involved a box of brownie mix and some eggs. This meant the kitchen was often neglected when it came to cleaning – dishes piled up, messy countertops, you get the idea.
As I’ve been trying new dishes (I cooked leeks for the first time last week!) and discovering a joy of cooking fresh, healthy-ish meals, I’ve found myself spending more time in the kitchen. More time in the kitchen meant it was time to get serious about keeping the kitchen clean.
Along the way I’ve learned a few tricks that hae made keeping a clean kitchen easy. I still need to do a “deep clean” when needed, but these easy kitchen tips extend the time between those cleanings.
1. Clean as you cook
After watching my zillionth cooking show, I started doing my own version of “Miz En Place.” This essentially means that you get all of your dish ingredients ready (chopped, diced, peeled, etc.) before you start cooking. After the ingredients are ready, I quickly clear the counters and put the dirty prep dishes in the sink or dishwasher before things hit the fire.
This make a big impact in cooking space and also makes the final cleanup is easier – a lot of the dirty dishes will already be in the sink or dishwasher when it’s time to wash.
2. Give everything a designated place and put things back.
While we can all get a little caught up and leave a jar or spice on the counter, the important thing is we put it back. If you forget to put things away right after cooking, just make sure you do the next time you walk through. I’ve found that if everything has a specific drawer, cabinet or place to “go”, it’s much easier to remember to put things where they belong.
3. Use the Dishwasher
If you have a dishwasher, putting dirty dishes into the dishwasher will help keep counters clear. Using a powerful all-in-one cleaner like Finish Max in 1 will help you get your dishes sparkling clean. We use Finish Rinse Aid as well and combined, these two products help our dishes come out clean and spot-free. Considering we use mineral-rich well water, this is no easy feat. Using your dishwasher can also help you save water, while avoiding dish pan hands. Finish offers several great tips for how to get the most out of your dishwasher.
If you don’t have or don’t use a dishwasher, try to wash the dishes after each meal (or if you forget, first thing in the morning) so they don’t pile up.
4. Wipe Down Countertops
Giving you countertop a quick wipe down between cooking will help keep dirt from building up. Use a dry towel or cloth to wipe off any loose and dry crumbs. Follow up with a damp towel (with a bit of dish soap) to finish up the cleaning. Doing this step daily means I haven’t had to use heavy-duty cleansers as often.
5. Use Vinegar
Vinegar is not just used for cooking. It’s a great, all natural product you can use to clean virtually everything in the kitchen – from removing hard water stains around the sink to preventing grease build-up in the oven. Mix it with a bit of baking soda to create an all natural scrub. For difficult spots, I soak a paper towel in vinegar and let it sit for several minutes while the vinegar does its work.
Do you have any favorite tricks for keeping your kitchen clean?
ron schnell says
September 30, 2015 at 10:00 pmSimple, clean as you go, don’t let it get outta control.
Amy Jones says
October 1, 2015 at 2:56 amClean as you go, and get to it before things have to scrubbed off.
Amy Jones says
October 1, 2015 at 2:56 amClean as you go, and get to it before things have to be scrubbed off.
Lisa says
October 1, 2015 at 3:12 amI do my dishes as I finish using a pot/plate/pan so it doesn’t build up.
Adrienne Gordon says
October 1, 2015 at 6:02 amTackle one room per day
Kim H says
October 1, 2015 at 6:35 amDo not leave your dishes for later.
Tari Lawson says
October 1, 2015 at 6:59 amI put about 1/4 cup of bleach in 1 inch of hot water in my kitchen sink. I let it sit for about 5 minutes then drain and wipe clean. It comes out sparkling with little effort.
Amy Pratt says
October 1, 2015 at 8:12 amI use Finish in my dishwasher and my glasses come out gleaming.
Cynthia C says
October 1, 2015 at 8:17 amI love microfiber cloths for cleaning. They do a great job and don’t leave streaks or lint.
James Doyle says
October 1, 2015 at 8:59 ammake a daily and weekly routine so your house never gets out of control!
denise says
October 1, 2015 at 9:07 amclean surfaces from the highest spot first, then tackle lower places. vacuum and mop last.
Sandy Klocinski says
October 1, 2015 at 9:42 amTo clean a microwave oven, add four tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Boil for five minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls of the oven. Then wipe them with a soft cloth.
Ann Fantom says
October 1, 2015 at 9:46 amMy cleaning tip is to use your used dryer sheets for dusting. The static electricity in the dryer sheet traps the dust
nickie says
October 1, 2015 at 10:30 amTake on small cleaning projects each day.
LaTanya says
October 1, 2015 at 11:05 amclean a little each day instead of letting it pile up on the weekend
Ashley C says
October 1, 2015 at 11:23 amDedicate at least 30 minutes each day to cleaning, it won’t hurt you to get up 15 minutes earlier and stay up 15 minutes later, or maybe miss a bit of your favorite tv show. It really makes a huge difference!
Lindsey G says
October 1, 2015 at 11:29 amI love FINISH products, I use them daily. They are cheaper than some but better quality than all. I clean my house any time I get the chance.
Leah says
October 1, 2015 at 12:54 pmI set a timer for 15 minutes and then I stop. Just 15 minutes a day makes a big difference!
Keely Hostetter says
October 1, 2015 at 1:01 pmI clean up as I go. If I wait I am too overwhelmed by the big mess.
Sharon Kaminski says
October 1, 2015 at 1:09 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is using a pumice stone for the ring in the toilet, works great.
Barbara Montag says
October 1, 2015 at 1:56 pmI’m so glad you mentioned using vinegar!
My best tip – I use it for scrubbing our floors.
It’s cleans great.
thank you
Susan Hartman says
October 1, 2015 at 2:11 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to keep my husband out of my kitchen.
Breanna Pollard says
October 1, 2015 at 2:15 pmClean as you go!
robin mcdowell says
October 1, 2015 at 2:23 pmI clean a different room each day besides the kitchen which is everyday
Natalie says
October 1, 2015 at 2:30 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to throw junk mail right away so that paper does not stack up in my home.
Ty says
October 1, 2015 at 2:42 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to clean messes as they arise.
Deborah Wellenstein says
October 1, 2015 at 3:42 pmThe best cleaning advice I ever got was to clean up small messes before they become big messes.
Becca says
October 1, 2015 at 4:56 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to keep up with the cleaning every day instead of having to do a ton of cleaning all at once!
Lorina Padgett says
October 1, 2015 at 5:02 pmI use a capful of bleach every once in a while in my dishwasher to keep it sparkling clean.
nadine m says
October 1, 2015 at 5:54 pmMy favorite tip is “use your family’ I didn’t make the mess myself so I refuse to clean it all up myself.
Elisabeth says
October 1, 2015 at 6:26 pmMy tip is to keep as much clutter off the counters as possible. I have to do that for my sanity!
heather s says
October 1, 2015 at 7:01 pmRinse pans and plates immediately so it is easier and food is not caked on
Mary Beth Elderton says
October 1, 2015 at 8:50 pmI clean as I go. This helps at the end of a meal.
ellen beck says
October 1, 2015 at 9:14 pmHomestly cleaning as you go is the very best tip. I hate letting things pile up and get out of hand.
beth shepherd says
October 1, 2015 at 9:40 pmMy best advice is to clean a little at a time with some great music. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Thank you
Roxann says
October 1, 2015 at 11:57 pmMy tip is to tackle the tough jobs first. You won’t mind doing the rest if you do that.
FRANK says
October 2, 2015 at 12:25 amMy favorite cleaning tip is to clean messes promptly.
Richard Hicks says
October 2, 2015 at 12:37 amI use an old toothbrush to clean those tight corners and crevices
Brittney House says
October 2, 2015 at 12:49 amI like to get the whole family involved. We all made the mess, we can clean it.
Kristy Wolfgang says
October 1, 2015 at 11:15 pmSet a special day and time ahead to plan to clean because life can be so busy!
Cindy Peterson says
October 2, 2015 at 9:21 amCleaning stove.
Apply a thin layer of car wax. And wipe it off.
It prevents future spills to stick hard to the stove. And makes it easy to clean.
al says
October 2, 2015 at 10:30 amBefore you go to bed, finish the dishes.
Meghan B says
October 2, 2015 at 11:04 amI think pick up daily and clean one room daily, instead of waiting for it all
Paul Gardner says
October 2, 2015 at 11:22 amdo dishes the same day, don’t wait till later
Kelly D says
October 2, 2015 at 12:57 pmI add water to baking soda to make a paste that cleans grout.
Angelica says
October 2, 2015 at 1:11 pmMy favorite tip is the multi-use, miracle worker of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. With just a little bit of elbow grease it can turn black cookie sheets into shiny new pretties and it does wonders for stains on counters and cleaning glass stove tops!
Beth Minyard says
October 2, 2015 at 2:29 pmDo a little everyday so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
Emily Benzing says
October 2, 2015 at 2:47 pmCleaning your room can always make your mind a little clearer – just a nice tip
Leela says
October 2, 2015 at 3:24 pmI wash and clean as i’m cooking.
Amanda Sakovitz says
October 2, 2015 at 4:07 pmUse cleaning wipes to remove makeup from your makeup area.
Debbie F says
October 2, 2015 at 4:32 pmI hate cleaning!!!
But I also hate having a dirty house especially the kitchen so my tip is to clean immediately after cooking and even during cooking so it never piles up 🙂
susan b says
October 2, 2015 at 7:04 pmUnload the dishwasher as soon as it finishes a load.
Thomas Murphy says
October 2, 2015 at 7:32 pmI clean a little every day so it does not get out of hand.
Dawn Monroe says
October 2, 2015 at 7:37 pmMy tip is to make everyone help out. Doing it by yourself with a family is unreasonable.
Samantha Daleo says
October 2, 2015 at 7:38 pmClean for 15 minutes at a time and then make yourself take a break. You will actually be more productive in the end.
Rhonda R says
October 2, 2015 at 8:35 pmMy best cleaning tip is to put on music or a tv show and clean while you listen! You will be finished in no time!
Jenny S says
October 2, 2015 at 8:54 pmI love using simple cleaners like bleach. It smells so clean and fresh.
Kristine says
October 2, 2015 at 9:05 pmClean as you go!
Kristine says
October 2, 2015 at 9:06 pmClean as you go! Do one area at a time.
Kristine says
October 2, 2015 at 9:06 pmClean as you go! Do one area at a time and get organized
Kristine says
October 2, 2015 at 9:07 pmClean as you go! Do one area at a time and get a routine. Music in the background helps!
Jill H says
October 2, 2015 at 11:23 pmfor my good stainless pans I soak with dishsoap & then they are easy to clean. Finish is my favorite soap for the dishwasher, the dishes come out the cleanest.
Jackie says
October 3, 2015 at 11:03 amMy tip is to clean as you go. Never leave dishes in the sink…put them right in the dishwasher.
Thank you!
Kyl Neusch says
October 3, 2015 at 9:53 pmkeep up with the cleaning every day
Robin says
October 3, 2015 at 11:25 pmI pick up and clean as I go as well as soak things that require hand washing first.
Gina Malone says
October 4, 2015 at 12:53 amHave your husband do the dishes. Haha! 🙂
greentopiaries says
October 4, 2015 at 4:52 amOne tip that has saved me a lot of time over the years is to microwave water and lemon to clean the microwave and any caked on stains. Makes removal a breeze! 🙂
Darlene Carbajal says
October 4, 2015 at 9:19 amClean little by little each day so you won’t have to clean so much in one day.
kath g says
October 4, 2015 at 10:48 amMy tips are – i put things away as soon as i am done with them and i deal with paper items – (mail, product manuals, receipts, ads, etc.) immediately – i file them, shred or trash them so they don’t pile up.
Danielle says
October 4, 2015 at 11:17 amI make a cleaning chore chart for everyone to help
Allison says
October 4, 2015 at 2:32 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to mix baking soda with vinegar for a cheap and effective cleaning solution.
Sharon Harding says
October 4, 2015 at 7:48 pmClean as you cook makes the job easier and less overwhelming.
Denise S says
October 5, 2015 at 12:08 pmI clean small things all the time, so nothing gets hugely messy and out of control.
Douglas Houston says
October 5, 2015 at 12:56 pmA paste made of baking soda and lemon juice is a great stain remover.
sandra says
October 5, 2015 at 3:07 pmbaking soda and vinegar down the garbage disposal t help with the nasty smells
Crystal S says
October 5, 2015 at 3:21 pmMy cleaning tip is to always pick up just a little bit each day. That way you won’t all of a sudden seem like you have a huge mess to clean up that will take you all day!
Carly D. says
October 5, 2015 at 8:08 pmI like to have one focus each day. That way you never feel overwhelmed with too many things to do at once.
Rosanne says
October 5, 2015 at 8:25 pmI wipe counters stove and tables before I go to bed @ night and have coffee maker ready. I keep clutter down by getting rid of things often.
Lynn O. says
October 6, 2015 at 12:29 amI feel overwhelmed if I try to clean the entire house so I clean one room a day and spend a lot of time on it.
Pat says
October 6, 2015 at 12:26 pmFor a non-toxic oven cleaner I like to use a baking soda paste.
Kelley Chapman says
October 6, 2015 at 10:41 pmThe best thing to do is clean a bit every day, and put things away when you are done with them. This way, you never get too behind.
Michelle Boor says
October 6, 2015 at 10:45 pmmy cleaning tip is to use vinigar along with cleaning fluid in the carpet cleaner. Thanks for the chance!
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
October 8, 2015 at 11:53 pmI set a timer for 10 minutes and work fast until time is up….it helps me focus for short bursts of time.
Nichole Smith says
October 9, 2015 at 11:59 amI put lemons in the garbage disposal to keep it fresh and wipe my sink with mineral oil to keep it shiny
Nannypanpan says
October 9, 2015 at 2:59 pmFor stubborn sticky spots on counters spray and walk away. Come back a few minutes later and they will wipe away with no scrubbing
Nannypanpan says
October 9, 2015 at 3:01 pmFor stubborn sticky spots on counters spray and walk away. Come back a few minutes later and they will wipe away with no scrubbing.
Susan Chester says
October 9, 2015 at 11:27 pmI keep a sink of soapy water when I am cooking and drpp dirty dishes and utensils after I use them. This makes for easy clean up later.
Jessica To says
October 10, 2015 at 6:30 pmI try to keep up with it each day so I don’t get overwhelmed. Also, try to do a room each day.
Summer B. says
October 10, 2015 at 7:33 pmGet your family members to help.
Carol Nine says
October 11, 2015 at 12:09 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to nuke your sponges in the microwave for a minute. It kills all the germs on them so you won’t spread harmful bacteria or germs around your kitchen.
Robin says
October 11, 2015 at 5:43 pmTry to clean the dishes after your meal that way they won’t pile up.
brandy c says
October 11, 2015 at 8:35 pmI soak my harder dishes.
renea duffield says
October 11, 2015 at 8:58 pmi use windex to clean my nick knacks and it works good
Tina Reynolds says
October 12, 2015 at 9:51 amMy advice 15 min quick clean in the morning and evening before and after kiddos go to bed
susan smoaks says
October 12, 2015 at 8:00 pmmy cleaning tip is to do a little bit each day so it doesn’t pile up
Erica B. says
October 12, 2015 at 10:02 pmDo a little bit of cleaning everyday.
Stephanie Liske says
October 12, 2015 at 10:56 pmIf you clean as you go your mess will never be a big one.
Danielle Magee says
October 13, 2015 at 2:13 pmI take 5 minutes every evening to clean up as much as I can, you’d be amazed what you can get done.
nannypanpan says
October 13, 2015 at 5:12 pmfor stubborn sticky spots or stains on counter..spray with cleaner and come back in 5 minutes to just wipe away
Michelle H. says
October 13, 2015 at 6:08 pmTaking the time to clean as you go is so much better than having to tackle a real mess.
Jill Myrick says
October 14, 2015 at 12:16 amMy favorite product to clean my white counter top and sink is clorox clean up gel. put a little where you need it, spread gently with a sponge, let set for a couple of minutes and white clean. It works great.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
joni says
October 14, 2015 at 12:23 amHire a maid!I could only wish.
Chris M says
October 14, 2015 at 4:49 amDon’t put bleach on colored things.
Keeley Sullivan says
October 14, 2015 at 6:38 amWe all pick up after our selves and speed clean on the weekends.
Lesley F says
October 14, 2015 at 8:31 amI always clean up before bed so I don’t have to get up to a mess
Bridgett Wilbur says
October 14, 2015 at 10:46 amI use a lot of Clorox to clean my house.
Fernanda P. says
October 14, 2015 at 12:11 pmFocus on one room or task each day. So that way cleaning doesn take over your life!
Paula Tavernie says
October 14, 2015 at 2:06 pmI clean and pickup as I go!!!
Paula Tavernie says
October 14, 2015 at 2:17 pmPick up as you go so it doesn’t get cluttered!!
Joy Q says
October 14, 2015 at 3:11 pmMy tip is use toilet bowl gel on hard to remove mildew. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes then scrub .
Jennifer Reed says
October 14, 2015 at 3:19 pmTo clean real wood floors use a bucket of warm water mixed with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Use flat mop with microfiber cover to clean floor without getting it too wet.
Susan Smith says
October 14, 2015 at 4:29 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is to wipe down the the microwave after you use it you won’t need to use any cleaning products.
Linda Jones says
October 14, 2015 at 6:31 pmClean appliances often
Rebecca Peters says
October 14, 2015 at 8:40 pmmy cleaning tip is to do a little daily so it doesn’t pile up
Samantha says
October 14, 2015 at 8:40 pmTake it one room at a time to not overwhelm yourself!
tallcapp says
October 15, 2015 at 12:56 amMy favorite tip is to at least pick up everything before going to bed. You will definitely feel better in the morning if things look neat, even if they still need cleaning.
Carolyn Daley says
October 15, 2015 at 1:45 amDo not let things build up. Make a priority list of things to get done. Always do the dishes right away and take out the trash when necessary to keep the home pleasant.
Amy Deeter says
October 15, 2015 at 3:04 ami do one room at a time and one section of the room so i don’t get to overwhelmed
Karen Drake says
October 15, 2015 at 7:16 amI clean my dishes as I am cooking then wash the dishes after every meal so I don’t ever have a huge mess.
Terry Bellender says
October 15, 2015 at 8:50 amBest tip I ever learned from cleaning a microwave with 1/4 cup vinegar to a full cup water..it CAN be done in the oven as well..use 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups water in an oven safe bowl..set temp to 170-180 for a couple of hours..wipe clean after oven cools down!
Allyson Bossie says
October 15, 2015 at 10:59 amAs far as dishes go, my biggest tip is to rinse immediately, even if you can’t wash until say tomorrow. Removing residue that can dry on like cement is the first step to quick/easy/effective washing later!
Breanne says
October 15, 2015 at 11:14 amClean as you go.
cynthia dawson says
October 15, 2015 at 11:52 amGet your kids/husband to clean up for you!
Amy Happell says
October 15, 2015 at 12:33 pmMy cleaning tip is to try to find cleaning products that serve more than one purpose. Less to store, and saves money.
Betty C says
October 15, 2015 at 12:50 pmMy favorite tip is to clean as you go. Keep the sink filled with hot soapy water and a freshly washed dish cloth or sponge and wipe up spills immediately before they have a chance to dry.
Nichole S says
October 15, 2015 at 12:51 pmmake someone else clean up
Daniel G. says
October 15, 2015 at 1:23 pmClean regularly, don’t put it off
Aaron says
October 15, 2015 at 1:32 pmClean as you go.
Steve Weber says
October 15, 2015 at 1:48 pmMy favorite tip is to clean a little each day!
Laura Bradley says
October 15, 2015 at 2:04 pmI run vinegar through my dishwasher to make it sparkly clean!
Heather Poindexter says
October 15, 2015 at 2:30 pmDo a little at a time!
Sharon says
October 15, 2015 at 4:08 pmI clean as I go by wiping counters when finished and putting dishes in sink to soak, then wash them while my meal or baking finishes in the oven or on the stove top!
Trisha McKee says
October 15, 2015 at 4:48 pmI clean windows with newspapers for no streaks.
Lindsay Hess says
October 15, 2015 at 5:13 pmMy favorite cleaning tip is: Use Mean Green on white Tennishoes and they will stay nice and white!!
Sherry Conrad says
October 15, 2015 at 7:07 pmClean up as you go, and don’t have so much stuff that it doesn’t have a “home” – clutter makes it MUCH harder to keep clean.
laurie murley says
October 15, 2015 at 7:39 pmI use baking soda and vinegar to clean my drains
Virginia Rowell says
October 15, 2015 at 8:23 pmSo many cleaning tips here. I always put my sponges in the dishwasher to keep them disinfected.
Renee Owen says
October 15, 2015 at 8:45 pmfirst tip is to clean when the kids are NOT in the house… I use a little vanilla antibacterial hand soap, on my sponge when cleaning the living room tables (for a nice smell)
liz l says
October 15, 2015 at 9:34 pmUse a bit of lemon (natural) in your cleaning products- makes a difference
Jean D. says
October 15, 2015 at 9:34 pmAs I cook, I clean as I go along. I don’t like the chaos of a messy kitchen as I work there.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Karen Gonyea says
October 15, 2015 at 10:16 pmI like to use vinegar when I clean the kitchen – it leaves no streaks and deodorizes at the same time.
Brian E. says
October 15, 2015 at 10:34 pmWe save orange & lemon peels, freeze them, then use a few small frozen pieces in the garbage disposal (while running it) to keep it smelling fresh.
Laurie Emerson says
October 15, 2015 at 11:04 pmMy favorite tip is to use vinegar and water to clean windows. It works better if you use newspapers to clean them with.
Sarah L says
October 15, 2015 at 11:09 pmMy best cleaning tip: put on loud dance music and dance through chores.
Thanks for the contest.
Robyn Norris says
October 15, 2015 at 11:20 pmI wipe the counter every night before bed.
Janine H says
October 15, 2015 at 11:50 pmI always clear the sink before going to bed
Karen Deva says
October 15, 2015 at 11:55 pmHeat up water in the microwave before you go to wipe down the inside — the steam will make the job easy!