Kitchen

Cleaning your kitchen is easier and more effective when you follow the correct order. This guide shows you the best way to clean your kitchen step by step.

Why Cleaning Order Matters in the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most frequently used (and most contaminated) spaces in any home. Food residue, grease, bacteria, and hard water stains can quickly build up—especially on kitchen sinks, countertops, and appliances.

Cleaning in the wrong order often means:

• Spreading bacteria from dirty areas to clean ones

• Re-cleaning surfaces multiple times

• Missing hidden grease or mineral buildup

By following a logical kitchen cleaning sequence, you’ll achieve better results with less effort.

Step 1: Start From the Top (Ceilings, Lights, Cabinets)

Always clean top to bottom.

Begin with:

• Ceiling corners (remove dust or cobwebs)

• Light fixtures

• Upper cabinets and shelves

Dust and debris naturally fall downward, so starting high prevents dirt from landing on freshly cleaned surfaces.

Pro tip: Use a microfiber cloth or a vacuum attachment to trap dust instead of spreading it.

Step 2: Clean Appliances Before Countertops

Next, move on to your major kitchen appliances:

• Refrigerator (exterior first)

• Microwave

• Oven and stovetop

• Dishwasher exterior

Appliances often collect grease, fingerprints, and food splatter. Cleaning them before countertops prevents grease from smearing onto clean surfaces later.

Step 3: Wipe Down Countertops and Backsplashes

Now it’s time for kitchen countertops and backsplashes.

Use a cleaner appropriate for your surface:

• Granite or quartz countertops: pH-neutral cleaner

• Laminate or solid surface: mild dish soap and warm water

Pay special attention to corners and seams where crumbs and bacteria tend to collect.

Step 4: Clean the Kitchen Sink (One of the Most Important Steps)

Your kitchen sink is one of the dirtiest spots in the entire home—often dirtier than a toilet.

Proper sink cleaning includes:

• Scrubbing the basin

• Cleaning the drain area

• Removing hard water stains and mineral buildup

• Drying the sink to prevent water spots

For stainless steel sinks, wiping dry after cleaning helps prevent limescale and cloudiness, especially in hard water areas common across the U.S.

Step 5: Finish With the Floors

Floors should always be cleaned last.

Sweep or vacuum first to remove crumbs and debris, then mop with a suitable floor cleaner. This ensures all dirt from higher surfaces ends up where it belongs—on the floor, not on your counters.

Bonus Tips for a More Efficient Kitchen Cleaning Routine

• Clean daily messes immediately to avoid buildup

• Use microfiber cloths to reduce streaks

• Dry sinks and faucets after use to prevent water spots

• Deep clean once a week for best hygiene

Final Thoughts: A Cleaner Kitchen Starts With the Right Order

Knowing the correct order to clean your kitchen isn’t about perfection—it’s about efficiency, hygiene, and protecting your kitchen surfaces long-term.

By following a top-to-bottom, appliance-to-sink approach, you’ll spend less time cleaning and enjoy a healthier, better-looking kitchen every day.