How to Clean Your Kitchen in 8 Steps

You know that feeling you get when your house is super clean, all the laundry is done and you’ve put away all the clutter? It’s amazing right? Today I want to share with you how to finally, really, and easily get a super clean kitchen except you don’t have to spend all day scrubbing and it is with all natural cleaners. PLUS I have a free kitchen cleaning checklist below this post for you to use, reuse and love!

I’m joining 26 of my blog friends to bring you 6 days of organizing tips, ideas and inspiration. We’ve got ideas for the kitchen, pantry, teen room, laundry room and more to help you finally get your ship into shape and enjoy the spaces you live in.

I’m sharing 8 steps for how to really clean your kitchen. Ahh, the kitchen. The work horse of the home right?

I’m in the kitchen 80% of the day, I’m sure of it. My kids play, crawl, lay, and do all kinds of things all over the floor so it needs to be washed often and without chemicals.

Which is why it feels so good to give it a deep clean every once in a while. Monthly, weekly if that’s your thing, whatever works for you.

I scanned the room and thought of everything I could to come up with the most-simple, NATURAL, get-things-shiny to do list for cleaning the kitchen and here it is. And there’s a free printable at the end of this post for you too! So grab that and start your year off right with a squeaky clean gathering spot. After all, everyone always hangs out in the kitchen right?

This post contains affiliate links.

Supplies to Clean Your Kitchen

DIY natural cleaner (see below for the how to)
Lemons
Vinegar
Mason jar
Spray bottle
Sponges – These are biodegradable, which I love
Rags
Broom
Steam Mop – This is the exact steam mop we use.

DIY Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Here is a simple and easy way to make your very own all-natural cleaner. Although this has to sit for a while, you can use whatever you have in stock until it’s ready. It can be used on just about every surface of your home (test them out first), and costs just pennies to make.

Supplies for All Natural Cleaner

Mason jar with lid
Rind from lemons, oranges or grapefruits. You can use one or all combined.
2 cups of vinegar
Spray bottle

How to Make All Natural Cleaner

Cut the rind off the fruit and put it into a mason jar. You can use however much you want, but a cup is a good amount to use. Cover the rinds with 2 cups of white distilled vinegar and let this sit, covered in a dark, cool place for a month. Shake up the bottle every week to mix it. At the end of the month, strain out the rinds and transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.

How to Really Clean Your Kitchen in 8 Steps

Let’s get started. Here are the easiest ways to get your kitchen clean naturally. Eight steps might seem like a lot, but you can actually do several of these at the same time (or while you’re sleeping). Grab your supplies and get cleaning, you’ll love your kitchen even more after.

1. Wash and Put Away Dishes
This will free up counter space and clutter. Load up that dishwasher and run it when it’s full. Putting away all the clean and dry dishes in your kitchen will give you a nice fresh slate. When you come across things you no longer use, donate them!

2. Clean Up Clutter
Move any remaining items to their respective homes such as other rooms in the house, recycling, or donations. If you don’t want to take the time to do that now, put the items aside and put them away when you go to that particular place in the house.

3. Clean the Oven
Using you oven’s owner’s manual for instructions, set the self clean cycle on your oven. You can also clean the top and inside of the glass door this way. All it takes is baking soda and water, but none of the scrubbing. While the oven is working, move along to step 4.

4. Clean the Refrigerator
Throw away expired food, recycle any containers and remove all of the contents from the fridge. Spray cleaner on shelves and wipe off with a wet sponge. Wash drawers with warm water. Polish the outside and put back the food. BONUS: Make a shopping list while you’re at it.

5. Steam the Microwave
Microwave a bowl of water and 1/2 a lemon for about 5 minutes, until it boils. Let it sit in the microwave without opening the door for another 5 minutes, then wipe away any dirt inside with a wet sponge. Clean off the outside with a cleaner. Again, while this is working, you an get started with the dishwasher (or counters if the dishwasher is working).

6. Sanitize the Dishwasher
Put a bowl of vinegar on the top rack of an empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle. Remove any residue or food remains from the bottom. If your dishwasher is still cleaning a previous load, move to step 7 and come back to this. This is also a step that can be done overnight or on the delay setting on the washer.

7. Wipe Countertops and Sink
Using the natural cleaner you made (or your favorite cleaner), spray and wipe down the countertops. Cabinet doors and drawers can also be cleaned with this mixed with water. Test a small area first depending on the finish you have. Spray the sink and wipe out with a wet sponge. BONUS: You can sanitize the sponge by microwaving it for a few minutes too.

8. Sweep and Wash the Floor
Move out all furniture an give the room a sweep. Vacuum or sweep up the dirt and get washing. Floors can be cleaned with a steam cleaner or with your favorite water and cleaner method.

That’s it!

I’m going to time this process when I do it next, then I’ll report back on how quickly it can be done. Now congratulate yourself on having a naturally clean kitchen in no time.