The kitchen might be where the magic happens, but it’s also where crumbs, grease, and yesterday’s leftovers like to hang out. Between boiling pasta and brewing your morning coffee, your countertops, appliances, and sink go through a lot and it shows. A tidy kitchen isn’t just easier on the eyes; it’s better for your health. Food prep in a grimy space? That’s a recipe for food borne illnesses and funky smells.
Keeping things clean doesn’t have to mean scrubbing until you’re sore. A little consistency goes a long way in preventing built up grime, grease, and those mysterious sticky spots.
This guide breaks down what to clean daily, what can wait until the weekend, and what to tackle on a deeper level every month.
Stick around — your kitchen is about to become your favorite room again.
Essential Cleaning Supplies to Keep on Hand
A clean kitchen starts with the right tools. Before you tackle your kitchen cleaning checklist, make sure you’re stocked with supplies that make each task faster and more effective.
The good news? You don’t need a shelf full of harsh chemicals to get the job done.
Natural staples like baking soda and white vinegar work wonders on built up grime, grease, and even lingering odors in your sink or microwave. Dish soap mixed with warm water can replace more aggressive solutions when you’re trying to remove grease from countertops or wipe down appliances without damaging finishes.
To stay organized, keep all your go-to items in a dedicated kitchen caddy. That way, when it’s time to clean, you won’t waste minutes hunting for the drain cleaner or a clean cloth.
Here’s a simple starter list:
- Microfiber cloths and sponges
- Dish soap and degreaser spray
- Baking soda and white vinegar (DIY cleaning powerhouses)
- Disinfectant wipes or sprays
- All-purpose cleaner (food-safe)
- Mop, bucket, broom, and dustpan
- Trash bags, gloves, paper towels
Daily Kitchen Cleaning Tasks
Think of your daily kitchen cleaning checklist as a reset button. These small tasks don’t take much time, but they go a long way in keeping grease, crumbs, and odors from piling up. If you stay consistent, you’ll never have to face an overwhelming mess at the end of the week.
Spend just 15 to 20 minutes each evening to wipe, wash, and tidy up. It’s about maintaining—not deep cleaning—so your kitchen stays ready for whatever you’re cooking up next.
Here’s what to focus on daily:
- Spray and wipe down countertops and vent hood
- Wipe spills and any appliances and door handles
- Sweep the floor
- Scrub the sink with disinfecting cleaner
- Load and unload dishwasher
- Take care of any dishes that need hand washing
- Tidy up and remove any clutter
- Take out the trash and recycling as needed
- Replace cleaning rag or dish towel
Use a food-safe cleaner or soapy water for surfaces where food is prepped, and always sanitize trash bins regularly to avoid bacteria buildup.
Weekly Kitchen Cleaning Tasks
Even if your kitchen looks clean at first glance, certain spots collect dust, grease, and bacteria over time. That’s where your weekly kitchen cleaning checklist comes in. These tasks dig a little deeper, targeting the hidden buildup and less obvious messes that sneak past your daily routine.
Instead of saving it all for one day, break these into two or three quick routines throughout the week. You’ll avoid burnout and still stay ahead of messes.
Here’s your weekly kitchen cleaning checklist:
- Mop floors with a disinfecting solution
- Wipe down backsplash and stove hood
- Clean inside the microwave and wipe the exterior of appliances
- Sanitize cabinet handles, fridge handles, and light switches
- Empty and disinfect trash bins
- Disinfect the sink and faucet, including faucet handles
- Wipe down the refrigerator interior and remove expired items
- Clean appliances like the coffee maker and toaster
- Wipe down cabinet doors and drawer dividers
- Throw away or sanitize used sponges
- Run the self-cleaning cycle on the oven
- Replenish essential cleaning supplies
Use white vinegar or a baking soda paste to safely remove grease from cabinet doors and the microwave interior without harsh chemicals.
Monthly or Deep Kitchen Cleaning Tasks
Monthly tasks give your kitchen that fresh start it didn’t know it needed. These aren’t your quick touch-ups; they’re the deep cleaning jobs that reset your space and keep everything running smoothly.
When done consistently, these tasks prevent long-term build up and extend the life of your appliances and surfaces.
Make it easier on yourself by tackling one or two deep cleaning jobs each weekend—or tie them into your seasonal refresh. You’ll thank yourself the next time you open a sparkling clean fridge or glide open clutter-free drawers.
Here’s your ultimate kitchen cleaning checklist for the month:
- Clean the inside of the refrigerator and freezer (remove contents first)
- Take inventory of pantry and freezer; toss expired items
- Deep clean the oven with a degreaser or use the self-clean setting
- Clean under appliances like the fridge, oven, and dishwasher
- Sanitize and organize cabinets and drawers, including cabinet doors
- Clean any tile grout around the sink using a baking soda paste and warm water
- Wash or replace dish cloths, sponges, and mop heads
- Clean the dishwasher, especially the filter
- Dust ceiling corners, air vents, and tops of appliances
- Launder kitchen rugs or mats
- Wash windows and clean window tracks
- Disinfect the garbage can and deodorize with white vinegar or baking soda
Set reminders to replace filters in your range hood or fridge as part of your monthly tasks. A clean filter improves air quality and appliance performance.
Quick Kitchen Decluttering Tips
A clean kitchen isn’t just about scrubbing and wiping—it’s also about what you choose to keep out of sight.
Clutter can make even a spotless kitchen feel messy, so a few intentional habits can make all the difference. By regularly evaluating what you actually use and need, you’ll free up space and make your kitchen more enjoyable to use every day.
Here are some quick ways to keep clutter under control:
- Store small appliances off the counters unless used daily
- Keep only essential tools in your most accessible drawers
- Create a donation box for gadgets you rarely use or have duplicates of
- Use labeled bins in the pantry and under the sink to group like items
- Apply the “5-Second Rule”: If you can’t immediately find a place for something, reconsider if it belongs
- Don’t forget the space under the sink—it’s often full of expired products or stray items
- Identify duplicates (like measuring spoons or spatulas) and keep only the ones in best condition
Block out 15 minutes every week for a quick declutter session. It’s faster than you think and makes your weekly kitchen cleaning checklist a breeze.
Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
Unlike home kitchens, commercial spaces demand a higher level of hygiene and the stakes are much greater. From preventing food borne illnesses to meeting local health department standards, cleaning isn’t just about appearance, it’s about safety, compliance, and efficiency.
Whether you’re managing a restaurant, school cafeteria, or event venue, keeping your kitchen clean is essential for staff health, customer satisfaction, and smooth daily operations.
Here’s a structured cleaning checklist to keep your commercial kitchen in top shape—starting with daily tasks that help you stay ahead of mess and bacteria.
Daily Tasks
Daily cleaning in a commercial kitchen helps prevent buildup, maintain food safety, and reduce the risk of contamination. With multiple hands in the kitchen and heavy use of equipment, it’s essential to end each day with a solid reset that leaves every station sanitized and every surface ready for the next shift.
Here’s your daily cleaning checklist:
- Disinfect all food prep surfaces, countertops, and cutting boards using surface-safe sanitizing chemicals
- Clean and sanitize sinks, faucets, and drain traps to prevent odors and bacteria
- Empty trash and recycling bins, clean them out, and replace liners
- Sweep and mop the entire floor using a commercial-grade degreaser
- Wipe down walls where food or grease has splashed during cooking
- Clean all appliance surfaces, including grills, ovens, fryers, flattops, griddles, and mixers
- Make sure to get underneath heavy cooking equipment to remove grease and food debris
- Change foil linings on grills, flattops, and ranges to prevent buildup
- Sanitize small equipment such as coffee makers, microwaves, toasters, and meat slicers
- Clean beverage dispenser heads and soda gun tips to prevent mold or bacteria buildup
- Wash all utensils, smallwares, flatware, and glassware; allow to air dry overnight
- Launder towels, rags, aprons, and uniforms in hot water
- Restock all stations with hand soap, sanitizer, and paper towels
- Sweep walk-in refrigerators, dry storage areas, and under shelving
- Clean and disinfect the waste disposal area, including trash can exteriors
- Sweep and mop the floors using kitchen-specific floor care products for safety and cleanliness
Designate a closing checklist for your staff to make sure every cleaning task is completed before the shift ends—it promotes accountability and keeps the space consistently safe.
Weekly Tasks
While daily cleaning keeps things running smoothly, weekly tasks in a commercial kitchen go a level deeper. These jobs help prevent fire hazards, cross-contamination, pest issues, and system failures that can quickly escalate in a high-volume environment.
It’s all about maintaining the infrastructure behind the scenes and staying ahead of grease and grime before they become real problems.
Here’s what to tackle each week:
- Clean grease traps and inspect for clogs to prevent backups and foul odors. Regular cleaning also reduces the risk of grease fires.
- Wash exhaust hood filters thoroughly to remove grease buildup. Clogged filters reduce ventilation and are a common fire hazard.
- Deep clean all floors, especially under appliances and along the edges where debris and grease settle unnoticed.
- Sanitize walls, backsplashes, and cooler handles with a disinfectant to remove splashes, fingerprints, and food particles.
- Inspect and wipe down storage shelves and racks, including those in dry and refrigerated areas. Use warm soapy water or food-safe disinfectants.
- Clean ovens inside and out, including doors, racks, and interior walls, to avoid burnt residue and smoke during cooking.
- Remove built-up lime or scale from faucets and sinks using white vinegar or a commercial lime remover.
- Boil out the deep fryer to remove built up grime and extend the life of the oil. Always follow manufacturer instructions.
- Wash and sanitize the walk-in refrigerator and freezer, including shelves, walls, and door seals. Remove expired items while you’re at it.
- Clean anti-fatigue mats by scrubbing both sides with warm water and disinfectant, then letting them dry fully.
- Pour drain cleaner into floor drains to prevent clogs and eliminate odors caused by food or grease buildup.
Assign teams or rotate responsibilities so that no single person bears the entire deep cleaning load—shared effort leads to cleaner kitchens and better morale.
Monthly or Deep-Cleaning Tasks
Monthly deep cleaning in a commercial kitchen isn’t just about presentation—it’s a crucial line of defense against fire hazards, pest infestations, and equipment failure.
These tasks target areas that quietly collect grease, grime, and bacteria but aren’t part of your daily or weekly cleaning flow. Staying consistent keeps your kitchen compliant and your staff and customers safe.
Here’s what to include in your monthly or deep cleaning checklist:
- Perform full degreasing of kitchen hoods and ductwork to prevent dangerous grease accumulation and ensure proper ventilation. This is a top priority for fire safety compliance.
- Empty and clean all refrigerator and freezer interiors, removing food, shelves, and bins before wiping every surface with food-safe disinfectant.
- Descale the dishwasher and sanitize the entire dishwashing station, including the sprayer arm and drain. Mineral buildup can reduce effectiveness over time.
- Schedule a pest control inspection and replace any pest traps. Preventative pest management keeps infestations from taking hold unnoticed.
- Clean behind large equipment like ovens, grills, and fryers, where grease, food debris, and dust collect and can pose safety hazards.
- Wash behind the hot line regularly to prevent clogs and catch any food waste that might have slipped through during prep.
- Run specialty cleaning solutions through espresso and coffee machines to clear out internal buildup that affects flavor and equipment lifespan.
- Clean and sanitize the ice machine, especially its interior components, to prevent mold and bacteria from contaminating your ice supply.
- Remove dust from refrigerator coils using a coil brush or vacuum to improve energy efficiency and extend appliance life.
- Empty and thoroughly wash grease traps to prevent foul smells and blockages. Grease buildup here can easily overflow if neglected.
- Wash the kitchen’s walls and ceiling to remove splattered grease and steam residue that builds up over time.
- Wash vent hoods thoroughly at least every few months to maintain airflow and reduce fire risk.
To ensure your kitchen stays inspection-ready, review Atlanta’s commercial kitchen cleaning and safety requirements regularly. Staying ahead of code is easier than scrambling last minute.
Reach Out to Atlanta Maids for Your Kitchen Cleaning Needs
A spotless kitchen doesn’t require perfection — just a little consistency and a solid plan. Following a structured cleaning checklist helps stop grease in its tracks, keeps odors at bay, and makes sure that your countertops, drawers, and appliances don’t turn into forgotten mess zones. Even the most careful home cooks drop crumbs, spill sauces, or miss the splatter behind the stove.
That’s where Atlanta Maids steps in. Whether you’re due for a full kitchen reset or just need help staying on top of the weekly mess, our team is ready to tackle the buildup you’d rather not deal with. We clean every corner from the cabinets and sink to under the fridge and beyond.
Ready to love your kitchen again?
Call Atlanta Maids at (404) 905-5141 or book your cleaning service online today.
We’ll bring the sparkle — you just enjoy the view.