17 Expert-Approved Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Kitchen

Clean From Top to Bottom

Crumbs, baked-on grease, and rust are just some of the aspects of spring cleaning the kitchen that can make it feel like an insurmountable task, and all of those different elements requiring your attention can leave you wondering where to begin.

As you tackle your kitchen, start from the top and work down, says Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox. This is the smartest approach and will prevent you from backtracking.

Clean High Walls and Ceilings

When we say clean from top to bottom, we mean it! Start with your ceilings and high walls.

"You're likely to spot more than paint on the ceiling and wonder how it got there," says Trish Duarte, a cleaning professional with MaidPro. "Were the kids testing how long a spaghetti noodle would stick? Did someone attempt to make a shake in the Vitamix without the lid?"

How it happens is a mystery, but how to clean it isn't. She recommends using a microfiber mop with a long handle for a quick and easy cleanup. Run the mop pad under water and wring out. You may need to do a couple of passes. You can also add a couple of drops of dish soap to water for a sudsy mixture; just make sure to rinse.

Clean the Top of the Range Hood or Fan

Next, move to your oven hood and tile backsplashes, which are a prime area for grease residue. "Even with a powerful exhaust fan, grease will get airborne, so an effective de-greaser is a must," says Gagliardi. Take your time here—it may need a couple of rounds of cleaning to effectively remove grease splatter and buildup.

Clean the Outside of the Dishwasher

Continue by cleaning the outside of the dishwasher. "Clean the sides of the door, especially around the hinges, with [a multi-purpose cleaner]," says Gagliardi. Just make sure the cleaning product you use is compatible with your dishwasher's finish.

Martha recommends cleaning the dishwasher's door panel with a soft, lightly dampened cloth and then drying thoroughly. Stainless steel can be cleaned with a commercial stainless steel spray. To clean the control panel, use a lightly dampened cloth (excessive moisture can damage it) and dry thoroughly.

Clean the Inside of Your Dishwasher

Remove and clean your dishwasher filter if it's removable, advises Melissa Maker, host of the CleanMySpace YouTube channel and founder of Clean My Space. "Replace and then run through a load with a dishwasher cleaning tablet to make cleaning your dishwasher easy," says Maker. The dishwasher should be empty when you do this.

Tackle the Refrigerator

Now you can move onto your refrigerator. "Remove everything, check expiration dates, and wipe everything down, including the shelves and drawers, using an all-purpose cleaner. You can add some baking soda if there are any stains," Maker says. "Rinse well and then neatly replace each item you removed."

Remove Stains in the Microwave

An often-overlooked spot, the microwave should be factored into your spring cleaning routine, too. "Microwave a mug filled with plain water for two minutes, then wipe away loosened food from the interior with a damp paper towel," says Gagliardi. To keep the microwave clean moving forward, consider investing in a microwaving cover that keeps splatter at bay.

Clean Your Oven

When spring cleaning your oven, start by removing the racks, Maker says. Next, you can use a commercial oven cleaning spray to quickly cut through even the most stubborn layers of grease. Follow the on-label instructions for this. Alternatively, you can use a natural DIY oven cleaner. "Make a paste of three parts baking soda, one part water, and one part dish soap," Maker says. "Wipe out the interior of the oven with a damp paper towel to remove any loose debris. Apply the paste to the interior of the oven and let sit for 30 minutes."

Finish by scrubbing with a sponge, then rinsing well with water and drying with a clean microfiber cloth.

Clean Doors and Knobs

The amount of gunk that accumulates on doorknobs and cabinet pulls may alarm you. "Use disinfecting wipes to clean the tops of door frames and kitchen cabinets that have gathered dust," Gagliardi says.

Clean Cabinets, Drawers, and the Pantry

Tackle your cupboards, cabinets, and pantries after you hit your appliances, says Maker. "I'd recommend having a handheld vacuum on hand with a brush attachment," she says, adding that a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner are helpful, too. "To deal with heavy-duty grease buildup, I use an enzyme cleaner."

Go spot by spot: Empty everything out of the cupboards and drawers and wipe down their interiors and exteriors. Clean anything that needs a once-over before neatly putting everything back in its designated spot, Maker says.

Deep Clean Your Trash Can

One of the biggest culprits for a stinky kitchen is the trashcan, and this remains true even if you dutifully take the trash out.

"As one of the most used kitchen items, trashcans can house a lot of germs and odors," says cleaning expert Katie Dills, president of The Cleaning Authority. "While the bag is out, take a half vinegar to water solution and wipe the can down. This will help get rid of any lingering odors from the trash."

Wipe Down Countertops

Next, wipe down your countertops. "Remember that counters are a food-contact surface, so whether you use a bleach and water solution you mix yourself or ready-to-use [product] to clean and disinfect your counters, remember to finish with a clean water rinse," says Gagliardi.

Get Organized

After you're done scrubbing your surfaces, the next step is to get organized, says Jen Rowe, professional organizer and owner of NEAT Method Toronto. "Organizing an entire room can seem daunting and time-consuming. If taking on organizing your whole kitchen is too much, it's OK to start small with a drawer or cabinet and work your way through the room as time permits," she says.

Consider using a five-step process, like the NEAT Method, which includes: taking everything out of the space, categorizing items and editing out duplicates or worn items as necessary, space planning, purchasing and implementing the necessary organizing products, and labeling everything so it's easy to find what you're looking for.

Store Frequently-Used Items Nearby

As you put items back, keep accessibility at the front of your mind. It helps to have your most frequently used pieces handy.

"If one's morning routine includes coffee, we'd want to position all the items that are being used to prepare the coffee—the mugs, coffee maker, coffee—in the same general area of the kitchen, so they're not having to wander all about the space to complete the task," Rowe says.

Don't Forget the Baseboards and Floors

For the final act, look low and tackle your floors and baseboards. Pay special attention to messy zones, like behind the trash can or pet feeding areas.

"My kids are grown and no longer playing hoop with their leftovers, but the wall behind my trash can is still vulnerable to buildup from drips and debris," says Duarte. "Mix a few drops of dish soap and two cups of warm water in a spray bottle. It's important to use a soft cloth like microfiber and avoid abrasive sponges as they can scratch and cause damage to the paint."

Set Yourself Up for Year-Round Success

Lastly, consider doing an end-of-day, 10-minute tidy. This might involve implementing the one-touch rule, "which means you're only handling something once before it's back where it belongs," Rowe says. "Another tried-and-true rule is the one-in, one-out rule, which means you're only bringing a new item into your home if you're prepared to part ways with an equal number."

Establish a Regular Cleaning Routine

While it can feel mundane, regular cleaning routinely makes spring cleaning your kitchen that much easier. "Cleaning will go more quickly when dirt and dust aren't allowed to build up over time," says Gagliardi. "And you can assess what may only need attention every two months and what needs attention more frequently than once a month since people's kitchens and lifestyles are unique."