How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro

Knowing how to clean a kitchen properly matters more than most people realize — it’s the germiest room in the home, ahead of the bathroom, according to the NSF. The good news: with the right order and a few pro habits, a spotless, sanitized kitchen is faster than you’d think. Here’s how to do it right.

We’ve cleaned countless kitchens across the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire over 16+ years. For the whole-home routine this fits into, see our house cleaning checklist.

How to clean a kitchen, step by step

To clean a kitchen efficiently, work top to bottom and save the sink for last, since it collects grime from every other task. Clear the counters, tackle the appliances, wipe surfaces, disinfect, then finish with the floor. The order is what keeps you from cleaning the same spot twice.

Step 1: Clear and load the dishwasher

Start by clearing dishes and clutter off every surface. Load or run the dishwasher, or wash dishes, so your sink is empty for later. You can’t clean counters buried under mess.

Step 2: Tackle appliances and the stovetop

Degrease the stovetop and range hood, wipe the microwave inside and out, and clean the front of the oven, fridge, and dishwasher. Grease loves to hide on cabinet fronts near the stove, so hit those too.

Step 3: Wipe counters and backsplash

Clear counters completely and wipe them down, along with the backsplash. Work from the cleanest area toward the sink, pushing crumbs and grime in one direction rather than spreading them around.

Step 4: Disinfect the sink — and the sponge

Save the sink for last and disinfect it fully, including the drain and faucet. The kitchen sink often holds more bacteria than a flushed toilet. And replace or sanitize your sponge — it’s the single germiest item in the house, so wiping with a dirty one just spreads bacteria.

Step 5: Sweep and mop the floor

Finish with the floor, sweeping or vacuuming first, then mopping. Get under the toe kicks and, during a deeper clean, pull out the stove and fridge to reach underneath.

Frequently asked questions

What order should you clean a kitchen in?

Clear and load dishes first, then clean appliances and the stovetop, wipe counters and the backsplash, disinfect the sink last, and finish with the floor. Working top to bottom and saving the sink for last keeps you from spreading grime onto clean surfaces.

How do you deep clean a kitchen?

A deep kitchen clean adds the inside of the oven, fridge, and cabinets, plus degreasing the range hood filter and cleaning behind and under appliances. Do it every few months on top of your weekly wipe-downs to keep grease and grime from building up.

Why is the kitchen the germiest room?

The kitchen handles raw food, moisture, and constant use, so bacteria thrive there — especially on the sponge and in the sink, which the NSF found often carries more fecal bacteria than a flushed toilet. Regular disinfecting and swapping the sponge keep it in check.

The bottom line

Learning how to clean a kitchen like a pro comes down to order and detail: clear the clutter, tackle appliances, wipe surfaces, disinfect the sink and sponge, and finish with the floor. Do it right and your busiest, germiest room stays genuinely clean.

Rather hand it off? Lucy’s Cleaning Home makes kitchens shine. Request a free quote and skip the scrubbing.