The Best Spring Cleaning Checklist For The Kitchen, According To The Pros

Spring cleaning is a timeless practice with roots in many world cultures. When brighter days roll around, we may have more energy to get the dust and grime out of rarely-checked corners and crevices. Give your kitchen some love during this time of rejuvenation, since it's home to a few sneaky spots where bacteria can build up over time. Although deep cleaning your kitchen is a big project, putting everything on a list can make it less overwhelming, and we've turned to some experts to give you the most important to-do items. Investigative chemist Alexis Rochester, founder of Chemistry Cachet, and Scott Benson, director of operations and interim brand lead at The Cleaning Authority, both spoke exclusively with House Digest.

Preparing for the big spring clean involves having the right supplies and tools on hand, and the good news is both experts said this doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Rochester recommends using household staples. "Vinegar, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide are cleaning ingredients I always have on hand," she said. "You can make DIY cleaners for various surfaces with a few ingredients."

Benson told us the right tools are key, but they're not complicated or hard to find. "We recommend microfiber cloths for scratch-free cleaning that traps the dust and grime, scrub brushes for tight and stubborn areas, a reusable mop with washable pads, and a vacuum with a HEPA filter — so that you don't just remove the dirt but remove the allergens too," he said.

Putting a good list together in springtime lets you get a handle on any areas of concern in your kitchen before summer, the season when your kitchen needs extra cleaning. Experts who spoke exclusively with House Digest said kitchen appliances, your sink, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, baseboards, and floor should be on the checklist. And Rochester reminds us, "Your kitchen drain needs to be cleaned too! Drain odors come from bacteria feeding on tiny food particles stuck inside the drain pipe. As they break that material down, they release unpleasant odor compounds."

First, take a breath — and some time to think through which steps should go before others. Before you get to the scouring, it makes sense to ditch expired food items that are getting in the way of fridge and pantry surfaces, for example. "The key to an effective spring kitchen clean is the order you do it in." Benson explained. "Start by preparing the space and decluttering, then work through appliances, surfaces, and storage areas systemically. Once all areas have been addressed, finish with your floors." 

And to set yourself up for success, follow Rochester's lead and take your time. "Don't try to do everything at once!" she said. "Do one of the spring cleaning tasks each day. It is easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to cleaning, so keeping a regular daily schedule is important."

Spring cleaning goes above and beyond your regular weekly cleaning habits for the kitchen because it includes areas that usually don't get a lot of attention throughout the year. Some of them are closer than you think, according to Benson. "The spots most people miss are usually the ones right in front of them — cabinet interiors, behind and underneath appliances such as refrigerators and ovens, and high-touch surfaces like light switches, door knobs, and garbage cans," he said. "Left unattended, these areas start to harbor bacteria and odors."

Appliances also need a thorough treatment, Rochester explained exclusively to House Digest, including one that's used to clean other items. "Many people overlook the dishwasher," she said. "The filter needs to be removed and cleaned periodically. It will hold onto biofilm and residue which can make your dishes not get as clean. It is also a good idea to run a dishwasher cleaning product through your system every few months to make sure everything is clean and running properly." Dishwasher cleaner really works; popular brands contain citric acid, which helps eliminate hard water stains and other buildup. Finally, there's one more spot to cleanse if you're a coffee lover. "Another overlooked spot is coffee pots which can harbor bacteria," said Rochester. "I try to clean mine once a month to make sure it is running efficiently and safely."