The kitchen is one of the hardest-working rooms in any home and also the one that gets dirty the fastest. Grease splatters, sticky cabinets, mystery crumbs, and stubborn odors can make kitchen cleaning feel overwhelming. After years of cleaning my own kitchen (and learning from plenty of trial and error), I’ve discovered a few house cleaning tips and tricks for the kitchen that truly change the game.
These 7 kitchen cleaning hacks are simple, practical, and surprisingly effective the kind that make you say, “Why didn’t I know this sooner?”
1. Steam-Clean the Microwave in 5 Minutes
Instead of scrubbing dried-on food, fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and a few lemon slices. Heat it for 3–5 minutes, then let it sit with the door closed. The steam loosens all the grime, and everything wipes away effortlessly.
Why it’s mind-blowing: No chemicals, no scrubbing, and your microwave smells fresh instantly.
2. Degrease Cabinets With One Unexpected Step
Kitchen cabinets collect grease you don’t always see. Before wiping them, gently dust the surface first. Removing dry dust prevents you from smearing grease around and helps your cleaner work better.
Why it works: Dust + grease = sticky mess. Separating them makes cleaning faster and cleaner.
3. Clean the Sink After the Dishes—Not Before
Most people clean the sink first, but it gets dirty again while doing dishes. Flip the order: wash dishes first, then clean the sink last.
Why it’s mind-blowing: Your sink stays clean longer and your kitchen instantly looks finished.
4. Use Baking Soda to Deodorize the Trash Can
Even with liners, trash cans absorb odors. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the can or place an open bowl inside overnight.
Why it works: Baking soda neutralizes odors instead of masking them—perfect for food smells.
5. Wipe the Stove While It’s Warm (Not Hot)
The best time to clean the stovetop is right after cooking, once it’s warm but safe to touch. Food residue comes off much easier before it hardens.
Why it’s mind-blowing: One quick wipe saves heavy scrubbing later.
6. Clean As You Cook
While food is simmering or baking, use that time to wipe counters, rinse utensils, or load the dishwasher.
Why it works: You finish cooking with a mostly clean kitchen instead of a disaster zone.
7. Reset the Kitchen Every Night
Before bed, spend just 5 minutes resetting the kitchen—clear counters, wipe surfaces, and straighten items. This habit completely changes how your kitchen feels the next morning.
Why it’s mind-blowing: You wake up to a clean, calm space without extra effort.
Final Thoughts
These house cleaning tips and tricks for the kitchen aren’t about deep cleaning every day—they’re about smarter habits. Small changes in timing and technique can dramatically reduce mess, save time, and make your kitchen easier to manage.
Try just one or two of these hacks, and you’ll quickly see why they’re total game-changers. 🏡✨
