Keeping a Kitchen Clean

Keeping a Kitchen Clean

1. Never go to bed with a dirty kitchen. Even if you can't get to the dishes right after a meal, make sure the kitchen is clean before bedtime to prevent an unmanageable mess.
2. 
   Clean out your sink. After dinner each night, wash the dirty dishes that have accumulated through the day. If you have a dishwasher, load the dishes in for cleaning. If you don't, set them in a rack to dry once hand cleaned. When the sink is clear, wipe it down with soap and a dish towel to sanitize and clean it. Rinse with water. This step should take only a few minutes to complete.
3. 
   Spray a kitchen cleaner on the stove top, tabletops, and counters. Then wipe down with a clean paper or cloth towel. Be sure to clean any spots or stuck-on food as you go. It should only take a minute's worth of work.
4. 

   Inspect the kitchen floor for any spots or spills, and use the same cloth you used on the counter to wipe them up. You don't need to use spray cleaner unless the spots are really stuck on. Aim to spend 30 seconds to 1 minute on this task.
5. 
   Sweep the floor with a broom quickly if necessary. If there are food particles or visible dirt, you need to get rid of it before it builds up later. Spend 1 to 2 minutes on this job.
6. Set rules in your house to require everyone to pitch in. If someone goes in to get a snack, make it clear that it's their responsibility to clean up immediately after they make the mess.