Purpose and Scope: This checklist aims to help you deep clean your kitchen monthly. This checklist covers the tasks that you should do every month to clean, sanitize, maintain, and organize your kitchen equipment, appliances, food items, and surfaces. Following this checklist can prevent equipment problems, improve appliance performance, extend food freshness, and enhance kitchen appearance and comfort. This checklist does not cover the tasks that you should do daily or weekly to clean your kitchen.
1
Identify Defective Items or Kitchen Equipment That Needs Maintenance
Inspect the items or equipment in the kitchen, such as appliances, faucets, cabinets, drawers, etc., and look for any signs of damage, wear, or malfunction. List the items or equipment that must be repaired or replaced, and contact a professional service if needed.
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2
Clean Kitchen Cabinets Inside and Out
Empty the kitchen cabinets and drawers and sort the items inside. Discard any items that are expired, broken, or unwanted. Thoroughly clean the insides of the cabinet and drawers using a damp cloth or sponge, along with a gentle cleaning solution or baking soda. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the cabinet and drawer interiors with a soft cloth. Wipe down the cabinet and drawer exteriors with a damp cloth or sponge and a wood cleaner or mild soap. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the cabinet and drawer exteriors with a soft cloth. Put back the items in the cabinets and drawers and organize them neatly.
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3
Update Pantry Inventory and Organize Pantry
Empty the pantry and check the expiration dates of the food items. Discard any items that are expired, spoiled, stale, or unwanted. Thoroughly clean the insides of the cabinet and drawers using a damp cloth or sponge and a gentle cleaner or baking soda solution. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the pantry shelves and bins with a towel. Put back the food items in the pantry and organize them by categories such as grains, canned goods, spices, etc. List your food items and what you need to buy or replenish.
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4
Update Freezer Inventory
Empty the freezer and check the expiration dates of the frozen food items. Discard any items that are expired, freezer burned, discolored or unwanted. Carefully clean the shelves and drawers of the freezer by utilizing a moistened cloth or sponge with a gentle cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the freezer shelves and drawers with a towel. Put the frozen food items back in the freezer and organize them by categories such as meat, vegetables, desserts, etc. List your frozen food items and what you need to buy or replenish.
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5
Clean Ovens
Remove the racks, pans, or trays from the oven and submerge them in hot water containing dish soap or baking soda. Let them soak for approximately 15 minutes, enabling the solution to loosen any grease or dirt that has accumulated effectively. Scrub them diligently using a brush or sponge to eliminate residual grease or dirt. Rinse them well under running water and let them dry completely before putting them back in place. Use an oven cleaner spray or a baking soda paste to coat the oven interior and let it sit for about 20 minutes to dissolve grease or grime. Wipe off the oven interior with a damp cloth or sponge and rinse it well with water. Dry the oven interior with a towel. Wipe down the oven exterior with a cloth, an all-purpose cleaner, or a cleaner suitable for the oven material. Dry the oven exterior with a towel.
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6
Clean Refrigerator Coils and Vents
Disconnect the refrigerator from the power source and, if feasible, carefully move it away from the wall. Utilize a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush attachment to vacuum the refrigerator coils and vents at the back or bottom of the refrigerator to remove any dust, dirt, or lint. Take a cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to thoroughly wipe down the refrigerator coils and vents, eliminating grease or grime. Dry them with a towel. Plug the refrigerator back to the power source and push it back to its place if needed.
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7
Descale Faucets
Create a vinegar solution by filling a plastic bag with white vinegar and securely tying it around the faucet, allowing for complete submersion of the fixture in vinegar. Let it soak for about an hour to dissolve mineral deposits or scale buildup. Remove the bag and rinse off the faucet with water. Use a toothbrush or a small brush to scrub away any remaining deposits or scale from the faucet. Wipe it dry with a towel.
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8
Wash Windows
Use a microfiber cloth or a squeegee and a glass cleaner spray to clean both sides of the windows and remove any dust, dirt, fingerprints, or streaks. To ensure thorough cleaning, gently eliminate any remaining cleaner residue by carefully wiping it off using a dry cloth or paper towel.
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9
Empty Out the Freezer and Defrost if Necessary
Remove any food items from the freezer and store them in a cooler or another freezer if possible. Unplug the freezer from the power source and open the freezer door. Place some towels or newspapers under the freezer to catch water or ice. Let the ice melt naturally, or use a hairdryer or a fan to speed up the process. Please do not use sharp tools to scrape off the ice, as they may damage the freezer. Wipe down the freezer interior with a damp cloth or sponge and a mild cleaner or baking soda. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the freezer interior with a towel. Plug the freezer back in to the power source and put back the food items in the freezer.
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10
Wipe Down the Refrigerator's Interior and Exterior
Remove any food items from the refrigerator shelves and drawers. Use a cloth or sponge and a mild soap or baking soda solution to wipe down the shelves and drawers and remove any spills, stains, or odors. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the shelves and drawers with a towel and return the food items. Use a cloth and an all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner suitable for the refrigerator material to wipe down the refrigerator exterior, such as the door, handle, dispenser, etc. Dry the refrigerator exterior with a towel.
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11
Clean Out the Pantry and Discard Expired Items
Empty the pantry and check the expiration dates of the food items. Discard any items that are expired, spoiled, stale, or unwanted. Thoroughly clean the insides of the cabinet and drawers using a damp cloth or sponge and a gentle cleaner or baking soda solution. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the pantry shelves and bins with a towel. Put back the food items in the pantry and organize them by categories, such as grains, canned goods, spices, etc.
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12
Wash the Walls and Baseboards
Use a feather duster, microfiber cloth, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to meticulously and thoroughly remove dust, cobwebs, and dirt particles from the walls and baseboards, ensuring a pristine cleaning result. Clean the walls and baseboards carefully with a wet cloth or sponge and a gentle soap or vinegar mixture. This will effectively remove dirt or stains while ensuring a clean and fresh appearance. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the walls and baseboards with a towel or let them air dry.
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13
Polish Wood Cabinets
Use a soft cloth and a wood polish or oil to polish the wood cabinets and make them shine. For optimal outcomes, carefully follow the instructions provided on the product label. This will help you achieve the best results while using the product. Buff the cabinets with another cloth to remove any excess polish or oil.
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14
Clean the Dishwasher Filter and Interior
Remove any dishes from the dishwasher and put them away. Take out the dishwasher filter located at the bottom and cleanse it using a stream of water to eliminate any remnants of food or other unwanted substances. Use a toothbrush or a small brush to remove stubborn dirt from the filter. Put the filter back in place. Pour white vinegar into a cup suitable for use in the dishwasher, and position it on the upper rack of the machine. Run a normal cycle with hot water without any detergent. This will help to clean and deodorize the dishwasher interior. Distribute a layer of baking soda on the dishwasher's floor, then initiate another cycle with hot water to enhance its sanitization. Wipe down any remaining moisture from the dishwasher interior with a towel.
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15
Clean the Garbage Disposal and Drain
Pour some baking soda into the sink drain and dispose of it, followed by white vinegar. Let it fizz for about ten minutes to loosen any clogs or debris. Then pour some boiling water into the drain and disposal to flush them out. Turn on the disposal for a few seconds to clear any remaining bits. To deodorize the disposal, toss some lemon peels and run it for a few seconds with the cold water running.
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16
Clean the Range Hood and Vent
Utilize a cloth or sponge with an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser to thoroughly cleanse the exterior of the range hood, effectively eliminating any traces of grease, dust, or grime. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the range hood with a towel. Remove the range hood filter and soak it in hot water with dish soap or baking soda for about 15 minutes to loosen any grease or dirt. Employ a brush or sponge to scrub the filter, eliminating lingering grease or dirt particles. Rinse the filter well under running water and let it dry completely before putting it back in place.
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17
Dust the Ceiling Corners and Light Fixtures
Use a feather duster, a microfiber cloth, or a vacuum cleaner utilizing a brush attachment to dust the ceiling corners and light fixtures and remove any cobwebs, dust, or dirt. Be careful not to damage the light bulbs or fixtures. Wipe down the light fixtures with a damp cloth and dry them with a towel.
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18
Wash Curtains or Blinds
Take down the curtains or blinds from the windows and refer to the care label for specific washing instructions. You can either machine or hand wash them with mild soap and water. If permitted, hang the curtains or blinds to air dry or use a low heat setting if tumble drying is recommended. Put them back on the windows when they are dry.
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19
Wipe Down Walls or Baseboards
To effectively remove accumulated cobwebs, dust, and dirt from the walls and baseboards, you can choose from a selection of gentle cleaning tools such as a feather duster, a microfiber cloth, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. This method ensures a delicate dusting process while effectively eliminating any unwanted debris. Thoroughly clean the walls and baseboards using a damp cloth or sponge, along with a mild soap or vinegar solution. Ensure that the cloth or sponge is slightly moist, allowing for effective cleaning without causing any damage. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the walls and baseboards with a towel or let them air dry.
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20
Clean Light Fixtures or Fans
Use a dusting tool, a soft cloth, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush tool to remove any dust, dirt, or cobwebs from the light fixtures or fans. Be careful not to damage the light bulbs or fan blades. Wipe down the light fixtures or fan blades with a damp cloth and dry them with a towel.
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21
Inventory Cabinets and Shelves
Empty the kitchen cabinets and drawers and sort the items inside. Discard any items that are expired, broken, or unwanted. Thoroughly clean the insides of the cabinet and drawers using a damp cloth or sponge, along with a gentle cleaning solution or baking soda. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wring it out well. Dry the cabinet and drawer interiors with a soft cloth. Put back the items in the cabinets and drawers and organize them neatly.
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22
Clean Under or Behind Appliances or Furniture
Move any appliances or furniture away from the wall if possible and unplug them from the power source. Utilize a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool to remove dust, dirt, crumbs, or debris from underneath or behind them. Utilize a cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to thoroughly wipe down the area underneath or behind them, eliminating grease, grime, or stains. Dry under or behind them with a towel. Plug any appliances back into the power source if needed and move them back to their place if possible.
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23
Wash Trash Cans or Recycling Bins
Empty the trash cans or recycling bins and remove any liners if present. Rinse them out with water to remove any loose dirt or debris. Use a sponge or brush and some dish soap or bleach solution to scrub them inside and out and sanitize them. Rinse them well with water and let them air dry completely before adding new liners.