When cleaning a messy kitchen, where do you start?

Question

When cleaning a messy kitchen, where do you start?

Answer 1

I start with the dishes, since those are usually what's making the kitchen look so bad. I also go through the fridge to find any dishes (like cups with a sip of liquid in them). Once I have dishes done, then that means my counters are almost clear. I finish clearing those off and wipe them down, and then I wipe down the stove. I then sweep and mop the floor and take out the trash. Every now and then I'll wipe the fridge out completely with a towel.

Answer 2

i usually start with the dishes. Then I wipe off the counters and appliances. Then I wash the counters and appliances. Start the dishwasher then sweep and wash the floor last. That way you are done and can leave it alone to dry.

Answer 3

I usually start at one end and work my way to the other cleaning from top to bottom as I go and leaving the floor for last.  For me this means counter, oven, cook top, counter, dishes, dishwasher, sink, counter, microwave, fridge and freezer, island and finish with the floor.

Answer 4

My kitchen is shaped like a "U". I simply start at one side and work my way around, loading dishwasher, stacking hand washing things, put food away, etc. Then I wash the hand washing items, then clean the stove, then counter tops. By then my hand washed items are dry, put them away, clean the floor and I'm done!

Answer 5

Usually dishes, then counters, the stove, and I clean the floor last.

Answer 6

My wife says she will be in the living room relaxing.....she works too. As to where I start cleaning...?...she said I can start any where I want to....as long as it's done before I go outside and play with my buddies. Hate to run but I got a kitchen to clean,and the guys are waiting for me.

Answer 7

Dishes, Stove, Countertops, Floor

Answer 8

I'll usually start with either hand washing or putting any dirty dishes utensils into the dishwasher.  To empty/clear out the sink(s).  

I'll start from TOP/BOTTOM so I'll use my vacuum attachment and get cobwebs from the corner or dust bunnies..

If the kitchen is really, really messy... I'll get a bucket of soapy water or vinegar/water and wipe the cabinets down-with a microfiber cloth.  I'll spray the coutertops/appliances and wipe those down as well... Wipe the lower cupboards/baseboards.... Sweep/mop the floor!   *If the floor is especially grimey I use TWO buckets of water... One with some disenfectant cleaner like Lysol and the other with some vinegar/water to rinse... Change water frequently.... Get a mop head that you can wash in the washer.. The libman wonder mop is very good.....

Good luck

Answer 9

Scrape and rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. If you don't have a dishwasher, run hot, hot water in the sink and add some detergent. You can even safely add a tiny bit of bleach if the dishes have sat out for awhile and are really yucky.  Put in the glasses, china, and silverware. Let them soak in the hot, soapy water.

If you don't have room for all the dishes, stack the rest to the side until you can do the second load.

Put food boxes and bags and etc. away and put other things in a basket or container if they belong in other areas. Put them away later.

Spray down the counters with cleanser and let it set for a minute or two. If the counters are really cruddy, wipe them first with paper towels. You'll get most of the stuck on globs and crumbs off this way. Go back a second time with a wet rag or sponge and your spray cleanser. If there are dried on spatters, spray them with extra cleanser. Fold up a paper towel and lay it on the spill. Spray and soak the paper towel.

Leave it for a bit, and the mess will come right up.

(My favorite spray cleanser is Fabuloso Lavender Scent. It leaves the kitchen smelling so nice!)

Wipe off the small appliances such as toaster and coffee maker.

Wipe off the cabinet doors if there are fingerprints. Wipe off the fridge, stove, and etc.  If the stove is really messy, wipe and clean as much as you can. You may have to soak and scrub the burner pans later, or some of the parts of a gas range.

By now the dishwater should have cooled down enough for you to wash the dishes. If the water gets really yucky during the process, change it out and add more soap. Don't wash your dirty dishes in dirty water! Let them drain dry, or wipe them dry.

Do the second and third loads of dishes (hand washing) if you need to. Pre-wash and pre-scrub with a dish brush if you need to. You can let them soak like before while you sweep the floor.

If your microwave is super messy inside with spatters and cooked-on food, take a glass measuring cup or a coffee mug and add one-half cup white vinegar. Fill the rest up with water. Pop in the microwave and let 'er come to a boil, then stop the process.  Let the vinegar water sit in the microwave until it's lukewarm. Wipe the interior with paper towels. It'll clean up like magic! Then go back over with a damp sponge or cloth wrung out with dish detergent. Rinse the rag and wipe again. This sounds like a lot of work, but it goes fast.

The last thing is to mop the floor. Take up little throw rugs and shake them outside or throw into the washer if necessary. Sweep the floor first, then mop.

I think I've covered everything. I'm a good "cleaner" and I  can do it fast and very thoroughly.  My kitchen stays very clean, but when I was a young mother with toddlers, it could get pretty messy. I've learned over the years to keep it clean - or try to, on a daily basis so it doesn't reach the yucky stage. It happens though. So just tackle it and do one thing at a time.

Answer 10

will the bathroom, usually.