The kitchen is the heart of the home, so when its disorganized, it can also feel like the whole house is a mess—especially after meals or a long day. We all know kitchen organization can be tough! Especially with young children or a large family.
BUT there's good news: keeping your kitchen organized doesn’t have to take all afternoon or all night. This 10-minute nightly cleanup routine for your kitchen is perfect for busy parents, professionals, or anyone looking for quick wins to start each day with a fresh kitchen.
While we're not perfect, we've done this consistently in our home for quite some time now and it makes the start of each day SOOO much less stressful waking up to a clean organized kitchen.
Here's all you have to do! At the end of each night, when the "kitchen is closed"...
Step 1: Bust Out the Kitchen Cleaning Caddy!
Save time by keeping all your cleaning essentials in a handy kitchen caddy. Stock it with a microfiber cloth, an all-purpose cleaner, countertop cleaner, and whatever else you need so everything you need is always within reach. If you don’t have a caddy yet, check out this affordable and functional option on Amazon. Having a go-to kit makes quick cleanups even quicker!
Step 2: Tidy Up the Clutter
Start by putting away stray items. If it doesn't belong in the kitchen, get it out! Return utensils to drawers, stash cutting boards in their spot, and put any non-kitchen items back where they belong. Clearing the counters is a game-changer and sets the stage for a satisfying clean.
Step 3: Toss the Trash
Quickly sweep through the kitchen, tossing out wrappers, food scraps, and anything else cluttering the counters or floors. Take the trash out for a fresh start for the next day, eliminating any smells marinating in your trash or recycle overnight! Clearing the junk and trash is an instant visual win and keeps you motivated and renewed (at least I feel that way...).
Step 4: Load the Dishwasher or Hand Wash Essentials (3 Minutes)
Time to tackle the dishes! Load the dishwasher with your dirty plates, cups, and utensils. If you don’t have a dishwasher (or it’s already full), focus on handwashing just the essentials to free up sink space.
Having dirty dishes in the sink make the kitchen feel yucky, so this step makes a huge impact. PLUS, you don't want unwanted pests (mice) smelling your unwashed dishes and making their way into your home pooping all of your kitchen!
Step 5: Wipe Down Surfaces
Finally, now that the counters and sink are clear, spray and wipe them down. Include the stovetop and any sticky or crumb-covered areas. A quick wipe is all it takes to make your kitchen look polished and ready for the next day!
Pro Tip: Get a cordless, battery powered vacuum like the Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum (this is what we have and we love it!) and vacuum your kitchen floors picking up any crumbs, dust or dirt, which takes literally minutes. Seriously, battery powered vacuums are so convenient - no plugging in or wrapping cords; start and finish the job in minutes.
Final Touch:
Add a feel-good element to make your cleanup effort even more rewarding. Light a candle, spray a room refresher, diffuse some oils, or burn some incense or something. It’s the perfect finishing touch for your refreshed space. :)
Going Forward:
Make this a consistent part of your nightly routine and I am sure you will have better more stress free mornings. A clean kitchen doesn’t have to take hours— Once you get things straight, this 10-minute routine will keep the heart of your home tidy and functional. Make it part of your daily routine, and you’ll be amazed at how effortless kitchen maintenance can feel.
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