Our Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Checklist | Branch Basics

Maintaining a clean kitchen isn’t just about appearances – it’s about creating a healthy space for cooking, gathering, and creating lasting memories.

At Branch Basics, we’re passionate about safe, effective cleaning and have spent years perfecting our plant- and mineral-based products that are tough on grime, but gentle on your home and family.

That’s why we’ve created our ultimate kitchen cleaning checklist to help you tackle every nook and cranny to create a human- and food-safe kitchen!

How to Make Cleaning Your Kitchen Less Daunting

Cleaning your kitchen doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. Add a little fun, some creativity, and suddenly it’s not so bad!

Here’s a few tips:

1. Make and follow a checklist, like what we’ve put together here, for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. This will help break up cleaning into a manageable schedule.
2. Put on your favorite playlist, podcast, or audiobook to listen to while you clean.
3. Work from top to bottom. This will keep already dusted and cleaned surfaces from becoming dirty again, avoiding extra work.
4. Divide weekly tasks into days of the week. For example:
1. Mop on Mondays - only mop on Mondays
2. Towels on Tuesdays - launder all kitchen towels and rags on Tuesdays
3. Wipe Down on Wednesdays - wipe down small appliances and cabinets, etc. on Wednesdays
4. Throw Out on Thursdays - throw out old and expired foods from the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry
5. Final Tasks on Fridays - anything else left on your list, today is the day to knock them out!
5. Before you start, gather all cleaning tools and supplies you’ll need to get the job done. We share some of our favorites below.
6. Enlist family members or roommates to help with cleaning tasks.

For a more detailed guide on cleaning the kitchen, check out our Best Human-Safe Kitchen Cleaning Tips.

Ready to clean? Let’s get into it.

Daily Kitchen Cleaning 

Keeping your kitchen clean doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In fact, it should only take you 15 to 20 minutes a day!

By setting a simple daily routine, like the one below, your entire kitchen will always be tidy and ready for your next meal.

Here’s a daily kitchen cleaning checklist for keeping your space spotless:

• Tidy up and remove clutter.
  
• Unload and load the dishwasher. Run the dishes with human-safe Dishwasher Tablets.
  Note: For dishes labeled “hand wash only,” wash with clean, warm water and a few drops of Branch Basics Concentrate, All-Purpose spray,  or a few pumps of  Foaming Wash. Dry and put away.
  
• Spray countertops and vent hood with All-Purpose. Wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
  
• Spritz a microfiber cloth with All-Purpose and wipe the outside of all appliances and door handles.
  
• Using the same cloth, wipe up any spills or stains.
  
• Clean your sink and faucet. For a general, daily clean, spray the sink down with All-Purpose. Let dwell for a few minutes, then wipe clean, and rinse with hot water
  
  For extra cleaning power, spray the sink liberally with All-Purpose, sprinkle with Oxygen Boost, and then wet again with All-Purpose. Let dwell for a few minutes, then gently agitate with a natural scrub brush or old toothbrush. Rinse clean and buff the sink with a clean microfiber cloth.
  
  Is your kitchen sink extra dirty and grimy? Use our Oxygen Boost as described above or  cCheck out How to Make Sinks Sparkle with Baking Soda. And, if you’re concerned about disinfecting after raw meat, read this article for information on how to use hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to naturally and effectively, kill germs.
  
• Spray a microfiber cloth with All-Purpose and wipe down the stovetop and burners.
  
  To learn more about cleaning stovetops, check out How to Clean a Glass Stovetop Naturally and How to Clean Stovetop Grates Naturally: 5+ Tips.
  
• Collect and take out the trash and recycling.
  
• Sweep or HEPA vacuum the floors and rugs.

Looking for more tips and checklists for cleaning around the house? Follow along with our article, How to Set a Stress-Free House Cleaning Schedule You Can Live With.

Weekly Kitchen Cleaning 

In addition to daily cleaning, a weekly deep clean helps tackle areas of the kitchen that don’t necessarily need daily attention but still benefit from regular cleaning.

Set aside extra time once a week, or spread these tasks out over several days to make them more manageable.

Here’s a weekly kitchen cleaning checklist to keep your kitchen feeling fresh:

• Spritz a damp microfiber cloth with All-Purpose to wipe the outside of all cabinets, including the handles.
  If you find oily grease splatter, this article shows you How to Naturally Clean Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets with Branch Basics and other natural products.
  
• Deep clean the oven and stovetop following our Safe Oven Cleaning: How to Clean Ovens & Stove Tops. For a quick clean, follow this step-by-step:
  
• Spray the oven door with All-Purpose, let dwell a few minutes, and wipe clean.
• Using the same cloth, wipe down the stovetop, cleaning any stains.
• Clean or replace the drip pan liner.
• Wipe down all knobs and buttons with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth.
• Clean the range hood.
  
• Clean small appliances like the toaster, coffee maker, and microwave.

To clean and descale a coffee maker, run a cycle with straight white vinegar. After the cycle is complete, pour the vinegar down the drain. Then, run a cycle of warm water to clear out any leftover vinegar. Repeat as needed. Leave the lid open to allow the inside to dry. Wash the coffee pot.

• Clean out the refrigerator, tossing any old or expired foods and leftovers. Spray the shelves, drawers, and interior walls with All-Purpose and let dwell for a few minutes. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
  
• Clean the garbage disposal. To do this, put a few ice cubes down the disposal and run for about 20 seconds or until the ice is completely crushed. Pour boiling water down the drain to flush away any loose grime and food particles.
  
  For more on how to clean and disinfect a garbage disposal, check out How to Clean a Garbage Disposal with Baking Soda and Vinegar.
  
• Disinfect the sink and faucet. Here’s how:
  
• Remove all dishes and wipe away any loose food particles.
• Spray the sink and faucet with Branch Basics All-Purpose or Bathroom to safely remove germs before following up with a natural disinfectant. Allow 2-5 minutes “dwell time”, then wipe clean.
• Spray a few sprays of vinegar* or hydrogen peroxide on the sink and faucet. Let dwell for 5-10 minutes and rinse Do not use them simultaneously, as this could create harmful fumes.
• Rinse and wipe thoroughly.
• Then spray the other product on the same surface. Let dwell and wipe thoroughly.
  
  For more, check out How to Naturally Disinfect Surfaces [Complete Guide].
  
• Swap out dirty and used kitchen towels and cleaning rags for new, clean ones. Launder soiled dish towels with a human-safe, fragrance-free, plant- and mineral-based Laundry Detergent.
  
• Sweep or HEPA vacuum the floors and mop using the appropriate dilution of Concentrate (see our User Guide for specific floor dilution instructions). We also recommend using a microfiber mop like these!

*Note: Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide should never be combined by spraying simultaneously on surfaces or storing in the same bottle. This could create toxic fumes. To avoid this, always use them separately (spray, dwell, wipe, then repeat with the other product).

Monthly Kitchen Cleaning 

While daily and weekly cleaning routines handle most of the mess, some kitchen cleaning tasks only need your attention once a month.

Set aside time each month to check off this monthly kitchen cleaning checklist – you’ve got this!

• Dust and clean the kitchen walls and ceiling. Use a HEPA vacuum to reach and remove cobwebs and hard-to-reach dust and dirt, working your way from ceiling to floor. Next, spritz a dampened microfiber cloth with All-Purpose and work from the ceiling down to remove food splatters, grease, dust, dirt, and grime.
  
• Dust the tops of the cabinets, the refrigerator, and all light fixtures.
  
• Clean the windows with Streak Free and a microfiber towel. We show you how in How to Clean Windows Naturally.
  
• Go through your fridge and pantry. Toss any expired foods and old leftovers. Take note of what needs to be replenished for a future grocery haul.
  
  Next, deep clean the pantry. Pull everything out. HEPA vacuum, then wipe down pantry shelves with a lightly damp microfiber cloth. Let it dry.
  
  Replace any old shelf liners, clean organizers or containers, and replace and organize all food and items.
  
• Clean the freezer. This helps prevent unwanted ice buildup. Here’s how:
  
• Empty the freezer of all food and ice. Store all frozen food in a cooler to keep them frozen.
• Remove all removable shelves and drawers. Put them in the sink with warm water and a few drops of Concentrate, or a few pumps of All Purpose or  Foaming Wash. Let soak while you continue working.
• Fill a bucket with hot water and a few drops of Concentrate. Wet a microfiber cloth with the solution and wring out. Use the cloth to wipe down the inside of the freezer. Follow with a dry microfiber cloth to dry and absorb extra moisture.
  
  For stubborn stains, spray the inside with All-Purpose and scrub with a natural scrub brush or old toothbrush.
• Wash the removable shelves and drawers. Rinse and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
• Replace all removable shelves, drawers, and frozen foods.
• Declutter cabinets and drawers. Empty them and HEPA vacuum to remove dirt and crumbs. Wipe down the inside and outside of each cabinet and drawer with All-Purpose and a clean microfiber cloth. Replace all items you wish to keep. Toss any broken, old, or unused dishes, cooking tools, etc.
• Deep clean the dishwasher, we show you how in How to Deep Clean Your Dishwasher.
  
  And consider switching your dishwasher detergent over to Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets. Our Dishwasher Tabs are pure, powerful, and plastic-free, helping to keep your dishwasher and dishes free of tough grease and sticky messes.
  
• Clean tile grout around the sink and on the floor (if applicable). Use Branch Basics Oxygen Boost combined with Branch Basics Bathroom, All-Purpose, or vinegar to clean, whiten, and freshen tile and grout.
  
  For more ways to use Oxygen Boost around the house and kitchen, check out The Power of Sodium Percarbonate for Cleaning.
  
• Clean the garbage can. Remove the trash bag. Spray the garbage can with All-Purpose spray. Let dwell for 2-5 minutes. Rinse and wipe clean. This process will remove the germs.
  
  If you’d like to disinfect your garbage can, follow up with hydrogen peroxide. Spray well and let dwell for about 10 minutes, then wipe. Next, spray with vinegar. Again, let dwell for about 10 minutes, then wipe. Replace the trash bag.
  
• Vacuum and launder rugs.

Tackling the kitchen is just one section of the home that needs regular cleaning. Check out our Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist: Human-Safe Home Cleaning Guide for more checklists and cleaning tips.

The Unsung Benefits of a Cleaning Checklist 

A cleaning checklist, like our kitchen cleaning checklist here, helps keep you on task, saves you time, and reduces stress by providing a clear, organized plan. 

Setting consistent and intentional cleaning tasks on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis will help you maintain a sparkling clean home - even when you’ve spent lots of time inside cooking, playing, and relaxing.

You can create similar checklists for other areas of the home like the bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry room, living room, or garage. Be sure to list tasks by frequency (daily, weekly, and monthly), and prioritize high-use spaces.

To help you get started, check out The Best Human-Safe Deep Cleaning Checklist For Your Home.

Our Favorite Tools and Products to Use for a Cleaner Kitchen 

As a cleaning company (and self-proclaimed clean freaks), we’ve tried our fair share of cleaning tools throughout the years. Below are our favorite tools and products to use for a cleaner, healthier kitchen.

1. Branch Basics Concentrate -  Our Concentrate is a human-safe, effective, and sustainable multi-purpose cleaning product. The plant- and mineral-based formula was created with the most sensitive in mind, and is gentle and safe enough to use around food and cooking appliances. Our Concentrate replaces all cleaning products in the home, including oven cleaners, dish soap, stainless steel cleaners, and more.
2. Branch Basics Oxygen Boost -  Oxygen Boost, boosts the power of the Concentrate for tough cleaning jobs and is only made from two gentle and safe ingredients - sodium percarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). In the kitchen, use it for safe and effective cleaning jobs like cleaning tile grout, burnt pots and pans, and stovetops. For more uses, check out page 25 of our User Guide.
3. Natural Disinfecting & Sanitizing Cleaners - After thoroughly cleaning with soap and water to remove germs, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can be used to  disinfect sinks, cutting boards, and kitchen countertops.
4. Refillable Spray Bottles - Upgrade your kitchen cleaning routine with reusable spray bottles. Our Glass Bottle Pack, and the spray bottles that come with our Premium Starter Kits, include fill lines to help you make our custom cleaning dilutions. Our refillable model simplifies your cleaning routine and saves you money.  
5. Microfiber Cloths & Dusters - We always recommend reusable microfiber cleaning tools, like microfiber cloths and dusters, as they actually remove 99% of bacteria with just water. Note: If you do use microfiber cloths, make sure to wash them with a Guppyfriend bag to avoid microplastic pollution and keep our earth clean.
6. Microfiber Mop - Again, we recommend reusable microfiber mops. Microfiber mops remove 99% of bacteria with just water, but adding Branch Basics to your mop water can boost its effectiveness.
7. Natural Scrub Brush or Old Toothbrush - These cleaning tools work wonders on everything from dishes to cleaning grout to stain treatments. Our Natural Scrub Brush is reusable, BPA free, and is made with natural fiber bristles and 100% untreated, unsealed beechwood.
8. Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets - For daily dishwashing, these human-safe Dishwasher Tabs are pure, powerful, and plastic-free. They’re also 100% biodegradable and made to remove even the toughest grease and sticky messes. No pre-rinse is required!

Start Creating a Healthier Home with Branch Basics. 

Maintaining a clean kitchen is important for the health and well-being of your family and home. Using human-safe cleaning products and tools makes the process simple, especially when you follow a kitchen cleaning checklist like the one we’ve prepared for you.

To get started with Branch Basics, try the Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit (available in refillable plastic or glass). Each Starter Kit comes with our Concentrate, a full bag of Oxygen Boost, and five reusable bottles to make your own All Purpose, Bathroom, Streak Free, Laundry, and Foaming Wash.

To keep your cleaning cabinet fully stocked and ready with Branch Basics, consider setting up a monthly or quarterly subscription. It’s a convenient way to save time and money while ensuring you always have the supplies you need for your daily, weekly, and monthly kitchen cleaning tasks.

Want to learn more cleaning tips from Branch Basics? Check out Our Spring Cleaning Guide and our Best Human-Safe Kitchen Cleaning Tips for checklists, how-tos, and deep cleaning methods!