Whether you're cooking a one-pot dinner or a massive feast, you're going to be left with dishes to clean. We can all admit that dealing with the post-dinner mess is the worst part of cooking at home. But beyond dish duty, there are cleaning projects to tackle in every corner of your kitchen.
If you've spent any time on #CleanTok, you've probably watched plenty of creators deep-clean their kitchens with viral products and tools. Mustering up enough motivation to do it at your own house? Easier said than done.
With winter (hopefully) ending soon, households everywhere are starting their spring cleaning routine. We're strong supporters of the seasonal practice, but parts of your kitchen deserve cleaning more than once a year. In fact, there are likely several appliances, tools, and accessories in your kitchen that need some TLC right now.
Don't know where to start? We're here to help. We're breaking down 16 of the kitchen items that accumulate the most grime and should be cleaned more often.
Dishwasher
It's the dishwasher's job to clean, so it should keep itself clean, right? Wrong. Dishwashers are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria and require regular maintenance to keep things fresh. The team at Good Housekeeping recommends doing an interior deep clean monthly as well as a weekly wipedown of the gasket along the edge.
Dish Rack
The drying rack holds clean dishes, but that doesn't mean it won't be exposed to some grime. Bacteria, lingering soap scum, and food particles can regularly build up on the surface of your drying rack. Experts suggest cleaning your drying rack at least once a week and ideally after every use.
Microwave
Microwaves can collect a lot of food splatters that stick to the interior walls. The Good Housekeeping Institute says that regular maintenance is key. If you use your microwave regularly, wipe it down every few days. If your microwave use is more sporadic, you can get away with a weekly clean.
Pots & Pans
You're probably used to cleaning the interior surface of your pots and pans, but the underside of these cooking vessels likely needs some extra love. The bottoms of pots and pans are often caked with stubborn layers of burnt grime. The best way to prevent this is by scrubbing them down after every use. But if you need to do a deep clean, we recommend using Bar Keeper's Friend.
Water Pitcher
Water pitchers can get really grimy and quickly accumulate mold and bacterial growth. Experts recommend emptying and deep cleaning them at least once a week. Make sure to replace the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Water Bottles
Insulated water bottles are more than just vessels; they're status symbols. But beyond that, they're also hotbeds for mold. You should keep your water bottles clean by washing them daily. And just rinsing them won't cut it. We recommend using a bottle brush (preferably a silicone one) to clean every inch of the interior and then using a smaller brush to get into the nooks and crannies. Don't forget the straw and the lid's gasket!
Oven Mitts
Oven mitts eventually end up caked in stains and messes. Experts recommend throwing them into the washing machine at least once a month, preferably more often if you use them daily.
Knife Block
Knife blocks can get seriously gross, especially if you store wet knives in them (don't worry, I'm guilty of it, too). The National Sanitation Foundation recommends deep cleaning them every four to six weeks.
Wooden Spoons
Let's be real: Wooden spoons get gross. Their naturally porous material absorbs grease and grime, which warrants a deep clean about once a month. And to keep them in better shape for longer, we recommend conditioning the wood with food-safe mineral oil.
Salt Crock
Salt crocks typically sit near the stove within arm's reach. But that also means that they're in the splash zone for splattering oil and food spills. To prevent a sticky, greasy film on the outside, you should clean the outside about once a week.
Microwave Filter
If your microwave is situated above your stove, it likely also works as a vent hood. The filter on the underside gets really gross and requires regular cleaning and occasional replacement—check out our complete guide here.
Spatulas
If you have a rubber spatula with a wooden handle, you may not know that you can—and should—regularly clean the interior. The place where the rubber end meets the wooden handle collects water and allows mold to fester. Plan to give it a deep clean after every other use.
Blender
People are understandably hesitant about going into the nooks and crannies of a blender. But as a consequence, it can often get gross. Plan to do a blender deep clean after every three to four uses.
Ice Maker
Whether you have a tabletop ice maker or one built into your freezer, you probably need to clean it more often. Aim to give it a deep clean once or twice a year, or even more often if you have hard water or live in a humid climate.
Silverware Organizers
Drawer organizers are essential, but even those get dirty eventually. Organizers collect plenty of dust and food droppings, so cleaning experts recommend cleaning them once a month.
Sieve
A sieve is a kitchen staple used for sifting ingredients and draining pasta. But there are a lot of nooks and crannies that harbor germs (especially if the mesh is finer). On top of cleaning after every use, you should go into the hidden edges and corners after every few uses.
