Are you looking for a more realistic deep cleaning schedule? There is no need to rush when it comes to spring cleaning. Start this 7-day kitchen deep cleaning challenge to avoid deep cleaning overwhelm.
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As the snow is starting to melt and spring is almost upon us, I always get the urge to do a complete deep cleaning of my home. After a long, cold winter, it feels so good to welcome spring in with a fresh and clean home.
Every year, I pull out my spring cleaning checklist and go over the deep cleaning tasks that need to be done. I usually try and complete the list within a week, focusing on one room a day in my home.
However, this year I’ve decided to take things a little slower and focus on each room over several days so I’m not so overwhelmed trying to get everything done at once. That is why I’ve decided to use a deep cleaning challenge instead because I know it will help me stay motivated.
I’ve started this 7-day deep cleaning challenge in the kitchen because it always takes the most time and if I can get the kitchen done and out of the way, then the rest of the rooms will be much easier in comparison.
Just like decluttering when it comes to deep cleaning your home taking things slow and steady will give you the best results without being stressed or feeling burnt out. Because let’s face it deep cleaning can be a daunting task.
Unfortunately, though it needs to be done, so finding fun ways like a 7-day challenge just might make it more tolerable. Plus, we get to enjoy a sparkling clean home when we are done.
Before we get started deep cleaning the kitchen, here are a few things that should be done:
What To Do Before You Start Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen
Make a Plan
As with any cleaning or decluttering project, I always start out by making a plan of when I’m going to work on it because unless you are super motivated, a few days in and you may start to feel overwhelmed and give up.
So, before that happens, try to decide on a time of day when it will work best for you. When my boys were really small, I would clean during their naps or when they were in their high chair eating, or anytime I could squeeze in a few quick moments.
When they were in school, it was much easier because I deep cleaned in the morning after I did my morning cleaning routine. And, when I worked outside of the home, I would clean while I was in the kitchen before and after dinner, as well as on my days off.
Look over your schedule, find a time that you think might work for you, and write it on your calendar so it helps you stick to your cleaning goals.
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Find Your Motivation
Finding the motivation to clean can sometimes feel impossible even when you know it has to be done. Especially, if you are the type of person (me!) that can easily get side-tracked unless you have a plan (or challenge) to keep you on task. That is one of the reasons I decided to make this 7-day cleaning challenge.
A few things that I do to stay motivated when starting any big project is to make a playlist of all my favorite music. I will also download a podcast or audiobook to keep me distracted so that time goes by more quickly.
You may find it beneficial to set a timer. When I was starting my weekly cleaning routine, it was the one thing that helped me stick to the routine until it eventually became a habit. It kept me focused and I knew that when the timer went off, I could either take a small break before I started again or I could be done for the day.
Gather Your Supplies
Cleaning Supplies
Before you start deep cleaning your kitchen, gather your supplies. If you don’t have a cleaning caddy, it might be helpful to make one so you can easily bring it into the kitchen, especially if you store your cleaning supplies somewhere else in your home. Keeping your cleaner handy will help you get the job done faster.
A few cleaning supplies I keep on hand are:
- Microfiber clothes
- All-purpose cleaner
- Scrub Daddy
- Dawn Powerwash
- Bar Keepers Friend
- VacMop
Decluttering Supplies
When deep cleaning my kitchen, I also like to do some decluttering since I’m taking everything out of the cabinets, drawers, and pantry anyway. It’s the perfect time to go through items and get rid of duplicates or things that you are not using anymore.
- Gather boxes and/or trash bags for donations, and things to sell or toss.
You may like: 30 Things to Declutter in Your Kitchen
Try to clean these places first
This 7-day challenge only focuses on things that you will find in the kitchen. However, there are a few cleaning tasks you might want to add to your list if they haven’t been cleaned in a while.
Dusting
- Dust around the ceiling and remove any cobwebs that have formed.
- Dust light fixtures.
- Dust pictures/decor on walls.
- Dust baseboards.
Cleaning the doors and walls
- Wipe down doors and door handles.
- Wipe down light switches.
- Wipe walls with a damp microfiber cloth or dust mop
Washing windows and curtains
- Wash curtains
- Dust window blinds
- Clean windows and window sills (use a toothbrush to remove dirt and grime from crevices.)
These are things that I do in my monthly cleaning schedule so I didn’t add them to this kitchen deep cleaning challenge. But, if they are not something that you clean regularly you can add them to any one of the 7 days or do these extra cleaning tasks at the end if you would prefer to jump right into the challenge.
Print my Free Kitchen Deep Cleaning 7-Day Challenge
Lastly, to make this deep cleaning project easier, you can print out my free 7-day Kitchen Deep Cleaning Challenge below to not only keep you motivated but help you stay on task.
Also, I would love it, if you decided to join in on my other deep cleaning challenges:
- 5-Day Bathroom Deep Cleaning Challenge
- 4-Day Living Room Deep Cleaning Challenge
- 5-Day Bedroom Deep Cleaning Challenge
7-Day Kitchen Deep Cleaning Challenge Printable
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7-Day Kitchen Deep Cleaning Challenge
Day 1- Top Cabinets (inside and out)
- Since you always want to clean from top to bottom, start by dusting the top of your cabinets if they are open on top.
- Then choose your first cabinet, and pull out all items, making sure to go through anything that you want to declutter.
- Wipe out the inside of your cabinets.
- Replace items in your cabinet and then move on to the next cabinet by doing the same thing.
- Once all the cabinets have been cleaned out, wipe down the outside of the cabinet as well as the handles and knobs.
Day 2- Drawers
- Remove all items from your kitchen drawers.
- Anything you are not using place in your decluttering bins for donations. Throw away anything that is broken.
- Wipe out the inside of the drawers and then replace items, making sure to put like items together.
- Clean the outside of the drawer and wipe down the handles or knobs.
Day 3- Bottom Cabinets (inside and out)
- Use the same approach as the top cabinets (from Day 1)-working on one at a time.
- Remove the items from the inside, pulling out what you don’t use anymore to donate or get rid of if the item is broken, scratched, or chipped.
- Wipe out the cabinets and then put items back in.
- Clean the outside of the bottom cabinets, including the cabinet handles and knobs.
Day 4- Pantry (inside and out)
- Take everything out of the pantry.
- Look for items that have expired or half-eaten snacks or food that has gone stale and toss them.
- Wipe down the inside of the pantry.
- Wash out any storage organizers or snack bins.
- Place items back into the pantry.
- Put all like items together such as spices and baking supplies.
- Wipe down the outside of the pantry.
Day 5- Refrigerator/Freezer (inside and out)
- Start by dusting off the top of your refrigerator.
- Then, remove all food making sure to check for anything that has expired or gone bad.
- Remove and wash any containers that are empty and recycle them.
- Wipe down the shelves (making sure to remove the glass tops to get any crumbs or spills from underneath).
- Wash out the crisper and meat drawers.
- Take out and clean any food storage containers or bins and put them back in the fridge.
- Put all food back into the fridge.
- Pull out food from the freezer, and throw out anything that has expired or is freezer burnt.
- Wipe out the inside of the freezer and then put the food back inside.
- Finish by wiping down the outside of the fridge and freezer with a microfiber cloth.
Day 6- Stove/Oven
- Wipe down the buttons and knobs on the back of the stove.
- Clean the stovetop, making sure to remove drip pans.
- Deep clean inside the oven including oven grates.
- Wipe down the oven door.
Day 7-Counters/Sink/Small Appliances
- Take everything off your counters and wipe them down.
- Wipe any small appliances that you keep on your counters.
- Wipe down the outside and inside of your microwave.
- Clean your sink and around your faucet.
Once you’re finished, make sure to sweep and mop the kitchen. And, that’s it! Don’t forget to print out your 7-day kitchen deep cleaning challenge printable to help you stay motivated.
Remember deep cleaning doesn’t have to be an all-day or (all-week) cleaning marathon. We can conquer it one day at a time so it’s more manageable and a lot less stressful.
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