Tips To Organize and Clean the Kitchen in One Hour

The kitchen is considered a drop zone for everything that comes into the house from groceries, and any other foodstuff you can think of. Since it is also a place where we congregate and socialize, it is important to have it clean and organized at all times. So, what do you do if you only have one hour to clean the kitchen before guests arrive? It can be such a daunting experience especially if you do not know where to start. This article breaks down the essential cleaning tasks to help you organize and clean your kitchen in one hour.

• Clear the Clutter

Get rid of anything that does not belong on the kitchen floor such as pet toys, shoes, bags, or papers. Do the same on your kitchen counter by collecting all trash and placing them into a garbage can or disposable bag.

• Do the Dishes

Once you have cleared all clutter, it is time to get those dishes out of the sink. The best way to clean your dishes in the shortest time possible is to start with the ‘cleanest’ stuff first. Whether you are automating the cleaning with a dishwasher or doing them manually, using a dish soap that cuts through grease faster than other dish soaps will save you a great deal of time. Start with your mugs and glasses, and then move to your bowls, plates, and utensils. Once all dishes are clean, they need to stay organized where they belong.

• Clean Your Utility Items

Once you are done with the dishes, move on to your utility items. This includes things like pots and pans, blenders, slow cookers, coffee makers, and any other gadgets you have in the kitchen. If there are any appliances that you do not use and are taking up space on your counter, consider putting them aside for donation. Since you are cleaning the kitchen in under one hour, avoid any thorough cleaning like getting rid of those grill stains in your oven. Instead, give your appliances a quick wipe-down to have them look clean and presentable.

• Focus on the Fridge

The fridge handles most of your foodstuff so it only makes sense to clean it and sort out items based on their expiry dates. Take this time to go through your fridge and throw away any foodstuffs that have gone bad. Use a label or marker to flag items that are about to expire and plan to use them soon. To ensure you do not end up with the guilt and frustration of tossing produce, consider arranging your fruits and vegetables in the fridge door and putting your condiments in the vegetable drawer. This way, you can easily access foods that you eat often to prevent them from going bad.

• Give all Surfaces a Quick Rubdown

Now that you have tackled the major chores that have a great effect on the overall look of the kitchen, it is time to give all surfaces a quick rubdown working your way from top to bottom. Wipe your upper cabinets before you move to your kitchen countertop to avoid going back and forth. A damp microfiber cloth with your favorite cleaning product is enough to get the job done. After you have tackled everything above, the last part is to clean up your kitchen floor.

Extra tip: Use All Help You Can Get!

Since you are working within a short time frame to get your kitchen sparkling clean, it is a good idea to have your family members give you a hand. How fast you finish cleaning will also depend on the size of your kitchen and the extent of dishes or items you need to clean. Therefore, if you can delegate other tasks to your family members, there are higher chances of beating the 1-hour deadline. Just make sure to give clear instructions so you do not have to go back and forth on a specific task.

The amount of time you allocate for the above tasks may vary depending on the size of your kitchen and the number of items that need to be cleaned and organized. Asking a little help from your family members can be a great time saver as it allows you to delegate chores that you would have done yourself.