January 4, 2016
Come Clean Challenge – Week 1 – Kitchen
This month I’m doing a Come Clean Challenge to jump start the 2016 cleaning calendar theme – Come Clean in 2016. Each week this month I’ll have simple, daily tasks to work on – don’t worry about getting everything done, work on a little something every day and your kitchen will be cleaner than it was at the beginning of the week. For instance, for small appliances, you can just clean your coffee maker or if you have more time, tackle all of your small appliances. Make the challenge work for you and your schedule but don’t get discouraged by what you can’t accomplish, concentrate on what you can get done in short chunks of time.
Not sure how to incorporate cleaning the kitchen AND keeping up with other household tasks? Here’s what I do….
Start with the daily tasks and make sure those get completed – wipe counters, check floors, one load of laundry, clutter THEN when those are completed or started, I do the weekly tasks – Monday is bathrooms day, Tuesday is dusting day, etc. I work QUICKLY and get the task finished up in about 15 minutes. This week I’ll be working in the kitchen during meal prep times – so while I’m prepping lunches or cooking dinner I’ll probably be clearing the counters, cleaning a small appliance or two, and cleaning out the refrigerator. Think of ways to maximize your time in the kitchen by adding another task or two to what you’re already working on. This simplifies cleaning the kitchen and makes that time I already am spending in the kitchen more worthwhile.
On the checklist for this week and a little bit of direction:
- Clear and Clean Kitchen Counters – start by completely clearing the counters. Put everything on your kitchen table, wipe the counters with your favorite cleaner and put only the things that you use at least weekly back on the counters.
- Clean Small Appliances – wipe down your small appliances. If you have time to clean them more extensively, take the time to do it!
- Purge and Clean Refrigerator and Freezer – empty the refrigerator, wipe it clean and put the food back. Repeat the same process with your freezer.
- Clean Oven – use your self-cleaning option and/or look below for how I clean my oven with natural ingredients.
- Clear and Clean Pantry – empty your pantry or food storage cupboard and get rid of any expired items. If you have extra pantry items that you don’t know if you’ll use (and they haven’t expired) donate them to your local food pantry.
- Drawers and Cupboards – choose one or two drawer or cupboards (or more) and completely empty, get rid of unused items, wipe clean and return items.
- Catch Up on any Uncompleted Tasks – Run out of time or energy to complete tasks during the week? Catch up on this day!
Some blog posts to inspire and give you some guidance:
4 Simple Steps to Clear Kitchen Counters (for Good)
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker – Drip and Single Serve
The Best Way to Clean and Organize the Refrigerator
How to Organize Kitchen Towels
3 Ways to Organize Baking Supplies
How to Clean Your Oven
8 Ideas for Organizing the Pantry
Get your FREE Come Clean Challenge worksheet here and the cleaning calendar for January 2016 here!
Catch up on the posts here:
Come Clean Challenge – Free Printable
Come Clean Challenge Quick Start
Week 1 – Kitchen
Week 2 – Living Spaces
Week 3 – Bathrooms
Week 4 – Bedrooms
Come Clean – Wrap Up
The images in this post feature NEW products from Clean Mama HOME – have you seen my brand new line?
Brenda O'Toole Says
One of the best pieces of advice is to completely clean the counter. Works well!!! Also emphases the important of KEEPING the counter clear of clutter!
Diana Says
The Links:
4 Simple Steps to Clear Kitchen Counters (for Good)
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker – Drip and Single Serve
The Best Way to Clean and Organize the Refrigerator
All go to The Best Way to Clean and Organize the Refrigerator 🙂
Becky Says
Post authorAll fixed – thanks!
Becky C Says
Quick kitchen question:
What do you do with all the wet towels/bar mops you accumulate? Do you hang them in the kitchen to dry or another room? I need a better method!
Becky Says
Post authorCheck out this post:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2015/08/how-to-launder-kitchen-cleaning-cloths.html
Becky C Says
Thank you so very much!
Alicia Says
Call your local food pantry or look on their website before you start cleaning out your pantry. Some of them will accept certain foods for a few weeks or months past their expiration date. Worth the time to check so you’re not throwing out something that someone else might need!
Nora Says
I can’t get the challenge worksheet. The link just reloads the page. What’s going on? Am I just too dumb?
Becky Says
Post authorIt’s on this page:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2015/12/come-clean-challenge.html
Barbara Says
Sorry but unable to print the work sheets, help please
Becky Says
Post authorGo to the link and put them in your cart, check out and it will be emailed to you 🙂
Verna Says
I have hard water stains around my kitchen faucet on granite, any ideas??????? Yank you
Becky Says
Post authorJust be careful around the granite – you can soak a paper towel or rag with vinegar and lay it on the fixture and let it sit for 30 minutes or so and the deposit will be dissolved.
Jennifer Says
I did all of these things fast properly quite efficiently for 25 years but the only thing is it never ends and when you live with other household members it never ends.When others don’t care and they like be cleaned up after. We do age what do you do when you get physically worn out.