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7 Things I Stopped Doing That Made Cleaning My Kitchen a Breeze

Cleaning the kitchen can often feel like a daunting task, especially with busy schedules and endless to-do lists. If you’re like many, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the mess and clutter that builds up over time. By making a few simple changes to your routine, you can transform your kitchen cleanup from a chore into a manageable task.

Check out these seven specific things to stop doing that can significantly lighten your cleaning load. These small adjustments can help streamline your efforts, making it easier to maintain a tidy and organized kitchen. You’ll soon find that a cleaner kitchen is closer than you think.

Stopped Leaving Dishes in the Sink Overnight

Dirty dishes stacked in a sink, with leftover food on the plates, cutlery and utensils scattered, messy sink area, not yet cleaned, remnants of sauce and food visible on the plates
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock.

Leaving dishes in the sink overnight can turn into a bigger hassle than you expect. Food residue dries up, making them harder to clean the next day.

By washing them right after meals, you keep your kitchen clutter-free. Plus, waking up to a clean sink feels way better. It’s a small change that can make a big difference.

Quit Ignoring Spills and Cleaned Them Right Away

A spilled red liquid on a shiny gray surface, liquid pooling and spreading, reflecting light on the smooth surface, contrasting color of the red liquid against the neutral background
Image Credit: New Africa/ Shutterstock.

When you spill something in the kitchen, tackle it right away. It takes just a moment and prevents bigger messes later. Leaving spills can lead to sticky surfaces or stains that are harder to remove.

Grab a cloth or paper towel, wipe it up, and move on. Your kitchen will thank you for the little effort!

Stopped stacking mail and papers on the counter

Stack of envelopes, placed on a wooden surface, soft natural lighting, mail on table, close-up view of envelopes, home office setting, letters awaiting attention
Image Credit: Andrius Zemaitis/ Shutterstock.

You know those piles of mail that seem to multiply? Getting rid of that habit can really help. Instead of tossing everything on the counter, sort your mail right away.

Discard junk immediately and organize what you need. A dedicated spot for important papers keeps your kitchen clutter-free and makes cleaning so much easier.

No more letting the trash can overflow

Food scraps including vegetable peels and greens in a black trash bag, organic waste in a garbage can, discarded kitchen waste, waste from food preparation, biodegradable materials collected for disposal, food remnants inside a plastic bag
Image Credit: Kelly Marken/ Shutterstock.

Letting the trash can overflow can make your kitchen feel messy and chaotic. It’s easy to ignore it until it’s a mountain of waste, but that just adds to your cleaning tasks.

Instead, make it a habit to empty the trash regularly. Set a reminder if you need to. A clean trash can can make a big difference in how fresh your kitchen feels.

Stopped using the kitchen table as a catch-all

A cozy kitchen scene with wooden furniture, two wooden chairs with armrests, a wooden table with fruits and other items on top, a large wooden cabinet in the background with various kitchen items
Image Credit: Jinho Jung from Seoul, South Korea, CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons.

Using the kitchen table for everything can quickly turn it into a clutter magnet. Instead of letting mail, bags, and random items pile up, designate specific spots for them.

This simple change keeps your table clear and makes meal prep and dining much more enjoyable. Plus, it’ll be easier to keep your kitchen looking neat.

Quit leaving pantry doors open

 

A woman placing a jar filled with seeds on a white pantry shelf, other jars containing dried mushrooms, pasta, and other items, a set of ceramic bowls and cups on the lower shelf, a clean, organized pantry
Image Credit: Kaboompics.com / Pexels.

Leaving pantry doors open can make your kitchen look cluttered and chaotic. It’s a small habit that can easily slip your mind. By simply closing the doors after you grab something, you help maintain a tidy space.

This quick change makes cleaning easier and helps keep your kitchen looking sharp. Plus, you’ll avoid bumping into those open doors!

No longer postponed wiping down the stovetop

A person wearing pink cleaning gloves is squeezing lemon juice onto baking soda on a surface, preparing to clean the stove or oven with a sponge, using natural cleaning ingredients for a more eco-friendly approach
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock.

You might find that wiping down your stovetop doesn’t take much time at all. Grab a damp microfiber cloth and quickly clean after cooking.

This simple habit prevents grease buildup and makes deeper cleaning less daunting. Regular maintenance keeps your kitchen looking fresh and tidy without the effort of a major clean later.

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