Real Simple Home Cleaning Kitchen Cleaning Complete Kitchen Cleaning Checklist Complete Kitchen Cleaning Checklist A step-by-step guide to efficiently cleaning your most-used room (in just a few hours, or over the course of a few days). Real Simple Author By Real Simple Editors Advertisement FB Tweet More Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print Illustration of spray bottles Credit: Papercut The Cabinet Fronts Checklist Wipe from top to bottom. Using a microfiber cloth dampened with water and a few drops of mild cleanser, follow the direction of the grain. Rinse the cloth and repeat. The Stovetop Checklist Scour the surface. A microfiber cloth moistened with water and cleaner will do the trick. The Countertops Checklist Clean the countertops with a microfiber cloth. Wet it with water and mild cleaner, and wipe the countertops using a circular motion. Then mist with water and wipe down with a clean cloth. Wash the tile backsplash using the same method. The Dishwasher and Microwave Checklist Wipe down the outsides. Try a cloth dampened with water and dish soap. The Garbage Can Checklist Disinfect with an all-purpose cleaner. Spray on both the inside and the outside and wipe with a clean cloth. The Sink Checklist Scrub in a circular motion from the top to the drain with a cloth and cleaner. Use an old toothbrush to remove any mold lurking in the edges of the drain or faucet. Rinse the area. The Dish Rack Checklist Soak in a sink filled with water and a little dishwashing liquid. Scrub off food particles with an old toothbrush. Dry with a clean cloth. The Cabinets and Drawers Checklist Empty, then vacuum with a brush attachment. Wipe shelves with a cloth dampened with water and dish soap. The Refrigerator Checklist Wipe down the outside with a cloth dampened with water and dish soap. Move the refrigerator and vacuum behind and underneath it. The Small Appliances Checklist Clean with a damp cloth. Moisten it with water and dish soap. The Oven Checklist Clean the inside as directed. When finished, wipe down the door, hardware, and handles. The Burner Grates Checklist Remove from the stovetop. Then scrub with a brush and cleaner. The Floor Checklist Sweep, working from the walls to the middle of the room. To clean corners, blow out the dust with a hair dryer, then sweep up, or vacuum using a crevice attachment. Then mop in small sections, dipping the mop in a pail of clean water and detergent and squeezing out excess liquid in between each section.