Kitchens get dirtier than any other room in the house, but they don't need the most products. A few well-chosen ingredients handle almost every kitchen cleaning job.

This guide walks through the main kitchen cleaning tasks and what to use for each one.

The four kitchen cleaning problems

Like the bathroom, the kitchen has distinct types of dirt that each respond to different chemistry.

1. Grease and food residue: Oils, cooking splatter, food build-up and everyday grime. These are organic and respond well to soap-based and alkaline cleaners. Hot water makes a big difference here.
2. Mineral deposits: Limescale on taps, kettle build-up and water marks on the sink. Left by evaporating water. Best dissolved with acidic cleaners.
3. Bacteria: Surfaces that have contact with raw meat, eggs or fish need more than a wipe. Soap removes the mess, but a disinfecting spray finishes the job.
4. Odours: Fridges and bins don't usually need heavy cleaning products — they need deodorising and a thorough wipe-out.

The same cleaning order applies: remove grease and food residue first, tackle mineral deposits after rinsing, and disinfect last on surfaces that need it.

Recipes you may need

All-Purpose Soap Spray

Multi-Purpose Cleaning Paste

Window & Glass Spray

Disinfecting Spray

Dish Liquid

Dishwasher Powder or tablets

Rinse Aid

 

Surfaces

Kitchen surfaces like bench tops, stovetops and chopping boards mostly deal with grease and food residue.

Use these recipes

• All-Purpose Soap Spray
• Window & Glass Spray
• Disinfecting Spray

How to clean

1. The soap spray covers all surfaces safely but in some instances can leave streaks.
2. The window and glass spray (if suitable for your surface) can be used to neutralise the streaks and shine the surface.
3. The key to the disinfecting spray is to let it sit and do its job for at least 5-10 minutes before wiping with a dry clean towel. Use this after preparing raw meat, poultry, eggs or fish, and on high-touch surfaces like tap handles.

⚠️ Avoid acidic cleaners on natural stone bench tops such as marble or limestone. Soap spray only on those surfaces.

Dishwashing by hand

Hot water is one of the most effective cleaning tools in the kitchen. It softens grease and lifts food residue in a way that cold water simply does not. Use it generously.

Use this recipe:

• DIY Dish Liquid 

Or try one of these alternatives:

• Dissolve coconut soap flakes directly in the washing-up water
• Rub a soap bar directly onto a sponge or brush
• Use a soap cage to create lather in the water

How to clean:

1. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and wash dishes as usual. Rinse thoroughly — soap lifts dirt from surfaces, but rinsing is what removes it.
2. For pots, pans and heavily soiled dishes, soak in hot soapy water first to loosen residue. For extra grease-cutting power, add a small amount of washing soda to the soaking water.

 

Dishwasher Products

You need two things: a wash product and a rinse aid. Homemade versions work well for both.

Use these recipes

• Dishwasher Powder/Tablets
• Dishwasher Rinse Aid

How to clean:

1. Load the dishwasher and add your wash product and rinse aid as usual. Use the hottest cycle your dishes can handle - it improves cleaning performance and helps prevent build-up inside the machine.
2. Check the filter and spray arms regularly for trapped food debris. A dirty filter is usually the first reason a dishwasher stops cleaning well.

⚠️ Use only on dishwasher safe items and not aluminium

Oven and Rangehoods

The oven and rangehood deal with heavy grease and baked-on residue that needs more than a spray and wipe.

Rangehood filters: Soak in hot water with a scoop of percarbonate for 30-60 minutes to loosen grease, then rinse well.

Oven: Oven cleaning is a multi-step process that works through different types of residue in a specific order. There is a full guide dedicated to it: A step-by-step guide to cleaning your oven.

 

Other Bits

Microwave Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and a splash of white vinegar or a squeeze of lemon. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, then leave the door closed for a minute. The steam loosens splatter so it wipes away easily with the soap spray and a cloth.

Fridge Remove shelves and drawers and wash in the sink with dish liquid. Wipe down the interior with the soap spray. For lingering odours, place an open container of bicarb soda on a shelf.

Bin Empty the bin and scrub the inside with the cleaning paste or dish liquid and a stiff brush. Rinse well and leave upside down to dry fully before relining — a damp liner is the main cause of bin smells! Sprinkle a little bicarb soda in the base under the liner between washes to absorb moisture and odour.