It's music to our ears: You don't have to clean every inch of your kitchen every week for it to be hygienic. But which spots can you skip safely?
According to professional cleaners, there are five main areas you need not waste your time on, helping to save you energy and products when cleaning the kitchen. Plus, how often they really need a spruce up.
If you are using robust food storage, such as non-toxic glass food containers from Wayfair, then there is likely little need for you to clean a fridge or its shelving weekly.
Gerardo says, 'Spot cleaning spills is key, but a full clean can usually be done biweekly or monthly, especially if food is stored properly.'
When it comes to deep cleaning, avoid the common fridge cleaning mistakes of forgetting the door (both inside and out) and the seals. Debris in the seals can prevent proper closure, resulting in premature spoilage, mold, and increased energy bills.
You Can Skip These Spots in Your Kitchen Weekly Without Worry
1. Cabinet Fronts
It is never a bad idea to occasionally clean kitchen cabinets and their fronts to remove dust and grease, but it doesn't need to be done weekly, especially those that are not used as often.
Gerardo Mellado, cleaning expert and brand director at Clean Cult, explains, 'Unless visibly greasy, these can often be wiped down every other week rather than weekly,' he shares.
When cleaning these high-touch spots in a food prep area, consider switching to non-toxic cleaning products such as the Clean Cult all-natural spray from Amazon to prevent cross-contamination. They are formulated with biodegradable ingredients, free from harsh chemicals, and come in refillable aluminum bottles to help you stop creating unnecessary trash at home, too.
2. Fridge Shelves
3. Underside of Kitchen Appliances
Polya Petrova, cleaning expert at Fantastic Services, says, 'Another area is the underside of rarely used appliances, such as the toaster or bread maker. These areas mostly collect dust but not grease or food residue, so cleaning them every other month or during deep cleaning should usually be enough.'
To make them easier to move and clean around, you can add sticky cord organziers from Amazon to hide cords on counters, too.
The same rule applies for behind counter appliances, adds James King, cleaning expert and operations manager at DeluxeMaid.
'If you don’t move them, the splatter is minimal,' he points out. 'You can clean them monthly by simply moving the appliance and wiping with a damp microfiber. Air dry or wipe with a dry paper towel before placing it back.'
Pair cleaning beneath and behind these smaller appliances with cleaning behind big appliances without moving them, dedicating one day to bigger tasks so that the rest of your cleaning routine is calmer.
4. Around the Stove
While you absolutely need to clean your stove top after every use, and the counters and walls beside it, the backsplash a little further away, and the range hood exterior can be left for a few weeks with no ill effect.
Gerardo explains, 'These tend to build residue more slowly and can often be rotated into a deeper clean every couple of weeks. This is where an all-purpose cleaner earns its keep.'
The Attitude All-Purpose Cleaner Spray, from Amazon, is another good choice if you are looking to cut harsh chemicals from your routine and create a non-toxic home.
5. Tops of Cabinets
Polya says one of the easiest spots to skip is the tops of kitchen cabinets. Unless you make use of the space above kitchen cabinets for regular storage, you only need to clean them every other month or so, if that.
'These surfaces rarely come into contact with food, and dust buildup here is usually cosmetic instead of a hygiene issue,' Polya assures. To save climbing on counters, you can use an extending Swiffer electrostatic duster, from Target, to make light work of this task when the time comes.
What to Shop
This all-purpose cleaner spray is made from safe biodegradable ingredients, and our clear liquid formulas are free from harsh chemicals while being gentle on your home and the planet.
Microfiber cloths are machine washable, meaning you can reuse them for years with proper care. Simply wash after use on a warm water cycle and gentle detergent (skip the softener) to sanitize.
These electrostatic dusters make it easier to clean high up spots without over exerting yourself. The unique fibers cling to dust, helping to lift it away for disposal, rather than spread it around.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has certified Attitude products as non-toxic, meaning they contain no harsh chemicals or artificial compounds.
The Scrub Daddy sponge softens under warm water and toughens under cold, allowing you to adjust the level of abrasive you need depending on the task at hand.
Glass food containers keep your food fresher for longer, your fridge cleaner and more organized, and do not risk plastic contamination. They are microwave, oven, and freezer safe for quick leftover storage and reheating.
Meet the Experts
To help you find the right cleaning balance in your home, Gerardo concludes, 'The general rule cleaners follow is to prioritize food prep surfaces, sinks, and stovetops weekly, while rotating lower contact areas into a lighter cadence to save time and energy.'
