Spring has arrived, and your kitchen is barely prepared for it. The crumbs have formed alliances in the corners, the microwave has developed its own ecosystem, and that mysterious sticky patch on the counter? It’s been there since February.
But, fortunately, you don’t need an entire weekend to tackle spring cleaning. With just 20 minutes and a bit of focus, you can transform your kitchen from ‘avoiding eye contact with the bin’ to ‘actually quite pleasant.’
So, ready to reclaim your space without losing your Saturday? Let’s dive in.
Clear the Countertops
Start where it matters most: your countertops. These surfaces collect everything from yesterday’s post, random receipts, and that jar of tahini you bought for one recipe back in October.
Remove everything that doesn’t belong. If it’s not actively used for cooking or eating, it goes elsewhere. This instant declutter makes your kitchen feel twice as spacious and gives you a clean slate to work with.
Once the surfaces are clear, give them a proper wipe down with warm, soapy water. Pay attention to sticky spots and mystery stains that have been quietly residing there. A quick spray of vinegar solution works brilliantly for stubborn marks.
Tackle the Microwave
Between hurried lunches and the occasional tomato sauce explosion, it’s no surprise the microwave looks a bit worse for wear.
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and a slice of lemon, then run it on high for three minutes. The steam loosens all that baked-on grime, making it easy to wipe away. No scrubbing required, just a quick wipe with a damp cloth.
Don’t forget the door and handle—they’re the most touched parts and deserve attention, too. A clean microwave instantly makes your kitchen feel more hygienic, and reheating last night’s curry becomes far less off-putting.
Wipe Down Your Appliances
Everyday appliances are easy to ignore until they start looking grubby. The kettle, toaster, and coffee maker all benefit from a quick spring refresh.
Start with the kettle. Limescale shows up faster than you’d expect in many UK homes, so give it a quick clean. Fill it halfway with equal parts water and white vinegar, boil it, then rinse thoroughly. Your morning brew will taste infinitely better.
Next, tackle the toaster. Turn it upside down over the sink and shake out the fossilized crumbs inside. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth, and, suddenly, it’ll look presentable again.
The coffee maker needs some love, too. Run a cycle with diluted vinegar, then two cycles with plain water. Fresh-tasting coffee will be your reward!
Clean the Hob and Oven Door
The hob has collected a month’s worth of cooking mess. Now, it’s time to give it some attention.
Remove the burner caps and grates, then soak them in hot soapy water while you wipe down the surface. For stubborn burnt-on bits, a paste of baking soda and water works wonders. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently.
The hob and oven door can quickly become a mess of splatters and spills, showing exactly how much cooking has happened this month. But a quick scrub with baking soda paste will remove grease and grime, revealing the glass you’d forgotten was actually transparent.
Once everything is gleaming, you’ll notice the difference every time you cook.
Organise Under the Sink
Under the sink is where things go to be forgotten. Cleaning products seem to multiply, bin bags twist themselves into knots, and damp spots pop up unexpectedly.
That’s why you’ll need to pull everything out and check expiry dates. Toss anything you haven’t used in months, or that’s dried up beyond recognition.
Wipe down the base and sides of the cupboard, as this area tends to collect mysterious drips and dust. If there’s a leak, now is the time to notice it before it becomes a problem.
Group similar items together when you put things back. For instance, you can group all the surface cleaners in one spot, and place bin bags in another. This simple step saves time when you’re frantically searching for the washing-up liquid.
Freshen the Bin
After months of use, the bin can get grimy and start to smell, and by spring, it’ll probably start showing signs of wear and tear.
So, take the bin outside and give it a proper wash with hot, soapy water. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden hose, use it. If not, the bath works too.
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom once it’s dry—it absorbs odours like magic. A few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball tucked under the liner keeps things smelling fresh between cleans.
In the UK, where bin collection days are fixed, keeping your bin clean makes opening it on collection day far less unpleasant.
If this all feels overwhelming, there’s no shame in calling in reinforcements. A professional cleaner can take care of the regular maintenance, leaving you free to focus on the more time-consuming chores when the mood strikes.
Wipe Down Cabinet Fronts
Cabinet doors and handles collect fingerprints, cooking grease, and general kitchen chaos without you noticing.
To clean them effectively, mix warm water with a splash of washing-up liquid and wipe down every cabinet front while paying special attention to handles.
For wooden cabinets, follow up with a slightly damp cloth to avoid water damage, and for glossy finishes, a quick buff with a dry cloth brings back the shine.
Clean cabinets instantly elevate your entire kitchen. It’s one of those tasks that seems small but makes a disproportionate difference to how the space feels.
Deep Clean the Sink
It’s where breakfast ends, dinner begins, and every leftover disaster lands. Your sink deserves a proper spring clean to get it looking its best.
Start by clearing out any dishes and debris. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire sink, then scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. The gentle abrasive action lifts stains without scratching.
For the drain, pour half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz and bubble for five minutes, then flush with boiling water. This clears minor blockages and eliminates odours.
Don’t forget the taps. Limescale loves to accumulate around the base and spout, especially in hard water areas across the UK. Wrap a vinegar-soaked kitchen roll around stubborn spots, then leave it for ten minutes.
A gleaming sink makes the kitchen feel fresher, and with that, washing the dishes suddenly isn’t quite so grim.
Conclusion
With these chores out of the way, we now dub you the spring cleaning champion! Your kitchen will now be spring fresh in less time than it takes to watch an episode of your favourite show.
These quick wins keep your kitchen manageable year-round. Twenty minutes here and there beats facing a full day of scrubbing any time.
Now go make yourself a cuppa in that sparkling clean kettle because you’ve earned it.