Around the House: Wake Up to a Spotless Kitchen Every Day

By Yehudit Garmaise

If you hate seeing anything out of place in your kitchen first thing in the morning, consider the checklist before heading to another room to relax after dinner:

1. Put all leftovers in plastic or glass containers immediately and put them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and get them out of the way. Put all condiments and drinks away.

2. Wash and dry all dishes before bedtime. All dishes should be washed or placed in the dishwasher right after dinner. In addition, all dishes, pots, and pans should be dried and put away.

3. Give kavod to the children who volunteer or are assigned to wash and dry dishes by letting them tell two stories from their day, while the other children only tell one, as they alternate.

4. Wipe out your sink with a sponge and dish detergent. Make sure no food or food scraps are left in the sink overnight. They look dirty and can make your kitchen smell. If you are feeling ambitious after rinsing out your sink, dry it with a clean towel.

5. Wipe down all kitchen counters and the stovetop. Cleaning the countertops is an oft-forgotten step crucial to waking up to a clean kitchen every morning.

6. Clean the kitchen table. Use a damp towel and dishwashing detergent to clean wood or plastic. If your table is glass, spray it down.

7. Sweep your floors well. Make sure to get the cooking area and under the table and chairs. Some use an “electric broom,” or mini vacuum cleaner for the many times a day the kitchen floors need to be swept.

8. Throw all dirty and wet dish towels in a hamper or right into the wash with other towels.

9. Take out the trash to help ensure everyone wakes up to a kitchen that is fresh, clean, and gleaming for another productive day.