If there’s one area of your house that gets a lot of use, it’s your kitchen. From preparing meals, entertaining friends, or pouring yourself a quick drink before you sit down to relax, your kitchen is probably the heart of your home.

That also means that things get spilled, crumbs are plentiful, and dust collects on items in this popular room. If you’re ready to give your kitchen a good cleaning, follow these steps to make it easier and more time-efficient – and to ensure you don’t miss any of the important areas.

• Clear the table and countertops: Start by clearing off your kitchen table and countertops. If you have dirty dishes, put them in the sink. If you have food items sitting out, put them away. Additionally, if you have things sitting out on your counter (for example, small appliances), see if you have space to store them.
• Do all of your dishes: Now that all of your dirty dishes have made it to the sink, take the time to wash them. You can wash by hand those things that can’t go in the dishwasher. And, run a load of dishes, too! When everything is clean and dry – put them away.
• Clean your refrigerator: Empty out your refrigerator so you can give it a thorough cleaning. Throw away things that are past expiration, or you no longer want or use. (Be sure to make a list of things you need to replace.) 
  • Then wipe down all of your shelves and drawers before neatly replacing the items you’re keeping. 
• Dust the tops of any cabinets: If your cabinets don’t go to the ceiling, it may be time to dust the top of them. You may need a ladder to do this, so be sure someone is there to hold it steady while you dust.
• Clean your microwave: Your microwave could probably use a good cleaning if it gets used frequently. One of the easiest methods to clean this part of your kitchen is to use the power of steam and vinegar. Spills and messes will wipe away easily. 
• Clean your oven: If you have a self-cleaning oven, you can always run that setting to give the inside a good cleaning. (Keep in mind that some people find the fumes from a self-cleaning oven bothersome. If you do, you may want to leave your apartment when running this feature.) Or, if your oven is not in terrible shape, you may be able to clean it by hand. 
• Wipe down cabinet doors and drawers: Give all of your cabinet doors and drawers a wipe down to remove dust and grease that may have accumulated on them. 
• Wipe down your counters and stovetop: Be sure to wipe down your counters and stovetop, too. The stovetop may need a little extra work to remove grease and stains.
• Clean your sink: Once the dishes are done, clean your sink. If you have a garbage disposal, this is a good time to clean it, too. 
• Take out the trash: Gather up all of your trash and recycling and get rid of it now.
• Sweep and mop the floors: Finally, sweep your floors to gather any large pieces of debris. Then mop your floors to get them sparkling clean.

Cleaning your kitchen may not be your favorite household chore, but if you take it step-by-step, you can finish quite quickly. Then you can enjoy preparing a meal or having friends over in your spotless kitchen!