50 Expert Advised Kitchen Cleaning Hacks In 2025

Transform your kitchen with these 50 expert-recommended cleaning hacks! From tackling tough stains to organizing your space, these simple tips will make your cooking area sparkle, saving you time and effort.

We have collected these tips from the kitchen expert Geraldine Campbell, Managing Editor at The Kitchn

Kitchen Appliances

1. Use Olive Oil to Shine Your Stainless Steel

You don’t need to spend money on special cleaners for your stainless steel appliances. Instead, reach for a pantry staple — olive oil! Just a small amount on a microfiber cloth or paper towel is all it takes to keep your appliances looking bright and polished.

2. Use Coffee Grounds to Get Rid of Bad Odors in Your Fridge

Does your fridge have an unpleasant smell? Before you toss those coffee grounds after brewing your morning pot, think again! Coffee is rich in nitrogen, which can help neutralize unwanted odors. Simply spread the used grounds on a baking sheet to dry, then transfer them to a small bowl. Place that bowl in your fridge and let it work its magic at removing odors.

3. Clean Under Your Oven by Taking Out the Bottom Drawer  

Let’s be honest: the area beneath your oven probably hasn’t seen a good clean in ages, and that’s usually because you’re unsure how to access it. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that can make this cleaning task a breeze. Did you know that you can actually take out the bottom drawer? Once you’ve removed it, you’ll have easy access to clean underneath with a spray, vacuum, or whatever tool you prefer!

4. Clean Your Air Fryer with a Dishwasher Tablet

Using an air fryer is incredibly convenient, but cleaning it can be a bit of a hassle. Instead of removing each part for a tedious scrub, simply soak the air fryer basket in a mixture of baking soda, dish soap, and hot water for around 10 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it shines!

5. Clean the Gap Between Your Oven with a Butter Knife

You know that little gap between your oven and countertop that seems to gobble up all the crumbs and food splatters? If you’ve never tackled that tricky spot, try this cleaning hack a shot. Simply wrap a butter knife in a washcloth, and you’ll have the perfect tool to reach into those nooks and crannies!

6. Clean Your Microwave with Lemons

When life hands you lemons, put them to good use by cleaning your microwave naturally! Start by measuring about 1/2 cup of water into a microwave-safe cup or bowl. Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the water, and then toss the lemon halves into the bowl as well. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for three minutes, allowing the liquid to come to a boil. After the timer goes off, let it sit for five minutes without opening the door; this will trap steam inside, which helps lift off any stuck food. Once the time is up, simply wipe down the interior, and your microwave will be sparkling clean!

7. Clean Your Oven Racks in the Bathtub

Washing your oven racks in the sink can be a hassle and often turns into a messy ordeal, especially if you have a smaller sink. Instead, try cleaning them in the bathtub. This method even does most of the heavy lifting for you, while you sleep!

8. Clean Your Blender in Just 30 Seconds (Seriously!)  

Forget about scrubbing your blender — let it do the hard work for you! Fill it about halfway with warm water, add a drop of dish soap, and give it a whirl. If your blender has some stubborn buildup or looks a bit lackluster, toss in a drop of vinegar or lemon juice for an extra boost.

9. Use Toothbrushes to Clean Your Oven Racks  

Have some old toothbrushes you’re ready to toss? Before you get rid of them, put them to good use with this clever DIY hack for cleaning your oven racks. Simply tie two toothbrushes together and get scrubbing. This handy tool allows you to tackle grime from all angles, making the job a piece of cake.

10. Use a Dishwasher Tablet to Clean Your Oven

It turns out that the simple dishwasher tablet can do much more than just wash dishes. We really like it as a handy tool for cleaning ovens and even toilets. Seriously!

Around the Kitchen

11. Freshen Up Your Cutting Boards with Lemon  

Is your wooden cutting board starting to smell like onions or garlic? Banish those stubborn odors with a simple remedy: lemon. Cut one in half, sprinkle some salt onto your cutting board, and then scrub it using the cut side of the lemon. You’ll have it smelling fresh in no time!

12. Descale Your Kettle with Lemon Water

Your kettle can easily accumulate mineral deposits, even though it only contains water. To tackle this buildup, just add a few slices of lemon to your kettle and bring the water to a boil. (This trick also works wonders for cleaning your coffee pot!)

13. Use Vinegar to Unclog Faucet Heads

Living in an area with hard water? You might notice that the faucet in your kitchen or your shower head can become clogged now and then. Simply soak the affected faucet in vinegar for a bit, then run the water. The buildup will clear itself out.

14. Squirt Some Dish Soap Down the Drain

Is your drain feeling sluggish? A quick solution is to squirt a bit of dish soap down the drain, then run hot water. Dish soap is specifically designed to cut through grease. While it usually tackles leftovers on your dishes and cookware, it can also help dislodge gunky buildup in your drain and pipes.

15. Use Oven Cleaner on Your Stained Dutch Oven

According to Reddit users, oven cleaner can effectively remove stubborn grease and residue from the exterior of enamel Dutch ovens without harming their color or finish.

16. Cut a Corner Off Your Sponge

Have you ever mixed up your dish-cleaning sponge and the one you use for wiping down surfaces? Keep it simple with this handy trick: just cut off a corner of the sponge used for tougher jobs. This way, you’ll easily tell them apart!

17. Polish Your Stainless Steel Sink with Flour

Got a stainless steel sink? The best cleaner is sitting right in your cupboard: flour! After washing and drying the sink, sprinkle flour all over it and polish. You’ll be amazed at how shiny the metal gets.

18. DIY Pot Scouring Pads from Mesh Produce Bags

Don’t throw away those mesh produce bags you get with lemons or potatoes! Instead, tuck an old sponge inside a bag, secure it with a zip tie, and trim off the excess. There you have it—a DIY pot scrubber!

19. Simmer Baking Soda and Water in Your Le Creuset

Cleaning your enameled cookware has never been easier. Just bring water to a boil, add baking soda, and give it a good stir. After simmering for a few minutes, use a wooden spoon to scrape off any baked-on bits, and your Le Creuset will look like new!

20. Clean Silver with Aluminum Foil

Want to get your silverware looking shiny again? Here’s all you need: a glass baking dish lined with aluminum foil (or an aluminum dish), along with baking soda, salt, and boiling water. This science-project-like reaction will start removing tarnish right away! (Note: heavily tarnished items may need to soak a bit longer.)

21. Eliminate Those Stubborn Coffee Stains

Are your coffee mugs plagued with those persistent brown stains? Give baking soda a shot! Just sprinkle some at the bottom of the stained cup, add a little water to create a paste, and scrub away. The gentle abrasion from the baking soda will effortlessly lift the stains in no time. Rinse, wash, and get ready to enjoy your next cup of joe.

22. Banish Sink Odors with Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Considering all the unmentionable stuff that goes down the drain, it’s no wonder it starts to smell eventually. Keep your pipes fresh with this DIY drain de-clogger: first, flush your drain with hot water, then slowly pour a cup of baking soda down. Follow up with around a cup of lemon juice and let the fizzy reaction do its magic.

23. Freshen Your Garbage Disposal with Vinegar and Lemon Ice Cubes

If your sink still has an unpleasant odor and you have a garbage disposal, make some ice cubes using white vinegar and small chunks of lemon. Drop one or two cubes down the drain and run your disposal. It works like a charm to deodorize! Just remember not to toss one in your cocktail.

24. Clean Rusty Cast Iron with a Potato

Potatoes are incredibly versatile, and they can even help clean! Here’s how: slice a potato in half, dip the cut side in dish soap or baking soda, and rub it over the rusted area. If the end gets too slick, just slice it again and dip the fresh end. Keep going until all the rust is gone! This trick works for other rusty items as well.

25. Use Wax Paper to Keep Cabinet Tops Clean

If there’s a gap between your upper cabinets and the ceiling, consider lining that space with wax paper. This creates a dust and grime trap that’s easy to swap out every few months. It’s a far simpler option than getting up there and scrubbing the cabinets by hand. (Newspaper can also do the job and will break down faster in a landfill.)

26. Get Rid of Garlicky Smells with Stainless Steel

Many recipes call for chopped garlic, which is tasty, but you probably don’t want to smell like it all day. There are plenty of hacks for removing that odor, but the easiest is simply rubbing your hands on stainless steel surfaces, like your sink faucet.

27. Restore Scratched Dishes with Cream of Tartar

Bring scratched dishes back to life by buffing them with a generous amount of cream of tartar. Just add a few drops of water and gently rub with a damp dishcloth. Let it sit for a minute or two, then scrub and wash the dish with soap and water.

28. Microwave Your Cleaning Rag Before Use

While zapping sponges may not be effective anymore, microwaving your cleaning rag is a game-changer. Ensure it’s damp before popping it in and figure out the right time to heat it until it’s steamy but not scalding. This will make your rag much more effective at tackling messes in the kitchen.

29. Stock Trash Bags at the Bottom of the Can

When it’s time to take out the trash, the last thing you want is to scramble for a new bag. Or worse—forget and toss your trash into an unlined bin. Make life easier by keeping a roll of trash bags stored at the bottom of your can. This way, you’ll have easy access, which makes this chore just a bit more bearable.

Dishwasher Hacks

30. Clean Your Refrigerator Shelves in the Dishwasher

When was the last time you gave your refrigerator shelves a good wipe down? This often-overlooked chore can be made easier by simply placing them in the dishwasher. It’s a quick way to cut down on effort while keeping your fridge spick-and-span.

31. Add Foil to Your Dishwasher for Shiny Utensils

Before you toss out that used aluminum foil, crumple it into a ball and toss it in your dishwasher. The reaction between the foil and your dishwasher detergent will work wonders, removing tarnish from your silverware and leaving it looking gleaming and new.

32. Use Your Dishwasher to Dry Hand-Washed Dishes

Forget about cluttering up your counter with a dish rack — make use of your dishwasher’s empty racks to dry your hand-washed dishes. Your dishwasher has way more space than a regular dish rack, so you can tackle a sink full of delicate items in one go.

33. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag in Your Dishwasher

Next time you load the dishwasher, gather all those tiny items — like water bottle lids and small food container tops — and place them in a mesh laundry bag. This clever trick prevents small and fragile items from getting lost during the wash while still allowing hot water and soap to work their magic.

34. Add a Bowl of Vinegar to Your Dishwasher

If you’re dealing with hard water, you know how frustrating it can be when dirty-looking dishes come out of the dishwasher. To combat this, place a bowl right-side up in your dishwasher and pour in some vinegar. Run a cycle, and the vinegar will help break down hard water deposits, leaving your dishes sparkling clean.

35. Clean All Sorts of Things in Your Dishwasher

You’re likely aware that you can use your dishwasher as a drying rack (see above), but did you know it can handle a variety of other items besides dishes? You can also clean flip flops, hairbrushes, sponges, and even plastic toys in there. It’s surprisingly versatile!

Surprising Tools

36. Make Use of a Mismatched Sock for Dusting

Let’s be honest — it seems like our washers and dryers mysteriously devour socks. Instead of worrying about that missing mate next time, why not repurpose it as a handy duster? You can easily slip it over your hand, which makes it perfect for reaching into nooks and crannies or around delicate items that a traditional duster might struggle with.

37. Utilize a Pillowcase to Clean Your Ceiling Fan

Have you ever tried cleaning your ceiling fan only to end up with dust raining down all over the room, or even worse, on yourself? Here’s a simple solution: grab a pillowcase! Stand on a stool (or whatever you need for a boost), slide the pillowcase over one of the fan blades, and pull the fabric tight so that all the dust falls right inside. Repeat this process for each blade, and you’ll be finished in no time! Just remember to turn off the fan before you start.

38. Tap into the Power of Cooking Spray

PAM cooking spray can work wonders in your bathroom. Not only does it effectively tackle soap scum in your tub, but it also adds shine to your faucets, cleans glass surfaces, and can even prevent your bathroom door from squeaking!

39. Keep Some Chalk in Your Kitchen

Here’s a little tip you might not have known: Chalk is incredibly absorbent, making it an excellent option for tackling stains. Start by removing any excess food or oil from the stained garment using a clean paper towel, then cover the entire stain with chalk. Before throwing the item in the wash, apply a bit of stain remover or laundry detergent to the spot, wash in hot water, and watch that oily mark disappear!

40. Revitalize Your Sofa with a Dishwasher Tablet

You might have come across this popular hack on TikTok, and it really does deliver! To give your sofa a fresh look, all you need is a dishwasher tablet, a pot lid, and a dish towel. Dissolve the tablet in hot water, soak your dish towel in the solution, and wring it out to remove excess moisture. Then wrap the towel around the pot lid, gripping the edges with the handle, and get to work cleaning!

41. Place a Cotton Ball in Your Trash Can

Garbage has a way of becoming quite unpleasant. Here’s a handy tip to make it a bit more bearable—or at least smell a little nicer. Simply soak a cotton ball in your favorite essential oil and drop it into the trash can (underneath the liner or bag). This simple and cost-effective trick helps keep your garbage from becoming too offensive. Your nose will appreciate it!

42. Include a Steamer in Your Cleaning Supplies

Though primarily designed to remove wrinkles from clothing, a steamer can also do wonders for quick cleaning tasks. It works great on grimy stovetops, cabinet doors, and more—even in those tough spots that need a little extra love.

43. Use a Hook to Secure Your Trash Bag

We’ve all experienced the frustration of tossing something into the trash only to have the bag slip and fall in. To combat this, stick a Command hook on the outside of your bin and hook the trash bag onto it. This keeps the bag securely in place and helps avoid messy spills.

44. Keep a Dish Brush in Your Shower

Want the secret to a sparkling clean shower? Clean it regularly! And to make that easier, keep a soap-loaded dish brush conveniently in your shower caddy. It’s all about having the right tools at hand.

45. Clean Up Broken Glass with a Slice of Bread

Accidents happen, whether it’s a clumsy gesture that knocks over your wine glass or a similar mishap. While the larger pieces of glass are easy to pick up, the tiny shards can be tricky. No worries—grab a piece of bread! Gently press it over the glass, and those microscopic fragments will stick to the soft dough. It’s a trick that really works wonders!

46. Use Rubber Kitchen Gloves to Tackle Pet Hair

Your rubber kitchen gloves aren’t just for protecting your hands during messy jobs; they also come in handy for tackling pet hair. Slip on a glove and gently rub the surface you want to de-fuzz. You might be surprised at how effectively the rubber gathers up the hair! Who knew such a simple item could be so useful?

47. Clean Your Cookware with Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets can do more than soften your laundry. Soaking one in a pot is an effective way to loosen burnt-on messes. You can also use dried sheets to wipe up spills or toss a few in your trash can to keep it smelling fresh!

48. Make a DIY Vacuum Attachment Using a Squeeze Bottle Top

Most vacuums come with a variety of attachments, but even the smallest might not reach those tight corners. Here’s a simple solution: remove the existing attachment from your vacuum’s hose and replace it with the top of a squeeze bottle. You’ll be ready to clean those hard-to-reach spots in no time!

49. Try the Laundry Basket Method

If clutter is piling up around your home, a laundry basket can be your secret weapon. It’s perfect for quickly gathering up items that are out of place. If you’re in a rush—say, if company is coming—just hide the laundry basket until you have more time to put everything back where it belongs.

50. Set a Timer

Are you feeling bogged down by an endless list of chores? Try setting a timer and focus on your tasks until it goes off. You might finish your dishes faster than expected, and at the very least, you’ll know exactly how long you’ve been tackling those mundane tasks. Plus, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you’re done!

Information Collected from the Websites:

• https://www.thekitchn.com/kitchen-cleaning-hacks-264886