How to clean a kitchen so you can cook without worrying something’s going to catch on fire

Sometimes you've just decided tonight you're going to cook dinner like you're on Top Chef, but then…you look at the kitchen. It's a mess of stuck-on substances that you're not entirely sure of. It's definitely time for a floor to ceiling clean because hey, you've got to prepare food in there. So here's how to clean a kitchen in your dorm or apartment. We'd try to get your roommates involved in this because it will make the process go a lot faster.

Clear the space

Get everything off the counter tops. Move all the stuff you normally keep out in the open into another room. If you're feeling really ambitious, we'd clean out the fridge too. There's bound to be some questionable items in there that have outstayed their expiration dates. Throw out anything in resuseable containers and place them in the sink for cleaning.

Get a soak going in the sink

Fill the sink with warm water and dish soap. Let anything with stuck-on food like containers, the microwave bottom, and drying wracks sit in there while you get started on the rest of the kitchen.

From the top

If there's space inbetween the ceiling and the top of your cabinets, then they need a real good dusting. Carefully balance on your counter top while you wipe down the top of the cabinets for dust and anything else that might be hanging up there.

Get the spray bottle going

Wipe down the cabinet doors and counter tops with all-purpose cleaner and paper towels. You should definitely start at the top and work your way to the bottom.

Make your way to the stove-top

Remove all the pieces of the stove top and clean them individually. This is where a lot of stuck-on food ends up from pots and pans. It's going to take some serious scrubbing, but it's definitely one of those things that needs to get done.

Drain the sink

After all the water is gone in the sink, throw those containers and plates in the dishwasher or wash them by hand. It's not a bad idea to put the dishwasher through a cycle while you keep finish going through the kitchen.

Make that floor spotless

You're almost done so now it's time for the floor. Give the space a good vacuuming to pick up any crumbs or food bits that might be under tables or counter tops. Next you'll want to go over the kitchen floor with a Swiffer or mop.

Empty the garbage

By now, you've probably thrown out a ton of paper towels and emptied the vacuum into the trash. Your kitchen will feel that much cleaner with a fresh garbage bag. Congratulate yourself on a job well done because you're finished.