4 Kitchen Cleaning Mistakes and Chef-Approved Solutions

It’s a new year, which means it’s time for a long-overdue kitchen reset. I’ll admit it: I’m not the best at keeping my kitchen clean throughout the week. It’s hard to wash all the dishes I use in a day, let alone deep-clean my refrigerator regularly. But it turns out that I’m not alone — all of us are probably neglecting some aspect of our kitchens, according to chefs. 

I spoke to professional chefs about the most common kitchen-cleaning mistakes they see, and the easy solutions for a spotless, odor-free kitchen. Whether you haven’t used a deep cleaning brush set in a while or don’t thoroughly clean your knives, I found picks like Arm & Hammer Air Filters, Lodge Scrubbing Pads, and more to help you achieve the spick-and-span kitchen of your dreams. Read on for expert advice and 22 kitchen cleaning tools, from $4.

Chef-Recommended Kitchen Cleaning Tools at Amazon

• Amazon Bestseller: OXO Blue Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, $10
• Swedish Wholesale Dishcloths, $20
• Editored-Loved: Lodge Scrubbing Pad, $25
• Joseph Joseph BladeBrush, $11
• Arm & Hammer Fridge Fresh Refrigerator Air Filter, $10, originally $15
• Ina Garten-Approved: Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads, 10-Pack, $7
• John Boos Oil & Cream Round Applicator for Wood Cutting Boards, $29
• OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Palm Brush Storage Set, $14
• Under $10: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, $9
• Everyday Essential: Scrub Daddy Color Sponges, 3-Pack, $14

Don’t: Use the Same Sponge for Everything

Do: Assign Sponges to Different Categories

I’m guilty of using the same sponge for everything in my kitchen, and it could be making my space dirtier. Joanne Gallagher of Inspired Taste recommends “zoning” your cleaning by using different dish scrubbers for different tasks. “I always make sure the brush I use on a raw chicken cutting board stays far away from my clean counters, dishes, and prep areas,” she said. “It’s a simple habit that goes a long way in preventing germs from spreading around the kitchen.” And you don’t have to use the same type of dish scrubber for everything, either. For example, these reusable Swedish dishcloths are great for wiping down your counter, while this Lodge scrubbing pad is made specifically for cleaning cast iron.

Joseph Joseph BladeBrush

This U-shaped Joseph Joseph brush is great for cleaning kitchen utensils, particularly knives. It scrubs both sides of the blade at the same time and won’t slip out of your hand. Plus, you can easily rest it on the edge of a sink caddy to dry.

OXO Blue Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set

Save your regular sponge for dishes, and break out this OXO Deep Clean Brush Set when you need to tackle all the nooks and crannies of your kitchen. The toothbrush-like tools can target the grout on your backsplash or the crevices around your sink, and you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination with your dinnerware.

Don’t: Neglect Your Kitchen Appliances

Do: Deep Clean Your Dishwasher, Oven, Stove, Refrigerator, and Microwave

I regularly wash my dishes and clean my counters, but scrubbing my oven or refrigerator? Not so much. It’s important that your kitchen not only looks clean, but also smells clean. “If your kitchen has a lingering smell, you’re probably not deep cleaning well,” said Emmy Clinton, the founder of Entirely Emmy. This includes your oven, microwave, stove, and other major appliances. For example, don’t forget to scrub your dishwasher filter and run a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner.

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish

Chefs love this abrasive powdered cleaner, and it’s great for cleaning kitchen appliances to make them look shiny and new. Simply wet the surface, sprinkle on Bar Keepers Friend, and add a little elbow grease to erase stains and buildup.

Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads, 10-Pack

These soap-infused steel wool sponges are Ina Garten’s secret to shiny sheet pans — and they can do a lot more. Use the heavy-duty, lemon-scented sponges to clean grease and grime in your oven or your stovetop.

Don’t: Ignore Bad Smells

Do: Clear Your Garbage Disposal

If there’s an unpleasant smell in your kitchen and it’s not your garbage, then it may be your garbage disposal. This oft-neglected appliance can be “a big source of odor in your kitchen,” according to Clinton. Luckily, there’s a simple, natural remedy to clean your disposal and reduce smells. “To avoid buildup and odor, drop lemon peels with ice cubes down your disposal while running water,” she said. “The peels release natural essential oils that freshen and naturally break down residue, while ice helps sharpen the blades.” For a shelf-stable solution, grab a garbage disposal cleaner, like these bacteria-fighting Affresh tablets.

Glisten Garbage Disposer Cleaner

At $4, this 4-pack of cleaner is just $1 per use. Toss an individual package into your garbage disposal with running water, then turn it on to watch it foam up and scrub away food scraps.

Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner, 6-Pack

These convenient cleaning tablets help clear out every step of your garbage disposal, from the grinding chamber to the drain pipe, replacing miscellaneous smells with a fresh lemon scent. Just turn on the hot water, drop in the tablet, and run your disposal for 30 seconds.

Don’t: Keep Using Dirty Sponges and Dish Scrubbers

Do: Wash Cleaning Tools Regularly

While it may do a lot of the cleaning in your kitchen, your sponge can get dirty, too. Clinton recommends cleaning your sponges every 1-2 days. Some cleaning tools are dishwasher-safe, like this OXO Dish Brush, so you can toss them in with a cycle. And if they’re not, baking soda or vinegar will also do the trick. It’s crucial to let your sponges dry out between washings in a dish rack or sink caddy to prevent bacterial growth. Gallagher actually prefers dish brushes to sponges because they dry faster, like this soap-dispensing brush.

Scrub Daddy Color Sponges, 3-Pack

I’m a diehard Scrub Daddy fan, and I use the sponges daily. Even after scrubbing a mixing bowl caked in batter or a greasy frying pan, I just rinse and massage the sponge with soap and water per the brand’s instructions to make it good as new.

OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Palm Brush Storage Set

Not only does this brush have its own soap dispenser, but it also comes with a drainage dish that allows it to fully dry between washes. Plus, you can easily empty the excess water to keep your brush dry and bacteria-free.