Clean your kitchen without feeling stressed out. Try these 12 genius kitchen cleaning hacks using everyday items like baking soda, vinegar, and lemons.
These quick, natural, and budget-friendly tips are not only for moms but for everyone.
We all know the kitchen is the heart of the home—but it’s also the easiest to get messy. From sticky counters to grimy stovetops, keeping your kitchen clean can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need fancy products or expensive tools. You already have everything you need in your pantry!
Follow along as we go through each cleaning hack on the list.
Here are 12 time-saving, budget-friendly kitchen cleaning hacks using everyday household items every mom should know.
1. Steam Clean Your Microwave with Lemon and Water
Looking for a quick, natural way to freshen up your microwave? Try this easy trick to steam clean your microwave with lemon and water—no harsh chemicals needed!
Just cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl of water, and toss the lemon halves in too. Microwave for 3–5 minutes, then leave the door closed for another 5 minutes to let the steam do its thing. The lemon’s natural acidity helps cut through grease and eliminates odors, while the steam loosens up all the grime.
After that, just wipe it down, no scrubbing needed! It’s a simple, citrusy-fresh natural microwave cleaner that gets the job done.
2. Baking Soda Scrub for Stainless Steel Sink
Looking for an easy, natural way to clean your stainless steel sink?
Just reach for some baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda). Sprinkle it all over the sink, then give it a good scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse everything off with warm water, and you’re halfway to a shiny, spotless sink.
Want to boost that shine? Wipe it down with a paper towel and a bit of olive oil. Bonus tip: Add a few drops of lemon essential oil for a fresh, clean scent that lingers.
3. Vinegar Spray for Countertops
Countertops are high traffic areas which need to be dealt with. And if you are like me who would like to keep commercially produced cleaners at a minimum, a vinegar and water solution is the answer.
This solution keeps those counters and glass surfaces in check.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this solution on kitchen counters, backsplashes, and glass surfaces.
Bonus tip is to add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or tea tree to mask the vinegar smell and enhance antibacterial properties.
4. Degrease Cabinets with Dish Soap and Warm Water
If your cabinets are feeling a little sticky, here’s a super easy grease removal hack to try. Just mix one part dish soap with two parts warm water—yep, that’s all you need to degrease kitchen cupboards without any harsh cleaners.
Dip a microfiber cloth into the mix and wipe down those greasy cabinet doors and handles. Then go over everything with a clean, damp cloth and dry it off.
Got gunk in tight corners or around trim? Grab an old toothbrush to scrub those spots clean. It’s a quick, no-fuss way to get your cabinets looking fresh again!
5. Shine Up Faucets with Vinegar-Soaked Towels
Want to get your faucets looking like new without using harsh cleaners? Try this simple trick to shine up faucets with vinegar-soaked towels—it’s easy, eco-friendly, and super effective!
Just soak a paper towel or cloth in white vinegar, then wrap it around your faucet or tap. Let it sit for about 15–30 minutes to break down hard water spots, grime, and buildup. Once time’s up, remove the towel, give it a quick wipe, and enjoy that sparkling, streak-free shine.
It’s one of the easiest natural cleaning tips for your bathroom or kitchen!
6. Freshen Up Your Trash Can with Used Coffee Grounds
Big coffee fan? Don’t throw out those used grounds just yet!
After they’ve cooled off, just toss some into the bottom of your trash can. They’re great at soaking up funky smells and help your bin stay way fresher. Pop in your trash bag like usual, and let the coffee do its thing.
It’s a simple, eco-friendly way to deodorize your trash can—plus, it gives those coffee grounds a second life!
7. Deodorize the Fridge with Baking Soda
Tired of weird smells every time you open your fridge? Here’s a super simple trick: just pop an open box of baking soda in there! It naturally absorbs and neutralizes food odors, keeping your fridge smelling fresh and clean.
For best results, swap out the box every 30 days. Want to add a little something extra? Mix in a few drops of lemon juice or vanilla extract for a light, pleasant scent.
Easy, affordable, and chemical-free—this fridge deodorizer hack is a game changer!
8. Clean Cutting Boards with Salt and Lemon
Here is a chopping or cutting board cleaner that uses everyday materials.
Sprinkle coarse salt on your wooden cutting board and scrub it using half a lemon. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water and let it air dry.
You may find it the easiest and economical hack to remove odors, bacteria, and stains naturally.
A bonus tip: when we are out of lemons and limes are aplenty, they work as well as lemons.
9. Line Cabinet Tops with Wax Paper
Here’s a simple kitchen maintenance hack: line the tops of your cabinets with wax paper to catch dust and grease. It’s a super-easy way to keep a dust-proof kitchen cabinet setup without scrubbing. Every few months, just swap out the paper for a fresh sheet—no deep cleaning needed!
Bonus tip: Use a lint roller to pick up the dust before replacing the wax paper for even easier kitchen cleaning.
10. Use Dryer Sheets to Tackle Baked-On Messes
Got stubborn, stuck-on food? Here’s a super handy pan cleaning hack: drop a used dryer sheet into the dirty pan, fill it with warm water, and let it soak overnight. This dryer sheet cleaning trick helps break down all that gunk, thanks to the anti-static agents.
Baked-on food removal has never been easier—plus, it saves you from all that annoying scrubbing and can make old pans look shiny again!
11. Disinfect Sponges in the Microwave
Clean Your Sponge in the Microwave. If you want a super simple way to disinfect your kitchen sponge, just soak it in water. Seriously—don’t skip this part!, then toss it in the microwave for about 1–2 minutes. This easy microwave sponge cleaner trick zaps bacteria and helps keep things fresh.
One of those underrated kitchen hygiene tips—just be sure to watch it while it’s heating, and remember to replace your sponge every few weeks!
12. Polish Appliances with Olive Oil
Looking for an easy way to make your kitchen sparkle? Try this simple appliance shine hack using something you probably already have—olive oil! Just put a small amount on a microfiber cloth and gently buff your stainless steel appliances. It’s great for removing fingerprints, smudges, and water spots, plus it leaves a nice, streak-free shine.
The best part? It’s a natural cleaning solution, so you’re skipping the harsh chemicals and still getting that polished, like-new look. Give it a try next time your fridge or oven needs a quick refresh!
Mom, Keep It Simple!
Cleaning doesn’t have to mean spending hours scrubbing or buying a cabinet full of products. With these 12 clever hacks using items you already have at home, like lemon, baking soda, and vinegar, you can keep your kitchen sparkling clean, naturally and affordably.
Which cleaning hacks have you been using or would like to try next?
Here are more cleaning tips just for you.
25 Genius Cleaning Tips To Save Time
12 Vacuuming Hacks You Need To Know
15 Habits of People with Really Clean Homes
How to Spring Clean Every Room of your Home
10 Fun and Fast Cleaning Routines
After trying the cleaning hacks why not browse through recipes for your next meal?
Browse recipes here or head to Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for updates on life in the countryside and beyond.
English