Your Dream Kitchen Care Checklist: Daily, Weekly, Monthly Tasks
Photography by Emily Keeney
You did it! The renovation is complete, and your dream kitchen is finally a reality. Whether you’re gleaming with pride at your quartz countertops or savoring that rich warmth from your butcher block island, you’re now the proud owner of a space that’s as beautiful as it is functional. But how do you keep it looking showroom-worthy long after the contractors have packed up?
The key to a lasting, gorgeous kitchen is regular care and a bit of know-how. In this guide, we’ll cover cleaning tips for all the important surfaces in your kitchen, from wood floors to tile backsplashes, and dive into how often you should be sealing those stone counters. Plus, if you love a good checklist, we’ve got your back with a routine care schedule you can easily follow!
Before we dive in:
If you’re still in the process of moving into your new home or setting up your space after a renovation, don’t forget to check out our Ultimate New Home Essentials Checklist: Setting Up Your Space After the Reno Is Complete. It’ll help you gather all the must-haves for your kitchen and every other room so you can settle in seamlessly.
Cleaning Your Kitchen Checklist Surfaces:
What You Need To Know for your Dream Kitchen Cleaning Care
Wood Floors: Keep Them Gleaming
Wood floors bring warmth and elegance to your kitchen, but they need the right care to stay beautiful.
Daily Care: Sweep or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove crumbs and dust. Make sure to avoid excessive moisture. A dry mop works wonders.
Weekly Care: Mop with a wood-specific cleaner, making sure your mop is only damp, not wet. Too much water can damage the finish and cause warping over time.
Deep Cleaning: Every few months, consider a deeper clean with a professional wood floor cleaner. If you notice scuff marks, a little baking soda on a damp cloth can help buff them out without damaging the finish.
Tile Backsplashes: A Quick Wipe Goes A Long Way
Your tile backsplash adds color and texture to the kitchen while protecting your walls from splatters. Keeping it clean is easy, but it’s all about consistency.
Daily Care: Wipe down tiles after cooking with a damp cloth or sponge. This prevents grease, sauce, and spills from sticking or staining.
Weekly Care: Use a mild tile cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar to scrub away any grime buildup. Pay attention to the grout—using a small brush can help remove dirt from between the tiles.
Deep Cleaning: Every few months, tackle the grout with a grout cleaner or a baking soda paste. If your backsplash is in a high-traffic area (like behind the stove), you might need to reseal the grout annually to prevent staining.
Stone Counters: Keep Them Sealed And Stunning
Natural stone, like granite or marble, is both durable and luxurious—but it needs some maintenance to keep it looking its best.
Daily Care: Wipe down stone countertops with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Avoid harsh chemicals or acidic cleaners (like vinegar or lemon) that can erode the stone.
Weekly Care: Use a stone-safe cleaner to give your counters a more thorough clean without damaging the surface.
Sealing: Stone counters need sealing to stay stain-resistant and maintain their luster. For granite, resealing is usually recommended every 1–2 years, but marble may need sealing more frequently—every six months to a year, depending on how often it’s used. A quick way to check if your stone needs sealing is to do a water test: If water beads on the surface, you’re good. If it absorbs, it’s time to reseal.
Quartz Counters: Low Maintenance, High Impact
Quartz is a non-porous surface, meaning it’s highly resistant to stains and bacteria—hooray! But it still deserves some TLC.
Daily Care: Simply wipe with warm water and a mild dish soap. Steer clear of abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals, which can dull the surface over time.
Weekly Care: Use a glass or surface cleaner for quartz-safe deep cleaning to remove any stuck-on residue.
Sealing: Good news—quartz does not need sealing! It’s naturally resistant to stains, so just focus on regular cleaning to keep it looking fresh.
Butcher Block Counters: Beauty And Durability
Butcher block counters are a kitchen staple for those who love a warm, rustic touch. Proper care keeps them both functional and beautiful.
Daily Care: Wipe with warm soapy water, then dry thoroughly. Avoid leaving standing water on the surface, as wood can absorb moisture and warp.
Weekly Care: Use a mixture of vinegar and water to disinfect the surface. If your butcher block sees a lot of action (cutting, chopping, etc.), sand down any scratches and re-oil with food-safe mineral oil.
Monthly Care: Oil butcher block counters regularly—typically once a month, depending on use. This helps prevent the wood from drying out and keeps it looking fresh.
Your Dream Kitchen Care Cleaning Checklist: Daily, Weekly, Monthly Tasks
If you’re the kind of person who loves checking things off a list (I’m with you!), here’s your easy-to-follow kitchen care checklist to keep your dream kitchen in tip-top shape:
Daily:
Wipe down counters and backsplash
Sweep or vacuum wood floors
Clean the sink and wash any dishes
Wipe down appliances (stove, fridge, microwave)
Weekly:
Mop wood floors with a damp mop
Clean tile backsplash with a mild cleaner
Disinfect butcher block counters
Give your stone or quartz counters a deeper clean with a surface-specific cleaner
Clean out the fridge of any spills or expired food
Monthly:
Oil butcher block counters
Polish stainless steel appliances
Deep clean grout between tiles
Clean kitchen cabinet doors and drawer pulls
Dust light fixtures and wipe down baseboards
Every 6–12 Months:
Reseal stone countertops
Deep clean wood floors with a professional cleaner
Reseal grout (if necessary)
Our Favorite Kitchen Care Tools
To make your kitchen care routine even easier, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite tools to help you tackle these tasks effortlessly. Check out the clickable links below for the best products to keep your dream kitchen sparkling clean!
Keeping your dream kitchen clean and well-maintained doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it’s all about staying on top of things with regular care. And if you’re looking for more kitchen inspiration, make sure to check out our previous post, Ask an Expert: The Kitchen Organization Edition, for pro tips on keeping everything in its place!
With this routine, your kitchen will look and feel like new for years to come. Now, go on and enjoy your beautifully renovated space—you’ve earned it!
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