The Ultimate Kitchen Decluttering Checklist

The kitchen is the heart of the home, where the whole family—and their clutter—gathers. If your kitchen mess has gotten out of hand, cleaning and organizing can restore functionality and make it a calm and beautiful space to spend time. The kitchen can make for an overwhelming organization project, so we've put together a printable declutter kitchen checklist to keep you on track and sort through each area in your kitchen one at a time.

Kitchen Declutter Supplies List

Download Checklist Here

Unless you’re hiring a decluttering pro, you’ll need to gather some supplies before you start your kitchen declutter project. You’ll want all of the following, and you may also want to grab some additional cleaning supplies if you plan to tackle a kitchen cleaning checklist as well.

• Empty boxes for sorting and donating items

• Trash bags and recycling bins

• A hand vacuum

• Cleaning solution

• Clean cloths or rags

• A measuring tape for planning out organizational solutions

• Gloves to protect your hands while cleaning

Declutter Kitchen Checklists

Decluttering a kitchen can be daunting, so it's worth breaking up the project into multiple checklists to help you divide and conquer. Look around your kitchen and assess which areas are the most cluttered. Target these first to make the most notable difference. The feeling of accomplishment from finishing one checklist can help carry you through the rest of the project.

As you move through each area of the kitchen, keep the following questions in mind:

• How can I better organize this area?

• How can I use this space more efficiently?

• What types of clutter do I accrue most easily?

• Do I need this item, and do I use it regularly?

• How many of each item do I need?

Clearing Countertops

Countertops are the first area you see in the kitchen, and freeing them up can immediately make a kitchen feel cleaner and more open.

• Remove anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen

• Sort papers into piles to keep and to shred

• Move ‘keep’ papers to a folder for later

• Put small appliances you don't use daily in a cabinet, pantry, closet, or storage space

• Swap out countertop décor for items that can be hung on walls

• Find cabinet space for your dish drying rack, or get rid of it and dry dishes immediately

• Install shelves, risers, wall mounts, hooks, and magnetic strips to keep items organized

• Determine if any items can be stored elsewhere to free up counter space

Remember that any items left on your countertop take up usable workspace and will need to be cleaned more frequently. This includes appliances, cookbooks, and canisters that may be better stored on a shelf or in a cabinet.

Decluttering Cabinets and Drawers

With clear countertops, you'll have a workspace to empty your cabinets and drawers. Work in sections so you don't overwhelm yourself, especially in a large kitchen. Remember to keep similar items together and to place them in a functional spot. For example, it helps to have cups by the sink, or spices by the stove.

• Sort items into groups to keep, trash, or recycle

• Put items to recycle in a labeled box

• Put items to trash directly into trash bags

• Sort kept items into categories such as cookware, dishware, cups, utensils, etc.

• Once a cabinet or drawer is clear, clean and dry it with a hand vacuum, cloth, and spray

• For small or clunky items, consider solutions like drawer dividers, bins, and labels

Decluttering the Pantry

An effectively decluttered pantry is clean and allows you to see what food items you have on hand easily.

• Remove everything and sort it into categories such as baking, cans, snacks, etc.

• Clean and dry all shelves with a hand vacuum, cloth, and cleaning spray once clear

• Go through food items to consolidate duplicates and dispose of expired foods

• Consider donating unopened, nonperishable items you don't need to a food pantry

• Use storage bins and organizers to group like items and make them easy to pull out

Decluttering the Fridge and Freezer

With the rest of your kitchen decluttered, you can tackle your fridge. 

• Remove items one at a time and dispose of any expired or spoiled food

• With all items out, thoroughly clean and disinfect your fridge's interior surfaces

• Divide your fridge into zones for like items and rearrange shelves to suit your layout

• Put foods back in their place and label containers with dates to track freshness

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Kitchen Decluttering Pro?

If you need help with the kitchen decluttering process, hire a professional organizer near you. These services tend to cost between $250 and $835, with prices varying by project size and organizer experience. They usually charge an hourly rate.

You can also hire a local cleaning or maid service to assist with cleaning out particularly dirty spaces and keeping them clean and organized in the long term.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Kitchen decluttering is a feasible DIY project that many homeowners can handle without spending a dime. You may spend some money on organizing solutions, such as shelving, and on specific cleaning products for different surfaces in your kitchen.