Let’s be honest—cooking is fun until your kitchen ends up looking like a war zone. One minute, you’re whipping up a “quick” pasta, and the next, your counter looks like a flour bomb exploded while your sink could qualify as a dish graveyard. Sound familiar?
I’ve been there. Trust me, I still find rice in weird corners of my kitchen from a “light meal prep” session two weeks ago. But here’s the thing: keeping your kitchen clean while you cook isn’t some mythical skill reserved for culinary gods.
It’s totally doable—and dare I say, even satisfying—once you’ve got a few solid habits down.
So grab a snack (yes, I know you’re in the middle of cooking, but still), and let’s talk about how to cook and keep your kitchen from becoming a hot mess.
1. Start With a Clean Slate
Why Would You Cook in a Messy Kitchen Anyway?
Okay, real talk: you wouldn’t build a house on a pile of junk, so why start cooking in a cluttered kitchen? Before you even think about slicing that onion, take five minutes to clear the sink, wipe the counters, and put away any stray dishes. It’s not a glamorous step, but it makes everything easier.
Think of it as setting the stage for your cooking show. Except, you’re the host and the unpaid intern.
Pro tip: Make this a non-negotiable rule. No clean slate, no cooking. Simple.
2. The Magical “Clean-As-You-Go” Rule
Seriously, This Will Change Your Life
Ever heard the phrase clean as you go and rolled your eyes like, “Sure, Susan, like I have time for that”? Yeah, same. But once I actually tried it? Game-changer.
While your onions are sautéing or your pasta’s boiling, you have a golden opportunity. Use that time to rinse a bowl, toss food scraps, or wipe down your cutting board. Those 30-second cleanups add up fast and save you from a 30-minute nightmare later.
Why it works: You’re already in the kitchen, already moving, and already multitasking. Just sneak in a wipe or rinse here and there. Future-you will cry tears of joy.
3. Use a Trash Bowl (Thank Me Later)
Because Walking to the Trash 20 Times Is Just… No
Chopping veggies? Cracking eggs? Wrapping food in plastic? Instead of trekking to the trash can every 8 seconds, keep a designated “trash bowl” nearby. Toss all your peels, wrappers, and scraps in it while you work.
Once you’re done, dump the whole thing in one go. Efficient and oddly satisfying.
FYI: It also makes you feel like a professional chef. Even if you’re just making instant noodles.
4. Keep the Sink Empty (Or At Least Manageable)
Sink Full = Mood Ruined
The minute dishes start to pile up in the sink, things go downhill fast. Suddenly, you can’t rinse your spoon without knocking over three mugs and a mystery plate from last night. Ugh.
Here’s the trick: as soon as you’re done using something, give it a quick rinse and toss it in the dishwasher or drying rack. It takes, what, 10 seconds? Do it now so you’re not crying over a mountain of dishes later.
And if you don’t have a dishwasher? Still rinse right away—you’ll avoid the dried-on horror show later. Scrubbing crusty cheese off a plate isn’t how anyone wants to spend their evening.
5. Mise en Place—It’s Not Just Fancy French Stuff
“Everything in Its Place” Is Your Secret Weapon
I know, I know—mise en place sounds pretentious. But don’t let the fancy name fool you. It just means getting everything prepped and ready before you actually start cooking.
Chop your onions, measure your spices, and have your ingredients within arm’s reach. That way, you’re not tearing through cabinets mid-sauté like a maniac looking for paprika.
IMO, it keeps the chaos level waaaay down and helps you stay on top of the mess.
6. Wipe As You Work
Spills Don’t Age Like Fine Wine
If you spill something—milk, oil, flour, your soul—wipe it up immediately. Waiting only gives it time to stick, stain, or spread, and suddenly your counter looks like modern art.
Keep a damp cloth or a few paper towels handy at all times. Like a sidekick in a superhero movie, they’re small but mighty.
Quick wipes = clean vibes. Always.
7. Don’t Cook Everything at Once (Seriously)
Because Juggling Pots Isn’t a Personality Trait
Cooking three things at once might make you feel productive, but unless you’re Gordon Ramsay, it’s usually just a recipe for disaster. Chaos in timing = chaos in cleanup.
Instead, stagger your cooking. Finish the rice, set it aside, then start the chicken. You’ll have time to tidy up between tasks without burning anything (or anyone).
Multitasking sounds cool until your stove is smoking and your kitchen looks like a tornado hit it.
8. Use Fewer Dishes and Utensils
Do You Need 4 Spoons? No. No, You Don’t.
Don’t be that person who uses a new spoon every time you taste your sauce. Use one, rinse it, reuse it. Same goes for measuring cups, bowls, knives, etc.
Wash and reuse as you go. Not only do you save time and water, but you also avoid playing a game of “which dish did I use last?” when it’s time to clean up.
And hey, fewer dishes = more time to scroll Instagram guilt-free afterward 🙂
9. Store Items as You Use Them
Put It Back. Right Away. Like, Now.
After you grab the salt, put it back in the cupboard. Done chopping? Return the knife to its spot. Don’t let your countertop turn into a product display for every item you own.
Clean counters make for easier cleanup and less chance of a rogue jar crashing to the floor.
And yes, I’ve had olive oil bottles fall. They do not go down quietly.
10. Make Cleanup Part of the Cooking Process
Cooking Isn’t Done Until the Kitchen Is Too
Here’s a mindset shift that helps: you’re not done cooking until the kitchen is clean.
It’s not “cook first, then clean” or “I’ll do it later.” Nope. Cleaning as you go becomes part of the cooking rhythm. It’s all one big, beautiful process.
Once you start thinking this way, you’ll find yourself naturally wiping, rinsing, and putting things away without even realizing it.
Weird flex, but it actually feels…kinda satisfying?
11. Invest in the Right Tools
Sometimes a Better Sponge = Better Life
No one wants to clean with a crusty sponge from last year. (Gross.) Having the right tools makes the job easier and faster.
Here are a few I swear by:
- Squeegee-style counter wipers – get crumbs and spills fast.
- Dish wand with built-in soap – game-changer for scrubbing as you go.
- Mini garbage bin for countertop scraps – super handy and keeps things tidy.
- Fast-dry microfiber cloths – trust me, they beat paper towels any day.
Spending a few bucks here saves you loads of effort later.
12. Recruit Help (a.k.a. Bribe Someone)
Because You Shouldn’t Suffer Alone
If you’re cooking for others, make a deal—you cook, they clean. Or even better, have someone wash as you go while you play head chef. Bonus: you get to boss them around in a loving, Julia Child kind of way.
Cooking with someone else can make cleanup feel less like a chore and more like a team effort. Plus, you’ll finish faster. Win-win.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. Keeping your kitchen clean while you cook isn’t some wild fantasy—it’s a set of small habits that make a big difference.
Sure, it takes a little effort up front, but once you get into the groove, it actually becomes second nature. And trust me—there’s no better feeling than sitting down to eat without a disaster waiting for you in the sink.
So next time you step into the kitchen, channel your inner cleaning ninja, grab that trash bowl, and show the mess who’s boss.
Now, go make something delicious—and don’t forget to clean that spoon after tasting.
If this helped, pass it along to your fellow messy cook friends (you know who they are). Or better yet, invite them over and make them clean while you cook. You’re welcome.
