How to keep the kitchen clean during a summer party

To keep the kitchen clean during a summer party, start with an empty dishwasher, an empty trash can and clear counters. Set up a soak tub for dirty dishes and a drop zone for guests, keep a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle out, and use every lull to load, wipe and empty. Put food away before it sits out in the heat.

If the dishwasher is full and the trash is half full at the start, you're behind all day.

How do you set up the kitchen before guests arrive?

• Run and empty the dishwasher. An empty one means dishes go straight in.
• Empty every trash can and recycling bin, and put two or three spare liners at the bottom of the can, under the bag in use. When it fills, the next one is already there.
• Clear the counters. Move the toaster, the mail and the fruit bowl somewhere else. You need the space for platters and prep.
• Make room in the fridge. Clear one shelf for drinks and one for leftovers.
• Wipe the stovetop and counters so you start clean, not with this morning's breakfast.
• Set out serving pieces with a sticky note on each saying what goes in it. Anyone helping can plate without asking.

How do you keep the kitchen under control during the party?

• A soak tub by the sink. A dish tub or large bowl of hot soapy water for utensils and sticky dishes. Nothing dries on.
• A drop zone for guests. A tray or a section of counter, away from where you're cooking, where people can leave plates and cups.
• Drinks outside the kitchen. A cooler on the patio keeps traffic, and spills, out of the cooking space.
• Trash and recycling where people are. Put a lined bin outside near the grill and the seating. Guests are less likely to wander into the kitchen to throw out a paper plate.
• A spill kit within reach: paper towels, a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner and a damp cloth.
• Two-minute resets. When the food is out and people are eating, load the dishwasher, wipe the counter, and take out the trash if it's full.

What about food in the heat?

Food left out on a hot day spoils fast. Keep cold dishes on ice or bring them out in smaller batches, and put perishables back in the fridge once people have served themselves. Don't leave anything with mayonnaise, dairy or meat sitting out all afternoon. When in doubt, throw it out.

How do you clean up after the party?

Work in this order and the kitchen gets done without starting over:

1. Food first. Bag leftovers, label them and get them in the fridge.
2. Trash and recycling. Bag it all and take it out of the house, especially anything with meat scraps or sweet drinks in it. Rinse cans before they go in the bin to keep ants and wasps away.
3. Dishes. Load the dishwasher fully and run it. Hand wash what's left from the soak tub.
4. Counters, table and stovetop. Hot soapy water for sticky spots, then dry.
5. The sink. Scrub it last, after the dishes, so you're not washing grease into a clean sink.
6. The floor. Sweep, then mop. Drink spills leave sticky patches you'll feel later if you skip this.

For the regular version of this, see how to maintain a clean kitchen.

How do you get the house ready for summer guests?

If people are staying over, the kitchen is only part of it.

The guest room

• Wash the sheets and pillowcases, and put an extra blanket where they can find it. Air conditioning makes nights cooler than people expect.
• Dust the nightstand and dresser, and vacuum, including under the bed.
• Clear a drawer, a surface and a few hangers for their things.

The guest bathroom

• Clean the toilet, sink, mirror and shower, and empty the trash.
• Put out clean bath towels, hand towels and washcloths for each person.
• Leave a spare roll of toilet paper, soap, and travel-size basics where they're easy to see.
• Run the tap and flush to check that everything drains and refills properly.

The shared spaces

• Dust and vacuum the living room, wipe the coffee table and do the entryway floor.
• Clear a spot near the door for shoes and bags.
• Leave a short note with the Wi-Fi name and password, how the shower works and anything quirky about the house.

Outside

• Sweep the patio or deck and wipe down the outdoor table and chairs.
• Brush the grill grates while they're warm, and check you have enough fuel.

South Jersey summers are humid, so open the guest room windows or run a fan for an hour before people arrive. Rooms that are closed up all week pick up a stale smell.

When it makes sense to have it done

A Standard House Cleaning, RoutineCare, covers the kitchen counters and backsplash, sink and faucet, stovetop, the outside of the appliances, inside the microwave, and the table and chairs.

Deep Cleaning, PureRenewal, adds degreasing the stovetop and hood exterior, fully wiping the cabinet fronts, hand-wiped baseboards and scrubbing the tub, shower and tile. See what's covered on a standard visit at House Cleaning.

Organizing isn't on any of our cleaning checklists, so clear the counters and surfaces you want cleaned. A booking is a request until it's confirmed, so book well ahead of the date guests arrive.

FAQ

How do you keep the kitchen clean while hosting? Start with an empty dishwasher, an empty trash can and clear counters. Set up a soak tub for dirty dishes and a separate drop zone for guests, and spend two minutes wiping and loading whenever there's a lull.

What should you clean first after a party? Food first: put perishables away and bag leftovers. Then trash, then dishes, then counters and the stovetop, and the floor last.

How do you get a house ready for overnight guests? Wash the guest sheets and towels, clean the bathroom they'll use, clear a drawer or a surface for their things, and do a pass through the kitchen and living room. A short note with the Wi-Fi password helps too.

Book a cleaning

We clean homes across South Jersey and Central Jersey. Book online at tinascleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (609) 831-4455, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.