Cleaning Hacks to Get Your Kitchen Summer-Ready

The sun’s out, the days are longer, and your calendar’s filling up with BBQs, garden parties, and spontaneous “come over for a drink” invites. But before you start marinating kebabs or blending frozen margaritas, there’s one little space that needs a glow-up… your kitchen.

Because let’s be real — no one wants to prep potato salad in a kitchen that looks like it just survived a minor tornado. And when the heart of your home is clean, fresh, and summer-ready, everything from cooking to hosting feels like a breeze.

Here’s your no-fuss, actually-doable guide to getting your kitchen sparkling before the first burger hits the grill.

1. Declutter like you mean it

If you’ve got a “temporary” pile of post, a stack of mystery Tupperware lids, or that random tool kit you promised to put back in the garage three months ago… it’s time to play kitchen detective.

Set a timer for 10 minutes and remove everything that doesn’t belong. Don’t overthink it. Just grab a basket, toss it all in, and relocate later. Instant clear counters = instant mental clarity. Plus, your guests will think you’re one of those naturally organised people (we’ll keep your secret).

2. Shine those worktops

Summer hosting means chopping fruit, prepping salads, and buttering enough bread rolls to feed a small army. Clean, clear worktops are your best friend here.

Wipe down every surface with a damp cloth and your favourite antibacterial spray (or wipes if you’re in a hurry). Bonus points if you buff them afterwards with a microfibre cloth for that “is this a kitchen showroom?” gleam.

3. Give your appliances some summer love

Fridge, microwave, oven — they work hard for you all year, and summer is no exception.

• Fridge: Chuck anything expired or questionable. Wipe shelves with warm soapy water. Make space for the mountain of BBQ leftovers that’s about to happen.
• Microwave: Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for a couple of minutes, then wipe — no scrubbing needed.
• Oven: The grease monster lives here. If you’ve been putting this off, now’s the time. Use a good oven cleaner, or if you’d rather skip the mess entirely, call in the pros. (If you’re in Chelmsford, there are experts who can make it look brand new in under an hour.)

This isn’t just about aesthetics — clean appliances mean your food cooks evenly, smells amazing, and doesn’t come with an unexpected “mystery flavour” from last month’s pizza.

4. Do the dreaded washing up (without hating life)

No one wants to serve gorgeous grilled halloumi on mismatched plates because all the nice ones are in the sink. Put on a playlist, queue up a podcast, or binge an episode of your favourite show while you wash.

Top tip: if you’ve got a dishwasher, empty it before your BBQ starts. That way, guests can pop their plates straight in instead of creating a leaning tower of dishes by the sink.

5. Floors: the final flourish

Here’s the thing about summer — people (and pets) will be in and out of the garden all day, dragging nature’s finest dust, dirt, and grass with them.

Sweep or vacuum first, then mop with something that smells fresh (think citrus, eucalyptus, or even coconut if you want tropical holiday vibes). Always tackle the floor after everything else so you’re not cleaning twice.

6. Bonus: Add a little summer scent magic

Once your kitchen’s clean, make it smell as good as it looks. Simmer citrus peels with herbs on the hob, light a fresh linen or coconut candle, or pop a few drops of essential oil on a cotton pad and tuck it discreetly near the bin. Guests will walk in and wonder if you’ve secretly hired a lifestyle coach.

The golden rule

You don’t have to deep-clean like you’re prepping for a royal inspection. Focus on the areas people will actually see and use — clear counters, sparkling surfaces, and a floor that doesn’t stick to your feet. The rest? Save it for a rainy day (or never, we’re not judging).

So… grab your cloth, cue up your “summer vibes” playlist, and give your kitchen the love it deserves. By the time the first guest rings the bell, you’ll be sipping sangria, safe in the knowledge that your kitchen is clean, clutter-free, and totally BBQ-ready.

Related reads you might love:

• 10 genius BBQ hacks to impress your guests
• Summer cocktails that will steal the show
• Quick party appetisers you can make in 15 minutes
• How to turn your garden into the ultimate summer hangout