Updated: October 10, 2024

Keeping a clean and sanitary kitchen is key in the commercial business. Whether you are operating a restaurant, hotel, catering service, or other form of commercial business, it is important to keep a spotless cooking environment. Maintaining a clean and hygienic commercial kitchen can be an overwhelming task at times. Following strict cleaning procedures and rules can be difficult. Cleaning commercial kitchens can be time-consuming and daunting. It does not have to be though with the right equipment and schedule. With the right mindset, products, and plan cleaning any kitchen can be a breeze. We have put together some easy tips to help your form a checklist and schedule to keep your kitchen running and looking great.

Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Procedures

Your state’s governing organizations may require specific cleaning measures. It’s best to find these out first. Many organizations, like the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, have a specific set of requirements each kitchen must meet in order to operate. Your kitchen plan should start here. Know the requirements these organizations have set out for you. Research national, state, and city guidelines. It is important to be sure you are meeting all regulations in your area.
Talk to your company as well. If you are working under someone or for a company, they may a set standard of cleanliness they prefer. Be sure to check for any company guidelines on cleaning. It is best to cover all bases when it comes to your kitchen’s cleanliness. Make a list of all cleaning requirements so you are sure not to miss any. Save this list so you can add it to your checklist later. The idea is to get a complete list of everything that needs to be cleaned in your kitchen through the entire year. This includes big projects too.

Commercial Kitchen Cleaning

Now take a look at your kitchen and the space you have to clean. Evaluate the list you made of required cleaning. What is missing from it? Create a list of all surfaces, fixtures, appliances, equipment, etc. This will help you make a checklist of what needs to be cleaned and when. Consider floors, ceilings, prepping and cooking surfaces, fryers, exhausts, and storage areas. Take every surface and nook into consideration. While they may not all need to be cleaned daily, they will need to be cleaned at some point. When working on your cleaning schedule, we will add them into a rotation.
Taking a quiet moment alone in your kitchen is best to evaluate all your kitchen’s needs. Be sure to take your time and go slowly so as not to miss anything. Walk through each part of your kitchen and its extensions. Storage areas count to when cleaning. It may take you a significant amount of time to get a thorough list but that is okay. Consider adding to your list over several days to give your mind break. You do not want to miss anything. We suggest starting with the simple day-to-day tasks and working up from there.

Commercial Cleaning Checklist

Now you can use your list of everything that needs to be cleaned to create a cleaning checklist. You can complete each task by creating a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning checklist. Sort tasks by their importance and the frequency in which they should be completed. Having a checklist can help you stay organized and ensure all tasks are completed. No more forgetting a cleaning task! Just consult your checklists. We recommend posting your checklists in your kitchen so your employees can mark off tasks as they are completed.

Tasks like sanitizing surfaces and cleaning grease traps should happen at least daily and should go on your daily checklist. While tasks like cleaning coolers and sharpening knives can happen on a weekly basis. Sort your list of tasks into categories based on frequency and make copies to post for your employees. Below are sample daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules.

Dailey Cleaning Schedule

Your daily schedule should include daily tasks you and your employees will perform. These are tasks you do during and after each shift to keep your kitchen performing and running efficiently. If needed you can break your daily list down into a during shift, after shift, and general task list. Below are a few sample tasks to consider adding to your list.

• Sanitize surfaces
• Sweep and mop all floors
• Clean out grease traps
• Wash any dishes or utensils used
• Wash hood filters
• Brush/clean grill and clean fryers
• Put all cleaning rags, aprons, and other towels in dirty laundry
• Empty trash bins
• Check all bins have clean lids

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Your weekly cleaning schedule should include tasks that are important but do not need to be done daily. Rotate out a few tasks each evening. Set a schedule of a few tasks to be done each evening or after each shift to make them easy to accomplish. You do not want them to build up over the week. Accomplishing a few each night will make them easy to manage.

• Sharpen knives, peelers, and cheese slicers
• Clean ovens (be sure to follow manufacturer instructions)
• Delime and use drain cleaner on any sinks or drains
• Clean coffee machines
• Empty coolers of any expiring food and sanitize

Monthly Cleaning Schedule

Monthly tasks are where your big less frequent tasks should be. Taking on a few each month will allow you to spread them out over the year. Having only one or two big projects a month to accomplish is a lot easier than doing them all at once. Set aside one free day a month to take on these tasks. While some months may be easier, leaving yourself a set amount of time will help you stay organized and accomplish your goals.

• Wash walls and ceilings
• Clean behind appliances and equipment
• Wipe down dry storage and clean out freezers
• Clean and sanitize ice machine
• Restock first aid kit
• Clean refrigerator coils

Commercial Cleaning Equipment

Once you have a solid idea of what and when you will be cleaning it’s time to gather you supplies. Commercial cleaning is a little different from cleaning your kitchen at home. You will want to gather some specific supplies. You will need specific supplies like a grill brush, bulk amounts of cleaners, tools for cleaning commercial appliances, and more. We suggest looking to the manufacturers for suggests on how best to clean each of your appliances.
It’s important to go through your cleaning list and be sure you have all cleaning supplies and products ahead of time. Commercial kitchens often require large amounts of products and supplies. You don’t want to run out of something and miss a cleaning. Be sure to order enough of each product and double check your list. Consult with your supply company and ask for suggestions on the best cleaners, equipment, and techniques.

Commercial Cleaning Products

When choosing products for cleaning your commercial kitchen it is important to remember they need to be safe around food. At All Natural Cleaning Products we specialize in natural cleaning products. We are committed to sourcing the best chemical free products on the market. You will find everything from multipurpose kitchen cleaners to bulk microfiber cloths. Even a natural stainless-steel cleaner. Checkout our kitchen products to find more natural products to meet all your kitchen cleaning needs!

No matter what kind of commercial kitchen you have it’s important to keep it clean. We hope our commercial cleaning checklist and tips help you keep a hygienic, clean kitchen. Remember to follow all guidelines and evaluate your personal kitchen, sort through your tasks by frequency, and make a list of products you need. You will have a routine down in no time and your kitchen will look spotless and pristine. For more cleaning tips checkout our website and blog!