How to Clean the Trickiest Spots in the Kitchen, According to a Pro Cleaner—Plus, 8 Cleaning Tools That Really Work

Are you cleaning your kitchen frequently enough? Even though you might think the answer is “yes” because you spray the countertops and mop the floor every night, you’d be surprised. In fact, some of the kitchen’s trickiest spots to clean are not only the dirtiest, but also might be ignored the most.

Being the slight germaphobe and cleaning-obsessed mom that I am, I reached out to Jenna Arkin, chemist, cleaning expert, and Chief Innovation Officer at ECOS, to find out which kitchen areas are the trickiest to clean. Arkin was, of course, able to share eight of the kitchen’s hardest-to-clean hotspots, as well as how to clean them the right way, too.

Keep scrolling for Arkin’s top tips for tidying tough-to-clean kitchen areas. I’ve also included expert-approved cleaning tools that will get each task done right. Prices start at $7.

Expert-Approved Cleaning Tools for the Kitchen’s Hardest-to-Clean Areas

• Merryseason Coffee Grinder Cleaning Brush, $7
• Grillbadger The Original Non-Metal Grill Brush, $30
• Naturolic All-Natural Wooden Scrub Brush Set, $21
• BeMind Coconut Husk Scrubber, $9
• Dgudgu Ceramic Mushroom Microwave Steam Cleaner, $12
• Ukeetap Waterproof Under-the-Sink Silicone Mat, $10 (was $13)
• SiliFine Tap Descaling Gadget, $10
• Products4Future 4-Pack Naturally Activated Bamboo Charcoal Bags, $22 (was $30)

How to Clean a Coffee Grinder

“As with all food or beverage surfaces, it’s best to use cleaning solutions that are made with natural materials, so no synthetic fibers or particles shed in the process of cleaning,” explains Arkin. “This bamboo and natural bristle brush is a great option for a natural cleaner,” that helps “remove leftover coffee [grounds] from hard-to-reach areas of the grinder.”

After all, the best way to extend your coffee grinder’s life is to take proper care of it, and frequently removing residue ensures that. According to Arkin, this is especially important for coffee purists.

“This keeps your brew fresh, and for micro-lot enthusiasts, ensures no flavors are mixed from the previous grind,” Arkin adds. “The natural fibers will not impact any chemical residue or flavor to the beans.”

How to Clean a Grill

If you’re not sure how to clean a grill, the good news is that natural materials and cleaners can go a long way. Cleaning grill grates directly after cooking is key, and you can use a mixture of dish soap, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and water to clean stainless steel grill grates. But what’s of equal importance, however, is the brush you use to scrub off food residue, and while many say the best grill brushes are stainless steel, Arkin prefers metal alternatives.

“This natural materials brush is safer for grill cleaning, with no risk of metal fibers left on the grill and no PFAS or microplastics shedding,” explains Arkin. “The brush is made from natural plant fibers instead of synthetics, which is particularly important when it comes to food contact surfaces.” Arkin adds, “Using natural fibers is also gentler on stainless steel and cast iron surfaces, and less likely to scratch or damage.”

How to Clean Glass Stovetops

Your glass stovetop has its pros and cons, but one particularly annoying downside is that burnt food residue creates friction between the glass and your cookware, which can lead to scratches. If you want to learn how to clean glass stovetop areas more effectively (and without causing permanent scratches), Arkin recommends a natural scrubbing brush that’s less abrasive.

“For stuck-on food, sometimes a bit of extra scrubbing action is needed,” Arkin says. “Stovetops require extra precaution when cleaning because any synthetic material residue will be heated and burned when the stove is in use.”

According to Arkin, that’s not only bad news for the glass surface, but also bad news for your health. “These residues can create fumes that are toxic,” she adds. “The best solution is to use a natural fiber brush that provides good scrubbing action but without any PFAS or microplastic contamination. Used alongside a green cleaner, this is a great solution that cleans and protects your family.”

And for particularly stubborn stains, carefully scrape them off with a razor blade.

How to Clean Pots and Pans

Sometimes dish soap and a standard plastic sponge just can’t get the job done. Luckily, the alternative costs less than $10.

“These heavy-duty scrubbers are made of natural coconut fibers, so they are biodegradable and compostable,” explains Arkin. “As a scouring pad, it will remove stuck-on grease stains without scratching surfaces.” Yes—even on pots and pans, both nonstick and stainless steel, too. 

And because the coconut husk scrubber is completely plastic-free, it eliminates any “microplastic pollution that can be created when you wash pots and pans,” Arkin adds.

How to Clean the Microwave

Ugh—does anyone like cleaning the microwave? It’s no jolly task, that’s for sure, but the before and after can be satisfying to watch unfold. Thankfully, Arkin’s microwave hack is completely low-maintenance with absolutely no scrubbing necessary.

“When food gets stuck in the microwave, make cleanup faster with this clever little microwave steam cleaner,” Arkin says. “It uses natural ceramic materials (not plastic or Teflon for microplastic pollution) to help steam up the microwave and loosen stuck-on food. It can also be used with a green window cleaner instead of water for extra cleaning power.”

How to Clean Under the Sink

According to Arkin, the key to cleaning that pesky under-the-sink area is to avoid it getting dirty in the first place. After all, it’s not like it’s an easily vacuumable or moppable space. But not to worry—Arkin has a genius cleaning hack for that: a catch-all silicone mat. 

“Everyone’s least favorite job is cleaning under the sink. If you use a silicone mat, it creates an easy-to-remove liner to help make cleaning stress-free,” Arkin explains. “This also catches any potential leaks from the sink or cleaners, protecting wooden cabinets from water damage.”

How to Clean the Faucet

When was the last time you looked at your faucet? No, not at it straight-on, but looked at the underside of the faucet, where the water actually flows out. If it’s been a while, it’s time to give it a once-over because that area can be… quite disgusting. 

“Hard water can start to clog up sink fixtures over time, and when hard water scale starts to build up, it can reduce water pressure, and fixtures start to erode,” Arkin explains. “This clever gadget attaches to the faucet and allows a descaling agent to break down this buildup. Try a green cleaning solution, like ECOS Autodish Rinse Aid, to help soak away the clogs.”

How to Clean the Pantry

Yes, your pantry needs to be periodically cleaned, but perhaps not like you’d expect. Because the pantry is home to so many different kinds of foods—maybe even a few that have expired—you’ll want to keep it smelling as fresh as possible.

“Odor is no match for charcoal bags! Charcoal has amazing malodor absorption properties, and these natural bamboo bags can be hung anywhere where food odors are present, and they will keep everything smelling fresh,” Arkin says. “They never expire and can be recharged by setting them in the sun for a few hours.”