11 Diwali Kitchen Cleaning Hacks That Actually Save Time
The easiest way to keep an Indian kitchen clean is to stop saving everything for a big Diwali clean-up and instead clean a little at a time, so no single day ever feels overwhelming.
The kitchen is the hardest room to clean because so much is stored in it. But with a plan and a few zero-cost tools, you can keep it spotless without stress, extra tools, or a marathon session before every festival.
Why should I stop leaving kitchen cleaning for festivals?
Most of us make the same mistake: we only do big cleaning during festivals — moving appliances, scrubbing walls, deep-cleaning every corner all at once. That is exactly what makes cleaning exhausting.
If you clean an area only once a year, it collects heavy grime and takes far longer. But if you keep cleaning corners in between, the dust stays light and wipes off in seconds. Whenever you get a little free time, take out 15–20 minutes, move things from one small space, and clean it. Done this way, no festival ever needs a separate, dedicated clean-up.
How do I clean high cabinets and the ceiling without a special tool?
You don’t need to buy anything. The upper cabinets and ceiling are hard to reach and hard to clean because cooking steam carries grease upward, where it mixes with dust and sticks.
Here’s the zero-cost method:
- Take any old rod — most homes have plenty lying around.
- Wrap an old cloth around it and secure it with a rubber band, keeping the cloth toward the top so it reaches the highest spots.
- Choose a cloth that soaks up water well, so you don’t have to rewet it again and again.
- Wet it, then wring it out thoroughly so no water drips down and dirties the floor.
- Add a little spray or soapy water to cut the greasiness up top.
In just one or two passes, the upper walls and cabinets come clean. You can clean your walls the same way — good wall paint wipes clean with a lightly damp cloth, so you avoid repainting every year.
What is the right order to clean a kitchen?
Always start from the top. If you clean the lower shelves first, dust falling from the upper cabinets and walls will land on them, and you’ll have to clean twice.
Before you start, stand in the area for a moment and plan: what needs cleaning, what to clean first, what to move, and where to put it. Moving an appliance means you also need empty space to set it down for a while. Clearing as much space as possible before you begin makes the whole job easier, because trying to clean around small items one by one never cleans well.
How often should I clean each part of the kitchen?
Split your kitchen into daily and weekly zones:
- The main countertop where cooking happens — wipe it daily so it never gets dirty.
- The appliance countertop, where mixers and other machines sit — clean it once a week.
When you move appliances after a few days, you’ll always find a little light dust — and light dust is quick to clean. Move the big appliances a little and wipe with a light hand. A heavy OTG can be cleaned in place — front, back, top and bottom — while smaller appliances get shifted to another counter. Once things are moved, you can immediately see where the dirt is hiding and clear it fast without tiring yourself.
You don’t need to scrub every spot. However dirty it looks, a little soapy water and a microfibre cloth wipe most surfaces clean quickly.
How can I keep appliances from getting dirty in the first place?
Maintenance matters more than cleaning. After cleaning, arrange things so they don’t need cleaning again and again.
Keep your appliances covered. A cover means very little dust settles, and the top stays protected. Use any old cloth that also looks nice. For appliances you rarely use, an old pillow cover, paper bag or shopping bag works just as well — covered appliances look tidy and stay dust-free. Appliances used every other day, like a dough kneader or air fryer, can take a small cloth on top even without storing anything there.
How do I use the space on top of an appliance without clutter?
If you store things on top of an appliance, always use a tray, basket or organiser. On top of the OTG — which mostly stays empty — a wooden tray holds charging items like a power bank. When the OTG is needed, the whole tray lifts away at once, instead of moving each small item one by one. It’s a simple tip, but it saves real effort in daily use.
What is the best way to clean a box of small containers?
Clean one box at a time and finish it fully. For a box holding small tiffin containers:
- Take out all the contents.
- Wash the box with a little detergent.
- Dry and wipe it immediately with a towel — don’t leave it out to air-dry.
- Rearrange everything back inside straight away.
- Return the box to its place.
Drying and refilling on the spot stops the contents from lying scattered around the kitchen, so a small job stays a small job.
📺 About this video. This post draws on Jasmine Choudhari’s YouTube video 11 Best Diwali Kitchen Cleaning Hacks Actually Made Life Eaiser. Watch the full video for visual demonstrations of every tip.
Home cleaning should never demand too much effort or waste too much time. Clean a little daily, or at least once a week, plan before you start, and keep your things protected — and cleaning will never feel like a burden again.
Watch the video
Frequently asked questions
How can I clean my kitchen without doing one huge cleaning before Diwali?
Clean a little at a time throughout the year instead of saving everything for the festival. Take 15–20 minutes whenever you're free, move things from one small area, and clean it. When every corner gets cleaned in between, you never face a giant all-at-once job before a festival, which saves both time and energy.
How do I clean high kitchen cabinets and the ceiling without buying a special tool?
Wrap any old cloth around an old rod and secure it with a rubber band, keeping the cloth toward the top so it reaches well. Choose a cloth that soaks up water so you don't rewet it repeatedly. Wet it, wring it out well so water doesn't drip, and add a little spray or soapy water to cut the grease that steam carries upward.
Why should I always start cleaning from the top of the kitchen?
Start from the top so falling dust doesn't dirty areas you've already cleaned. If you clean the lower shelves first, dust from the upper cabinets and walls will drop onto them and force you to clean twice. Finish the upper cabinets and walls first, then move the appliances and open shelves at the bottom.
How often should I clean the countertop where I keep my appliances?
Clean the appliance countertop once a week. The main countertop where you actually cook should be wiped daily so it never gets dirty. The side where appliances sit doesn't get daily cleaning, so a weekly move-and-wipe keeps the light dust under control instead of letting it build up for a year.
Should I cover my kitchen appliances, and what can I use to cover them?
Yes, keep appliances covered so very little dust settles on them. Use any old cloth that also looks nice, and for appliances you rarely use, an old pillow cover, paper bag or shopping bag works too. Covered appliances stay tidy, gather less dust, and need far less cleaning later.
How can I use the empty space on top of an appliance without creating clutter?
Place a tray, basket or organiser on top and store items there together. On top of the OTG, a wooden tray holds charging items like a power bank, so when the OTG is needed the whole tray lifts off at once. Moving one tray is far quicker than shifting many small items one by one.
What is the best way to clean a storage box full of small containers?
Clean just one box at a time and finish it completely before moving on. Take everything out, wash the box with a little detergent, then dry and wipe it immediately with a towel rather than leaving it out. Rearrange the contents straight back in and return the box to its place so nothing lies scattered.
Do I need to scrub every dirty spot in the kitchen?
No, you don't need to scrub every spot. Use a little soapy water with a microfibre cloth and most areas wipe clean very quickly, no matter how dirty they look. Regular light cleaning keeps grime from hardening, so gentle wiping is enough and you avoid tiring yourself out.
About Jasmine Choudhari
Jasmine Choudhari shares practical, no-frills ideas for organising small Indian kitchens and homes. Follow her on YouTube (600K+ subscribers · Silver Play Button), Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. For collaborations: collab@jasminechoudhari.com.