Keep Your Sink Clean

• Even if the rest of your kitchen is in need of a good scrubbing, a clean sink makes the mess seem more under control. A ban against dirty dishes sitting in the sink is the first rule to a clean kitchen. If you have a dishwasher, empty it as soon as the dishes are clean. Develop the habit of rinsing and loading dishes as they are dirtied or hand-washing all of the dishes after a meal.
  
  

Clean as You Cook

• The key to not having a big mess to clean up after cooking is to clean as you go. Keep a small trash can near your work area to throw scraps and trash into as you cook. Fill your sink with warm soapy water and put dishes and utensils into it as they are used. Wash and reuse utensils, pots, pans and bowls as you cook to reduce the number of dirty dishes to be cleaned after eating.
  
  

Don't Spread the Mess

• Confine your cooking preparation to as small an area as necessary to make cleaning up easier when you're done. One way to do this is to divide your kitchen into stations. For example, designate one section of counter as a preparation station where you can chop produce and meats; clean this area before you move to the cooking station.
  
  

End the Day with a Clean Kitchen

• A final rule for keeping your kitchen clean is to add straightening it up to your before-bed routine. Place any stray dishes to the dishwasher or wash them by hand. Wipe your counters down and polish the sink to a shine. Starting the day with a clean kitchen makes keeping it that way much easier.