Keep It (Your Kitchen) Clean: Here’s How

Is there anyone less welcome in the kitchen than the person who walks in just to point out the mess? Ugh, goodbye, thanks!

Oh wait, that’s us—here to share a few tips on maintaining a cleaner and more organized space. Staying tidy in the kitchen is more important than you might think, says HexClad Food Director Laura Rege. “Though food safety might seem boring, it’s not just for restaurants. Keeping the chicken juice from touching raw veg is key for avoiding a stomach bug." In short, staying tidy is about keeping everybody healthy and being able to enjoy the food you make.

If the term “food safety” makes you roll your eyes, consider this: A clean workspace doesn’t just keep you healthy. It can also make cooking smoother and more efficient.

“Cooking smart is about not using every single pot and pan in the kitchen,” says Rege. “From the start, it’s thinking about not making as much of a mess to begin with.” In other words, the best way to stay clean is to prevent a big mess from the get-go. A well-organized kitchen helps make that easier. Here are some tips to keep your kitchen tidy and efficient in 2025.

1. A Place for Mise en Place

Take a cue from professional kitchens and embrace the philosophy of working clean. This goes beyond simply keeping your counters, stove and fridge in order (though that’s always a plus). It’s about making sure the tools and ingredients you need are always within easy reach. For recipes, consider a “mise en place” approach—a chef’s term for organizing everything ahead of time.

This could mean arranging your HexMills neatly by the stove after use or prepping your ingredients into separate bowls before you start cooking. It’s also about creating small moments to reset, whether that means wiping down counters or loading the dishwasher before moving on to the next step. Adopting this practice might be the most transformative habit for your cooking life this year.

2. Pantry Purge

Though a weekly fridge cleanout might be routine, the pantry often gets overlooked. Snacks, baking ingredients and grains pile up—and we don’t even want to see the “best by” dates on those cans of tomatoes in the back. (Are they really from the last decade?) Done three times a year—we recommend at the start of January, end of spring and back-to-school—a pantry reset can streamline your space and help bring a sense of calm to your kitchen. Follow the steps for a better pantry reset here.

3. Embrace “Boardom"

Why go through the effort of making a gorgeous Stuffed Rib of Beef, only to end up with juices everywhere? Avoid the mess by transferring your roast—whether it’s this recipe or another favorite—to a carving board designed for the job. Look for one with a depression to stabilize the meat and a channel around the edge to catch those flavorful juices. This simple step keeps your kitchen tidy and ensures no precious drippings go to waste.

4. Dress for Mess

Apropos of that messy roast, remember when it stained your favorite button-down? That wouldn’t have happened if you were wearing one of HexClad’s Eco Modern Aprons. Okay, so wearing an apron isn’t so much about keeping the kitchen clean as it is about keeping the chef tidy and splatter-free, but it’s worth mentioning. Not only does an apron protect your clothing, it makes cooking safer and more convenient, and can get you into the cooking mindset.

5. A Mat's a Must

The unsung hero of a clean kitchen? Dish drying mats. They’re perfect for extending your dish rack’s capacity or providing a safe spot for delicate glassware. Hosting guests? These mats are ideal for drying extra silverware. For everyday use, they’re a go-to for big pots and pans that don’t fit in the dishwasher. Versatile and easy to store, they make cleanup a breeze.

6. Splatter Matters

Don’t let the fear of greasy messes keep you from cooking your favorite dishes. A splatter screen is a must when frying, keeping oil sprays at bay while you fry chicken, sizzle latkes or cook fish. The best part? Our splatter screen is dishwasher-safe, so even cleaning it is stress-free.

7. Think BIG

Avoid unnecessary mess by upsizing your kitchen tools. A larger cutting board keeps onion pieces from tumbling onto the counter, while an oversized mixing bowl prevents rogue lettuce leaves from ending up on the floor. Give yourself extra space to work and enjoy an easier cleanup afterward.

Not to be cheesy about it, but a clean kitchen truly is the best recipe for great meals.