How Do You Prep Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving the Non-Toxic Way?

Thanksgiving is joyful, delicious, and messy. Between gravy splatters, flour clouds from pie prep, and sticky cranberry drips, the kitchen works overtime during the holiday season.

Before the chopping, roasting, and taste-testing take over, it’s worth giving your kitchen a quick refresh. Here’s how to get ready for the feast without dousing your counters and floors in harsh chemicals.

Step 1: Clear the Counters and Prep Space

Start by clearing countertops and the stovetop so you have plenty of space for food prep and hot dishes. Tuck away unused appliances and relocate anything that doesn’t need to live in the kitchen (mail pile, we’re looking at you). While you’re organizing, give the pantry a quick scan and retire anything expired or long forgotten.

Step 2: Mix a Food-Safe Cleaning Spray

When you’re about to prep produce and pie dough, surface safety matters. This gentle solution cleans without leaving behind toxins or sticky residue:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar

• 1 cup warm water

• 1 tablespoon castile soap

• 8-10 drops lemon, rosemary, or thyme essential oil

Spray and wipe down countertops, cabinet doors, appliance handles, and the table.

Step 3: Deep-Clean the Oven

Between roasted vegetables and turkey drippings, the oven is the holiday MVP. Give it a refresh using safe, fragrance-free ingredients:

1. Sprinkle baking soda along the base

2. Mist with water

3. Let sit overnight

4. Scrub and wipe clean

Stubborn spots? Create a baking soda and castile soap paste. It removes build-up without releasing funky fumes.

Step 4: Refresh the Fridge Before the Feast

To make more room for your aunt’s famous macaroni salad, start by clearing out anything expired or long forgotten. Once the shelves and drawers are empty, wipe them down with warm water and a little castile soap to remove spills and lingering food odors. Place an open box of baking soda inside to keep things fresh.

Pro Tip: If you want a subtle seasonal touch, add a drop of food-safe peppermint oil to your cleaning cloth.

Step 5: Don’t Skip the Floors

Crumbs, spills, and heavy kitchen traffic add up quickly this time of year, so don’t forget the floors. Start by sweeping thoroughly, paying extra attention to corners and under the cabinets where flour dust and wayward herbs like to hide. 

Once everything is clear, mop with warm water and a splash of castile soap to lift grease and sticky spots from fallen pie filling or runaway gravy drops. If you want a light, natural scent, add a single drop of lemon or lavender essential oil to your bucket.

Enjoy a Cleaner, Healthier Holiday

At Green Home Cleaning, we believe the holidays are best enjoyed in a healthy, welcoming home. That’s why we use handmade, non-toxic cleaning products and sustainable practices to help Asheville homeowners celebrate in cleaner spaces.

Want your kitchen to be guest-ready without spending hours scrubbing? Schedule a holiday cleaning with Asheville’s most eco-conscious cleaning team.