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Kitchen Clean-Up

  • Why it needs to be done – to facilitate food safety, maintain equipment and facilities, prevent infestation of wigglies and crawlies, and sustain the community’s confidence in common meals.
  • Who is responsible – clean-up crew.
  • When it needs to be done – after every meal in the common house.
  • How long it takes – one and one-half hours for two people.
Before meal – 
  • Put salt & pepper shakers on tables.
  • Fill pitchers with ice water and set on tables.
  • Fill bus-tubs with soapy water.
Dishwasher operation – 
  • Press ON to fill.  The dishwasher takes a while to get ready.
  • Scrape plant-based scraps (veggies, fruit, pasta, bread) into the compost bucket.  Put meat and dairy scraps in the garbage can.  Put oily things in the garbage.
  • Soak dishes for a short time in the bus-tubs and swish to remove debris before loading in the racks.  Rinsing under running water before putting in the dishwasher should not be necessary.  Some foods such as spaghetti sauce may require additional detergent in the soaking tubs.
  • Load the rack with dishes.  Plates, bowls, and tall glasses go in the rack with prongs.  Silverware goes in the flat rack.  Face dishes to the inside of the rack.  Do not overload racks; run additional batches instead.  Wash glasses and silverware first while the water is cleanest.
  • Place the loaded rack in the dishwasher and close the door.  Press WASH.  
  • Load the next rack(s).
  • When temperature drops and dishwasher is silent, cycle is finished – about two minutes.
  • Remove the rack and set it on the counter.  Dishes are HOT! For sanitation allow the dishes to air dry (takes several minutes) rather than towel drying.
  • Put the next rack of dirty dishes in the dishwasher.  Load an empty rack.  Put away clean dry dishes.
  • If items are not coming clean, drain the dishwasher (press OFF), clean the strainers, and refill with fresh water (press ON).
  • Repeat until all dishes are washed.
  • Wash sponges and dish scrubbers in the last batch.
  • Drain the dishwasher (press OFF).  Remove and clean strainers.  Wipe down interior.  Remove top and bottom spray arms and wipe them clean, especially spray openings. Spray with vinegar to reduce scale formation. Leave dishwasher door open to dry.
Kitchen cleanup – 
  • Send leftovers home with diners or put in fridge.  Label and date all items going into the fridge.
  • Wash anything that cannot go in the dishwasher, including cutting boards and knives.
  • Clean stove.  Wash all surfaces.  Remove burners or grill and wash underneath. Wash burners or grill.  Wash slide-out drip trays.
  • Drain and scrub bus tubs.
  • Wipe down counters.
  • Clean sinks.
  • Sweep the kitchen floor, including under the mats.  
  • Take out recycling, compost, and garbage.  Put a new bag in the garbage can.
  • Wash sponges and dish scrubbers in last batch of dishwasher.
  • Wash compost bin.
  • Put dirty tablecloths and kitchen towels in washer.
  • Turn off vent fans.  Check that ovens are off.
  • Lock up common house if requested by lock-up team.
  • Lights out and good night!
What the community can do to help – 
  • Clear the tables after the meal of all items except flower vases.  
  • Take dishes to kitchen and put in bus tubs.
  • Scrape plant-based food scraps (vegetable, fruit, bread, or pasta) into the compost bucket. 
  • Put meat or dairy food scraps into the garbage can.
  • Place dishes and silverware in the bustubs.  
  • Put away salt & pepper shakers.  
  • Take tablecloths that had food spilled on them to the laundry.

Periodic Tasks

  • Why it needs to be done – to facilitate food safety, maintain equipment and facilities, prevent infestation of wigglies and crawlies, and sustain the community’s confidence in common meals.
  • Who is responsible – monthly team.
  • When it needs to be done – monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.
  • How long it takes –
Monthly – 
  • * Wash slanted upper surface of stove hood.
  • * Remove pans from shelves under stove and wash shelves.
  • * Mop kitchen floor.  Take rubber mats outside and hose them down.
  • * Mop the dining room floor.
  • * Wash all tablecloths.
  • * Clean out fridge and compost anything questionable.
  • * Wash garbage can.
  • * Take stove apart and wash insides thoroughly.
  • Delime dishwasher.
Semi-annually – 
  • * Remove everything from all shelves, wash everything (including tops of food storage containers), and wash shelves.
  • * Change insect (fly & ant) traps.
  • Clean grease traps in stove hood.

What the community can do to help –

  • Label and date anything they place in the fridge.

written by Kay 2/14/2000, edited 1/29/2023.

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