Hey there Domestic Darling! If cooking feels like it always leaves your kitchen in chaos, this post is for you.
I saw this post on threads the other day that said “cleaning as you cook is the cheat code” which is totally true, but it was the comment underneath it that took me out. It said “Until you get distracted because you have ADHD and burn your food because you were too focused on cleaning lol”
As someone navigating life with ADHD (and a baby napping in the backseat as I type this), I know all about the struggle to keep things clean while trying to feed your family. But trust me, there’s hope! With a bit of strategy (and some weirdly specific hacks), you can make cleaning while cooking a thing (without burning your food in the process)
SO, here are my ADHD-approved methods for keeping the kitchen manageable while you whip up dinner.
1. Unload the Dishwasher Before You Start
Here’s my golden rule, if you can only take one thing from today’s post let it be this: The dishwasher must be unloaded and ready to go before you even think about dinner. Why? Because if clean dishes are piled up in the dishwasher, there’s nowhere for the dirty ones you’re creating to go, and suddenly you’ve got a mountain of dishes snarling back at you.
Seriously, make this a non-negotiable habit—you’ll thank yourself later.
2. Use a Collapsible Soapy Water Tub
My sink has a single basin, so this little hack has been a game-changer. I fill a collapsible tub with hot, soapy water, and I scrape plates or dirty utensils into the trash and then place them directly into the hot soapy water tub as I cook.
Once I’m done cooking or while I’m waiting for something, all those soaked dishes go straight into the dishwasher. It’s way less stressful than facing a pile of crusty pots and pans after dinner!
3. Try a Trash Bowl for Easy Cleanup
Okay, if you’ve never used a trash bowl, get ready for your life to change. When I lived in a bigger space and my trash can wasn’t within arm’s reach, I’d waste time walking all round the kitchen just to throw stuff away.
Instead, I started tossing all my scraps into a trash bowl—a simple, collapsible one that hooks onto a cabinet—and deal with the whole lot at the end of cooking. No burnt food. No getting derailed mid-recipe. Total lifesaver.
4. Put Ingredients Away as You Go (With a Basket!)
This hack might seem a little extra, but it’s majorly helpful. My pantry shares space with the laundry room (ugh), so if I dash in to grab one thing, I’ll inevitably start folding towels, reorganizing shelves—you get the idea.
To cut out the chaos, I use a box, basket, or even reusable grocery bags to collect all the ingredients I’ve pulled out while cooking. Then, during downtime (like waiting for water to boil), I can actually focus on putting everything back in one trip.
5. Set a Visual Timer for Focused Cleaning Spurts
If your pasta sauce needs 10 minutes to simmer, don’t waste that time scrolling. Grab a visual timer. Having that countdown helps me stay on track without losing track of time and getting stuck in some ADHD cleaning rabbit hole.
During those timed spurts, I’ll load the dishwasher, wipe down counters, empty the trash bowl, and put ingredients away—all while keeping one eye on the stove. The visual timer is key because it keeps you from crossing into “just one more thing” territory.
6. Store Leftovers Right Away
This one’s simple but effective: serve those leftovers directly into Tupperware or casserole dishes with lids. Boom—no extra dishes to deal with, and everything gets into the fridge fast.
If you’re feeding a larger family, try packing up extra food after everyone’s made their first plate. Anything cooked in pots or pans goes straight into that soapy water for a soak, while the food gets stored away with minimal fuss.
Post-Dinner? You’re Practically Done!
Here’s the best part—because you’ve been cleaning as you cook, most of the hard work is already done. After dinner, you can breathe easy knowing that plates, cookware, and utensils are just a quick rinse away from the dishwasher. From there, you can focus on a simple evening cleaning routine to finish up. (Pro tip: check out my evening cleaning routine below.)
Evening Cleaning Routine—1950s Radio Edition
After the day winds down and dinner is cleaned up (thanks to that hot soapy water waiting in the sink), I love to finish with a calming evening routine. My secret? Timed cleaning tasks set to vintage 1950s radio shows! (You can get some free episodes to listen to here)
Here’s my quick routine:
- Load the Dishwasher: Everyone puts their plates in right after dinner.
- Tidy Up Clutter: High-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room.
- Spot Sweep/Mop the Floors: A quick once-over to catch crumbs, especially if you’ve got crawling kiddos.
- Laundry: Fold and put away that morning’s load of laundry.
- Self Care: Take 5 minutes to do some skin care, shower, journal, or read a book you like.
By keeping it simple and fun, this routine feels more like self-care than work.
Your Kitchen Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
And there you have it—my no-drama, ADHD-friendly tricks for keeping your kitchen clean while cooking. These tips aren’t about perfection. They’re about making life a little easier, dinner a little less chaotic, and cleanup way less scary.
Try them out and see what sticks—or share your go-to hacks in the comments. I’d love to hear how you keep the mess in check!
Okay, I’m off to review my grocery list while the baby finishes her nap. Here’s to no burnt food and no mountain of dishes waiting for us later. You’ve got this! 🌟