You may have already started having your children wipe the front of the dishwasher, the refrigerator, and the stove. However, this task was put into this section merely because of physical size, not cognitive ability. Wiping down large appliances is the same as cleaning countertops or small appliances. The differences are the appliance size, the surface being cleaned, and the method of spraying Windex directly on the surface and then wiping.

The refrigerator and the dishwasher should only be cleaned once a week. Cleaning the top of the fridge when they wipe the outside surface is good practice. Some refrigerator tops are not accessible without moving the appliance. In that case, save the top of the refrigerator for the time when you clean behind appliances. You will need to determine what is practical in that situation.

Depending on use, the stove will probably need to be cleaned at least daily, if not after every meal. If you turn off the stove after cooking, it should have time to pool while you eat your meal. Show your child how to check and ensure the stove top is not hot when they get ready to clean it. Some of the newer electric stove models have indicators that indicate that the surface is still hot.

Different stove tops require different kinds of cleaning methods. Do you have certain types of cleaners for the glass-top flat electric stoves that the manufacturer recommends? Most of those stoves can be cleaned with Windex after they have been cooled. It is good to read those maintenance manuals to determine their recommendations and make your best-educated decision about how you want to proceed. Electric stoves with circular elements tend to collect a mass in a metal collection receptacle and underneath the stove cover. It is best to start out cleaning the top. And then, once a week, let the metal receptacles soak in the sink while you raise the cover and clean underneath. Stoves work the same way and have a few more parts that could use soaking in warm, soapy water once a week.

Having your children start by cleaning the surface at this age is best. Then slowly work in the extra weekly tasks. They’re not quite old enough to handle cleaning the entire kitchen alone. It is important to assign a few tasks and work alongside them during this season so that you can give them direction and make sure they are safe.