40 Kitchen Mistakes You Didn’t Even Know You Were Making

Shannon Quinn - February 28, 2022

Are you unwittingly making these mistakes in the kitchen? No matter how experienced you are in the kitchen, chances are you’re making a few common mistakes without even realizing it. From how you store ingredients to the way you use your cookware, these little slip-ups could be affecting the taste, texture, and even the safety of your meals. But don’t worry—once you know what to watch out for, you’ll be cooking smarter, faster, and better than ever. Let’s uncover some of the most surprising kitchen mistakes and how to fix them! Check out some of the most common kitchen mistakes, and how to fix them.

40. Re-Using The Same Sponge Too Many Times

Sanitize your sponge every once in a while instead of using it over and over again. Credit: Wiki How

Everyone uses a kitchen sponge, but you’re probably using it too much. Sponges contain bacteria that are common in the household like E.coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus. Remember to change your sponge frequently in order to avoid the problem. Healthline suggests microwaving your sponge if you want to kill off the bacteria and let it last longer. For step-by-step instructions, check it out on Wiki How.

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39. Placing a Fridge Next to a Wall

Most of the time, when you move into a new place, you can’t control where the fridge goes. But if you do have the opportunity to make a design choice during a kitchen remodel, remember never to put a refrigerator next to a wall. This will make it difficult to open the door all the way. Doors should be able to open past 90 degrees. Not only does it make your life more difficult to access things, but it also makes it impossible to clean properly, and it may leave marks on your walls.

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38. Buying an Expensive Knife Set

Knives don’t have to be fancy in order to get the job done. Credit: Macy’s

If you go to a department store like Macy’s, you’ll find that fancy knife sets can go for hundreds of dollars. Some people will even put this on their wedding registry because they feel that it’s important to be a good cook. If you’re just an average home cook, it’s best to skip the fancy knives. Any set that you find on Amazon or Walmart should be enough for you to get started. Remember that knives can be sharpened, and this will help them stay high quality for a longer period of time.

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37. Spending Money on Kitchen Gadgets

There are only a few key tools you need in the kitchen to cook everyday meals. Credit: Eat This

Every single year, new kitchen gadgets pop on the market. They promised to make your life easier, but most of the time, it’s a waste of money. Skip the fancy kitchen gadgets and go for the classic appliances and tools that every chef uses. Here at Home Addict, we already have a list for you for all the must-have kitchen tools that you need to buy if you want to be a home chef.

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36. Storing Raw Meat on the Top Shelf

Never store raw meat on the top shelf of your fridge. Credit: Shutterstock

If you’re getting ready to eat, never put raw meat on the top shelf of the fridge. The reason is obvious. If any blood or juices leak from the bag or container, they can fall onto the food underneath. This can spread germs and disease like salmonella and e-coli. Make sure to put the meat on the bottom shelf instead.

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35. Never Cleaning the Sink

Don’t forget to clean the kitchen sink. Credit: DIY Passion

A lot of people assume that they don’t need to clean the sink, because it’s always getting filled with soapy water. Some people also have a plastic sink liner, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your sink during your kitchen cleanup. You can use soap and water, or use something more heavy duty like Bar Keeper’s Friend. Another alternative is to use a mixture of water and bleach, which will kill any of the bacteria that may be living on your sink.

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34. Installing Shaker Style Doors

Shaker style doors are not as great as you would imagine. Credit: Shutterstock

When you design a kitchen, you need to be careful to make sure the style looks timeless. Something that will make your kitchen look dated almost immediately is raised paneling on your cabinets. This is called Shaker style or Slab doors, which have a 3D look to them. Instead of installing these types of doors, you may be able to keep the ones you currently have, and change the drawer pulls instead.

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33. Not Using a Caddy to Easily Clear Off The Tables and Cabinets

A caddy can make your life a whole lot easier. Credit: The Container Store

Kitchens get cluttered very quickly- especially the table and counter space. A nice cleaning hack is to buy a caddy from somewhere like The Container Store, and keep it in the room for when you need it. Once it’s time to wipe down a table or counter, grab the caddy and put everything in it. This is also useful for when you have guests over. Any clutter that you want to get rid of can be quickly cleaned in the caddy and put out of sight, out of mind.

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32. Not Mounting Your Microwave

An off-the-counter microwave can make your life a lot easier. Credit: Shutterstock

Microwaves take up a ton of precious counter space. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A lot of manufacturers offer mounting kits that allow you to install the microwave under your cabinet. However, you obviously need to do some measurements first. Depending on the height of your cabinets, the extra space you get by mounting the microwave might not be enough to justify the effort.

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31. Not Mounting Your Coffeemaker

Mounting your coffee maker might be a great option for some people. Credit: The Family Handyman

If you have a coffee machine that goes in and out of a cabinet every single day, it can get annoying. This is especially true if you’re a serious coffee drinker who likes to drink multiple cups throughout the day. One option that you can consider is installing an under-the-counter mounted coffee maker. This way, it’s always there, but it’s not taking up any of your precious counter space real estate.

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30. Never Buying a Kitchen Cart

Kitchen carts can be turned into a coffee station like this, or used for just about anything. Credit: SF Girl

Even if you have plenty of storage in your kitchen, you can always use more. Rolling carts can be found at IKEA or Michael’s Crafts. They’re easy to put together, and they can be moved to any part of the kitchen when you need it. IKEA even has a model called the Vesken cart, which is only $9.99 and may fit in the gap between your cabinets and your wall. This would be perfect as a spice rack.

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29. Forgetting to Sharpen Your Knives

Knives should be sharpened at least three to four times a year. Credit: How to Make Sushi on YouTube

Some people out there buy a set of knives and never bother to sharpen them again. And once they go dull, they assume that they need to buy a new set. Or, they might go years without sharpening them. According to Southern Living, you should be sharpening your knives every two weeks. Invest in a good knife sharpener, and keep it in your kitchen drawer for any time they begin to feel dull when you’re chopping. Also consider taking your knives in to be professionally sharpened every couple years.

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28. Thawing Frozen Meat on the Countertop

Thawing meat on the countertop could spread germs and disease. Credit: Shutterstock

It’s a huge mistake if you ever try to thaw out a piece of meat by putting it straight on your counter. Once the meat reaches above 40 degrees, bacteria starts to grow. Always make sure there is some sort of barrier between the meat and surfaces like a plate, bowl, or plastic Ziplock bag. The best ways to thaw meat are by microwaving on a low heat, placing it in water, or letting it sit in your fridge while it defrosts. (Just make sure it’s not on the top shelf.)

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27. Never Cleaning The Refrigerator

Remember to clean your fridge at least once a year. Credit: Apartment Therapy

How often do you clean your fridge? If the answer is “never”, then you’re definitely making a kitchen mistake. Obviously, any spills should be cleaned immediately when they happen. But the fridge should actually be deep-cleaned every 3 to 4 months. This will help stop bacteria from spreading, and it keeps your fridge smelling clean and fresh.

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26. Not Using an Under-Cabinet Knife Storage Racks

Did you know these knife storage racks existed? Credit: Family Handyman

This next kitchen mistake is actually something that isn’t commonly found in a lot of homes, but it might be something you could consider. When you have a pull-down rack in the kitchen, it just makes life a lot easier. It can keep your knives in good condition, and it just makes it easy to find the knives when you need them. An under-the-counter knife block costs between $80 to $150.

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25. Not Hanging Your Measuring Cups

It’s easier to find measuring cups when you have a rack behind the cabinet. Credit: Family Handyman

If you keep your measuring cups in the drawer, it’s all too easy for them to get mixed up or lost. An easy project to set up is to use small hooks on the back of a cabinet door. Small wooden slats were screwed into the cabinet door to give you a place to mount the hooks. This way, you always have the measuring cups on hand and it’s easy to find which one you need.

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24. Collecting Too Many Plastic Bags

Sometimes you have too many plastic bags from the grocery store. Credit: The Klutter Koach

We all get plastic grocery bags from the store. These are great to use as trash bags, but it can still add up and get in the way. It’s best to buy a plastic bag holder from the store to make it easy to hide them away until you need them. Family Handyman suggests making a DIY dispenser to hold all of your bags. “Make a dispenser from a discarded 2-liter soda bottle. Cut off the top and bottom with a razor knife. Trim any jagged edges so you don’t tear the bags when you pull them out, then screw the dispenser to a cabinet door or closet wall (or attach with hook-and-loop tape).”

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23. Stacking Canned Goods

When you stack canned goods, you can’t see what’s behind. Credit: Shutterstock

When you stack your canned goods in the cabinet, it’s impossible to see what’s behind. This makes it all too easy to accidentally buy something you already had in the cabinet. It’s also more likely that your canned goods might expire before you get a chance to use them. The Container Store and Amazon both sell cabinet organizers that allow you to see every can at once. This also makes it easier to organize your cans by date so that you can use the oldest products first, and wait to open the new products later.

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22. Not Unclogging the Aerator When You Have Slow-Running Water

Over time, faucet aerators get clogged because of hard water. Credit: Shutterstock

If your water is beginning to slow down coming out of your faucet, there is a chance that the aerator could be clogged. Unscrew the aerator from the end of the faucet, and soak it in vinegar. After about an hour, you should be able to scrub off any residue. Simply screw it back on, and your water should be able to flow more easily.

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21. Not Dealing with a Smelly Garbage Disposal

After a while, your garbage disposal might start to stink. Credit: Shutterstock

Is your garbage disposal starting to smell? It might be caused by bits of rotten food stuck in the machine. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to get rid of the odor. Keep the water running, and drop lemon peels inside of the garbage disposal. Let this run for about five seconds, and wait 15 minutes for the citric acid from the lemons to break down the bacteria. Next, drop a few ice cubes into the dispenser. Lastly, flush it all out with water.

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20. Losing Your Kitchen Appliance Manuals

Hold onto your appliance manuals, just in case a repair needs to be done. Credit: Shutterstock

If you put your appliance manuals in a folder somewhere, it’s all too easy to lose them when you really need it. A great idea from Family Handyman is to keep your manuals in a plastic bag. Also add any extra fixtures like cabinet hardware in the bag. Hang the bag somewhere inside of the cabinet or under the sink so that it’s always within arms reach when you need it.

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19. Not Cleaning the Microwave Immediately After Something Splatters

If you don’t clean the microwave right away, it will end up looking like this. Credit: Shutterstock

When you run food through the microwave, it’s common for food to pop and splatter everywhere. And if you’re in a hurry, you might ignore that splatter and plan to clean it later. This is a huge mistake, because if you let it go too long, it will look like the photo above. The longer you leave food particles in the microwave, the harder it is to clean off. One great cleaning hack for cleaning a microwave is to squeeze lemon juice or vinegar into a bowl of water. Put it in the microwave for 3 minutes. The steam and acidic mixture will help to break down any food particles you have around the microwave. Lastly, you just wipe it down.

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18. Leaving Groceries Out

Don’t leave groceries out on the counter for a long time. Credit: Shutterstock

Going to the grocery store is tiring, especially if you have kids. If you have let the groceries sit on the counter for a few minutes when you get home from the store, you’re not alone. However, it may become a huge mistake, because perishable foods needs to be put away quickly. They can only be left out for a maximum of two hours. So, depending on the amount of time it took to come home, the heat outside, and other factors, it doesn’t leave you much time to put things away. So be strong! Power through and put your groceries away as soon as you get home.

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17. Leaving Countertop Gaps

Cover countertop gaps to ensure nothing every falls down there again. Credit: The Family Handyman

Countertop gaps are a huge annoyance, because food crumbs can fall in between the counter and the fridge. A great idea from Family Handyman is to fill in that gap with plastic tubing. You can find this at hardware stores starting at just ⅛ inch in diameter, which should be the perfect size to fill in the void.

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16. Wasting Money in the Kitchen

Do you really need a professional espresso maker in your own home? It may be a waste of money. Credit: Pinterest

The kitchen is one of the number one places we tend to waste money. Whether it’s a new gadget, cleaning products, or experimental diet, the kitchen is one of the top places we spend our disposable income. One idea for saving money is to make your own cleaning products. Or, skip the store bought products and use baking soda and vinegar instead. If you’re interested in knowing more recipes, check out the 19 DIY Cleaning Products from Clean My Space.

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15. Not Using Spice Gripper Clips on Your Cabinet Doors

These gripper clips work wonders on the back of a cabinet door. Credit: Family Handyman

Finding spices in the cabinet can be difficult. In my house, we have two or three bottles of certain spices, because we couldn’t find them and ended up buying more. A great space-saving hack is to buy spice gripper clips, which can be installed on your cabinet door. From now on, you can see all of your spices clearly in front of you, and never buy doubles again.

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14. Letting K-cup Boxes Clutter the Kitchen Cabinets

K-cups are delicious, but they can quickly clutter up your kitchen. Credit: Shutterstock

Keurig coffee machines are great, especially since you can buy such a wide variety of coffee flavors. The only issue is that the coffee pod boxes can quickly clutter your kitchen. Be sure to buy a k-cup holder that suits your needs. They make them in a lot of different styles, including ones for the cabinet, spinners, and a drawer that can fit underneath the machine.

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13. Not Using Dividers for Your Cookie Sheets

Help with storage with these cookie sheet dividers. Credit: The Container Store

Most people stack their cookie sheets on top of one another. That’s fine, except that it makes them difficult to get. Usually, you need to move a lot of things in order to get to the cookie sheet. If you have the cabinet space to spare, consider using dividers from the Container Store to hold your cookie sheets and muffin tins. They are also great for holding pot and pan lids, too.

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12. Never Cleaning the Fridge Coils

Dust and dirt accumulates behind the refrigerator. Credit: Shutterstock

If you have never cleaned the back of your fridge before, you’re making a huge mistake. Most fridges have wheels on the bottom, which makes it possible for you to move it forward and see all of the dust and dirt built up in the coils. Take a vacuum hose with a brush and remove all of the dust. This will help your fridge be more energy efficient. Remember to do this at least once a year. For full instructions on how to clean fridge coils, click here.

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11. Leaving Knife Blades Exposed in a Drawer or Cup

Don’t leave your knife blades exposed to the elements. Credit: InspiringHome.org

A lot of people leave their knives in a drawer, which can be a huge mistake. First of all, you can accidentally slice your fingers when you reach into the drawer. Secondly, knives are thin and get chipped or dented when they clang around next to other kitchen tools. It’s best to keep your knives in a wood block, or buy an over-the-counter knife holder like we mentioned earlier on this list.

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10. Not Using Coffee Grounds to Eliminate Odor in the Fridge

You can reuse coffee grounds to get rid of a stinky fridge. Credit: Home Talk

Many of you may have heard of using a box of baking soda to eliminate odors from the fridge. But did you know that you can use coffee grounds too? All you need to do is put your used coffee into a small cup, and leave it in the fridge. Just like magic, it will absorb any bad smells that may be lurking in your fridge. Some people also recommend putting the coffee grounds into a sock or stocking and leaving it in the fridge instead.

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9. Not Using a Hanging Utensil Holder

A hanging utensil holder helps save a lot of space. Credit: Ikea

Normally, people put their utensils into a pot or container to use as a utensil holder. However, this takes up counter space. If you want to get more room, consider purchasing a hanging system from IKEA or The Container Store. This way, your kitchen utensils are right in front of you whenever you need to grab something.

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8. Not Organizing Your Baking Accessories

If you love to bake, a craft organizer may help with storage. Credit: The Family Handyman

If you love to bake, then you already know how all of the little tools and supplies can cause a mess pretty quickly. These items can also get lost really easily if you’re not careful. A great idea to keeping everything tidy is to purchase a plastic crafting organizer box. These can be found in any craft store, or in the craft aisle of Walmart or Target. They cost just a few dollars, and they can safe you a lot of grief later on.

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7. Not Cleaning Grease Quickly From the Kitchen

Clean grease immediately to prevent hard-to-clean stains. Credit: Shutterstock

Whenever you see grease splatter on your kitchen cabinets, clean it up right away. Grease can be one of the most difficult things to remove. However, over time, this happens naturally, and you might not even notice it. One way to remove the grease is to heat a damp cloth or sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds until it’s hot. Wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands, and use an all-purpose cleaner.

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6. Not Removing Hard-Water Buildup with Lemon Juice or Vinegar

The acidity of a lemon can help remove hard water buildup. Credit: Shutterstock

Over time, your appliances may accumulate a hard water buildup. This is especially true for coffee machines. Thankfully, there is an easy fix. Run a solution of water and vinegar or fresh lemon juice through the machine. The acidity of this mixture will help clean out the hard water buildup naturally while also killing bacteria. For a tutorial on how to do this, click here.

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5. Not Investing in Kitchen Tea Towels

You can never get enough tea towels. Credit: Shutterstock

If you don’t already have tea towels in your kitchen, you’re making a huge mistake! These can be used for drying dishes, cleaning, wiping your hands, and so much more. It helps cut down on the number of paper towels you use in the kitchen, which will ultimately be better for the environment. Tea towels are available everywhere you go, even Dollar Tree. Or, you can ask family and friends for tea towels, which makes it easy for them to give you a gift.

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4. Not Cleaning the Dishwasher

Dishwashers need to be cleaned just like any other kitchen appliance. Credit: Shutterstock

A lot of people assume that dishwashers are self-cleaning, since they are running soapy water every day. In reality, the dishwasher holds onto little bits of food. If it’s not cleaned, it will run down over time, or you may begin to smell rotting food. Check out this detailed guide from Good Housekeeping on the multi-step process of cleaning your dishwasher.

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3. Forgetting Basket Storage Options

Hanging baskets are great for keeping fruit fresh. Credit: Shutterstock

Do you have a special place to put your fruit or vegetables when you come home from the grocery store? Consider a hanging fruit basket. These give you lots of additional space to keep your fruit, but it also makes it easier to grab something when you need it.

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2. Not Organizing Kitchen Items by Usefulness

Organize your items in order of how useful they are to you. Credit: Shutterstock

Are you organizing your kitchen items by usefulness? The rule of thumb is to keep everything you use often on the lower shelves, and items you rarely use on the top shelves. For example, maybe keep the plates, cups, and bowls on the bottom shelf and keep wine glasses up top. (Unless you drink wine every day.) Another tip is to consider open shelving. Removing doors makes it a little bit easier to grab items that you need on a daily basis.

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1. Forgetting to Clean The Oven Hood

Don’t forget to clean the range hood filter. Credit: Clean My Space

A lot of people completely forget to clean their kitchen vent hood. Once the vent is removed, you’ll probably notice that it’s completely full of grease. A great cleaning hack is to soak this vent into a big bucket filled with water and Oxyclean. According to The Family Handyman, even this may not be enough. If you can’t seem to degrease your vent hood, consider buying degreaser from the auto parts store. No matter what product you use, soak it for a few minutes. Once it’s done, rinse it off with water, and it should be done.

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