Kitchen Cleaning Jobs: Roles, Skills, and Where to Start

Looking for reliable kitchen cleaning jobs near you? 🍽️ With food safety more important than ever, kitchens in restaurants, cafeterias, and commercial facilities are hiring dependable cleaning staff to maintain hygiene standards. Whether you're looking for full-time work or flexible evening shifts, kitchen cleaning offers steady demand and valuable experience.

What Are Kitchen Cleaning Jobs?

Kitchen cleaning jobs focus specifically on cleaning and sanitizing food preparation areas. Tasks often include scrubbing counters, degreasing stoves and ovens, washing sinks, mopping floors, and maintaining trash areas. Some roles may also involve deep-cleaning appliances like fryers and exhaust hoods. Since kitchen workspaces are high-traffic and high-risk for contamination, cleaners often work after service hours or in coordination with the kitchen team.

Typical Responsibilities in a Kitchen Cleaning Role

Scrubbing and sanitizing food prep surfaces

Degreasing stovetops, fryers, and grills

Emptying garbage and managing recycling

Cleaning kitchen floors and mats

Wiping down sinks and backsplash areas

Maintaining storage and supply closets

Restocking paper towels, soap, and sanitizers

All tasks must follow food safety regulations and cleanliness protocols.

What Skills Do Kitchen Cleaners Need?

Attention to detail and cleanliness

Ability to follow strict hygiene protocols

Basic knowledge of cleaning chemicals and tools

Physical stamina to stand, scrub, and lift

Dependability and punctuality

Willingness to work night or split shifts

Training is often provided on the job, especially for commercial kitchens.

Who’s Hiring Kitchen Cleaners?

Restaurants and food courts

Hotels and banquet kitchens

School and hospital cafeterias

Catering companies

Cleaning service providers

Some companies hire directly, while others work through staffing agencies or maintenance vendors.

Where to Find Kitchen Cleaning Jobs

Online job boards (Indeed, Craigslist, ZipRecruiter)

Local staffing agencies

Restaurant or hospitality websites

Commercial cleaning companies

In-person walk-ins or referrals

Smaller kitchens may prefer candidates who apply directly or through word-of-mouth.