Full Passover (Pesach) Household Prep Guide

PASSOVER CHAMETZ REMOVAL CHECKLIST

Remove or Sell the Following Items:

A. Chametz Foods (Leavened Grain Products):

[ ] Bread, bagels, pita, rolls

[ ] Pasta, noodles

[ ] Crackers, cookies, cakes, cereal

[ ] Beer, whiskey, vodka (grain-based)

[ ] Flour (not labeled Kosher for Passover)

[ ] Breadcrumbs, croutons

[ ] Soups/sauces with flour or chametz thickeners

[ ] Baking mixes (pancake, cake, etc.)

B. Leavening Agents:

[ ] Sourdough starter

[ ] Brewer’s yeast

[ ] Dry yeast (unless Kosher for Passover)

[ ] Beer sediment or brewing kits

[ ] Fermented grain drinks (e.g. kvass)

C. Areas to Clean:

[ ] Toaster (remove crumbs)

[ ] Breadbox

[ ] Pantry shelves

[ ] Refrigerator and freezer

[ ] Kitchen drawers and counters

[ ] Chametz utensils/pots (store or kasher if needed)

What to Do with Chametz:

[ ] Burn or destroy chametz before Passove

[ ] Sell chametz through a rabbi or online service

[ ] Seal and label sold chametz clearly: “Sold – Do Not Open”

This guide combines a comprehensive household chametz checklist with a leavening agent cheat sheet to help you prepare your home for Passover according to halacha (Jewish law).

1. Food Items

Item | Chametz? | What to Do

Bread, crackers, pasta | Yes | Destroy or sell before Passover

Flour (wheat, barley, etc.) | Yes | Destroy or sell

Oats | Yes | Destroy or sell

Beer, whiskey, vodka | Yes | Sell if valuable, or destroy

Soy sauce | Usually | Avoid or sell

Cereal | Usually | Destroy or sell

White vinegar | Maybe | Avoid unless certified Kosher for Passover

Apple cider vinegar | Maybe | Avoid unless certified KFP

Wine | No | (KFP) Use only if Kosher for Passover

Coffee, tea (plain) | No | OK if unflavored and certified KFP (best)

Spices | Maybe | Use only with KFP certification

Sugar, salt, pepper | No | OK if pure and without additives

Honey, oil | No | Use only if KFP certified

Baking soda (bicarb) | No | Keep — safe for Passover use

Baking powder | Maybe | Use only if KFP certified

Nutritional yeast | No | Keep or use KFP-certified version

Vinegar-based sauces | Usually | Sell or destroy

Chocolate, candy, gummies | Usually| Avoid unless KFP certified

Keto/health snacks | Usually | Avoid or sell unless certified

2. Cleaning Products

Item | Chametz? | What to Do

Dish soap | No | Keep

Laundry detergent | No | Keep

Bleach, ammonia | No | Keep

Window cleaner | No | Keep

Surface sprays | No | Keep

Vinegar-based cleaners | No | Keep (not for food use)

3. Personal Care / Medicine

Item | Chametz? | What to Do

Toothpaste | Maybe |  Replace with KFP version if possible

Mouthwash  | Maybe | Replace or avoid

Shampoo, soap | No | Keep

Lotion, cosmetics | No | Keep unless flavored

Lip balm/lipstick  | Maybe | Replace with KFP if flavored

Vitamins, supplements  | Maybe | Replace with KFP or check ingredients

OTC meds (tablets)  | Maybe | Consult rabbi or approved list

Prescription meds | Allowed | Use — health takes priority

4. Kitchen & Cooking Tools

Item | Chametz? | What to Do

Toaster, toaster oven  | Yes | Clean thoroughly or don’t use on Pesach

Baking sheets, pans  | Yes | Kasher if possible or set aside

Dish sponge  | Maybe | Replace with a new one

Plasticware (new) | No | Use freely

Aluminum foil, paper towels | No | Use freely

Cutting boards  | Yes | Kasher or set aside

5. Leavening Agent Cheat Sheet

Leavening Agent | Chametz? | Notes

Sourdough Starter  | Yes | Made from grain + water, actively ferments

Baker's Yeast  | Maybe | Needs KFP due to grain-based growth

Brewer’s Yeast  | Yes | From beer production (grain) — chametz

Dry Yeast (instant/active)  | Maybe | Often needs KFP certification

Nutritional Yeast | No | Deactivated, not from grain — safe

Baking Soda | No | Mineral, chemical leavening — safe

Baking Powder  | Maybe | May contain starch — needs KFP

Cream of Tartar | No | Byproduct of wine — safe

Ammonium Bicarbonate | No | Chemical — not chametz

Carbonated Water | No | Gas-based — not chametz

Self-rising Flour  | Yes | Contains wheat + leavening — chametz

Soda Bread Mix  | Yes | Contains chametz — avoid

Item,Chametz?,Kitniyot?,Ashkenazi Status,Sephardi Status

Wheat,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden

Barley,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden

Rye,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden

Oats,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden

Spelt,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden

Rice (white/brown),No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Corn,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Cornstarch,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Lentils,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Beans,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Soy,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Peas,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Millet,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Mustard seeds,No,Yes,Avoid,Permitted

Couscous,Yes,No,Forbidden,Forbidden