How to Deep Clean A Kitchen – A Step-By-Step Guide

Here’s everything you need to know about how to deep clean a kitchen to create a clean and hygienic environment for cooking and hanging out.

A kitchen is the heart of any home, where delicious meals are prepared, memories are created, and conversations flow freely. But it’s also a magnet for grease, grime, and clutter.

If your kitchen is starting to lose its sparkle, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get cleaning. From dealing with stubborn grease to keeping your appliances and surfaces spotless, I’ve got you covered on deep cleaning day. 

Why Do You Need to Deep Clean A Kitchen?

Deep cleaning isn’t just about appearances; it’s fundamental to maintaining a safe and inviting kitchen. As grease, grime, and food residue build up over time, they provide an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria and germs. It can pose serious health risks, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses and other health issues.

By deep cleaning your kitchen regularly, you create a clean and hygienic environment for food preparation and cooking.

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How To Deep Clean A Kitchen

The best way to deep clean a kitchen is to start from the top and go to the bottom. This allows you to clean in sections and also clean one type of surface at a time.

Preparing the Kitchen

Before you dive into the deep cleaning process, it’s essential to prepare your kitchen properly. 

1. Declutter: Begin by removing items from your countertops and kitchen surfaces. Here is a list of 15 things to declutter in your kitchen today. Decluttering gives you access to the surfaces you need to clean and helps you identify items you no longer need or use that can be donated or discarded.
2. Dispose of Expired Items: As you declutter, take the opportunity to check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for expired or spoiled food items. Dispose of anything that is no longer safe to consume.
3. Organize: Take the time to organize the items you’re keeping. Neatly arrange dishes, pots, pans, and utensils in their designated places.
4. Empty the Sink: Ensure that your sink is empty before you begin. This will give you a place to wash scrub brushes and towels as you clean the kitchen.

Preparing your kitchen will help create a clean slate for deep cleaning. With a clutter-free and organized space, you can focus on cleaning surfaces, appliances, and other areas effectively.

Dealing with Grease and Grime

Dealing with grease and grime in your kitchen is a critical part of the deep cleaning process. Grease and grime can accumulate on various surfaces and appliances, making your kitchen look and feel unclean. Some of the most common spots for the grease to build up are:

• Stove top and Oven
• Microwave
• Range Hood
• Kitchen Cabinets and Handles
• Backsplash

Be sure to pay close attention to these spaces as you clean. You may require special cleaners to remove all the grease and grime.

Cleaning Appliances

Cleaning your kitchen appliances is an important part of the deep cleaning process. Here’s how to effectively clean your kitchen appliances:

Refrigerator:

• Turn It Off: Start by unplugging the refrigerator or turning it off at the circuit breaker for safety.
• Empty It Out: Remove all the food items from the fridge, placing them in a cooler or insulated bag to keep them cold.
• Remove Shelves and Drawers: Remove the shelves, drawers, and any removable parts from the refrigerator. Wash them with warm, soapy water and let them air dry.
• Clean the Interior: Wipe down the interior surfaces with a mixture of warm water and baking soda. Pay attention to spills and stains. Don’t forget to clean the rubber gaskets around the door.
• Clean the Exterior: Wipe down the exterior with a suitable cleaner, paying attention to handles and control panels. Don’t use abrasive cleaners that could damage the finish.
• Clean the Coils: If possible, vacuum or brush the coils at the back of the fridge to improve its efficiency.

Dishwasher:

• Empty It: Remove any dishes or utensils from the dishwasher.
• Clean the Filter: Check and clean the dishwasher filter to ensure proper drainage.
• Run an Empty Cycle: Run a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of vinegar placed on the top rack to remove buildup and odors.

Here is a detailed guide on how to clean a dishwasher

Microwave:

• Wipe the Exterior: Use a damp cloth to clean the exterior of the microwave.
• Turntable: Remove the turntable and wash it with warm soapy water.
• Clean the Interior:  To clean the inside of your microwave, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it for a few minutes until the mixture steams up, which will help loosen grime and stuck-on food. Then, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the softened dirt. The Angry Mama microwave cleaner is a great way to clean the microwave.

Stove:

Grease and grime often accumulate on your stovetop and inside the oven. Here is how to clean it:

• Remove burner grates and drip pans, soak them in hot, soapy water, and scrub away the buildup.
• Use a specialized degreaser and oven cleaner for the stovetop and oven interior.
• Clean the control knobs and oven racks.

Range Hood: Grease can accumulate on the range hood and its filter. Remove the filter and soak it in hot, soapy water, then scrub it clean. Wipe down the exterior of the range hood with a degreaser or a mixture of warm water and dish soap.

Oven:

• Remove Racks: Take the oven racks out and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub away any baked-on grime.
• Use Oven Cleaner: Follow the instructions on your oven cleaner to clean the oven’s interior. Ensure proper ventilation during this process. Pink stuff is great for cleaning and the glass.

Coffee Maker:

• Clean the Carafe and Filter Basket: Wash these parts with warm, soapy water.
• Descale: If your coffee maker has a calcium buildup, run a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar through a brewing cycle, followed by several cycles of plain water.

By cleaning your appliances regularly, you maintain their appearance, extend their lifespan, and ensure a safe and healthy cooking environment.

Cleaning Surfaces

Cleaning the surfaces in your kitchen is a critical step in deep cleaning, as it not only enhances the overall appearance but also ensures a clean environment for cooking and food prep. 

Countertops

Use an appropriate cleaner depending on the material of the countertop. We have quartz countertops and this is my favorite cleaner and polisher.

Avoid abrasive scouring pads, as they can scratch surfaces. Pay special attention to seams and corners.

Cabinets

Grease and grime can build up on cabinet surfaces, like the cabinet door, especially near the stove and oven. Lower cabinets can also see their fair share of drips and splashes.

Use a cabinet cleaner or a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap to clean them. Pay attention to cabinet handles and knobs, as they tend to accumulate dirt and grease residue.

Wipe down cabinet handles and knobs, as they can accumulate dirt and grease. Ensure the cabinets are completely dry to prevent warping or damage.

Backsplash

Grease and food splatters can cling to the backsplash. Use warm, soapy water or a specialized tile cleaner to clean it. A soft-bristle brush can help remove stubborn stains without harming the surface. Rinse and dry to restore its shine.

This can also be a good time to reseal the grout if it has been a couple of years since you did that.

Kitchen Sink

 Clean the sink with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. Use a stainless steel cleaner for stainless steel sinks to remove water spots and maintain shine. Pay attention to the faucet and handles. To remove mineral deposits and limescale, use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar.

Stainless Steel Appliances

To clean stainless steel appliances like your fridge and dishwasher, use a specialized stainless steel cleaner or a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Wipe with the grain of the steel to prevent streaks. Dry with a clean, soft cloth for a polished finish.

Tile Surfaces

Use a tile and grout cleaner to remove dirt and stains for tiled areas like floors and walls. You can scrub grout lines with a grout brush or an old toothbrush. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Regularly cleaning these kitchen surfaces keeps your kitchen looking its best and ensures a safe and sanitary environment for meal preparation. Plus, it makes daily maintenance much more manageable.

Cleaning Floors and Baseboards

Kitchen floors and baseboards often collect dirt, crumbs, and spills over time.

Kitchen Floors

• Sweep or Vacuum: Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove loose debris, dust, and crumbs. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to get into corners and along the baseboards.
• Choose the Right Cleaner: Select a suitable floor cleaner based on the type of flooring. For hardwood, use a hardwood floor cleaner. Use a tile and grout cleaner for tile and for linoleum or vinyl, choose a gentle floor cleaner.
• Mop: Fill a bucket with a floor cleaner and water. Dip a mop into the solution, wring it out well, and mop the floor. Pay close attention to any stains or sticky spots, and give them a little extra scrub with the mop. The Bona mop is a great alternative.
• Dry Thoroughly: After mopping, it’s essential to dry the floor to prevent slipping and streaking. Use a clean, dry mop or towels to absorb excess moisture. Make sure the floor is completely dry before walking on it or placing any items back on it.

Baseboards:

• Dust: Dust the baseboards with a duster or a microfiber cloth. This will remove loose dirt and cobwebs.
• Clean: Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water. Dip a cloth or sponge into the soapy water and wring it out. Wipe down the baseboards, paying attention to any scuff marks or stubborn spots. For painted baseboards, use a gentle touch to avoid damaging the paint.

Ongoing Maintenance and Cleaning

Establishing a cleaning schedule is important to keep your kitchen consistently clean. For example – daily tasks might include wiping down countertops, doing dishes, and sweeping. Weekly tasks should involve mopping the floor, cleaning appliances, and checking for any areas that need special attention. Here’s how to establish an effective maintenance plan:

Daily Tasks

• Wipe Down Countertops: After meal preparation and cooking, wipe down countertops with a damp cloth or disinfecting wipe to remove crumbs, spills, and food residue.
• Do the Dishes: Wash dishes or load them into the dishwasher promptly after use. A clutter-free sink area makes your kitchen feel cleaner.
• Sweep the Floor: Quickly sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor to remove any crumbs or debris. This prevents dirt from accumulating and makes deep cleaning less frequent.

Weekly Tasks

• Mop the Floor: Mop the kitchen floor using a suitable floor cleaner. This ensures your floors stay clean and free of grime. My favorite is the Bona Mop and Cleaner.
• Clean Appliances: Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave to prevent the buildup of fingerprints and spills.
• Empty and Clean the Trash Can: Empty the trash regularly to prevent odors and clean the inside of the trash can as needed.

Monthly Tasks

• Deep Clean Specific Areas: Set aside time each month to deep clean specific areas, such as the oven, microwave interior, or refrigerator shelves.
• Check Expiry Dates: Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer to check and dispose of expired items.

Quarterly or Seasonal Tasks

• Inspect and Replace Filters: Check and replace filters in appliances like the range hood and water filters in your refrigerator as needed.
• Cabinet and Drawer Organization: Take the time to reorganize cabinets and drawers to maintain an efficient and clutter-free kitchen.

By incorporating these daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks into your routine, you’ll be able to keep your kitchen consistently clean and inviting. Regular maintenance not only reduces the need for frequent deep cleaning but also ensures a safe and healthy environment for meal preparation and family gatherings.