The kitchen is often called the heart of the home—it's where meals are prepared, families gather, and memories are made. But as one of the most frequently used spaces in your home, it's also one of the quickest to accumulate grime, grease, and bacteria. A thorough deep cleaning not only keeps your kitchen looking its best but also ensures it's a healthy environment for food preparation.
At PureClean Canada, our cleaning professionals have perfected the art of kitchen deep cleaning. In this comprehensive guide, we're sharing our step-by-step approach to transforming even the most neglected kitchen into a sparkling culinary haven.
Preparing for Your Kitchen Deep Clean
Before diving into the cleaning process, proper preparation will make your deep clean more efficient and effective:
What You'll Need:
- Microfiber cloths (multiple colors for different tasks)
- All-purpose cleaner (preferably eco-friendly)
- Degreaser
- Glass cleaner
- Oven cleaner
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Scrub brushes (various sizes)
- Non-scratch scouring pads
- Extendable duster
- Mop and bucket
- Vacuum with attachments
- Step stool or ladder
- Garbage bags
- Rubber gloves
Pro Tip: Clear countertops and remove small appliances before starting. This gives you full access to all surfaces and prevents having to work around obstacles.
Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Approach
For the most efficient deep clean, we recommend working from top to bottom and from least greasy to most greasy areas. This prevents having to re-clean areas when dust or grime falls from above.
Step 1: Clear and Declutter
Deep cleaning is the perfect opportunity to declutter and reorganize:
- Remove everything from countertops
- Clear out the refrigerator, discarding expired items
- Empty cabinets that need interior cleaning
- Sort through drawers, removing items that don't belong in the kitchen
As you remove items, wipe them down before returning them to their cleaned spaces later.
Step 2: Dust High Surfaces
Start at the ceiling and work your way down:
- Dust ceiling corners and remove any cobwebs
- Clean ceiling fan blades and light fixtures
- Wipe down the tops of cabinets and refrigerator
- Dust crown molding and upper cabinet surfaces
Pro Tip: Use an extendable duster with a microfiber attachment for hard-to-reach areas. For stubborn kitchen grease on high surfaces, a mild degreaser may be necessary.
Step 3: Appliance Deep Clean
Refrigerator:
- Remove all items, discarding expired foods
- Take out and wash shelves and drawers in warm, soapy water
- Wipe interior walls with a solution of baking soda and water
- Clean door seals with a toothbrush and mild detergent
- Vacuum refrigerator coils (usually at the back or bottom)
- Wipe down exterior, paying special attention to handles
Oven:
- Remove racks and soak in hot soapy water
- Apply oven cleaner to interior (follow product instructions)
- For a natural alternative, make a paste with baking soda and water
- Let sit for the recommended time
- While waiting, scrub oven racks
- Wipe out interior with damp cloths, rinsing frequently
- Clean oven door glass (inside and out)
- Wipe down exterior
Pro Tip: Line the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil or an oven liner for easier future cleanings, but ensure it doesn't block any vents.
Stovetop and Range Hood:
- Remove burner grates, knobs, and drip pans
- Soak removable parts in hot soapy water
- Apply degreaser to stovetop surface
- For stubborn stains, make a paste with baking soda and water
- Scrub gently with a non-scratch pad
- Remove and clean range hood filters
- Wipe down range hood interior and exterior with degreaser
Pro Tip: For gas stoves, ensure all openings are clear of debris. Use a toothpick to carefully clear any blocked gas ports after cleaning.
Microwave:
- Place a microwave-safe bowl with water and lemon slices inside
- Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes to create steam
- Let sit for 5 minutes before opening
- Wipe down interior with a damp cloth
- Remove turntable and wash in warm soapy water
- Clean exterior and control panel
Dishwasher:
- Remove and clean filter (usually at the bottom)
- Wipe down door edges and seals
- Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the top rack
- Run a hot water cycle with no dishes
- Follow with a sprinkle of baking soda across the bottom and run a short cycle
- Wipe down exterior and control panel
Small Appliances:
- Unplug all small appliances before cleaning
- Descale coffee maker and kettle with white vinegar solution
- Clean toaster crumb tray and exterior
- Wipe down blender, food processor, and mixer
- Clean and sanitize can opener blades
Pro Tip: Never immerse electrical parts in water. Check manufacturer's instructions for specific cleaning recommendations.
Step 4: Cabinets and Drawers
Kitchen cabinets accumulate a surprising amount of grease and dust, even on the inside:
- Empty one cabinet or drawer at a time
- Vacuum crumbs and debris
- Wipe down interior with all-purpose cleaner
- For wooden cabinets, use a cleaner specifically formulated for wood
- Clean cabinet doors and drawer fronts, paying special attention to handles and edges
- For greasy buildup, use a degreaser diluted according to package directions
- Reorganize contents as you return them, discarding unused items
Step 5: Countertops and Backsplash
Different countertop materials require different cleaning approaches:
Countertop Cleaning Guide:
- Granite/Marble/Stone: Use a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar, which can damage the surface.
- Laminate: All-purpose cleaner works well. For stains, make a paste with baking soda and water.
- Butcher Block: Clean with mild dish soap and water, then disinfect with white vinegar. Periodically oil with food-grade mineral oil.
- Quartz/Engineered Stone: Use mild soap and water or a specific quartz cleaner.
- Stainless Steel: Clean with soapy water, then polish with olive oil for shine.
For backsplashes:
- Spray with appropriate cleaner based on material (tile, glass, stone)
- For grout lines, use a grout brush with a paste of baking soda and water
- For stubborn grease, a steam cleaner can be highly effective
Step 6: Sink and Fixtures
The kitchen sink can harbor more bacteria than some bathroom surfaces:
- Remove any dishes and clear the sink
- Scrub with baking soda and a soft cloth or sponge
- For stainless steel sinks, scrub in the direction of the grain
- Clean around the edges and rim
- Don't forget the drain stopper and strainer
- For garbage disposal, grind ice cubes and citrus peels
- Polish faucets and handles with appropriate cleaner
- Disinfect the entire sink area with a food-safe disinfectant
Pro Tip: To maintain a fresh-smelling drain, pour 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain weekly. Let sit for 10 minutes, then flush with hot water.
Step 7: Floors
Kitchen floors require special attention as they're exposed to food spills and heavy foot traffic:
- Sweep or vacuum to remove loose debris
- Move lightweight furniture to clean underneath
- Pay special attention to corners and areas under cabinets
- Mop with appropriate cleaner for your floor type
- For tile floors, clean grout with a designated grout cleaner
- Allow to dry completely before walking on the floor
Step 8: Windows and Window Treatments
Kitchen windows often develop a film from cooking steam and grease:
- Dust blinds or wash fabric curtains according to care instructions
- Clean window sills and tracks
- Wash windows with glass cleaner or a vinegar-water solution
- Dry with a lint-free cloth or newspaper for streak-free results
Step 9: Final Touches
Complete your deep clean with these finishing touches:
- Empty and clean trash can and recycling bins
- Wipe down cabinet toe kicks
- Clean light switch plates and outlet covers
- Disinfect high-touch areas like cabinet handles and appliance controls
- Clean and organize the junk drawer
- Replace stained dish towels and sponges
Maintaining Your Clean Kitchen
After investing time in a thorough deep clean, maintain the results with these habits:
Daily Maintenance:
- Wipe down counters and stovetop after each meal
- Wash dishes promptly or load dishwasher
- Sweep floor to remove crumbs
- Empty dish drainer
- Wipe up spills immediately
Weekly Tasks:
- Clean inside microwave
- Wipe down cabinet fronts and appliance exteriors
- Mop floors
- Clean and disinfect sink
- Check refrigerator for expired items
Monthly Tasks:
- Clean refrigerator interior
- Wipe down inside cabinets
- Clean range hood filter
- Run cleaning cycle on dishwasher
- Clean garbage disposal
A deep kitchen cleaning is a significant undertaking, but the results are well worth the effort. A clean, organized kitchen is not only more pleasant to cook in but also promotes healthier food preparation and can even enhance your culinary creativity.
At PureClean Canada, we understand that not everyone has the time or energy to tackle a comprehensive kitchen deep clean. Our professional cleaning teams are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and experience to transform your kitchen efficiently and thoroughly.
Whether you're preparing for a special event, moving into a new home, or simply want to enjoy the benefits of a professionally cleaned kitchen, contact us to learn about our specialized kitchen cleaning services.