A kitchen deep clean is not a longer version of wiping the counter. It is a different job: grease on cabinet doors, crumbs under toaster ovens, film inside the microwave, and drains that smell a little off. Do it in the right order and the whole thing takes a morning. Do it out of order and you will clean the floor three times.
The golden rule is top to bottom, back to front. Dust and grease fall, so start high and finish on the floor.
What this post covers:
- Supplies to have ready
- The top-to-bottom order that saves time
- Cabinets, counters, and backsplash
- Appliances: microwave, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator
- The sink, the drain, and the floor
- A safety note on mixing cleaners
Supplies to Gather First
- A degreasing dish soap and warm water, in a spray bottle or bucket
- Baking soda for gentle scrubbing
- White vinegar for glass and some hard surfaces (never on natural stone)
- Microfiber cloths, a non-scratch sponge, and a soft brush
- A vacuum with a crevice tool, a mop, and a trash bag
Check care instructions for stone countertops, stainless steel, and painted cabinets before you spray anything on them.
Step 1: Clear, Dust, and Start High
Take everything off the counters. Wipe the tops of the refrigerator and cabinets, which collect dust and grease. Dust light fixtures and the range hood exterior. Vacuum vent covers. Then wipe the cabinet fronts, top to bottom, using a cloth with warm soapy water. Dry as you go so streaks do not set.
Pay attention to handles and edges near the stove. They hold the most grease and fingerprints.
Step 2: Appliances, One at a Time
- Microwave: heat a bowl of water with a splash of vinegar for three minutes, let it sit with the door closed for five minutes, then wipe the inside.
- Oven: remove the racks, soak them in warm soapy water, and scrub the inside with a baking soda paste. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Our how to clean an oven post covers it in detail.
- Stovetop and range hood filter: soak the filter in hot soapy water, scrub, rinse, and dry before putting it back.
- Dishwasher: clean the filter and door seal. See how to clean a dishwasher.
- Refrigerator: empty it, wipe shelves and drawers, and check dates. See how to clean a refrigerator.
Would you rather skip the scrubbing? Sunshine Clean & Care can add a kitchen cleaning to a visit. Tell us which jobs matter most and we will plan the time.
Step 3: Counters, Backsplash, and Small Appliances
Wipe the backsplash with warm soapy water and a soft brush for grout lines. Clean counters with a cleaner safe for your material. Wipe the coffee maker, toaster, and any appliance that lives on the counter, including the base where crumbs collect. Wipe the outside of small appliances, unplugged, with a lightly damp cloth.
Step 4: Sink, Faucet, and Drain
Scrub the basin with baking soda and a non-scratch sponge. Wipe the faucet and handles, including the base where water spots collect. For hard water spots, our guide on how to remove hard water stains helps. For a sluggish smell in the drain, pour a half cup of baking soda down, follow with a cup of white vinegar, let it fizz for a few minutes, then flush with hot water.
Safety note: never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. The CDC lists this as one of its top safety guidelines, because the fumes can be dangerous. Open a window when using any product indoors. See the CDC guidance.
A Realistic Time Estimate
Plan on three to five hours for a thorough kitchen deep clean in an average home, longer if the oven has not been done in a year or the refrigerator is packed. Split it across two sessions if you like: do the cabinets, hood, and appliances one day, and counters, sink, and floors the next.
Work in short bursts with breaks, and let cleaners soak while you move on to another step. Letting soap sit on a greasy surface for ten minutes does more than extra scrubbing. Keep a trash bag and a bucket of clean water nearby, and change the water when it turns cloudy so you are not wiping grease back on.
Habits That Make the Next Deep Clean Easier
Wipe the stovetop after cooking, while it is still warm. Run the hood fan when you fry. Wipe the cabinet handles near the stove every week. Put a small pan under a bubbling dish in the oven. Keep a spray bottle and a cloth at the sink so a spill gets wiped in seconds, not days. Small steps like these cut a deep clean from a whole morning to a couple of hours.
Step 5: Floors Last
Move small items like trash cans and mats. Vacuum or sweep edges and corners first, using a crevice tool along baseboards and toe kicks. Mop with the cleaner your floor maker recommends. Let it dry before you put things back. Heavy items like the refrigerator and stove should not be moved unless you have help and know it is safe, so clean the floor around them.
When to Hand It Off
If a full kitchen deep clean sounds like a whole weekend, you are not alone. Sunshine Clean & Care can add a kitchen cleaning to a visit, and a full deep clean includes the inside of the oven. We do not move heavy appliances, so clean-around is the standard. See the kitchen cleaning service page for details.
Want the kitchen done for you? Call to ask about a kitchen cleaning or a full deep clean. We will go over what is included and which jobs are add-ons.
