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As the central location where food is prepared, enjoyed, and stored, it’s no wonder the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. Just like a heart, it’s important to take proper care of your kitchen to promote healthy living and longevity.
As far as rooms go, it tops the list of spaces that should be cleaned regularly (and thoroughly). Simply put, a clean kitchen is a safe kitchen, and remaining on top of kitchen hygiene goes a long way in preventing food-borne illnesses, bacteria, mold growth, and even pests.
Because they’re used on a daily basis, kitchens receive a fair amount of wear and tear and can quickly become grimy. Although performing a routine surface-level clean, i.e. wiping down all surfaces, vacuuming/mopping floors, taking out the trash, cleaning stone countertops, or doing the dishes, is a great way to promote healthy living, there are times when a more thorough, deep clean is necessary. For expert methods and best practices, follow along for kitchen cleaning tips, grease removal techniques, and a deep cleaning checklist.
Why Kitchen Deep Cleaning is Essential
Kitchen sanitation is imperative to good health and hygiene. Because it’s where food is prepared and stored, kitchens are prime locations for germs and bacteria to thrive. Additionally, maintaining a clean kitchen can help prevent avoidable accidents. When spills are tended to immediately, sharp knives are put away, and oil is wiped up properly, this maintenance will aid in preventing any slips, cuts, and grease fires. For these reasons, it’s essential to perform a routine deep cleaning of your kitchen to avoid potentially harmful pathogens from spreading and keep members of your household out of harm’s way.
Beyond safety reasons, maintaining a clean kitchen increases the lifespan of your appliances and surfaces, which can be costly to fix if neglected and left to accumulate grease and grime. Interiors and exteriors of ovens, stovetops, refrigerators, microwaves, and countertops can become dirty over time and should therefore be wiped down and disinfected not only to avoid harmful bacteria growth, but also to promote longevity and usability.
Step-by-Step Kitchen Deep Cleaning Guide
So, what’s included in a kitchen deep clean? To conduct a thorough deep clean you’ll want to tackle a few key areas such as countertops, backsplashes, sink drains, cabinets, drawers, interiors and exteriors of appliances, and floors.
Although general cleaning should be performed weekly, experts recommend deep cleaning your kitchen at least once a month. A typical kitchen deep clean will take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours but greatly depends on how big your space is and how often you use your kitchen. The good news is, some of the best kitchen cleaners can be made from ingredients you likely already own such as baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, and water. Continue reading for a kitchen deep cleaning guide.
Countertops
Kitchen countertops come in a variety of materials such as granite, marble, laminate, quartz, and butcher block, to name a few.
To deep clean kitchen countertops:
First consider the material it’s made of (for example, you can’t use citrus or acid-based cleaners on granite or marble because this can damage or discolor the surface). After confirming the material of your countertops, you can determine the best cleaning solution and strategy suitable for your surfaces.
Wipe them down thoroughly from corner to corner using an appropriate cleaning solution and a clean microfiber cloth or towel.
Backsplashes
A kitchen backsplash, which protects walls from cooking-related splashes, can become layered with cooking grease and other oils over time, which can look and feel grimy.
To deep clean your backsplash:
Mix a solution of ½ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and hot water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the backsplash and allow it to sit for at least one minute.
Using a damp sponge or cloth, wipe away the solution.
Using a soft-bristle brush, scrub any grout lines by dipping the brush into a bit of baking soda and water, then wipe any residue away with a damp cloth or sponge.
Sink Drains
Because food inevitably winds up in the sink while doing dishes, drains can become clogged or smelly over time.
To deep clean your sink and drain:
Wipe down the sink walls and flush the drain by pouring in a 1:1 ratio of baking soda and vinegar.
Next, pour boiling water down the drain to flush the solution and any lingering food particles.
Cabinets and Drawers
After a while, kitchen cabinets and drawers can become crumb-filled and unorganized, which can attract pests and make for a stressful cooking experience.
To deep clean kitchen cabinets and drawers:
Remove all contents from inside and set them aside to reorganize later.
Using a vacuum, suck up any crumbs and other dust or debris that might be wedged in the corners and cracks.
Mix a solution of warm water and mild detergent to wipe down the interior of all cabinets and drawers.
Next, wipe the insides dry using a clean, dry cloth.
After the insides have properly dried, reorganize kitchen utensils, tools, and dinnerware within cabinets and drawers.
Appliances
Cleaning kitchen appliances is a major component of any kitchen deep cleaning session. The stove/oven, refrigerator, and microwave are each used regularly to prepare or store food and therefore can quickly become caked with grease and grime.
To deep clean a stove/oven:
First, remove all burners, grates, and oven racks. Allow them to soak in warm, soapy water for at least 15 minutes, then carefully scrub clean and set them aside to dry.
Remove any immediate, larger food particles from the stovetop surface.
Using an all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the surface, oven door, and knobs/handles.
For tough stains and stubborn grease marks, create a paste of baking soda, vinegar, and water. Using a soft-bristle brush, scrub the surface with the paste.
Using the same baking soda, vinegar, and water paste, apply the mixture liberally to your oven’s interior, allowing it to set for at least 20 minutes.
Use a wet sponge to wipe up the paste and follow up with a damp, microfiber cloth to clean leftover residue.
Reassemble burners, grates, and oven racks once fully dry.
To deep clean a refrigerator:
Unplug your fridge and carefully scoot it away from the wall.
Using a vacuum, suck up crumbs and dust from underneath your refrigerator.
Remove all contents inside your fridge, toss out expired items, and temporarily store perishable items in the freezer.
Take out any removable shelves and drawers for easier cleaning.
Using a sponge, wipe down the shelves, drawers, and interior walls in your fridge with mild dish soap and warm water.
Wipe the interior with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to absorb leftover residue.
Using the same mixture of mild dish soap and warm water, wipe the exterior of your fridge using a paper towel.
Plug your refrigerator back in, carefully push it back into place, insert cleaned shelves, and drawers, then return all food contents.
To deep clean a microwave:
Place a bowl of water and dish soap in the microwave and set for 2 minutes, then let it sit and steam for an additional 2 minutes (this will loosen up any stubborn food splatters).
Wipe down the interior ceiling, walls, and tray with a sponge.
Using an all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the exterior door and handle.
Floors
As a general cleaning rule of thumb, you should save cleaning the floors for last. Why? As we clean, crumbs, dust, and other particles tend to fall to the floor, so it’s best to tackle this area last to avoid having to repeat this step.
How to deep clean kitchen floors:
First, consider what material your floors are made of as not all floors should be treated the same. For example, hardwood floors will need to be treated differently from tile floors.
Perform an initial sweep and vacuum of your kitchen floors to remove the surface layer of crumbs, dust, and debris.
Using a cleaning solution that’s appropriate for your flooring type, mop the floors working from one side to the other.
Allow floors to dry thoroughly before stepping on them.
Final Thoughts on Maintaining a Clean Kitchen
The heart of the home should be treated with care, and routinely cleaning your kitchen on a weekly basis will help foster a healthy living area and keep your family safe from food-borne illnesses and avoidable accidents. Not to mention, a clean kitchen offers a clutter-free space that encourages healthy eating and makes for a more pleasant, stress-free cooking experience.
We hope this guide helps you transform your space—Happy cleaning!
