The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where we prepare meals, gather with family, and store the food that fuels us daily. Naturally, cooking and eating leave behind everything from crumbs and grease to spills and splatter that invite bacteria, mold, and pests. In fact, according to the Texas A&M Extension, kitchen sinks, stoves, and sponges are some of the germiest areas in the home.
A clean kitchen makes cooking and mealtime more enjoyable, preserves the finish of your appliances, and protects your household from foodborne illnesses. But between busy schedules and the lure of delivery meals, deep cleaning the kitchen often falls to the bottom of the to-do list.
This ultimate kitchen cleaning guide will show you how to refresh your kitchen with ease, using only environmentally responsible ingredients. We’ll cover must-have tools, how to make your own powerful cleaners, and a six-step deep-cleaning process that tackles the surfaces and appliances in your kitchen. We’ll also share solutions for stubborn grease and smells, plus a kitchen deep cleaning checklist.
Must-Have Kitchen Cleaning Tools
There are plenty of sustainable swaps you can make for your kitchen cleaning tools. Choose durable items that are washable and reusable. Here’s our kitchen cleaning list of must-haves:
Microfiber Cloths
The ultra-thin fibers of these cloths trap grease, dust, and bacteria using only water. Use them instead of paper towels when cleaning and sanitizing kitchen surfaces. Throw them in the laundry after each use, and they’ll be ready for your next clean.
Cellulose Sponges
Plant-based fiber sponges provide scratch-free scrubbing and are more sustainable than plastic versions. For example, non-toxic cellulose sponges are made with wood fibers. Rinse your sponges after each use, and toss them when they’re worn out.
Reusable Spray Mop with Washable Pads
A sturdy mop with washable microfiber pads gives your floors a deep clean without disposable sheets. Look for a mop with a refillable spray handle for easy cleaning. After each use, machine-wash the pad so it’s ready for next time.
Scrub Brush with a Replaceable Head
Instead of plastic scrub brushes, a bamboo handle with natural bristles cleans grout lines and sinks effortlessly. When the bristles fray, just pop on a new head for your next scrub.
Vacuum with a HEPA Filter
Trade sweeping for one quick pass with a HEPA filter vacuum before mopping. The filter captures fine dust and allergens, removing them from the kitchen rather than pushing them around.
Pro tip: Stock your kitchen cleaning tools in a portable caddy for easy movement around the room.
Go-To Kitchen Cleaners
You don’t need harsh, toxic chemicals like bleach and ammonia to achieve a sparkling kitchen. Environmentally responsible commercial cleaners and DIY cleaners made with ingredients you probably have on hand eliminate odors, remove stains, and break down grease without harmful residues.
Homemade cleaning solutions allow you to control every ingredient — no hidden dyes, fragrances, or other unsafe ingredients. Just label them and be sure to store them out of the reach of children.
Here are some great options for environmentally responsible kitchen cleaners.
DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Directions: In a spray bottle, combine one cup of water, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Shake gently before each use.
This cleaner is safe for glass, most laminates, and cleaning stainless steel appliances (but don’t use it on natural stone).
DIY Degreaser
Directions: In a bowl, mix one tablespoon of mild dish soap and two tablespoons of baking soda. Add enough warm water to form a loose paste.
Apply this grease-busting mixture with a clean microfiber cloth, allow it to sit for five minutes, then wipe clean.
DIY Kitchen Sanitizer
Directions: Pour one cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide into a dark glass spray bottle, and add five to 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Keep it stored in a dark, dry place.
To use this homemade sanitizer, pre-clean the surface and mist with sanitizer to dampen it. Let sit for at least five minutes, then wipe it clean or let it air dry. Patch-test sanitizer on natural stone surfaces to prevent discoloration.
DIY Floor Cleaner
Directions: Fill a mop bucket with one gallon of hot water. Add a half cup of distilled white vinegar and 10 to 20 drops of lemon essential oil.
This cleaner is best used for ceramic and porcelain tile. To use it, dip a reusable mop pad into the mix and wring well before using — no need to rinse the floor after.
Avoid using on waxed flooring or natural stone tiles, including marble, granite, limestone, or slate.
DIY Deodorizer
Directions: In a glass or metal bowl, combine a half-cup of baking soda and five to 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Use a fork or whisk to thoroughly combine.
Sprinkle this homemade deodorizer on dry surfaces, such as inside the refrigerator or in the bottom of a trash bin. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, then wipe away or vacuum.
Step-by-Step Kitchen Cleaning Process
A deep clean removes grease, grime, and germs that daily wipe-downs miss. Most homes benefit from a thorough deep clean every one to three months, depending on how often you cook and host, or if you have children or pets.
This six-step process is intended for maximum efficiency, moving from high surfaces to low so that dust never lands on freshly mopped floors. A deep clean will likely take two to three hours for an average kitchen queue your favorite playlist, and get started.
Step 1: Prep
To prep your space for cleaning:
- Open your windows for fresh air.
- Gather all of your tools and supplies.
- Mix your chosen cleaners.
Step 2: Tidy Up
Start by tidying the smaller items and disposing of expired goods:
- Remove items from your cabinets, then clean your cabinets by wiping them with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
- Return cabinet items – this is a perfect opportunity for reorganizing. Also, return pantry items and small appliances to their proper places.
- Clear items from counters and table surfaces.
- Empty the sink, load the dishwasher, and handwash remaining dishes.
- Discard expired food from the refrigerator.
Step 3: Clean the Appliances
Next, clean your larger appliances. Here’s a breakdown:
Refrigerator:
Before cleaning your refrigerator, unplug or switch to vacation mode. Follow these steps:
- Remove all food. Place perishables in a cooler.
- Take out shelves and drawers, then wash them with warm, soapy water. Allow to air dry.
- Wipe the interior with all-purpose cleaner.
- Open a box of baking soda, and leave it in your refrigerator to absorb odors.
- Plug the refrigerator back in and restock.
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Oven and stovetop:
- The first step for cleaning an oven is to remove the oven racks. Coat them with a degreaser solution and leave them in a sink filled with hot water.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the oven floor, and mist with vinegar until it bubbles.
- Close the door, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.
- To clean the stovetop, soak the stovetop grates with a degreaser.
- Wipe the rest of the stovetop with all-purpose cleaner.
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Microwave:
- To clean your microwave, fill a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and two tablespoons of vinegar. Add a slice of lemon for a natural, fresh scent.
- Heat on high for five minutes, until steam loosens the grime.
- Wash the turntable in warm, soapy water.
- Wipe the interior of the microwave with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
Dishwasher:
- Remove the bottom rack first when cleaning a dishwasher. Soak in a sink of hot water and two cups of white vinegar, and scrub with a brush.
- Wipe away food remnants around the spray arms and tub floor.
- Clear the drain trap.
- Place a cup of vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle.
- Sprinkle one cup of baking soda on the bottom. Replace the bottom rack and run a short cycle.
Air Fryer:
- To clean the air fryer, first unplug and let it cool completely.
- Remove the basket, tray, and pan and wash with warm, soapy water.
- Soak stuck-on food for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft sponge.
- Wipe the inside with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Use baking soda paste for tough grease spots.
- Wipe the exterior clean.
- Dry all parts fully before reassembling.
- Never submerge the main unit.
Step 4: Sink and Drain Care
- To clean a stainless steel kitchen sink, scrub the basin with baking soda degreaser paste.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. Allow it to fizz for 10 minutes, then flush with cool water.
- Grind ice cubes and lemon peels to clean your garbage disposal and deodorize and sharpen blades.
Step 5: Surfaces
- Spray countertops, backsplash, and cabinet fronts with all-purpose cleaner.
- Let the spray sit for two minutes to loosen grime.
- Wipe dry with a clean, microfiber cloth.
Step 6: Floors
- Cleaning the kitchen floor starts with vacuuming to remove crumbs and dust.
- Prepare the floor cleaner in a large bucket. Mop the floors, rinsing your reusable mop pad as needed.
- Dry the floor with a clean towel to prevent streaks and slipping.
Pro Tips for Common Kitchen Cleaning Challenges
Even with regular cleaning, you’re bound to come across the odd challenge when doing a kitchen deep clean. Here are some tips for these stubborn areas:
Grease Buildup
Mix together one tablespoon of mild dish soap and two tablespoons of baking soda. Add warm water until a loose paste forms. Apply the paste to particularly greasy areas with a microfiber cloth, wait five minutes, and then wipe clean.
Stuck-On Food
Cover the trouble spot with a hot, damp cloth for ten minutes to soften residue before scraping.
Hard-to-Reach Areas
Wrap a microfiber cloth around a butter knife to slide between oven knobs, faucet bases, and other tight places.
Kitchen in Need of Some TLC? Casillas House Cleaning Service Can Help!
Even with regular tidying, a thorough, top-to-bottom clean keeps your kitchen safe, sanitary, and running efficiently. However, a deep clean takes time and energy. Plus, with your busy schedule, there are plenty of places that get overlooked when cleaning the kitchen.
Professional House cleaners from Casillas House Cleaning Service are here to help. We can provide a one-time deep clean or recurring weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly services. Casillas House Cleaning Service uses environmentally responsible products and a proven Detail-Clean Rotation System® to give your kitchen a thorough and complete deep clean. Call us at (888) 658-0659, or request your free cleaning estimate today!