How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen

Before You Start

The Deep Clean Order

Work top to bottom, inside to outside. This ensures dirt and crumbs fall to areas you haven't cleaned yet:

1. Upper cabinets and tops of cabinets
2. Major appliances (oven, refrigerator, dishwasher)
3. Lower cabinets and drawers
4. Countertops and backsplash
5. Small appliances
6. Sink and fixtures
7. Floors (always last)

Major Appliances

Oven

1. Remove racks and soak in hot, soapy water (or bathtub with dish soap)
2. If using self-clean: Run cycle, then wipe ash when cool
3. If cleaning manually: Apply oven cleaner or baking soda paste, let sit 20+ minutes
4. Scrub interior with non-scratch sponge
5. Clean oven door glass (inside and out)—use razor blade scraper for baked-on drips
6. Wipe gasket around door
7. Scrub soaked racks, rinse, dry, and replace
8. Clean oven exterior and control panel

For detailed natural methods, see our complete natural oven cleaning guide.

Refrigerator

1. Remove all food, toss expired items
2. Remove shelves, drawers, and bins
3. Wash removable parts in warm soapy water
4. Wipe interior with baking soda solution (2 tbsp per quart water)
5. Clean door seals/gaskets—use toothbrush for crevices
6. Replace shelves and organize food as you return it
7. Clean exterior (including top—major dust collector)
8. Pull out fridge and clean floor underneath
9. Vacuum coils (back or underneath)—improves efficiency

Dishwasher

1. Remove bottom rack, check and clean drain/filter
2. Clean door edges and gasket (often missed)
3. Wipe spray arms—unclog holes with toothpick if needed
4. Run empty cycle with dishwasher cleaner or 2 cups vinegar
5. Clean exterior and control panel
6. Don't forget the sides and top if it's a freestanding unit

See our complete dishwasher deep cleaning guide for detailed instructions.

Range Hood

1. Remove filters and soak in hot water with degreaser or dish soap
2. Clean hood exterior with degreaser
3. Wipe interior of hood (grease buildup)
4. Scrub filters, rinse well, let dry completely
5. Wipe light covers
6. Replace filters when dry

For the complete process, see our range hood cleaning guide.

Cabinets & Drawers

Upper Cabinets

1. Start with tops of cabinets—major dust and grease accumulation
2. Empty one section at a time
3. Wipe shelves and interior walls
4. Check items as you return them—toss old spices, expired goods
5. Wipe cabinet exteriors (use wood cleaner for wood, degreaser for painted)
6. Clean handles and knobs

Lower Cabinets

1. Empty completely
2. Vacuum crumbs and debris from corners
3. Wipe interior shelves and walls
4. Check under sink for leaks while empty
5. Clean exterior doors and hardware
6. Organize as you replace items

Counters, Backsplash & Sink

Countertops

• Granite/Quartz: Use pH-neutral cleaner or dish soap solution; avoid acidic cleaners. See our granite cleaning guide.
• Laminate: All-purpose cleaner works; avoid abrasives that scratch
• Butcher block: Clean with dish soap, sanitize with diluted vinegar, oil periodically
• Stainless steel: Clean with grain, use stainless steel cleaner, buff dry. See our stainless steel guide.

For all counters: Move appliances and clean underneath; clean edges where counter meets wall; don't forget under appliance cords.

Backsplash

1. Spray with appropriate cleaner (degreaser for areas near stove)
2. Let sit a few minutes to dissolve grease
3. Wipe with microfiber cloth
4. For tile: Clean grout with baking soda paste or grout cleaner
5. Use old toothbrush for grout lines
6. Dry and buff to prevent water spots

Hard water tip: Hard water is common across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Use vinegar or a descaling cleaner for water spots on backsplashes, especially near the sink. Buff dry immediately to prevent new spots.

Sink

1. Clear sink completely
2. Scrub basin with baking soda or sink cleaner
3. Clean faucet and handles (use toothbrush around base)
4. Clean aerator—unscrew and soak in vinegar if low flow
5. Clean and deodorize garbage disposal (ice + salt + lemon peels)
6. Pour baking soda + vinegar down drain, flush with hot water
7. Buff faucet dry to prevent water spots

Small Appliances

Microwave

1. Place bowl of water with lemon slices or 2 tbsp vinegar inside
2. Run on high 3-5 minutes until steamy
3. Let sit 5 minutes (steam loosens grime)
4. Wipe interior easily with damp cloth
5. Remove and clean turntable
6. Clean exterior, door, and vents

Full details in our microwave steam cleaning guide.

Coffee Maker

1. Run vinegar-water cycle (1:1 ratio)
2. Run 2-3 plain water cycles to rinse
3. Wash carafe and filter basket
4. Wipe exterior
5. Clean drip tray area

Toaster/Toaster Oven

1. Unplug and cool completely
2. Remove and empty crumb tray
3. Shake out loose crumbs (over garbage or outside)
4. Wipe interior carefully
5. Clean exterior and control knobs

Other Small Appliances

• Blender: Blend warm water + dish soap, rinse, dry
• Can opener: Clean blade and gear area (bacteria trap)
• Electric kettle: Boil water + vinegar, rinse thoroughly
• Stand mixer: Wipe base, wash attachments, clean attachment hub

Floors & Finishing Touches

Floor Cleaning

1. Move chairs, trash cans, floor items
2. Vacuum or sweep entire floor (including under table/island)
3. Spot treat any sticky spots or stains
4. Mop with appropriate cleaner for floor type
5. Clean floor edges and corners with brush
6. Clean baseboards while you're down there
7. Let dry completely before replacing items

Don't Forget These Often-Missed Areas

• Light fixtures and under-cabinet lights
• Light switch plates and outlet covers
• Trash can (inside and out)
• Chair legs and undersides
• Window sills and tracks
• Tops of door frames
• Vents and vent covers
• Under and behind freestanding appliances

When to Hire Long Island Maids Instead

DIY deep cleaning works great when you have a free weekend. But sometimes professional help makes more sense:

You're Short on Time

The math: 3-5 hours for one person doing everything. Maybe 2-3 hours if you have help. Our professional team (2-person crew) completes a thorough kitchen clean much faster—while you're at work or running errands.

Pre-Holiday or Pre-Event Cleaning

Hosting Thanksgiving? Getting ready for a party? We ensure every surface sparkles before your guests arrive—the oven they'll see when you pull out the turkey, the cabinet interiors visible when searching for serving dishes, the floors they'll walk on.

Post-Renovation Cleanup

Kitchen renovations leave construction dust in every crevice—inside cabinets, on top of refrigerators, in appliance vents. Our post-construction cleaning removes all traces so you can actually use your new kitchen.

You Want It Done Right

Professional training matters. Our team knows which products work on which surfaces, how to clean without damaging finishes, and what areas homeowners typically miss. We've cleaned hundreds of Long Island kitchens and know the local challenges—hard water, coastal humidity—and how to address them.

Frequently Asked Questions

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