To deep clean your kitchen, work from top to bottom: clear the surfaces, start the oven soaking, clean cupboards and walls, then appliances, the sink and finally the floor. Getting the order right means grease and crumbs fall onto areas you have not cleaned yet, and slow jobs like the oven do their work while you get on with everything else.
Set aside most of a day for an average kitchen, longer if the oven or extractor has not been touched in a while. Here is the full method, step by step.
What you will need
- Rubber gloves and, for oven cleaner, eye protection
- Washing-up liquid and a degreaser for heavier grease
- An oven cleaner, or a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water for a gentler option
- A limescale remover or white vinegar for taps and the kettle
- Microfibre cloths, non-scratch sponges and an old toothbrush
- A plastic scraper, bin bags, a bucket and mop
Safety first
- Never mix products, especially bleach with ammonia-based cleaners or with acids such as vinegar or limescale remover. The fumes are dangerous.
- Ventilate. Open windows and run the extractor, particularly when using oven cleaner.
- Wear gloves. Oven cleaners and strong degreasers are caustic and will irritate skin.
- Switch off and unplug appliances before cleaning inside them, and let the oven and hob cool completely.
- Spot-test any product on a hidden area first, especially on stone, wood or painted cupboard doors.
Step 1: Clear and prepare
Empty the worktops, take everything off open shelves, and throw away out-of-date food. Empty the bin and put a fresh liner in, because you will fill it. If you are cleaning inside the fridge or freezer, eat down or move the contents first and switch the freezer off to defrost, with towels underneath.
Step 2: Start the oven soaking
The oven takes longest, so start it now. Remove the racks and trays and soak them in the sink or bath in hot water with a dishwasher tablet or washing-up liquid. Apply oven cleaner, or a thick bicarbonate paste, to the inside of the oven, avoiding the heating elements and fan. Follow the dwell time on the label and close the door.
Step 3: Extractor, walls and cupboards
Work from the highest point down. Remove the extractor filters: metal ones can soak in hot soapy water or go in the dishwasher if the manufacturer allows, while charcoal filters need replacing rather than washing. Wipe the hood, then the tops of wall cupboards, where grease and dust combine into a sticky layer.
Next, clean cupboard doors, handles and the insides of each cupboard and drawer. Warm water with washing-up liquid handles everyday grease. For stubborn build-up near the hob, use a degreaser, leave it for a minute or two, then wipe and rinse with a clean damp cloth. Finish with the tiles or splashback, using a toothbrush on grout lines.
Step 4: Hob and appliances
- Hob: soften burnt-on spills with a warm soapy cloth left on for a few minutes, then lift with a plastic scraper. Use a dedicated ceramic hob cleaner on glass tops. Remove gas burner caps and soak them.
- Microwave: heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for a few minutes, leave the door closed for five minutes, then wipe the softened splashes away.
- Fridge: take out shelves and drawers and wash them in warm soapy water (let glass reach room temperature first so it does not crack). Wipe the inside with warm water and a little bicarbonate of soda, and do not forget the door seals.
- Dishwasher and washing machine: clean the filter, wipe the door seals and run an empty hot cycle.
- Kettle: descale with a limescale remover or a vinegar and water solution, then boil and discard fresh water two or three times.
Step 5: Finish the oven
Once the dwell time is up, wipe the oven out with a damp cloth, rinsing it often, until no residue remains. Scrub the racks and trays, rinse and dry them. Clean the door glass last. If there is glass between the panels that you cannot reach, leave it to a professional rather than forcing the door apart.
Step 6: Sink, taps and drain
Scrub the sink and draining board, then treat limescale around taps with a limescale remover, following the label. A toothbrush gets into the base of the tap. For a sluggish or smelly drain, pour in bicarbonate of soda followed by hot water. Do not use vinegar straight after a bleach-based product.
Step 7: Pull out, then floor
If you can safely move freestanding appliances, pull them out and clean the floor, sides and wall behind them. Wipe skirting boards, light switches and door handles, then sweep or vacuum and mop the floor, working from the far corner back towards the door.
Kitchen deep clean at a glance
| Area | Method | Easy to miss |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Cleaner or bicarbonate paste, then dwell | Door glass and seals |
| Extractor | Soak metal filters | Top of the hood |
| Cupboards | Warm soapy water, degreaser near the hob | Tops of wall units |
| Fridge | Empty, wash shelves, wipe interior | Door seals and drip tray |
| Sink and taps | Scrub, descale | Base of the tap |
| Floor | Sweep, then mop | Behind appliances |
For a printable version of what a professional team covers in every room, see our cleaning checklist.
FAQs
How long does it take to deep clean a kitchen?
Most of a day for an average kitchen, including the oven. Letting products dwell while you work elsewhere saves a lot of scrubbing time.
What order should I deep clean my kitchen in?
Top to bottom: clear the surfaces, start the oven soaking, then extractor, cupboards and tiles, appliances, the sink, and the floor last.
How often should a kitchen be deep cleaned?
Every one to three months suits most homes, alongside daily wipe-downs. Busy family kitchens and kitchens where a lot of frying is done benefit from the shorter end.
What is the best way to remove heavy grease?
Heat and time. Use a degreaser or hot soapy water, leave it to work for a few minutes, then wipe. Repeat rather than scrubbing hard, which can scratch finishes.
Want it done for you?
Our deep cleaning teams handle the whole kitchen, with products and equipment included, and ovens and appliances can be added through our appliance cleaning service. Based on real totals from our jobs in the last 12 months, one-bedroom deep cleans came in from £175. See the full prices, then Get Free Quote or Book Online.