Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you cook, eat, and spend time with family and friends. But with all that activity, it can get messy pretty fast. While a quick wipe-down after dinner helps, every now and then your kitchen needs a real deep clean to get rid of all the built-up grease, grime, and dust. A deep clean can make your kitchen feel brand new and, most importantly, more sanitary.

If you’re ready to tackle this big project, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you get it done right. We’ll cover everything from the ceiling to the floor and all the tough spots in between.

Step 1: Declutter and Prepare

Before you can start cleaning, you need to clear the space. Take everything off your countertops. This includes small appliances like toasters, coffee makers, and blenders. Don’t forget about items on top of your fridge and cabinets. Empty your sink and clear off the stove top. This first step makes it much easier to clean all the surfaces without having to move things around.

Step 2: Tackle the Top and Work Your Way Down

Cleaning a room from top to bottom is a pro tip that saves you a lot of time and effort. Start with the highest spots first, so any dust or dirt you knock loose falls to the floor, where you’ll clean it up later.

• Clean the Cabinets: Wipe down the tops of your cabinets, which are often covered in dust and grease. Then, wipe the fronts and sides of all cabinet doors. If you have any sticky spots or stubborn grease, use a degreaser spray.
• Clean the Vents and Light Fixtures: Use a duster or a damp cloth to clean the dust from your range hood and light fixtures. Be careful and make sure all lights are turned off and cool before you touch them.
• Wipe Down the Walls: Kitchen walls can get splattered with food and grease over time. Use a damp cloth with an all-purpose cleaner to gently wipe them down.

Step 3: Focus on Your Appliances

Appliances are some of the hardest-working parts of your kitchen, and they need a good cleaning.

• The Oven: Your oven probably needs the most attention. Many modern ovens have a self-cleaning feature, but for a deeper clean, you can use a good oven cleaner. Follow the product’s instructions carefully and make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated.
• The Refrigerator: Start by pulling out your fridge and cleaning the floor and wall behind it. You’ll be amazed at how much dust and dirt builds up there. Inside, take out all the shelves and drawers and wash them with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the inside of the fridge and the seals on the doors. While you’re at it, this is a great time to throw away any old food.
• The Microwave: Place a bowl of water with a slice of lemon or a bit of vinegar inside and microwave it for a few minutes. This creates steam that loosens up all the stuck-on food. Then, simply wipe it clean with a cloth.
• The Dishwasher: Remove the filter and wash it thoroughly. Run a cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack to clean the inside and get rid of any bad smells.

Step 4: The Countertops and Sink

Now that the major appliances are done, it’s time to focus on the work surfaces.

• Countertops: Use a cleaner that is safe for your countertop material (granite, laminate, quartz, etc.) and wipe down all surfaces.
• Sink and Faucet: Give your sink a good scrub with a non-abrasive cleaner. For tough stains, you can make a paste of baking soda and water. Don’t forget to scrub the faucet and handles.

Step 5: The Floor and Baseboards

You’re almost at the finish line! All the dirt you knocked loose from the top of the room has settled here.

• Baseboards: Use a damp cloth to wipe down all your baseboards. This small step makes a huge difference in how clean a room looks.
• Floor: Vacuum or sweep all the loose dirt and debris. Then, mop the floor thoroughly. Pay attention to corners and edges, where grime often hides.

The Professional Touch: When to Call in the Experts

A kitchen deep clean is a big job, and it’s completely understandable if you don’t have the time or energy to do it all yourself. That’s where a professional deep cleaning service can help. Our teams at Spotless Home Cleaners are trained to handle all these tasks efficiently and thoroughly. We have the right equipment and non-toxic products to get the job done right, leaving your kitchen pristine and sanitized.

Our standard cleaning Chicago services are great for keeping your home in top shape on a regular basis, but a deep clean is often needed for a true reset. If you’re a landlord or a homeowner preparing a property for new tenants, our move-in cleaning or move-out cleaning service ensures the kitchen is spotless. We can also help with Airbnb cleaning Chicago to get your rental ready for guests.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a family on the go, or a commercial kitchen owner needing an expert clean, having a reliable service can make all the difference. For a free quote on a Chicago house cleaning service, reach out to us at Spotless Home Cleaners. We’ll help you find a plan that works for you.