What is Included in a Kitchen Deep Clean? Tasks Explained

Everything that you use or see in a typical kitchen requires deep cleaning every once in a while. However, keeping a proper list of kitchen appliances and tools is very hard. In such cases, a checklist for a kitchen deep-cleaning session can significantly help.

Research has shown that one out of six Americans is affected by foodborne diseases yearly. One prime cause of such calamity is a dirty kitchen. The only way to counter this is to clean your kitchen regularly.

You often get overwhelmed by the factors you must consider while deep cleaning a kitchen. The chances of missing something are high. But have no fear! This article provides in-depth knowledge on the factors included in a Kitchen Deep Clean.

What is Included in a Kitchen Deep Cleaning Checklist?

A kitchen deep cleaning checklist includes every kitchen component, such as appliances, counters and cabinets, drawers and organizers, kitchen utensils, countertops, burners, and even the floor. 

Making a checklist before a deep cleaning venture is a smart way to handle the process while ensuring total cleansing. The following list covers all the components of a deep cleaning checklist. Read carefully for pro tips and advice for an intense kitchen deep cleaning.

1. Clean Appliances (Large and Small)

Home and industrial kitchen appliances often vary in terms of their workload. In such havoc, maintaining a thorough check plan is a must. Industrial kitchens require professional help in cleaning heavy-duty appliances by following industry norms.

To clean your home kitchen, start sorting out the appliances first. A typical home kitchen has four common appliances such as a dishwasher, an oven, a refrigerator, and a burner. Some others have toasters and coffee makers at their kitchen. 

Home remedies like baking soda, water, lemon juice, hot water, steam, and other techniques can help perform a deep clean. You can also make cleaning products that suit your appliances. 

2. Clean Dishwasher

You may wonder why a cleaning appliance requires a deep clean. Dishwashers produce calcium and other debris, clogging the vents and making the appliance inoperable. In such cases, cleaning your home dishwasher once a month is a must.

Taking out the racks and cleaning each one individually in soapy water is an ideal practice. However, industrial dishwashers often require dismantling components and deep cleaning on individual components.

3. Sanitize Sink

Disinfectants, soapy water, and other acidic cleaning products can efficiently clean your sink surface. However, many sinks face issues like clogging and staining. Usually, kitchen sinks are made of stainless steel, making them rust-free and easy to wash and maintain.

Unclogging a sink can be tricky. Proven practices like plunging, cleaning drain pipes, and unclogging the topper and p-traps usually do the work. However, you can use hot water and vinegar-baking soda to clean out greasy clogs.

4. Clean Countertops

Countertops should always be clean and tidy. You can use microfibre cleaning clothes with a soapy water mixture for that. Disinfectants can also be used for deep cleaning. However, once a disinfectant solution is applied, do not forget to wash it out before using the countertops. 

5. Sweep and Mop The Floor

The floors are the most neglected part of a kitchen, especially in industrial kitchens. However, deep cleaning at regular intervals is necessary. For home kitchens, use vinegar-based water solutions for thorough cleaning.

You can gently mop the floor and rub the stains with a microfibre cloth. However, industrial kitchens require a deep cleaning regime. Typically, professional deep cleaners use industry-specific degreasing solutions and cleaning machines. 

6. Clean Refrigerator (Including Coils)

State-of-the-art industrial kitchens often have walk-in refrigerators. These refrigerators are hard to defrost, and the frost on the floor may make it very slippery. Professional cleaners apply unique freezing cleaning solutions to clean the floor.

Cleaning home refrigerators requires defrosting the chambers. After defrosting, use a vinegar-based cleaning solution to wipe the inner surface. Use long wire brushes to clean the coils and vacuum the dust thoroughly. 

7. Declutter and Organize Cabinets and Drawers

If everything is organized, you can function efficiently in the kitchen. Professional chefs are very picky about their cabinet and drawer management. When conducting a deep clean, the proper process is to remove everything and clean the surface. 

Once the surface is properly cleaned or disinfected, organize all the components based on their priority. 

8. Clean and Organize Food Storage

Conducting a regular checkup of your food storage is essential. You must track your food supplies, quality, and expiry period. Do not shy away from throwing expired ingredients out.

Food containers and storage units must be cleaned regularly. Soak the containers in soapy water and clean the storage surface with vinegar-based cleaning solutions. Disinfecting and degreasing the surface is necessary for industrial kitchens.

9. Scrub Grout

Grout between tiles and flooring boards is very prone to debris and dust. If not cleaned regularly, they can be a real pain to clean. Oil and dirt can form nasty grease, making the kitchen unhygienic and dirty.

To counter that, an industrial kitchen requires pressure washing with hot steam. Brushes can be used to scrape and scrub the grease out of households. 

10. Clean Baseboards

Baseboards are often left unseen even in the tightest deep cleaning routine. However, dust and grease can form on them over time. To properly clean the baseboards, soak them in degreasing solutions or soapy water.

Once adequately soaked, gently scrub it with a scrubber and clean every corner. Let it dry out completely for a total cleaning. 

11. Clean Stove Top Burners

Stove-top burners are very tricky to clean. Industrial kitchens have complex industrial stoves, requiring dismantling and cleaning of individual components.

For the household units, soak the grills, stove dices, and tops in soapy water. In the meantime, take a soapy vinegar solution and spray it on the stove surface. Gently scrub the stains and wipe with kitchen towels. 

Scrub the soaked components and dry them with kitchen towels. Once reassembled, turn the flames on high heat and dry everything properly. 

12. Deep Clean Oven, Microwave, and Refrigerator

Many ovens have deep cleaning features, which are lifesavers. However, you can also steam-clean microwave ovens. 

Simply microwave a water bowl for a minute, take a vinegar-based solution, soak a cloth, and clean the inner surface. Do the same process for refrigerators after defrosting.

13. Empty The Trash

Empty and clean your trash bins regularly. Categorizing your trash bins can also be helpful. Separating trash bins for disposable garbage and non-disposable garbage is a sustainable approach.

14. Clean Blinds

Heavy exposure to an oily or greasy environment can stain blinds. The right solution is to clean and wash them with soapy water. Soak the blinds in soapy water and scrub the stains with a brush. Afterward, dump them in the washing machine. 

15. Clean Exhaust Hoods And Filters

Exhaust hoods can be dangerous if not cleaned regularly. Uncleaned exhaust hoods form grease on their surfaces. This is a serious fire hazard. Industrial exhaust hoods are often dismantled into pieces and washed individually.

Exhaust filters are tricky to wash. Regular household filters can be changed. You can easily find a spare filter in your nearest hardware store. 

16. Clean Mirrors

Mirrors are often seen in industrial kitchens and even in modern households. The main idea is to make the kitchen look more spacious and allow light to reflect. It is a common practice. To keep it clean, apply a soapy water mixture and scrub with a microfibre cloth.

DIY vs Professional Kitchen Deep Cleaning

Professional kitchen deep cleaning services aim to clean kitchens precisely, saving time and the hassle. However, DIY kitchen cleaning arrangements may save you big bucks while compromising your time and efforts. The choice for the best option is like a double-edged sword.

To do so, you must integrate all the pros and cons of each kitchen cleaning adventure. The following section provides the pros and cons of professional and DIY kitchen deep-cleaning services.

Pros and Cons of Professional Kitchen Deep Cleaning Services

Pros:

• TimeSaving

Professional kitchen cleaners have years of experience and thus work faster with pristine precision, saving time and energy. 

• Expert Care

With years of experience and proficiency in their field, industry-leading kitchen cleaning experts provide services with special care and precision. Such expert care improves customer satisfaction and ensures expert deep cleaning of your kitchen.

• Right Tools for the Job

Professional kitchen cleaning services have the right tools and equipment for deep cleaning in industrial and household kitchens. 

• Hassle-Free

You do not need to do anything after signing a contract with a professional kitchen cleaning service. The skilled team will handle everything for the cleaning service, making the experience smooth and hassle-free.

• Improved Indoor Air Quality

A thorough, profound cleaning benefits the kitchen's air quality, making it more breathable and hygienic. Professional kitchen cleaners ensure precise cleaning while maintaining market norms and regulations.

• Reduced Stress

A hassle-free experience with the cleaning service and a clean kitchen always lift your spirits. While the professional team handles your kitchen cleaning duties, you can enjoy your precious day off.

• Room for Customization

One of the best features of hiring a professional kitchen cleaning service is the level of customization. You can select a suitable date and time from various cleaning options with customizable package rates. 

Cons:

• Cost

A professional kitchen cleaning service with a good market reputation is not cheap. You might not get the desired cleaning services if your budget is tight.

• Scheduling Issues

Popular professional kitchen cleaning services are constantly overwhelmed with service requests, which results in scheduling issues. You may have to book an appointment months before to suit your timings.

• Trust Factors

It’s always very intimidating to hand over the keys to your kitchen or let strangers in your house. There are several reports of potential robberies disguised as service professionals. To avoid this, you can conduct a thorough background check.

• Excessive Use of Resources

Professional kitchen cleaning experts often overdo things. Excessive cleaning products or water can be harmful.

• Lack of Control

Once you sign a contract with a professional team, you cannot control the cleaning progress. Leaving you with no choice but to watch the professionals do their job. 

Pros and Cons of DIY Kitchen Deep Cleaning Arrangements

Pros:

• Cost Efficient

One of the core benefits of any DIY project is cost efficiency. If you want to clean your kitchen with home remedies, you can save a great deal.

• Control Over Your Kitchen

Your kitchen, your rules. You can control the entire cleaning process as you like. DIY cleaning attempts can sometimes be confusing. But having complete control over your kitchen will provide you with the space to recover from mishaps.

• Self Satisfaction

Cleaning your kitchen is always satisfying. Studies have suggested that a clean environment boosts your mood, making you more productive and motivated at work.

• Customized Plans

DIY is all about customization. You can easily customize your cleaning routine, set priorities, and perform at your own pace. 

• A Good Workout Session

Cleaning the entire kitchen is indeed a good workout. You can clean your kitchen occasionally for a good calorie burn. 

Cons:

• Time-Consuming

One of the demerits of DIY cleaning projects is the time constraints. As you are not a professional cleaner, you require more time.

• Can be Stressful

Conducting a full DIY deep cleaning session is always stressful. Many factors need to be considered, especially if it is a kitchen. Missing crucial spots or segments can potentially jeopardize the entire cleaning session. 

• Lack of Expertise

In most cases, household maestros lack experience and expertise in deep cleaning, so the overall cleaning experience may not be a cakewalk. 

• Potential Health Hazzard

A DIY cleaning project is strictly discouraged if you have an underlying health condition or respiratory issues. The use of industry-specific cleaning solutions can release toxic gas. Overexposed sessions can harm your health.

• Lack of Adequate Tools

You will not always be able to find the right tool for a particular kitchen cleaning job. In such cases, you will have to work with an alternative option, or you can buy the right tools for the kitchen cleaning job. And the tools are expensive!

DIY vs. Professional Kitchen Deep Cleaning Comparison

DIY Cleaning

• Cost: Low, but requires supplies & time

• Time & Effort: Time-consuming, physically demanding

• Cleaning Quality: Basic cleaning may miss hidden grime

• Equipment & Products: Household cleaners, limited tools

• Health & Safety: Risk of incomplete sanitization

• Long-term Effectiveness: Frequent upkeep required

Professional Cleaning

• Cost: Higher upfront, but it saves time

• Time & Effort: Quick & efficient, done by experts

• Cleaning Quality: Deep, thorough sanitization

• Equipment & Products: Industrial-grade cleaners & tools

• Health & Safety: Adheres to health & safety standards

• Long-term Effectiveness: Longer-lasting cleanliness

Wrapping Things Up!

Identifying all the appliances and tools that require deep cleaning in your kitchen is always a daunting task. However, if you follow the correct guidelines and a proper road map, then it is just a walk in the park. Make sure that you make it a routine habit. 

You can create a checklist for your kitchen deep clean day. It will help you assess the conditions and plan for the D-day. Keep yourself motivated and make logical decisions. Do not shy away from seeking expert help where necessary. 

Professional cleaning services like the Collective Cleaning Service strictly follow  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for deep cleaning, making it a perfect choice for your kitchen. 

As we reach the end of the discussion, we bid you farewell. Keep on hustling until next time!