Step 1: Set Up Like a Professional
Before you get started, make sure you are ready for safety and efficiency:
- Put on gloves to protect your skin from dirt and grime.
- Use microfiber cloths (as they will pick up more germs than a cotton cloth), white vinegar (a natural degreaser and deodorizer), baking soda (a mild abrasive), and degreasing dish soap.
- Always unplug any appliance before you go in to clean it.
- Start from top to bottom and work your way down, clean to dirty.
- Set up separate labeled bins for each kitchen zone and keep all your tools and products in their place. This will save you time and prevent contamination.
Step 2: Refrigerator – Sanitize for Safety
- The kitchen is where perishable foods are kept, so make sure to do a deep clean and do it without any harmful chemicals.
- Bacteria like listeria can actually survive in refrigeration. That’s why doing a deep clean regularly is important to avoid any contamination.
- Before you begin cleaning, empty the fridge out completely. This is not only for cleaning but to see what food is fresh and what needs to be thrown out.
- Let your glass shelves sit at room temperature before submerging them in hot water so they don’t crack.
- You should clean the gasket (the rubber ring around the door) to make sure it seals correctly and to improve your energy efficiency.
- If you can, vacuum your condenser coils to improve efficiency by 30%.
- Line your refrigerator drawers with washable mats to catch any spills and save yourself time later.
Oven & Stovetop – Get to the Source of the Grease
- No matter how often you clean, your oven is going to have some greasy build-up. You need to clean it manually to get rid of any and all built-up residue.
- If your oven is too hot, the grease and char will have an effect on the flavor and heat accuracy.
- You can make a baking soda paste to get rid of the grease without producing fumes. You can even speed up the process by spraying the oven with vinegar after the paste has sat on the oven.
- To clean your oven racks, put them in hot soapy water with a touch of ammonia (do this in a well-ventilated area) for the best results.
- You should always clean your stovetop with a plastic scraper to preserve the enamel coating.
- If you have a gas stovetop, make sure to check your burner ports as they can be easily clogged, which will prevent even heat and can lead to an uneven cooking surface.
- Place a baking sheet on the bottom shelf to catch any spills and prevent any buildup.
Need a professional touch? Book your deep oven and kitchen cleaning service with LuminaLife today.
Dishwasher – Don’t Let It Be Your Worst Enemy
Ironically, your dishwasher can be the dirtiest item in your kitchen. Food gets stuck to the inside, along with mineral buildup and other grime.
- Your number one cause of your cloudy dishes or odors is your filter. It’s essential to clean it monthly.
- Take out your filter and clean it with hot water and a soft brush.
- Make sure your sprayer arms spin freely and make sure none of the holes are clogged as that will decrease your overall cleaning.
- Spray the vinegar in a bowl on the top shelf (do not pour the vinegar directly in). Vinegar is safe to use to descale the dishwasher.
- Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher before running it to eliminate any odors.
- Always wipe down the rubber gasket, as it is a breeding ground for mold.
- After every load, crack the door open to let any water out and prevent mildew from forming.
Step 5: Washing Machine – Cleaning the Cleaner
Washing machines are in your kitchen or laundry room, and they are the most-used item in your home. Therefore, they need to be kept clean.
- Front-load washers are the biggest problem for mold due to their rubber gasket design.
- Wipe the rubber seal weekly with vinegar and a microfiber cloth.
- Run a hot water cycle once a month with two cups of vinegar to dissolve any mineral and soap buildup.
- Baking soda or bleach is acceptable to use in the wash, but never combine them.
- Leave the door open after each wash to let the water evaporate.
- Take out your filter (if you can) and clean it every few months to prevent clogs.
- If your washing machine has a drum-clean cycle, run it monthly and use a special washing machine cleaner for even more cleaning power.
Step 6: Countertops & Cabinets – It All Begins Here
Counters are where you prepare your food, so they need to be sanitary and you need to know what material they are made of.
- Do not use vinegar on marble, as it will cause permanent etching.
- Use a neutral pH soap and water on most surfaces. Use a stone cleaner on stone surfaces.
- Do not just wipe but rinse and dry to remove any residue.
- The cabinets, especially above the stove, are covered in air-fall grease. Clean them with a degreasing solution (e.g., a dilute dish soap).
- Wipe the handles and undersides, as these areas are often overlooked.
- Put liners in the cabinets and organize your items by how often you use them.
When you do a deep clean, turn everything upside-down to see what expired products you have in the back.
Step 7: Floors & Final Details – End Strong
Your floors are going to collect every speck and spill that happens above them. Clean them last to prevent recontamination.
Professional Tip: Bacteria and germs spread through dirty mops. Always rinse and refill your mop bucket regularly.
- Vacuum or sweep to pick up any dry debris.
- Mop with appropriate cleaner (vinegar for tile/vinyl, neutral pH for wood).
- Wipe down the baseboards and clean around the edges of appliances.
- Disinfect the trash can and polish the sink basin and faucet.
For tile grout lines, use a small brush and paste of baking soda and water to scrub up the buildup.
Add-On Deep Cleaning Ideas
Here are some extra areas you can clean if you want to take your clean to the next level:
- Range Hood Filters – Remove and let soak in a degreasing dish soap solution monthly.
- Microwave – Steam clean by filling with a bowl of water and a lemon juice. Leave for 3-5 minutes and then wipe clean.
- Light Fixtures – Dust and clean glass covers, as the kitchen collects a lot of grease in the air.
- Small Appliances – Wipe down toasters, blenders, and coffee makers. Clean crumb trays and filters.
Create a quarterly checklist for these extras to make deep cleaning routine and not something you dread.
Why LuminaLife?
Professional cleaning is not just about saving time.
Lumina Life brings:
- Well-trained professionals that know the ins and outs of material, the proper chemistry, and protocols for keeping your home sanitary.
- Green and effective products designed specifically for each surface.
- We do in two hours what takes you six.
- From fridge coils to grout lines, we do what others don’t.
Let us take the pressure off of you. Schedule a professional clean now:
👉Get a Free Quote and a spotless kitchen without the stress.