Your Kitchen Works Harder Than Any Other Room
Kitchens accumulate grease, food particles, moisture, and bacteria faster than anywhere else in the home — and because they're used multiple times a day, the mess builds up in layers before most people notice. A regular wipe-down keeps things presentable, but a real deep clean uncovers what's actually happening behind the fridge, inside the oven door, and in the grout lines you walk over every day.
Here's how we approach a kitchen deep clean at Simply Done Cleaning — the actual sequence, the products that work, and the spots most people forget.
Start Top to Bottom, Always
The cardinal rule of deep cleaning is to work from top to bottom. Dust and debris fall. If you clean the floor first and then wipe down the cabinets, you undo your own work. Start at the ceiling and work your way down.
- Wipe down light fixtures and ceiling corners
- Clean the tops of cabinets — a thin layer of greasy dust accumulates here constantly
- Work down through cabinet fronts and handles
- Appliance surfaces and counters last, before the floor
The Oven
Most ovens have a self-clean function, but it runs at extreme heat for hours and fills your kitchen with smoke. A manual clean is more controlled and just as effective for most situations.
- Remove racks and soak them in hot, soapy water for 30 minutes
- Mix baking soda with enough water to make a spreadable paste, coat the interior surfaces (avoid heating elements), and leave overnight if possible — minimum 30 minutes
- Wipe out the paste and loosened grime with a damp cloth
- Spray white vinegar over any remaining baking soda residue — it reacts and makes final wiping easier
- Don't forget the inside of the oven door and the rubber door gasket
Range Hood and Filter
The range hood filter is one of the most overlooked parts of a kitchen deep clean. Grease collects there every time you cook, and a clogged filter reduces ventilation significantly.
Remove the filter and submerge it in a sink of very hot water with a generous squeeze of dish soap and a quarter cup of baking soda. Let it soak for 15–20 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush and rinse. If it's very built up, a degreaser helps. Let it dry completely before reinstalling.
The Refrigerator
- Empty the fridge completely — discard expired items as you go
- Remove all shelves and drawers and wash them in warm soapy water
- Wipe the interior walls and ceiling of the fridge with a solution of warm water and a small amount of white vinegar — it cleans and deodorizes without leaving chemical residue near food
- Clean the rubber door gasket — this is where mould hides. Use an old toothbrush with a diluted vinegar solution
- Pull the fridge out and clean underneath and behind it — this area collects years of dust and debris that most people never see
- Vacuum the condenser coils if accessible — dust on coils forces the fridge to work harder and shortens its life
Cabinet Interiors and Pantry
- Empty cabinets one section at a time
- Wipe interior shelves with a damp cloth — crumbs and sticky residue accumulate even in cabinets that seem clean
- Check expiry dates on pantry items and reorganize as you reload
- Pay attention to cabinet corners and the back wall — these areas rarely get attention
Backsplash and Grout
Kitchen backsplash grout absorbs cooking grease and turns progressively darker over time. A mixture of baking soda and water applied to grout lines, scrubbed with a stiff brush, and rinsed removes a significant amount of buildup. For deeply stained grout, a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution works well — apply, let sit for 10 minutes, scrub, and rinse.
The Spots People Always Forget
- The top of the fridge — collects a sticky layer of grease and dust
- Behind and beneath the stove — pull it out once or twice a year
- Inside the microwave door seal — food debris accumulates in the rubber gasket
- Dishwasher filter — many people don't know dishwashers have a filter that needs monthly cleaning
- The sink drain and disposal — pour baking soda followed by white vinegar, let fizz, then flush with hot water
Finish with the Floor
Sweep or vacuum thoroughly, including under appliances and in corners. Mop with a floor-appropriate cleaner, paying attention to the area directly in front of the stove and sink where most spills land.
A full kitchen deep clean is a half-day project done properly. If you'd rather spend your weekend differently, we're happy to take it on. Our residential deep cleaning starts at $38/hr and we serve homes throughout Grande Prairie and surrounding communities. Call us at 780-831-8950 to book.