Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen: A Professional Step-by-Step Guide
The exact process our professional cleaners follow to make kitchens spotless — now yours to use at home.
Key Takeaways
- A full kitchen deep clean takes 3–4 hours (first time)
- Always work top-to-bottom so dirt falls downward
- Baking soda + white vinegar cleans almost everything
- Deep clean your kitchen every 3–6 months to stay on top
A regular kitchen clean keeps things tidy, but it doesn't reach the grease behind the hob, the grime inside the oven, or the mould creeping into tile grouting. A proper deep clean tackles all of it. Here's how our professional cleaners approach a kitchen deep clean — the same method you can follow at home.
Supplies You'll Need
The 8-Step Professional Method
Start with the Oven (Soak First)
60 minsRemove oven racks and soak them in hot water with washing-up liquid in the bath or a large container. Make a paste of baking soda and water, coat the inside of the oven, and leave for at least 30 minutes (overnight for heavily soiled ovens). Wipe clean with a damp cloth, then spray white vinegar over any remaining residue — it will fizz and lift the grime.
Extractor Fan and Hood
20 minsRemove the extractor filters and soak them in a sink of hot water with a tablespoon of baking soda and a squirt of washing-up liquid. Wipe the hood exterior with a degreaser or hot soapy water. For metal filters, the dishwasher works brilliantly on a hot cycle.
Hob and Splashback
20 minsFor gas hobs, remove the burner caps and grates and soak in the same solution as the extractor filters. Clean the hob surface with a non-scratch scourer and baking soda paste. For ceramic hobs, use a specialist cream cleaner applied with a microfibre cloth. Wipe the splashback tiles from top to bottom.
Fridge Deep Clean
30 minsRemove everything. Check dates and discard expired items. Remove shelves and drawers and wash in warm soapy water. Wipe the interior with a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 litre warm water. This cleans and deodorises. Dry thoroughly before replacing food.
Cupboards — Inside and Out
30 minsEmpty one cupboard at a time. Wipe shelves with warm soapy water. Check for expired food. Reorganise with most-used items at the front. Wipe cupboard fronts with a damp cloth — for wooden doors, use a specialist wood cleaner. Don't forget the tops of wall units where grease dust accumulates.
Tiles and Grouting
25 minsApply a paste of baking soda and water to grouting with an old toothbrush. Leave for 10 minutes, then scrub. For stubborn mould, use a 50/50 white vinegar and water spray. Wipe tiles with a clean damp cloth. For truly black grouting, a grout pen (£3–£5) makes an immediate visible difference.
Sink and Taps
10 minsSprinkle baking soda into the sink and scrub with a sponge. Pour white vinegar down the plughole and leave for 5 minutes to deodorise the drain. Polish taps with a dry microfibre cloth for a streak-free shine. Don't forget the underside of the tap where limescale builds up.
Floor — The Grand Finale
15 minsSweep or vacuum first to remove crumbs and debris. Mop using the S-pattern method (see our housekeeping hacks blog). Use warm water with a splash of white vinegar for tile and vinyl floors. For wooden floors, use a barely-damp mop with a pH-neutral wood floor cleaner. Work backwards towards the door so you don't walk on wet floor.
Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia-based products — this creates toxic chlorine gas. Always ventilate your kitchen by opening windows when using strong cleaning products. Wear rubber gloves throughout and keep children and pets out of the kitchen while cleaning.
You can deep clean an entire kitchen using just three products: baking soda, white vinegar, and washing-up liquid. No harsh chemicals needed. Add lemon juice for a fresh scent and extra grease-cutting power. This approach is safer for homes with young children and costs less than £3 total.
Prefer to Leave It to the Professionals?
Our professional deep cleaning service covers every area mentioned above — plus ovens, behind appliances, inside drawers, and window tracks. A full kitchen deep clean by our team takes around 2 hours and leaves your kitchen looking (and smelling) brand new.