Work top to bottom and dry to wet: clear the counters, dust high surfaces, clean the range hood and inside appliances, wipe cabinets inside and out, then counters, backsplash and sink, and finish with the floor. A full kitchen deep clean takes most people two to four hours.
The kitchen collects more grime than any other room: grease that floats up from the stove and settles on top of cabinets, crumbs that fall to the backs of drawers, drips that dry on fridge shelves. A real deep clean gets all of it — and the order you work in decides whether it takes two hours or five.
Why the order matters
Two rules make every clean faster:
- Top to bottom. Dust and drips fall. Clean the tops of cabinets and the range hood before the counters, and the counters before the floor.
- Let products sit. Start with the jobs that need soaking time — the oven, the range hood filter, the stovetop grates — then do other work while they soak.
Before you start
- Clear the counters completely. Move small appliances to the table.
- Empty the dishwasher and the sink.
- Take out the garbage, recycling and compost so you have empty bins for what you toss.
- Start any soaks: baking soda paste in the oven, the range hood filter and stovetop grates in hot soapy water.
The kitchen deep cleaning checklist
High surfaces
- Tops of the cabinets and the fridge — these are usually sticky with grease and dust. Warm water with dish soap cuts it.
- Light fixtures and the range hood exterior
- Range hood filter: soaked in hot water with dish soap or a degreaser, scrubbed, rinsed and dried. Some are dishwasher-safe — check the label.
Appliances
- Inside the fridge: take everything out, toss expired food, wash the shelves and drawers in warm soapy water, wipe the walls and the door seals.
- Inside the freezer — a good time to defrost it if there's ice build-up.
- Inside the oven and the door glass
- Stovetop and burners; grates and drip pans scrubbed
- Inside the microwave: heat a bowl of water with a slice of lemon for a few minutes, then wipe — the steam loosens everything.
- Dishwasher: pull out and rinse the filter, wipe the door edges and seal.
- Small appliances: toaster crumb tray, coffee maker, kettle.
- Outside of every appliance. For stainless steel, see our stainless steel guide.
Cabinets and drawers
- Empty one cabinet at a time. Vacuum crumbs, wipe the shelves, put things back.
- Cabinet fronts and handles — handles collect more grime than any other spot.
- The cabinet under the sink: check for leaks while it's empty.
Counters, backsplash and sink
- Backsplash and the wall behind the stove
- Counters, including along the wall and the gap next to the stove. Use a cleaner suited to your counter — granite, marble and quartz don't like vinegar or harsh cleaners.
- Sink scrubbed, drain and stopper cleaned, faucet and handles polished
Finish
- Light switches, outlet covers and door frames
- Chair legs and the kick plates under the cabinets
- Pull out the stove and fridge if they move safely and clean the floor and sides underneath
- Floor vacuumed, then mopped — corners and edges first
Want the whole kitchen done for you?A Good Maid deep clean covers inside the oven, fridge, cabinets and drawers — supplies included.
See my deep clean price →How long it takes
| Kitchen | Regular upkeep | Full deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Condo galley kitchen | 20–30 minutes | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Family kitchen with an island | 30–45 minutes | 2.5–4 hours |
| Kitchen not deep cleaned in a year or more | — | 4+ hours, often over two days |
Most of that time goes into the fridge, the oven and the cabinet interiors. That's exactly what a deep clean adds on top of a standard clean.
How often to deep clean your kitchen
- Every day: dishes, counters, stovetop wipe, sink.
- Every week: appliance fronts, microwave, floor, toss old fridge food.
- Every month: range hood filter, dishwasher filter, cabinet fronts.
- Every three to six months: the full checklist above.
Want the same for the rest of the house? See our bathroom cleaning checklist and our weekly house cleaning schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What order should you deep clean a kitchen?
Start soaks first (oven, range hood filter, grates), then work top to bottom: tops of cabinets and high surfaces, appliances, cabinets and drawers, backsplash and counters, sink, and the floor last.
How long does it take to deep clean a kitchen?
For one person, about 1.5–2.5 hours for a condo kitchen and 2.5–4 hours for a family kitchen. A kitchen that hasn't been deep cleaned in a long time can take longer.
How often should a kitchen be deep cleaned?
Every three to six months for most homes, with daily and weekly upkeep in between.
How do I clean greasy cabinet tops?
Warm water with a good squirt of dish soap cuts most kitchen grease. Let it sit for a minute, wipe, then rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry.
Is a kitchen deep clean part of a Good Maid deep clean?
Yes. A Good Maid deep clean includes inside the oven, fridge, cabinets and drawers, on top of everything in a standard clean.
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