> [!tip] Quick answer: Top-down, dirty-to-clean. Dust light fixtures and cabinet tops, wipe walls, clean inside and outside cabinets, scrub appliances (oven last, dishwasher first), descale the sink and faucet, wipe counters, mop the floor. Allow 2 to 4 hours for a full kitchen. ## How to deep clean a kitchen in 2026 A kitchen deep clean is the biggest single cleaning project most people do regularly, and the one most often half-finished. The order is everything: top to bottom, and the dirtiest job (the oven) comes last because it splashes grease into places you've already cleaned. This guide is the full 12-step routine. For a quick weekly clean, skip steps 4, 8, and 9. Once a quarter is the realistic minimum for a full deep clean. ### What you should plan for - Time: 2 to 4 hours for a full kitchen - Tools: Vacuum, mop, scrub brushes, dedicated oven cleaner, white vinegar, baking soda - Cost: Under $50 for the full kit - Frequency: Quarterly full deep clean; weekly maintenance in between - Critical: Empty the fridge and dishwasher before starting ## The 12-step deep clean (in order) 1. Empty the dishwasher and clean it (run a cycle with vinegar in the top rack). 1. Clear and wipe the counters (you'll need workspace). 1. Dust top-down. Light fixtures, range hood, cabinet tops, vent covers. 1. Wipe down walls and the backsplash. Dish soap and water. 1. Clean inside cabinets and drawers. Remove contents, vacuum crumbs, wipe with damp microfibre. 1. Clean outside cabinets. Damp microfibre with mild soap; dry immediately. Watch for grease on cabinets near the stove. 1. Clean the fridge. Empty it, toss expired food, wipe shelves and drawers with vinegar-water, restock by category. 1. Scrub the inside of the microwave. Bowl of water + lemon slices on high for 3 minutes, then wipe. 1. Descale the sink, faucet, and disposal. See section below. 1. Polish stainless appliances. See how to clean stainless steel appliances. 1. Clean the stovetop and oven. Stovetop first (see how to clean a glass stovetop), oven last with a dedicated cleaner. 1. Sweep and mop the floor. Don't forget under the fridge and stove. ## Why oven goes last Oven cleaners are caustic and aerosolized fumes settle on every nearby surface. Cleaning the oven first means you'll clean those surfaces again after. Saving it for last also gives the cleaner the full standing time it needs (often 1 to 2 hours). ## Descaling the sink and faucet 1. Plug the sink. Fill with hot water and 2 cups of white vinegar. 1. Soak the faucet aerator. Unscrew it and drop it into a cup of vinegar. 1. Soak for 30 minutes. 1. Drain and scrub the sink with baking soda. Use a non-scratch sponge. 1. Polish stainless with olive oil; polish stone with a stone-safe polish. 1. Reinstall the aerator and run water through it to flush. ## What you'll need ## Don't forget these 1. The dishwasher filter. Pull it out and rinse. Manufacturers recommend monthly; most people do it annually. 1. Under the fridge and stove. Pull them out (with help). The crumbs and dust here attract pests. 1. The garbage disposal. Grind ice cubes + lemon peel + a teaspoon of baking soda monthly. 1. The range hood filter. Soak in hot soapy water for 30 minutes; scrub; rinse and dry. 1. The toaster oven and small appliances. Wipe inside and out; remove crumb tray and wash. ## Common mistakes 1. Cleaning the floor first. You'll dirty it again with everything above it. Floor is always last. 1. Skipping ventilation. Open windows and run the range hood fan, especially when using oven cleaner. 1. Using the wrong cleaner on the wrong surface. Vinegar etches stone counters; bleach damages stainless. Match the cleaner to the surface. 1. Forgetting the inside of appliances. Toaster ovens, microwaves, and air fryers collect more grime than people realize. 1. Doing it all at once if you don't have time. Break the deep clean into 30-minute sessions across a weekend if needed. ## Weekly kitchen maintenance Between quarterly deep cleans: - Wipe counters daily - Sweep the floor every 2 to 3 days - Mop weekly - Wipe the inside of the microwave weekly - Quick scrub of the sink weekly - Wipe the front of the stove and fridge weekly ## FAQs about deep cleaning a kitchen How often should a kitchen be deep cleaned? What's the best oven cleaner in Canada? How do I clean greasy kitchen cabinets? Can I deep clean my kitchen in one day? What's the most-missed spot in a kitchen deep clean?