Deep cleaning your kitchen goes into more detail than the normal daily kitchen cleaning, where you just wipe the counters down. It's easy to overlook certain areas that need a deep clean on a day-to-day basis, and THAT is what a deep clean addresses. Some areas to remember when deep cleaning are inside the oven, to disinfect the refrigerator door handles, disinfect the trash can or the cabinet the trash is in because this gets food splatters, disinfect countertops if you don't do this on a daily basis, wipe the cabinet doors and disinfect the handles, and this is a great time to disinfect and wax wooden cutting boards too. Let's clean!
I love Bar Keepers Friend. If you have stainless steel sinks it will become your friend too. Bar Keepers Friend removes all the dark build-up on a stainless steel sink that comes from food, coffee, and all the gunk that gets put in a sink. There are a couple of different solutions (powder or gel) so choose whichever formula works best for you.
You can't deep clean for a spotless kitchen without Magic Stainless Steel, which both cleans and polishes your stainless steel appliances, allowing you to do both at the same time-in one step. Who doesn't love multi-purpose products?
Easy-Off Oven Cleaner has been around forever and for good reason, because it is effective and inexpensive. It makes it much easier to remove the nasty buildup and requires less scrubbing. Simply follow the instructions on the can, and you're set!
Lysol kitchen cleaner or 409 both cut grease and these are both antibacterial, perfect for disinfecting. Either of these are great for cleaning greasy stains from the stovetop, or disinfecting countertops, cabinet handles, or refrigerator door handles. Spray it onto a rag to clean cabinet handles and not onto the cabinet itself, as it could damage the finish.
Vinegar definitely worth a shoutout. Vinegar can be mixed with water with at a 1:1 ratio making a multi-purpose cleaning solution that can be used on most hard surfaces, floors, windows, doorknobs, etc., but it is not recommended as a disinfectant. Disinfecting will require a harsher cleaner than vinegar. Vinegar is not recommended on wood, iron, aluminum or stone surfaces. Personally, I use vinegar mixed with Dawn dish soap to clean the soap scum and hard water stains off of glass shower doors and it works great.
Cleaning kitchen cabinets front is easily overlooked, but these collect splatters and drips just like the countertop or floors. The cabinet doors can be cleaned with a gentle solution of warm water and dish soap or vinegar. Wring the moisture out of a rag until its just damp before wiping cabinets to avoid moisture damaging the cabinet finish. Microfiber rags are great for this job since they won't leave lint behind, and an old toothbrush works well to get into the cracks and corners.
Then, I use a disinfectant cleaner on the cabinet handles to kill germs.
While you are deep cleaning the kitchen, it's a good time to disinfect and wax wooden cutting boards to so they stay in excellent condition.
For the 7th tip to deep clean for a spotless kitchen, don't forget your cutting boards. Cutting boards are notorious for harboring bacteria (you know to never put raw meat on a wooden cutting board right? Major ick!) and its important to clean them well after each use. I recommend following the instructions that come with the board when you purchase it. Some soaps are too harsh and will dry them out causing splinters and cracking, so it's important to wash it correctly. After cleaning, adding the wax layer will protect the wood from moisture and keep it from drying out. The wax layer also helps in creating a barrier from stains and bacteria. Make sure to use the cleaners and wax that are safe for food use. Personally, I use this kit by Clark's that has all the tools included.
For organization ideas on your home, check out Laundry is Sorted.
