The Absolute Best Deep-Cleaning Tip For A Sparkling Kitchen

Cleaning the kitchen may not be fun, but it is important. It makes your kitchen look great and keeps dust and germs far away from your food. But don't get overwhelmed by the job! We've got the absolute best deep-cleaning tip to get your kitchen sparkling.

Ashley Matuska Kidder, founder and CEO of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado, shared the technique all of her employees use when cleaning kitchens: Clean from top to bottom. "[It] makes the job easier and your efforts more efficient," she explains. "Gravity naturally pulls things down — so if you start by cleaning the counters, then dust or wash the upper cabinets, you will have to re-clean the counters."

She suggests taking three trips around the kitchen for an efficient deep-clean. First, grab a microfiber towel and all-purpose cleaner and hop on the step stool. "Start at one point in the room and work your way around cleaning everything you can access (cabinet fronts, stove hood, top of fridge, microwave, etc.)," she said. "This is typically the easiest part as spills and splatters are less common on the upper cabinets, but the stove hood can usually take a bit of time to remove all the grease buildup."

Next, clean everything at counter level — the stove top, sink, backsplash, and countertop items. Advises Matuska Kidder, "The less you have on the counters, the easier it is to keep clean." And you can definitely get rid of these kitchen appliances to help avoid extra clutter.

Finally, get down low. Wipe down the lower cabinets, front of the oven, outside of the fridge, and dishwasher front. "If you want to really dig deep, be sure to wash the kick plate underneath the cabinets," Matuska Kidder concludes.

There are parts of your kitchen that are frequently missed — no matter how committed you are to cleaning habits that keep your kitchen tidy. To make a kitchen deep-clean really worth your while, be sure to tackle the areas Ashley Matuska Kidder says homeowners often overlook.

Move countertop items or appliances so you can really clean the backsplash, especially behind the sink or stove. "Some tile materials make it very noticeable that it is not clean," Matuska Kidder notes.

After you've cleaned the cabinet fronts and counters, take one final lap to wipe off high-touch points. "[These areas] don't get cleaned nearly enough," says Matuska Kidder. Wipe down your fridge, oven, and dishwasher handles, as well as cabinet pulls, light switches, and faucet handles. With these high-touch areas clean and everything spick and span, your kitchen is ready to cook again.

We ranked our favorite all-purpose kitchen cleaners, but if you'd rather go the DIY route, Matuska Kidder also has a tip for an effective homemade cleaning solution: "You can use a few drops of Dawn dish soap and hot water in a spray bottle."