To clean an extremely dirty kitchen, work from the top down in a fixed order: clear and bin everything, soak the worst items early, degrease high surfaces and cupboards, then tackle the oven and hob, the sink, and finally the floor. Using the right product for each type of dirt, and giving it time to work, does most of the hard labour for you.
Whether you are facing a neglected rental, a relative's home, or a kitchen that has simply got away from you, this step-by-step guide will get it back under control safely.
What do you need before you start?
A heavily soiled kitchen can take a full day, so gather everything first. You will want:
- strong rubber gloves, and eye protection if you are using oven cleaner
- heavy-duty bin bags
- a bucket, plenty of microfibre cloths and non-scratch scourers
- a plastic scraper for baked-on deposits
- washing-up liquid and a degreaser suitable for kitchen surfaces
- a limescale remover for taps and the sink
- an oven cleaner, if you plan to clean the oven yourself
- a vacuum and a mop
Open windows before you begin and keep them open. Read every label, patch-test products on a hidden area first, and never mix different cleaners. Bleach combined with ammonia or with acidic products such as some limescale removers can produce toxic gas.
Step 1: How do you clear an extremely dirty kitchen?
Nothing can be cleaned properly while it is covered. Start by:
- Throwing away out-of-date food, empty packaging and anything broken.
- Emptying the fridge and freezer into a cool box or bags, and switching the freezer off to defrost if it is iced up. Put towels down to catch the water.
- Taking everything off the worktops and out of the cupboards you plan to clean.
- Stacking dirty dishes by the sink and running the first load of washing up or the dishwasher.
If you find signs of pests, such as droppings or gnawed packaging, deal with that before cleaning. Contact your local council or a pest control professional for advice.
Step 2: What should you soak first?
Time is your best tool with heavy grease. While you work on other areas, let the worst items soak:
- Hob pan supports and burner caps in hot water with washing-up liquid.
- Extractor hood filters, if they are the metal washable type, in very hot soapy water.
- Oven shelves and trays in a bath or large container lined with an old towel to prevent scratches.
- The oven interior, with oven cleaner applied according to the instructions, if you are using one.
Step 3: How do you degrease cupboards, walls and tiles?
Always work from the top down so dirt falls onto areas you have not cleaned yet.
- Wipe the tops of wall cupboards and the extractor hood exterior first. This is often where the thickest sticky layer sits.
- Spray degreaser onto a cloth rather than directly on cupboard doors, especially painted or wooden ones, and wipe with the grain.
- Clean tiled splashbacks with a degreaser, then scrub grout lines with a small brush.
- Wash cupboard interiors, shelves and handles, where grease and fingerprints collect.
- Rinse all surfaces with a clean damp cloth to remove residue, then dry.
Step 4: How do you clean a very greasy oven and hob?
Return to the items you soaked. Scrub oven shelves and trays with a non-scratch pad, then rinse well. Wipe the oven interior, using a plastic scraper on carbonised deposits and changing water often. Take care with self-cleaning oven linings, which should not be treated with harsh products. Check the manufacturer's guidance.
For the hob, the method depends on the surface:
- Ceramic and induction hobs: use a hob scraper held at a low angle, then a cleaner made for glass-ceramic.
- Gas hobs: wash the soaked supports and caps, then wipe around the burners, making sure everything is completely dry before refitting.
- Stainless steel: clean with a gentle product and buff dry in the direction of the grain.
Step 5: How do you finish the sink, appliances and floor?
Descale taps and the area around the plughole with a limescale remover, following the contact time on the label. Clean the plughole and overflow, and flush the drain with hot water. Wipe the inside of the microwave after heating a bowl of water in it to loosen splatters. Clean the dishwasher filter and door seals, and the washing machine drawer and seal if it sits in the kitchen. Wash fridge shelves and drawers in warm soapy water, wipe the interior, and dry before restocking.
Floors come last. Move any appliances that can be moved safely and vacuum or sweep behind them. Scrape any stuck-on patches, then mop with the correct product for your floor type. On very dirty floors, you may need to mop twice, with a fresh bucket of water the second time. Pay attention to the edges and the kick boards under the units, which often collect years of grime.
When is it time to call in help?
Some kitchens are simply too much to do alone, especially alongside work or a move. If the job feels overwhelming, a professional deep house clean can take care of the kitchen and the rest of the home in one visit.
SN Cleaning Services has been cleaning homes in London and Essex for 12 years. Our own trained, insured and DBS-checked cleaners bring professional products and equipment, including the limescale remover we make ourselves. Deep cleaning starts from £27 per hour, and if anything is missed we will re-clean it within 24 hours. Click Get a quote and enter your postcode and email to see your price.