A kitchen deep clean is the reset button for the hardest-working room in the house. Where a regular cleaning keeps counters, the sink, and the floor tidy, a deep clean goes after the grease and grime that build up slowly: sticky cabinet fronts, a clogged range hood filter, the gunk around burner grates, crumbs under appliances, and the film on the backsplash.
Here’s what a professional kitchen deep clean typically includes, what it costs, and how to get the most out of it.
Table of Contents
What’s included
Every company has its own checklist, but a kitchen deep clean commonly covers:
- Cabinets: degreasing cabinet fronts, edges, and hardware, plus the tops of upper cabinets if they don’t reach the ceiling.
- Backsplash and walls: scrubbing tile and grout, and wiping walls near the stove.
- Stovetop: soaking and scrubbing grates and burner caps, cleaning knobs, and degreasing the cooktop.
- Range hood: degreasing the exterior and washing the metal filters.
- Appliance exteriors: fronts, handles, and sides of the fridge, dishwasher, oven, and microwave, plus the microwave interior.
- Sink and faucet: scrubbing the basin, descaling the faucet, and cleaning the drain area.
- Details: baseboards, toe kicks, light switches, door frames, and the trash can.
- Floors: a thorough scrub, including edges and corners.
Usually add-ons
- Inside the oven
- Inside the refrigerator and freezer
- Inside cabinets and drawers, which need to be emptied first
- Moving appliances to clean behind and under them
- Interior windows
For more on appliance add-ons, see our guide to appliance deep cleaning services.
How much does it cost?
Kitchen-only deep cleans are priced differently from company to company, and published figures vary. Cost guides commonly put a professional kitchen deep clean somewhere between about $150 and $500, depending on the size of the kitchen, how long it’s been since the last deep clean, and which add-ons you choose. Inside-oven and inside-fridge cleaning commonly add roughly $25 to $120 each. Many companies prefer to book a kitchen deep clean as part of a whole-home deep clean, and some have a minimum charge per visit.
Three things move the price the most:
- Grease level. A kitchen where a lot of frying happens, with years of buildup on the cabinets and hood, takes far longer.
- Size and layout. More cabinets, an island, double ovens, and open shelving add time.
- Add-ons. Each appliance interior adds to the bill.
How long does it take?
A typical kitchen deep clean takes roughly two to five hours for one cleaner, depending on size and condition. Teams finish faster, but the total labor is similar.
When it’s worth booking
- Moving in or out of a home
- Before a holiday or a big gathering
- After a renovation or construction work nearby
- Once or twice a year as a reset between regular cleanings
- When greasy buildup has gotten ahead of you
How to prepare
- Clear the counters and the stovetop.
- Empty the dish rack and the sink.
- Empty cabinets and the fridge if you’ve booked interior cleaning.
- Turn off the oven well in advance so it’s cool.
- Point out surfaces that need special care, such as natural stone counters, unsealed wood, or a glass cooktop.
Prefer to do it yourself?
A kitchen deep clean is very doable over a weekend. Our step-by-step guides cover the hardest parts: degreasing kitchen cabinets, cleaning the oven without harsh chemicals, cleaning a stainless steel sink, and cleaning the dishwasher filter.
Questions to ask before booking
- What’s on your kitchen deep cleaning checklist, and what’s extra?
- Do you degrease cabinet fronts and the range hood filters?
- What products do you use on stone counters and stainless steel?
- Is the price flat or hourly, and is there a minimum?
- Are you insured if something is damaged?
What a deep clean can’t fix
A thorough clean makes a big difference, but some problems need a different kind of help. Grout that stays dark after scrubbing may need sealing or color sealing. Cabinet finishes worn through by years of grease and scrubbing need refinishing, not cleaning. A persistent smell under the sink usually means a slow leak or a drain problem, and fruit flies or ants that keep coming back are a pest issue. A good cleaner will point these out instead of promising results that cleaning can’t deliver.
Common questions
How often should a kitchen be deep cleaned?
Once or twice a year is enough for most homes with regular weekly cleaning. Busy kitchens with a lot of frying benefit from a deep clean every three to four months.
Is a deep clean the same as a move-out clean?
They overlap, but a move-out clean assumes an empty home and usually includes inside cabinets and appliances by default.
Do I need to be home?
Not necessarily, but being there at the start to point out problem areas and at the end for a quick walk-through helps you get what you paid for.