10 Deep Cleaning Tips To Make Kitchens Sparkle Fast

🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.

1. Remove Everything From Counters Before Spraying Cleaner

Okay babe, pause for a second.

Ever tried cleaning around a blender, mail pile, and snack crumbs and wondered why it still looks messy?

Clear space first for real results:

  • Take Everything Off: Remove appliances and decor completely
  • Shake Out Crumbs: Dump crumbs straight into trash
  • Start With Bare Surface: Spray only when counters are empty

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Move every single item off your counters and wipe the bare surface before putting anything back.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a large cleaning caddy to hold counter items temporarily.


2. Soak Stove Burner Grates In Hot Soapy Water

Girl, those grates collect grease like it’s their hobby.

Letting them soak loosens grime without you scrubbing like you’re in a boxing match.

Make it simple like this:

  • Fill Sink With Hot Water: Add dish soap generously
  • Submerge Grates Fully: Let them sit for 20 minutes
  • Scrub After Soaking: Wipe off softened grease

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Place burner grates in a sink of hot soapy water and let them soak before scrubbing lightly.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a heavy-duty scrub brush made for stovetops.


3. Scrub Sticky Cabinet Doors With Warm Cloth

Okay bestie, cabinet doors tell on you.

Greasy fingerprints near handles build up slowly, and suddenly the kitchen feels dull.

Freshen them up fast:

  • Use Warm Cloth: Dampen with mild soap
  • Focus Near Handles: Target high-touch spots
  • Wipe Top To Bottom: Remove full grease film

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Dip a cloth in warm soapy water and wipe cabinet doors from top to bottom.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a pack of microfiber cloths for streak-free cleaning.

Picked For You:  10 Smart Steps To Do A Deep Cleaning For The New Year

4. Wipe Backsplash Tiles To Remove Grease Splatter

Look closely at your backsplash, babe.

Tiny grease dots sit there quietly until sunlight hits and exposes everything, rude.

Clean it up like this:

  • Spray Degreaser Lightly: Cover tile surface evenly
  • Wipe With Damp Cloth: Remove oil spots gently
  • Dry With Clean Towel: Prevent streak marks

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Spray your backsplash lightly and wipe it down with a damp cloth right after cooking.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a reusable spray bottle for quick degreasing sessions.


5. Clean Inside The Microwave With Steam And Lemon

This one feels fancy but it’s not, girl.

Steam from lemon water loosens dried food fast, and it smells amazing, FYI :).

Do this little trick:

  • Microwave Lemon Water: Heat bowl for 3 minutes
  • Let Steam Sit: Keep door closed 5 minutes
  • Wipe Interior Clean: Remove softened splatter

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for 3 minutes and wipe the inside clean.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a microwave-safe glass bowl just for steam cleaning.


6. Empty The Refrigerator And Wipe Shelves Thoroughly

Let’s talk fridge reality, babe.

Spills hide under containers and make the whole space feel chaotic.

Reset it like this:

  • Remove All Items: Place food in cooler temporarily
  • Wipe Shelves Fully: Use warm soapy cloth
  • Dry Before Restocking: Prevent moisture buildup

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Take everything out of your fridge, wipe each shelf clean, and dry before putting food back.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a collapsible cooler to hold fridge items while cleaning.


7. Wash The Kitchen Sink With Baking Soda Paste

Girl, your sink works overtime.

Food bits and soap film build up fast, and that dull look sneaks up on you.

Bring back the shine:

  • Sprinkle Baking Soda: Cover sink surface evenly
  • Scrub With Damp Sponge: Focus on drain area
  • Rinse Thoroughly: Wash away residue
Picked For You:  10 Deep Cleaning Tricks To Make Bathroom Look Spotless Fast

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Sprinkle baking soda in the sink, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse completely.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a non-scratch sponge made for stainless steel.


8. Sanitize Trash Can Inside And Outside

Okay babe, this one is not glamorous.

Trash cans hold odors even when you change the bag, and ignoring it never works.

Fix it quickly:

  • Wash With Soapy Water: Clean interior walls
  • Wipe Outside Surface: Remove sticky spots
  • Dry Completely: Prevent lingering smell

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Take your trash can outside, wash it with soapy water, and let it dry fully before bringing it back in.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a long-handled cleaning brush for deep trash can scrubbing.


9. Sweep And Mop Floor Under Appliances

Be honest, girl.

When was the last time you looked under the fridge and gasped a little?

Don’t skip this spot:

  • Move Appliances Slightly: Slide carefully forward
  • Sweep Hidden Debris: Remove crumbs and dust
  • Mop Thoroughly: Clean sticky buildup

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Carefully slide your stove or fridge forward and sweep then mop underneath right now.

How I Made It Easy: Consider appliance sliders to move heavy kitchen pieces safely.


10. Polish Stainless Steel With Microfiber Cloth

Last step, bestie, and it makes the biggest difference.

Smudged stainless steel makes the whole kitchen look tired, even if everything else is clean.

Shine it up like this:

  • Use Dry Microfiber: Buff surface gently
  • Wipe With Grain Direction: Avoid streak lines
  • Finish With Light Polish: Restore smooth shine

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Grab a dry microfiber cloth and wipe your stainless steel appliances following the grain.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a stainless steel polishing spray for quick shine boosts.


📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


Photo of author

Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)