🔪🍳 THE KITCHEN RESET: Important Kitchen Areas That Are Often Missed/Overlooked. 👨🏼🍳
Updated: Jul 25
As the weather cools and the holidays approach, the kitchen takes center stage. Cooking, hosting, late nights, early mornings. Before it all begins, it’s time to reset.
Most people focus on what they can see. The counters, the floors, the obvious, but the real deep cleaning starts in the places that don’t get daily attention. The corners, fixtures, and appliances that quietly collect grease, dust, and bacteria. These hidden/overlooked areas highly impact how it functions, smells, and feels.
A detailed, deep clean gets into the spaces that actually run your kitchen: behind the stove and refrigerator, under cabinet edges, inside the dishwasher seal, and around faucet heads. When those areas are neglected, buildup spreads and performance drops. When professionally cleaned with intention, everything changes. Airflow improves, surfaces stay cleaner longer, and the space feels lighter.
Here’s where to start: the most overlooked areas that quietly collect buildup and deserve your attention this season:
1️⃣. FAUCET HEADS & AERATORS
Most people forget the one area that directly touches their water: the faucet head. Over time, mineral buildup and bacteria collect inside, affecting the water's pressure, flow, cleanliness, and taste.
HOW TO CLEAN:
Soak a paper towel or microfiber cloth in warm white vinegar.
Wrap it tightly around the faucet head and secure it with a rubber band.
Let it sit for 20–30 minutes to dissolve buildup.
Remove the cloth and scrub around the nozzle with a soft toothbrush or small detailing brush.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a clean microfiber towel.
TIP: Repeat monthly to maintain flow and prevent buildup, especially in homes with hard water.
BEFORE AFTER
2️⃣. BEHIND & UNDERNEATH APPLIANCES
The narrow spaces behind and beneath your stove and refrigerator collect dust, grease splatter, crumbs, and moisture buildup. Left untouched, they become a hidden source of odor, bacteria, and pests.
HOW TO CLEAN:
If possible, slide appliances out just a few inches, enough to reach behind safely.
Vacuum/sweep loose debris, dust, and crumbs along the floor and baseboards.
Wipe walls, sides, and flooring with a degreaser or warm soapy solution (Dawn Dish Soap is our favorite).
Wipe down and dry the area completely using dry paper towels or microfiber cleaning cloth.
Spray the cleaned area with a disinfectant and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping it dry.
Once dry, apply a discreet layer of long-term pest or roach bait along the baseboards or corners to keep the area clean and protected (click here for our recommended roach bait).
Finish by wiping down the exterior sides and tops of the appliances.
Tip: Deep clean and disinfect these areas seasonally. Especially before the holidays, when your kitchen works the hardest.
BEFORE BEHIND & UNDERNEATH APPLIANCES CLEANING AFTER BEHIND & UNDERNEATH APPLIANCES CLEANING
3️⃣. OVEN & STOVE-TOP
Your oven and stovetop take the most heat.. literally. Over time, baked-on grease, spills, and residue dull the finish, create odor, and even affect performance. A proper deep clean restores shine, safety, and efficiency.
HOW TO CLEAN:
Start with the stovetop. Remove grates and burner covers, then wipe away loose debris.
Apply a degreasing cleaner or baking soda paste (mix baking soda with a small amount of water) to stubborn spots. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Scrub gently using a non-abrasive pad or sponge, then wipe clean with warm water.
Lift burners (if gas) and clean around the base to remove grease buildup.
For the oven interior, remove racks and soak them in warm, soapy water while you clean inside.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the oven walls and floor, avoiding heating elements. Let sit for at least 20 minutes.
Spray lightly with vinegar, then wipe clean with a damp cloth to lift remaining residue.
Disinfect handles, knobs, and control panels with a microfiber cloth and a gentle all-purpose cleaner.
Finish by wiping all surfaces dry and replacing racks and grates once everything is clean and cool.
TIP: Avoid harsh chemical oven cleaners. Natural degreasers or baking soda solutions get the job done safely. Deep clean your oven and stovetop every 3–6 months, or more often if you cook frequently.
BEFORE OVEN & STOVE-TOP CLEANING AFTER OVEN & STOVE-TOP CLEANING
4️⃣. SINKS & DRAINS
Your kitchen sink is one of the most used surfaces in your home, yet it often gets overlooked during regular cleaning. Food particles, soap scum, and mineral deposits can build up in hidden corners, edges, and around the faucet, making it a hotspot for grime and odors. A focused deep clean restores both hygiene and shine.
HOW TO CLEAN:
Clear and Prep
Remove dishes, drain stoppers, and any removable sink accessories.
Rinse the basin with warm water.
Clean the Drain
Sprinkle baking soda into the drain.
Pour vinegar over the baking soda and let it fizz for a few minutes.
Flush with hot water to remove buildup and neutralize odors.
Scrub the Basin and Edges
Focus on corners, seams, and under the rim where grime collects.
Use a sponge or soft brush with warm, soapy water.
For stubborn stains, a paste of baking soda and water works well.
Tackle the Faucet and Handles
Mineral deposits and lime scale often form around the base.
Scrub with vinegar or a soft brush to restore shine and remove buildup.
Wipe down the entire faucet to remove water spots.
Rinse and Dry
Thoroughly rinse the sink and faucet with clean water.
Dry with a microfiber cloth to prevent water spots and streaks.
TIP: Keep your sink cleaner for longer by wiping it down after each use and using a daily rinse with a splash of vinegar to prevent mineral buildup and odors.
🔑 KEY POINTS
Tackling these often-overlooked areas gives your kitchen a true reset before the season ahead. Even small changes, like clearing buildup, disinfecting hidden corners, or restoring flow to your fixtures, create a space that feels lighter, sharper, and ready for anything.
More detailed deep-cleaning insights are coming soon, but for now, start here. These are the details that matter, and they set the tone for everything that follows.
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