Kitchen Detail Cleaning Checklist & 12 Things in the Kitchen You Can Put in the Dishwasher

A clean kitchen makes cooking, entertaining, and everyday life a little more enjoyable. But now and then, your kitchen needs more than a quick wipe-down. It needs a good, old-fashioned deep cleaning!

I spent about 20 years cleaning other people’s homes, and I learned plenty of practical tricks along the way. One thing I know for sure is that grease, dust, and grime have a way of collecting in places we don’t always notice during our regular cleaning routine.

This kitchen deep cleaning checklist will help you work your way through the room, from the ceiling and light fixtures down to the floors. You’ll also find a list of 12 things in your kitchen you may be able to clean in the dishwasher, saving you time and a little elbow grease.

Best of all, you can print the free kitchen cleaning checklist and check off each task as you go. Let’s get that kitchen sparkling!

This article contains affiliate links. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

Begin the deep cleaning process by gathering your kitchen cleaning supplies.

• Oven cleaner
• All-purpose disinfectant, I use this one or this one
• Dish detergent, this is my favorite brand
• Soft Scrub gel cleanser, for sink and stove-top
• Reusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves, like these
• Non-scratch scrub sponges, like these
• Cleaning cloths

How To Deep Clean The Kitchen Step-by-Step

Start at the top and work your way down, so do the cobwebs on the ceiling and wall corners first.

Let the dishwasher do part of the work

Next, go ahead and gather up all the things you can put in the dishwasher. This will include your light fixture covers, which are on the ceiling, so you still work from the top down.  

You want to go ahead and run the dishwasher so that it will be done when you are. You can put all of those things back where they belong before leaving this kitchen cleaning project.

12 Things in the kitchen you can put in the dishwasher

Back to the old saying “Work smarter, not harder”. Let’s put the dishwasher to work for us. Load it with any or all of these things to save yourself some time.

Disclaimer: Not everything that fits in a dishwasher belongs there. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions and consider the item’s material, finish, and construction. Never wash electrical components, items with attached wiring, or anything that is not approved for dishwasher cleaning. Allow washed items to dry completely before reinstalling or using them.

1. Switch plate cover & Outlet covers: Removable plastic switch and outlet cover plates can often be washed in the dishwasher. Remove them carefully, and never put electrical components or anything still connected to wiring in the dishwasher. Make sure the covers are completely dry before reinstalling them.
2. Vent hood filters & covers: Some removable range hood filters are dishwasher-safe. Check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions first, since the material and finish can affect how they should be cleaned.
3. Stove-top drip pans: Some removable drip pans can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, especially if they have a special finish.
4. Glass canisters: (not the rubber gaskets) Remove all of the contents first. Be sure they are completely dry before adding food back into them.
5. Coffee carafe: Usually a top rack item. Check your manufacturer’s instructions to be sure yours is dishwasher safe.
6. Glass lighting globes/covers: It depends on what they are made of and how they are made. All lighting globes won’t be dishwasher safe.
7. Salt & Pepper shakers: Empty the contents before adding these in the dishwasher. Again, it depends on what they are made of if they are dishwasher safe. Mine are glass, so I wash them on the top rack.
8. Trash can lid: All trash can lids are not created equal. We used to have a plastic trash can that I could put the lid in the dishwasher occasionally. Now, ours is stainless steel, and the lid does not remove. It depends on what yours is made of and if the lid is removable.
9. Floor vent grate: If your floor vents are painted, it is possible the paint could come off in the dishwasher, so don’t do it. I have washed them in the dishwasher in the house we sold, and it worked just fine.
10. Dish scrubbers: I put all of my dish scrubbers made of plastic in the dishwasher on the top rack occasionally. I have never put a sponge in the dishwasher, and I don’t recommend it. I also put the scrubbers with a plastic handle and scrubber on the end on the top rack occasionally.
11. Sink stoppers: When I cleaned houses, I was always appalled at how nasty folks would allow their sink stopper to get. If it’s stainless steel, it is probably top rack safe.
12. Stove knobs: Most stoves have burner knobs that are removable for cleaning. Mine are plastic, so I put them in the silverware tray occasionally. Check the manual with your stove before putting yours in the dishwasher.

How to deep clean major appliances

The major appliances include the stove with oven cleaning and cleaning the refrigerator inside and out.

You may choose to do the major appliances all in one day. I’m not such a glutton for punishment, so I do the stove one Saturday and the refrigerator/freezer the next.

Don’t forget the kitchen countertops

When you get to the counters, start on the left of the stove and work your way around the room.

Pull everything away from the walls and clean behind those things. For instance, move the Air Fryer away from the wall to clean under and behind it. Then wipe down the outside of the small appliance and put it back into place.

Don’t forget to wash anything and everything you keep sitting out on your counters, such as canisters, picture frames, lamps, small appliances, etc.

Checklist

Check each completed task off the list as you go! There is a certain amount of satisfaction to be derived from checking items off a list!

Print the kitchen cleaning checklist PDF using the button below.

Now that you have our easy kitchen detail cleaning checklist, you can make plans to get your kitchen ready for the busy fall cooking season!  I’m making plans now to tackle the oven and detail the stove! 

Be sure to print our Spring Cleaning Checklist if you are brave enough to give the whole house a thorough cleaning before the holiday season!

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Deep Cleaning

How often should you deep clean your kitchen?

A thorough kitchen deep cleaning can be done seasonally or whenever your kitchen needs extra attention. Regular maintenance cleaning between deep cleans helps keep grease and grime from building up.

What should you clean first when deep cleaning a kitchen?

Start at the top of the room, including ceiling corners and light fixtures, then work your way down. This keeps dust and debris from landing on areas you’ve already cleaned.

What can you put in the dishwasher besides dishes?

Some removable kitchen items, such as glass canisters, coffee carafes, stove knobs, and certain vent hood filters, may be dishwasher-safe. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

How long does it take to deep clean a kitchen?

The time depends on the kitchen’s size and how much cleaning is needed. Breaking the work into sections, such as appliances, counters, and floors, makes the job more manageable.

More Home Cleaning Tips

• Bathroom Drawer Organization Practical Ideas
• Best Mop and Bucket Combo
• How To Set Up A Speed Cleaning Kit
• How To Keep Your Dish Cloth Stink- and Stain-Free
• Stop Germs From Spreading in Your Home With These Easy Tips
• 13 Filthy Things In The Home
• Clean Your Makeup Brushes With Organic Soap
• Tips For Giving Your Guest Bath A Fancy Hotel Feel
• How To Prepare for the Cleaning Lady

Originally published Oct. 2015. Updated Nov. 2, 2026