The Jobs That Live on the "Someday" List
Be honest — when's the last time you cleaned behind your fridge? Or pulled the filter out of your range hood? These aren't the cleaning tasks anyone looks forward to. They're awkward, greasy, and easy to ignore because the appliances still work whether they're clean or not. But letting them go too long affects how they perform, how long they last, and — let's be real — how your kitchen smells.
Here's the no-nonsense guide to tackling each one. Grab some rubber gloves and let's go.
The Fridge
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
- Empty everything. Yes, everything. Check expiry dates as you go — this is where you discover the yogurt from June and that container of mystery leftovers in the back.
- Remove shelves and drawers. Wash them in warm soapy water in the sink or bathtub (they don't fit in most sinks). Let glass shelves warm to room temperature before washing — cold glass in hot water can crack.
- Wipe interior walls with a baking soda solution (2 tablespoons baking soda per litre of warm water). This cleans and deodorizes.
- Clean the rubber door seals. Use a toothbrush dipped in the baking soda solution. Mold and crumbs accumulate in the folds. Pull the seal gently to get into the creases.
- Pull the fridge out and vacuum the coils (usually on the bottom or back). Dusty coils make your fridge work harder and run up your electricity bill.
- Wipe down the exterior — handles, sides, top. The top of the fridge is a dust magnet.
The Oven
Time needed: 20 minutes active + wait time
- Remove racks. Soak them in the bathtub with hot water and dish soap for an hour. Scrub with a brush, rinse, dry.
- For self-cleaning ovens: Run the self-clean cycle. It takes 2-4 hours and gets extremely hot — remove anything stored inside first, and make sure your kitchen is ventilated. Wipe ash residue with a damp cloth afterward.
- For manual cleaning: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Spread it all over the oven interior (avoid the heating elements). Let it sit overnight. Spray with vinegar the next day (it'll foam). Wipe everything out with damp cloths.
- Don't forget the oven door. The window gets splattered and cloudy. Clean the inside of the glass. If there's grime between the glass panels, check your owner's manual for how to access it — it varies by model.
- Clean the stovetop while you're at it. Lift burner grates and drip pans, soak and scrub. Wipe the surface underneath.
The Range Hood
Time needed: 15-20 minutes
This is the most neglected appliance in most kitchens. The filter catches grease vapour from your cooking, and over time it gets completely clogged.
- Remove the filter (it usually unclips from the underside of the hood)
- Soak it in very hot water with a generous squirt of dish soap and 1/4 cup baking soda. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. The grease will start dissolving.
- Scrub with a brush, rinse thoroughly, and let air dry before replacing
- Wipe the exterior of the hood — the top and sides collect grease film
- Do this monthly if you cook regularly. Your kitchen air quality and your hood's performance depend on it.
The Dishwasher
Time needed: 10 minutes active + run cycle
- Clean the filter: Pull it out (bottom of the dishwasher, usually twists to remove). Rinse under running water and scrub with a brush. This is the source of most dishwasher odor.
- Wipe the door edges and gasket: The rubber seal and the edges of the door don't get washed during cycles. Grime and mold build up here.
- Run an empty hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack. Follow with a sprinkle of baking soda on the bottom and a short hot cycle. This cleans and deodorizes the interior.
- Clean the spray arms: Check the holes for clogs. A toothpick clears food debris that blocks water flow.
Schedule It or Call Us
If these tasks have been on your "someday" list for a while, don't feel bad — that's exactly why we're here. Our deep clean service includes all of these appliances. We come in, tackle the jobs you've been avoiding, and leave your kitchen functioning and smelling like new. Give us a call and cross it off the list for good.