Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home. This room more than any other is critical. Mastering the PMC process in the kitchen will ensure you give your clients the best Sparkling kitchen each and every time.

Getting Started

The kitchen probably the biggest job you will tackle, taking a few minutes before hand to prepare will help you work more effectively and efficiently.

Stock Your Cleaning Apron

Check to ensure your tools are in your apron and in the appropriate pockets
Hang your general cleaner and disinfectant on your apron loops. (Always tighten the tops of the spray bottle)
Put your duster in the small of your back
Cleaning Clothes (start with 5)
Put a clean/dry cleaning cloth over your shoulder

Setting Up

- Pick up small rugs and mats
NOTE: NEVER place rugs or mats on counters or table tops. Instead lay them flat on carpeted area and place out of the way.
- Place your tote on the counter, to the right of the sink.
- Mop and Bucket should be just inside the left of the kitchen

You are ready to go! Start at the island or to the right of the sink and head left.

REMEMBER!!

Work Top to Bottom
Left to Right
Back to front

You will clean in sections top to bottom working around the room left to right. Clean appliances as you move around the room.

Let's Get to Cleaning!

Above the Counter Cabinets

Look up! Remove any cobwebs with your duster
Wipe down handles & remove finger prints/smudges around handles as needed.

If the cabinet face is dirty, be sure to wipe applying cleaner to your cloth. Only clean what is dirty.

Back Splash

Wipe down IF Dirty. If not, move on to counter. Don’t forget to clean outlets and light switches in the backsplash!

Counter Top

Spay and Wipe down the countertop
Work Back to Front

Move items forward just enough to clean behind and underneath them
Dust or wipe items
Move them back in place

NOTE: If you wipe down shiny item, be sure dry with a clean/dry cloth to avoid streaks

Pro Tip: If you encounter difficult to remove items use a stronger tool/cleaner:

Use your dobie

Spray with general cleaner and agitate with dobie until the “dirt” is loosened.
Wipe clean with your cloth OR

Use your scraper

Spray with general cleaner and with a low angle scrape the debris using the least amount of force as necessary.

Drawers/Lower Cabinets

Wipe the tops of the drawer or cabinet
Wipe down handles & remove finger prints/smudges around handles as needed.

If the cabinet/drawer face is dirty, be sure to wipe applying cleaner to your cloth.

Pro Tip:

Bottom cabinets tend to be dirtier than upper cabinets, especially the cabinet that has the garbage can, sink, and coffee maker. Pay extra attention to these and be sure to clean spills and drips on the drawer/cabinet face.

Doorframes

Dust along the top of the door frame paying careful attention for cobwebs
Wipe clean any fingerprints or smudges as needed

Open Shelves

Dust items on the shelf.
Dust the shelves surface, picking up small items to clean underneath them as needed.
Dust or wipe (as needed) leading edges.

Refrigerator- Outside

Clean the top (what you are able to reach keeping your feet on the floor) either your duster or damp cloth
Wipe the doors to remove fingerprints/smudges as needed
NOTE: Do not slide magnets around, they will scratch the surface. If there are a lot of magnets, clean around them, do not move.
Clean around the hinges and nameplate
Clean the icemaker buttons & tray
Open the door(s):
- Wipe down the rubber gaskets
- Clean the side and bottom panels
- Wipe the bottom of fridge ledge
- Look for easy and obvious areas that a little wipe will do.
Clean the air vent
- either wipe or use your duster or whisk broom
Wipe off the handles, dry and polish as needed–make sure to get behind handles–largest area of opportunity–use your sense of touch to feel

Pro Tip:

The refrigerator is usually the largest and most visible appliance in the kitchen. Take care to ensure the front is clean of finger prints, or smudges and streaks. For stainless steel or high gloss black, you may need to apply more cleaner and polish a second time.

Dishwasher

Open and Clean the top ledge (If it’s not running)
Run towel around each side
Remove Fingerprints/Smudges from the exterior with your cleaning cloth.

NOTE: Refer to the Stainless-steel section on how to clean stainless appliances & fixtures. Extreme care MUST be use to prevent damage!

Microwave

Remove plate and turn table support.
Clean interior with a damp cloth, dobie, or your magic eraser
Wipe down plate and replace with turn table support. – Wash in sink if very dirty
Remove Fingerprints/Smudges from the front
Wipe off the handles, dry and polish as needed

Pro Tip: If debris in microwave is excessive or stuck on, wet a cleaning cloth & put in microwave for 40 sec-1 min

Be careful, the cloth will be very hot when you open the door.

Stove Top

There are several different types of Stove tops that you will encounter. Cleaning the surface may vary depending on the stove top, but the process of working top to bottom and back to front remains the same.

NOTE: Be sure to clean the hood, backsplash & the top/back of the stove as needed before starting work on the stove top.

Refer to the Stainless-steel section on how to clean stainless appliances & fixtures. Extreme care MUST be use to prevent damage!

Gas Stove Top

Remove the left grates and set on top of the right grates.
Spray Degreaser or general cleaner directly onto the stovetop and wipe down the left side.
Replace left grates and repeat for right side

If you encounter difficult to remove items use a stronger tool/cleaner:

Dobie: GENTLY use your dobie. Spray degreaser or a small amount of dawn and agitate with dobie until the debris is loosened. Wipe clean with your cloth

Use your scraper: Spray with general cleaner and with a low angle scrape the debris using the least amount of force as necessary.

Pro Tip: If the grates are exceptionally dirty, place a cleaning cloth in the sink & GENTLY place them in the sink on the cleaning cloth with some dish soap and let them sit while you clean the stove top. Use your dobie as needed to scrub clean. Rinse and be sure to DRY before replacing them.

Ceramic Stove Top

Spray degreaser or general cleaner directly onto your cloth and wipe down stove top.

If you encounter difficult to remove items use a stronger tool/cleaner:

Magic eraser
Use Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda onto debris. Lay a warm damp cleaning cloth over the baking soda. Allow it to sit for a moment. Then using the cleaning cloth scrub gently in circular motions. Wipe clean with your other cleaning cloth
Use your plastic scraper: Spray with general cleaner and with a low angle scrape the debris using the least amount of force as necessary. Wipe clean with your cleaning cloth

IMPORTANT: NEVER use an abrasive scrubby on a glass or ceramic stove top

Electric/Drip Pan

Spray degreaser general cleaner directly onto your cloth and wipe down stove top.
Lift coils & wipe out the drip pan
Wipe coils. You may need to change out your cleaning cloth at this point.

If the drip pans do not easily wipe clean. Leave a note in the client’s profile and alert the office. The client may replace the drip pans or opt for additional time on the next cleaning for a deeper clean.

Oven

Wipe around knobs-some knobs will pull right off and you can clean underneath them
- Be care not to turn on the oven!
Wipe front of stove door if necessary
Open the oven door, spray window with degreaser
- Use the scraper at a low angle, using the least amount of force as necessary to remove debris.
- Wipe clean with paper towels
- Spray oven door window with degreaser again, and wipe clean one final time.
Wipe off the handles, dry and polish as needed

***Special care with the handle-use your sense of touch

Sink- Porcelain or Non-Stainless Steel

Spray the general cleaner and clean with your tile brush around the faucet
Use a drop of dawn and your dobie to clean the sides and bottom of the bowl, pay close attention to the corners
Use the magic eraser for a finishing scrub
Rinse. You will shine and dry the sink after you clean the floors.

Pro Tip:

For difficult build-up use your tile brush around the drain

NOTE: If there are a few breakfast dishes in the sink:

Put in dishwasher OR
Rinse and set to the side, and replace in sink after the sink is cleaned.

If there are too many dishes to clean the sink, make notes and proceed.

Sink Window & Slider

Spray with glass cleaner and wipe dry
Clean sill and make sure track is free of bugs, dirt and debris

Pro Tip: Use a very dry cloth and wipe completely dry to avoid streaks. Don’t overspray

Floor

Place your cleaning tote outside of the kitchen
Vacuum kitchen floor and area rugs.
Fill bucket halfway with warm water, add a drop of Dawn and spray three to four sprays of soap scum/degreaser into bucket
Wet and wring out your mop head
As your mop head gets dirty, replace as needed-it is mandatory to switch water and mop heads between floors
Might need to wash in front of the stove, refrigerator, garbage area and sink on hands and knees. (highest usage areas)
You can also carry around your plastic scraper when vacuuming and use it for areas that are hard to pull up with just your vacuum
Dispose of your water in the toilet–don’t ever empty your mop bucket into the sink

Once the floor is dry replace area rugs, taking careful note to make sure tags are not sticking out and they are tidy.

The kitchen is probably the most challenging room you will encounter. By following the PMC process, and the helpful hints below, you get the kitchen clean lickity-split!

You will do a lot of Spraying and Wiping in the kitchen. To be the most efficient do this with the spray bottle in one hand and your cloth in the other.
If you need to put down your spray bottle, be sure to place it back on your apron loops, NOT on the counter tops.
Check your spray bottle cap often to ensure it is on tight!
When cloths get soiled or too wet, put them in a lined pocket of your apron, or in your soiled bag if it is within reach. Do NOT leave cleaning clothes on the floor or countertops.
If you use your dobie, do NOT rinse until you have returned to the sink. Instead, place it back into your lined pocket. You will only use your dobie to loosen debris, not clean it, so even if it’s used and a little dirty, it is still effective and can be rinsed when you end up back at the sink.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances are very common. They come in a variety of finishes, including brushed, matte, and even black. You may also encounter stainless steel fixtures and sinks. The same techniques should be used for all stainless-steel fixtures & appliances to ensure they are cleaned properly with no damage.

Stainless steel fixtures and appliances range in the thousands of dollars and are a major component to the home. Damage is obvious and expensive to remedy. By knowing and following the cleaning protocol below you are eliminating the risk of damage while still cleaning vital elements of the home.

Appliances

Using a fresh cleaning cloth with general cleaner applied directly to the cloth, wipe the surface in the direction of the grain.
Dry in the direction of the grain with a towel to prevent water spots.
If you still see fingerprints, spray your stainless-steel cleaner onto a soft cloth and wipe fingerprints away.

Sinks & Facets

Using a fresh cleaning cloth with general cleaner applied directly to the cloth, wipe down the sink in the direction of the grain. (magic eraser for grease/film)
Rinse using sprayer or your cleaning cup
Dry in the direction of the grain with a towel to prevent water spots.

Pro Tips:

To remove stubborn debris, make a paste of baking soda and warm water. Gently rub onto the surface using a soft cloth or sponge. Wipe with a clean wet cloth and towel dry.
Water spots can be removed with a little vinegar applied to your cleaning cloth.
Rubbing alcohol can also remove rust spots. Apply a small amount to your cleaning cloth and gently wipe up the rust area.

CRITICAL RULES: KNOW, FOLLOW.

YOU MUST ALWAYS WIPE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GRAIN.

NEVER apply Cleaner Directly to the Stainless surface

NEVER use a brush, scubbie or any type of abrasive cleaner.

Test Your Knowledge

Click the button below to test your knowledge of the PMC system, cleaning tools and cleaners. If you score at least 80% move onto Dusting. If you score less than 80%, go back and review the content again, working with your trainer to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!

Kitchen

Getting Started

REMEMBER!!

Let's Get to Cleaning!

Above the Counter Cabinets

Back Splash

Counter Top

Drawers/Lower Cabinets

Doorframes

Open Shelves

Refrigerator- Outside

Dishwasher

Microwave

Stove Top

Gas Stove Top

Ceramic Stove Top

Electric/Drip Pan

Oven

Sink- Porcelain or Non-Stainless Steel

Sink Window & Slider

Floor

Stainless Steel

Test Your Knowledge

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