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 is 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

• Place your tote to the right of the sink.
• Mop and Bucket should be just inside the left of the kitchen

You are ready to go! Start 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

1. Look up! Remove any cobwebs with your duster
2. 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

1. Spay your cleaning towel and wipe down the countertop
2. 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 items, be sure to dry with a clean/dry cloth to avoid streaks

Pro Tip: If you encounter difficult to remove debris 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 plastic scraper

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

Drawers/Lower Cabinets

1. Wipe the tops of the drawers or cabinets
2. 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, dishwasher, and coffee maker. Pay extra attention to these and be sure to clean spills and drips on the drawer/cabinet face.

Doorframes

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

Open Shelves

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

Refrigerator- Outside

1. Clean the top (what you are able to reach keeping your feet on the floor) either your duster or damp cloth
2. 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.
3. Clean around the hinges and nameplate
4. Clean the icemaker buttons & tray
5. 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.
6. Clean the air vent
   • either wipe or use your duster or whisk broom
7. 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 glass cleaner and polish a second time.

Dishwasher

1. Open and Clean the top ledge (If it’s not running)
2. Run towel around each side
3. 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

1. Remove plate and turn table support.
2. Clean interior with a damp cloth, dobie, or your magic eraser
3. Wipe down plate and replace with turn table support. - Wash in sink if very dirty
4. Remove Fingerprints/Smudges from the front
5. 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

1. Remove all grates, starting with left most grate and set to the right of your stove or in sink (if setting in sink, place microfiber cloth down prior)
2. Spray Degreaser or general cleaner directly onto grates and let sit
3. Spray Degreaser or general cleaner directly onto the stovetop and wipe down
4. Thoroughly wipe down grates and replace in order
5. *Pro Tip-do not use cleaner on flat top griddle-only wipe with damp cloth

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

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 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 or razor blade on a glass or ceramic stove top

Electric/Drip Pan

1. Spray degreaser general cleaner directly onto your cloth and wipe down stove top.
2. Lift coils & wipe out the drip pan
3. *Pro Tip-you can lift out drip pan if needed

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

1. Wipe around knobs-some knobs will pull right off and you can clean underneath them
   • Be careful not to turn on the oven!
2. Wipe front of stove door if necessary
3. Open the oven door, spray window with degreaser
   • Use the razer blade 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.
4. 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

Sink- Porcelain or Non-Stainless Steel

1. Spray the general cleaner/bar keepers friend and clean with your tile brush around the faucet
2. Use a drop of dawn and your dobie to clean the sides and bottom of the bowl, pay close attention to the corners
3. Rinse.
4. Use the magic eraser for a finishing scrub-including sink drains/garbage disposals
5. Rinse and dry final time.

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, notify office, make notes, and proceed.

Sink Window & Slider

1. Spray glass towel with glass cleaner and wipe dry
2. 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

1. Place your cleaning tote outside of the kitchen
2. Vacuum kitchen floor and area rugs
3. Add a drop of Dawn, a capful of vinegar, and spray three to four sprays of soap scum/degreaser into bucket
4. Fill bucket halfway with hot water
5. Wet and wring out your mop head
6. As your mop head gets dirty, replace as needed-it is mandatory to switch water and mop heads between floors
7. Might need to hand wash in front of the stove, refrigerator, garbage area, and sink (highest usage areas)
8. You should also carry around your plastic scraper when vacuuming and use it for areas that are hard to pull up with just your vacuum
9. Dispose of your water in the toilet--don't ever empty your mop bucket into the sink-always flush toilet after

Once the floor is fully 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.

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

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

Sinks & Faucets

1. Spray the general cleaner/bar keepers friend and clean with your tile brush around the faucet
2. Use a drop of dawn and your dobie to clean the sides and bottom of the bowl, pay close attention to the corners
3. Rinse.
4. Use the magic eraser for a finishing scrub-including sink drains/garbage disposals
5. Rinse.
6. Dry in the direction of the grain with a towel to prevent water spots.

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, scrubbie 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!

Test Your Knowledge