Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen with Steam

The kitchen is the heart of the Australian home—and often its most challenging cleaning battleground. Between cooking oils, food splatters, and the constant need for hygiene in food preparation areas, kitchens demand powerful cleaning. Steam cleaning meets this challenge brilliantly, cutting through stubborn grease while sanitising surfaces without leaving chemical residues where you prepare food. Here's your complete guide to steam cleaning every corner of your kitchen.

Why Steam Is Perfect for Kitchens

Kitchens present unique cleaning challenges that steam handles exceptionally well:

• Grease dissolution: High temperatures break down cooking oils and fats more effectively than cold-water cleaning
• Food safety: Steam sanitises surfaces where raw meat, vegetables, and other foods are prepared
• No chemical residue: Critical in spaces where food is handled—no worries about contamination
• Penetrating power: Steam reaches into textured surfaces, grout lines, and crevices
• Deodorising: Neutralises cooking odours at their source

Benchtops and Food Preparation Surfaces

These are the workhorses of your kitchen and deserve regular steam sanitisation.

Granite and Stone Benchtops

Sealed granite and engineered stone (like Caesarstone) handle steam well:

• Use medium steam settings
• Wipe immediately with a clean microfibre cloth
• Avoid excessive steam on grout lines or seams
• Regular steam cleaning actually helps maintain sealant integrity

Laminate Benchtops

Modern laminate is generally steam-safe, but use caution:

• Use lower steam settings to protect the laminate surface
• Avoid concentrating steam on edges where moisture could penetrate
• Keep the mop head moving

Stainless Steel Surfaces

Steam leaves stainless steel gleaming without water spots:

• Use a dedicated stainless steel attachment if available
• Wipe in the direction of the grain
• Follow immediately with a dry cloth for streak-free shine

Stovetops and Cooktops

Cooking surfaces accumulate grease, spills, and burnt-on food. Steam makes short work of these challenges.

Glass/Ceramic Cooktops

1. Ensure the cooktop is cool before starting
2. Remove loose debris with a soft scraper
3. Apply steam using a flat attachment or concentrated nozzle
4. For burnt-on food, hold steam on the spot briefly to loosen, then wipe
5. Wipe with a clean microfibre cloth
6. Buff dry for a streak-free finish

Gas Cooktops

• Remove burner grates and caps before cleaning
• Steam the surface, paying attention to areas around burners
• Use detail brushes to clean around burner ports
• Clean grates separately with steam and a brush attachment
• Ensure all parts are completely dry before reassembling

Rangehood and Filters

Rangehoods collect airborne grease and become grimycquickly:

• Remove metal filters if possible
• Steam clean filters thoroughly—the heat dissolves grease buildup
• Wipe down the rangehood exterior and underside
• Clean control buttons with a detail nozzle
• Allow filters to dry completely before reinstalling

Ovens: The Ultimate Steam Cleaning Challenge

Ovens are notoriously difficult to clean, but steam can transform this dreaded task.

Steam Cleaning Method

1. Remove oven racks and set aside
2. Allow the oven to cool completely
3. Use a concentrated steam nozzle to tackle burnt-on food and grease
4. Work from top to bottom so loosened grime falls downward
5. For stubborn spots, hold the steam on the area for 10-15 seconds
6. Use a scraper attachment if available for baked-on residue
7. Wipe loosened grime with microfibre cloths, changing frequently
8. Clean oven racks with steam and a brush attachment
9. Don't forget the oven door, including the glass and seals

Tips for Heavily Soiled Ovens

• For extreme buildup, consider multiple steam cleaning sessions rather than aggressive scraping
• A paste of baking soda and water, applied overnight and then steamed away, can help with very stubborn areas
• Regular steam cleaning (monthly) prevents heavy buildup

Microwaves

Microwaves accumulate food splatters and odours. Steam refreshes them quickly:

1. Remove the turntable and roller ring
2. Steam clean the interior walls, ceiling, and floor
3. Use a detail nozzle for corners and the door seal
4. Clean the turntable separately
5. Wipe down the exterior and control panel
6. Leave the door open briefly to allow drying

Refrigerators

Steam cleaning refrigerators sanitises without leaving chemical residues that could taint food.

Inside the Fridge

1. Remove all food and store in a cooler
2. Remove shelves and drawers
3. Steam clean interior surfaces, including walls and door compartments
4. Clean shelves and drawers separately
5. Use lower steam settings to avoid thermal shock
6. Wipe dry thoroughly before replacing items

Exterior and Seals

• Steam clean door handles (high-touch areas harbour bacteria)
• Clean door seals carefully—these trap crumbs and mould
• Wipe down exterior surfaces
• Clean the top of the fridge where dust accumulates

Dishwashers

Even dishwashers need cleaning! Steam removes buildup and odours:

• Remove and clean the filter (usually at the bottom)
• Steam clean the door edges and seals where grime accumulates
• Clean the spray arms, checking for clogs
• Steam the interior, including the door interior
• Run an empty hot cycle afterward to rinse

Kitchen Floors

Kitchen floors face spills, grease droplets, and high traffic. Steam mops excel here:

• Sweep or vacuum loose debris first
• Use appropriate settings for your floor type (tile vs. sealed wood vs. vinyl)
• Pay extra attention to areas around the stove, sink, and rubbish bin
• Clean grout lines with a concentrated attachment for best results
• Change mop pads frequently—kitchen floors can be greasy

Sinks and Taps

Kitchen sinks harbour bacteria, especially around drains:

• Steam the entire sink basin
• Pay special attention to the drain area and overflow hole
• Clean around the tap base where grime collects
• Steam tap handles (high-touch surfaces)
• For stainless steel sinks, follow with a dry cloth for shine

Small Appliances

Many small appliances benefit from steam cleaning:

Kettle Exterior

Steam clean the outside of kettles to remove fingerprints and grease. Never steam the electrical base.

Toasters

Unplug and steam clean the exterior. Empty the crumb tray and steam it separately. Avoid steam inside the toaster.

Coffee Machines

Steam clean the exterior, drip tray, and any removable components. Follow manufacturer guidelines for internal cleaning.

Blenders and Food Processors

Steam clean bases and exteriors. Removable components can often be steamed for sanitisation.

Cabinets and Handles

Kitchen cabinets accumulate grease and fingerprints:

• Test steam on an inconspicuous area first (some finishes may be sensitive)
• Use lower steam settings for painted or laminate cabinets
• Focus on handles and areas around them—these get the most grimy
• Wipe immediately with a dry cloth to prevent water marks
• Steam is excellent for cleaning inside cabinets during periodic deep cleans

A Complete Kitchen Steam Cleaning Routine

Here's a suggested order for a full kitchen deep clean:

1. Preparation: Clear benchtops, remove items from appliances
2. Top to bottom: Start with rangehood and upper cabinets
3. Appliances: Oven, microwave, refrigerator exterior
4. Benchtops and backsplash: Work around the kitchen
5. Stovetop: Including burners and grates
6. Sink and taps: Full sanitisation
7. Lower cabinets and kickboards
8. Floor: Last, so you capture any debris that fell during cleaning

A thorough kitchen steam clean might take 1-2 hours initially, but regular maintenance cleaning becomes much quicker. Your reward is a kitchen that's not just clean, but truly sanitised—safe for food preparation and free from chemical residues. That's a kitchen worth cooking in.