We understand how much work is involved in preparing your home for Passover. Over the years of working with the Jewish community, we have learned a lot of tips that can help get the best cleaning results for Pesach. We are happy to share some important recommendations, but of course, there is always more you can do. Add your tips in the comments for our readers. 

Here are some initial considerations before you get started: 

• The first thing is to sit and make decisions about the cabinets and fridge you will be using. 
• Make sure to mark them with a color sticker; we do not want to spend time cleaning cabinets you will sell for Passover. The cabinets you will not use should be taped with painters’ tape not to damage the wood. We prefer the blue painter’s tape. 
• Now comes the fun part, cleaning and removing all traces of chametz. 
• If you have a large home or don’t have the time, feel free to reach out to Dust Busters for an estimate. We know how important it is to make sure your entire home is deep clean. 

We offer you this handy checklist for your kitchen if you choose to do it yourself:

1. We always like to start from top to bottom and from left to right. So first, we should clean the light fixture and any high shelves or moldings. You will be surprised by what you will find. 
2. Start cleaning all top cabinets we will be using inside and out. You can first vacuum, then use a microfiber rag to clean them. You can do this with or without a cleaning product. Don’t forget to wipe under the cabinet. If you like to take an extra step, you can always wipe it with a paper towel to get the best finish results and use a liner to cover shelves. 
3. Clean kitchen hood. If it hasn’t been maintained, you might need a strong degreaser. I invite you to look up Project Clean Inc as they have many cleaning products that are Kosher certified. 
4. Clean all backsplash, pay special attention to the stove area. If you feel like you need to do more, you can always use aluminum foil to cover. 
5. Now, let’s get all counters clean. Depending on your counter material, you might want to get a blade to help remove any extra food you feel with your hands. Highly recommend using a cleaning professional for this step. If it is granite or composite stone, you can use boiling water to Kasher. If not sure, always ask your Rabbi for guidance. 
6. Now it’s time to clean the stove; it is essential to use a new sponge just for the stove. Make sure to clean the stovetop grates and then burn them in the oven at 550 F for one hour. If you have a self-cleaning oven, first make sure to do one hand cleaning removing all visible food. Pay special attention to walls, floor, doors, and racks. You can use easy off to help remove stubborn food. Be extra careful with the oven window and edges; you might want to use a blade again. You can self-clean the oven as an extra step with racks and stove stops grates. After the cleaning is complete, don’t forget to broil to the highest heat for 60 minutes and don’t use it for 24 hrs. If you have questions, always consult with your Rabbi.
7. Now it’s time to move the stove if possible and clean under, behind, and sides. Make sure to talk to a professional cleaner for guidance if needed. 
8. Let’s move to the bottom cabinets, repeat step 2 above for the base (bottom) cabinets. Ensure to clean the baseboards of the cabinets and the floor edges to remove as many crumbs as possible. 
9. Continue with the refrigerator. If you’re planning on selling the freezer part, don’t worry about cleaning it. Just tape it. Make sure to remove all items and shelves from the refrigerator to reach every corner. You can use the sink just with cold water, plus you will Kasher the sink after everything is cleaned. One of the best tools to clean between the shelves is a toothpick. It helps remove almost everything from small tight edges. After it is thoroughly clean, make sure to line all surfaces with paper or plastic. Now, let’s move the refrigerator to clean the top, sides, and the floor behind. 
10. Step back and look at the kitchen, see if anything is missing. Now clean the light switches, moldings, doors, windows and don’t forget the microwave. Make sure to get all of it cleaned before cleaning the floors. 
11. The last step of cleaning your kitchen would be the floors. We prefer to vacuum floors before mopping. Sweeping sometimes leaves crumbs behind. Make sure to clean all edges of your kitchen floor by hand for the best results. Then, mop the open spaces. If you have tile floors and want to take an extra step, hire a professional cleaner. At Dust Busters, we use a steam and pressure machine to get all the crumbs stuck in your grout line. It’s great to do once a year anyway; it might as well be for Passover. 

Let us know what you think, and share any hacks or tricks you have used for your kitchen cleaning. Make sure to call us if you have any questions; you can also email us for professional cleaning help.