How to Remove Tough Stains & Odors in Commercial Kitchens

Tough stains demand tough cleaning measures—especially in fast-paced commercial kitchens where grease, food, and odors can quickly become health and safety hazards. Whether you're tackling commercial kitchen deep cleaning or simply looking for effective ways to maintain daily cleanliness, you’ll find useful solutions here.

Tools of the Trade: Commercial Kitchen Deep Cleaning Essentials

Before tackling stubborn stains, ensure you have the right tools, including:

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Commercial-grade degreasers
• Food-safe sanitizers (diluted bleach and iodine-based sanitizers)
• Enzymatic cleaners that break down fats, oils, grease, and other food-related stains
• Plenty of microfiber cloths and scrubbing pads
• Personal protective equipment like gloves and eye protection (essentials when working with heavy-duty cleaning agents)

Common Stains & Solutions

Grease Stains

When tackling commercial kitchen cleaning services, grease is one of the most pervasive challenges. Not only does it stain, but it also makes floors and surfaces slippery. Just as dangerous, grease buildup in hoods and vents can become a fire hazard.

The solution: To eliminate grease stains during commercial kitchen deep cleaning:

• Remove loose debris with hot water and a scrubbing pad
• Apply a commercial-grade degreaser according to the product instructions (some work better on cool surfaces; others are more effective on warm ones)
• Allow the degreaser to sit for 5-10 minutes
• Scrub with a non-abrasive pad
• Rinse with clean water and sanitize

Food Stains

The methods used to treat food stains vary:

For protein-based stains (meat and blood): Scrape excess material and apply cold water initially, as warm water can further set stains. Next, use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed to break down protein stains. Wash and sanitize.

To eliminate stubborn stains during commercial kitchen cleaning services, it is often effective to create a paste using cleaners like OxiClean. Allow the paste to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and sanitizing.

For acidic stains (tomato-based, wine, coffee): For countertops, apply a paste made from baking soda and water. For plastic cutting boards and containers, apply a paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

Rust & Mineral Deposits

If you operate in a region with hard water, you may struggle with calcium buildup, which eventually turns into rust. While you can take preventative measures by installing a softening system, here’s how to address rust on metal surfaces during commercial kitchen cleaning.

The solution: Apply a food-safe rust remover like Evapo-Rust. Not only is this water-based cleaner non-corrosive and non-toxic, but it also does not leave residue behind.

Burn Marks

Burnt cookware isn’t just unsightly—it also affects performance and taste by transferring unwanted flavors to food. The methods used to remove these stubborn stains during commercial kitchen cleaning services vary depending on the cookware.

For Stainless Steel

• Create a paste with baking soda and water
• Apply and allow to sit for 30 minutes
• Scrub with a non-abrasive pad
• For extra stubborn stains, boil equal parts water and vinegar in the cookware for 10 minutes

For Cast Iron

• Add coarse salt to the pan while it is still warm
• Scrub with a cloth
• Rinse, dry, and apply a thin layer of cooking oil, heating to restore seasoning

For Non-Stick Cookware

• Combine dish soap and warm water in the cookware
• Simmer on low for 10 minutes
• Allow cookware to cool, then wipe with a cloth
• Never use metal utensils or abrasive cleaners

Persistent Odors During Commercial Kitchen Deep Cleaning

If you’re fighting persistent kitchen odors, there are three common culprits:

Drains

Grease, food particles, and organic matter accumulate in drains over time, creating perfect breeding grounds for odor-causing bacteria. To keep drains clear and odor-free, periodically pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down drains. Then, flush with hot water. While you should avoid caustic drain opening agents, we do recommend enzyme-based drain cleaners that specifically target organic matter and grease without damaging pipes.

Food Waste

Even the smallest bits of food hiding under a stove or in a corner can overwhelm your kitchen with bad odors. Implement a systematic cleaning schedule that includes moving equipment during commercial kitchen deep cleaning services. We recommend using angled brushes for hard-to-reach areas and commercial-grade deodorizers for kitchens.

Mold & Mildew

Kitchens are high-humidity environments that create perfect ecosystems for mold and mildew. Your commercial kitchen deep cleaning sessions should always include cleaning walls, ceilings, and other porous surfaces with commercial-grade antimicrobial solutions specifically designed to kill and prevent fungal growth.

Prevention Strategies

While these should be a part of every commercial cleaning schedule, prevention is always the best solution:

• Maintain daily cleaning regimens: Implement checklists for every area of the kitchen using the appropriate cleaners.
• Protect surfaces: Apply food-grade sealants to porous materials and replace any cutting boards that have deep scratches.
• Train staff: To ensure buy-in, you must demonstrate proper techniques, create clear visual guides, and conduct regular refresher training sessions with cleaning staff members.
• Maintain air quality: Change out air filters weekly, schedule duct cleaning quarterly, and keep up with HVAC maintenance.
• Store food items in the proper containers: Use airtight, food-grade storage with clear date labeling.

No More Kitchen Nightmares

Ready to protect your kitchen and your reputation? Then you need the Hotel Cleaning Services guarantee. In addition to hotels, we have over four decades of commercial kitchen deep cleaning experience. We’ll leave your kitchen spotless. Contact us today!