How to Clean Behind Kitchen Appliances Before a Checkout Inspection
You might have wiped the counters, deep-cleaned the oven, and mopped the floor — but if there's grease and crumbs behind the fridge and cooker, an inventory clerk will write "kitchen not cleaned to check-in standard". Cleaning behind appliances is the step most tenants skip and most inspectors check first.
Why Inspectors Check Behind Appliances
Because it's the classic "hidden dirt zone" — and landlords know tenants clean what they can see. During end-of-tenancy inspections, inventory clerks deliberately check the places that reveal whether a clean was genuinely thorough or just cosmetic.
Unlike general wear and tear, dirt behind appliances is treated as a cleaning issue. It's avoidable, it's photographable, and it's one of the easiest things for a landlord to justify a deduction for professional end of tenancy cleaning against. If the check-in inventory shows the kitchen was clean, you're expected to return it clean — including behind and under every accessible appliance.
#1
Most overlooked area in tenant move-out cleansEasy
For inspectors to photograph and evidence59%
Tenancies with cleaning-related deposit deductionsWhat Inspectors Find Behind Each Appliance
Most tenants don't move appliances during the tenancy. So when you finally pull them out at the end, you often discover years of buildup that can't be fixed with one quick wipe. Here's what's typically behind each one — and what inspectors actually photograph.
What's Lurking Behind Each Appliance
Tap each zone to see what inspectors find, what they photograph, and how long it takes to sort.
Behind the fridge-freezer
What you'll usually find:
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Thick dust buildup mixed with grease
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Food crumbs and sticky spill residue
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Mould spots near skirting boards
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Greasy dust film on wall behind
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Clogged compressor vent (reduces efficiency and looks neglected)
What inspectors check:
Wall condition, floor cleanliness, compressor area. A greasy dust film on the wall behind the fridge is one of the most-photographed checkout issues.
Behind the cooker / oven
What you'll usually find:
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Thick grease film on the wall (cooking vapour deposits)
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Burnt food pieces and carbon flakes
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Grease-dust sludge near skirting boards
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Sticky residue on the floor
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Discolouration on adjacent walls from heat and oil
What inspectors check:
Grease stains on the wall, sticky floor patches, crumbs and burnt debris, wall discolouration. This is one of the most photographed areas in checkout reports.
Behind the washing machine
What you'll usually find:
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Dampness and condensation marks
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Detergent residue and lime deposits on pipes
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Mould spots on the wall
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Lint buildup
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Black grime around the waste pipe connection
What inspectors check:
Wall and floor condition, signs of damp or mould, waste pipe area. Also: the rubber door seal and detergent drawer — both common deduction triggers even if the area behind is clean.
Behind the bin area
What you'll usually find:
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Sticky floor from bin leaks
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Food stains splashed on wall
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Persistent bad smell embedded in floor surface
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Old residue attracting insects in warmer months
What inspectors check:
Floor stickiness, wall stains, smell. Inspectors don't just look — they notice odours, and a bin area that smells of old food taints the perception of the whole kitchen.
Extractor hood and filters
What you'll usually find:
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Hardened grease on metal filter mesh
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Yellow/brown discolouration (should be silver/grey)
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Grease drips on the underside of the hood
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Sticky residue around the hood edges
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Grease pooling in the filter housing
What inspectors check:
Filter colour and condition, grease drips, underside of the hood, surrounding surfaces. Greasy extractor filters are one of the single biggest deposit deduction triggers in London kitchens.
Top of wall cabinets
What you'll usually find:
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Sticky dust-grease film (cooking vapour rises and settles)
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Visible dust layer in higher-end properties
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Old items or packaging left on top
What inspectors check:
Dust or grease film, general cleanliness. A sticky layer on top of cabinets tells an inspector the kitchen wasn't deep cleaned — even if everything at eye level looks spotless.
What You'll Need
Degreaser Spray
Your main weapon. Cuts through the grease-dust sludge behind cookers and on walls. Dish soap works for light grime.
Vacuum + Crevice Tool
Essential for reaching under appliances and clearing loose debris before mopping. Vacuuming first prevents smearing.
Non-Scratch Sponge
For scrubbing walls and floors without damaging paint or surfaces. Use with degreaser for best results.
Torch / Phone Light
You'll need it. Behind-appliance dirt is invisible from standing height — a torch reveals what an inspector will see.
You'll also want a mop and bucket, microfibre cloths, baking soda (for scrubbing and odours), white vinegar, rubber gloves, antibacterial spray, an old toothbrush for corners, and rubbish bags. Furniture sliders or a sheet of cardboard will protect your floor when pulling appliances out.
Safety First: Moving Appliances Without Causing Damage
Before pulling appliances around, you need to avoid two things: hurting yourself and creating a damage deduction that's harder to dispute than a cleaning deduction. A scratch across vinyl flooring or a broken hinge can cost you more than the cleaning ever would.
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Never disconnect a gas cooker. You can usually pull it forward slightly, but if the pipe is tight or you feel resistance, stop. Gas work requires a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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Don't yank appliances by the door handle. This breaks hinges and seals — a damage deduction. Pull from the sides or base instead.
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Don't drag directly across the floor. Fridges and washing machines are heavy enough to gouge vinyl, scratch laminate, and dent wood. Always use something between the appliance and the floor.
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Check pipe lengths before pulling. Washing machines have water inlet and waste pipes with limited reach. Pull gently and stop if you feel resistance — a burst pipe connection causes more damage than dirty floors.
Floor Protection by Flooring Type
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Vinyl / Lino
Place furniture sliders or a folded towel under the appliance base. Never drag directly — vinyl scratches and gouges permanently, and that's a damage deduction, not a cleaning deduction.
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Laminate
Use cardboard or furniture sliders. Laminate surface scratches are visible and can't be repaired without replacing panels. Lift slightly and shuffle if sliders aren't available.
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Engineered Wood
Use felt pads or furniture sliders. Heavy appliances can dent softwood — lift rather than drag. If the floor is oiled rather than lacquered, it's even more vulnerable to marks.
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Ceramic Tile
Tiles handle weight but can chip if an appliance drops or catches an edge. Slide carefully on cardboard or old towels. Watch for uneven grout lines that catch appliance feet.
Appliance by Appliance: How to Clean Behind Everything
Behind the Fridge-Freezer
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Unplug the fridge if possible — it'll make moving it easier and safer
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Place furniture sliders or cardboard under the front feet, then pull forward slowly
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Vacuum the floor, corners, and skirting boards first — don't mop dry debris (it smears)
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Mop the floor with warm soapy water or degreaser solution
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Wipe the wall behind — the grease-dust film is the thing inspectors photograph most
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Gently vacuum or dry-wipe the compressor vent/grill on the back of the fridge
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Fridges are heavy. Don't try to lift one alone. Slide it on protection — never drag it directly on vinyl or laminate.
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Tip: If the fridge smells even when clean inside, sprinkle baking soda inside and leave it for 24 hours before inspection. A clean fridge that smells stale still gets flagged.
Behind the Washing Machine
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Turn off the machine and unplug it
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Pull forward carefully — don't stretch the water inlet or waste pipes
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Vacuum all debris, lint, and dust from the floor and skirting area
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Mop the floor and wipe the wall, paying attention to any damp or mould spots
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Clean the sides and back edges of the machine itself
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While it's accessible, check and clean the rubber door seal and detergent drawer
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Smell check: If the machine has a bad smell, run a hot empty cycle with white vinegar or washing machine cleaner. A smelly machine gets flagged at checkout even if the kitchen looks spotless.
Behind the Cooker / Oven Unit
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Make sure the cooker is off and completely cool
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Pull it forward carefully — if it's gas, don't force it past the pipe length
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Vacuum loose debris first (crumbs, carbon flakes, food pieces)
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Spray degreaser generously on the wall and floor behind
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Leave it for 5–10 minutes to break down the grease
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Scrub with a non-scratch sponge, then mop the floor thoroughly
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Dry the area fully before pushing the cooker back
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Gas cookers: if you feel resistance from the gas pipe, stop immediately. Do not attempt to disconnect or force it. Clean as far as you can reach.
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Key point: Even if your oven is spotless inside, a greasy wall behind it can trigger a "kitchen deep clean" deduction. The two areas are inspected together — don't do one without the other.
Under All Appliances
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Use a vacuum crevice tool to reach under fridges, cookers, and washing machines
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For the floor further back, attach a cloth to a long mop handle or use a flat duster
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If there are sticky spills under an appliance, you'll need to pull it out and mop directly
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Check under the dishwasher too if you have one — water pooling and food debris collect here
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Tip: Most tenants clean behind appliances but forget underneath. Inspectors don't. A quick pass with the crevice tool takes two minutes per appliance.
Extractor Hood and Filters
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Remove the metal filters from the extractor hood (they usually clip or slide out)
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Soak in a basin of hot water with degreaser or washing-up liquid for 30 minutes
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Scrub with a non-scratch sponge — the mesh should return to silver/grey, not yellow-brown
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Dry completely before refitting
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Wipe the underside and edges of the hood itself — grease pools in the housing
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Worth knowing: Greasy extractor filters are one of the single biggest deposit deduction triggers in London kitchens. If the filters are beyond cleaning (some hardened grease won't shift), replacement filters are usually £5–15 and available for most brands.
The Hidden Spots Most Tenants Miss
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Top of wall cabinets — use a step stool, wipe with degreaser (sticky dust film collects from cooking vapour)
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Kickboards and plinths — the bottom edge of units collects grime from mopping splashes
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Wall tiles behind the hob — run your finger across: if it comes away greasy, an inspector will notice too
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Bin area — scrub the floor, wipe the wall behind, disinfect, and clean the bin itself
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Under-sink cupboard — empty it, clean, check for leaks. If there's mould from a leak, document it before cleaning
What If You Can't Move an Appliance?
Sometimes appliances are integrated, screwed in, too heavy, or too risky to move. If that's the case, your goal becomes cleaning as far as you can reach: vacuum behind with a narrow crevice tool, wipe visible edges, and clean the surrounding floor thoroughly.
When to Do This (Not the Night Before)
Pulling appliances out is messier and slower than most tenants expect. What looks like a 10-minute job often turns into an hour when you find hardened grease, mould, or floor stains that need multiple passes.
Ideal: 5–7 days before key return
Gives you time to discover issues and fix them properly. If you find mould, grease that needs multiple degreasing passes, or floor stains that won't lift, you have breathing room.
Minimum: 2–3 days before inspection
Tighter, but workable if the property has been maintained. Budget 2–3 hours for the full kitchen behind-appliances clean. Add time for the rest of your checklist.
How This Connects to Your Deposit
When an inventory clerk sees a spotless kitchen on the surface but grease and crumbs behind appliances, they assume the whole clean was rushed. That single observation can shift the checkout report from "property returned in clean condition" to "kitchen not cleaned to check-in standard" — which opens the door to broader deposit deductions.
Common landlord charges for this area include "kitchen deep clean", "appliance pull-out cleaning", "grease removal", and "floor cleaning behind units". If you don't do it yourself, you're essentially paying someone else to do it through your deposit — usually at a higher price than if you'd handled it directly or booked professional cleaning yourself.
Take timestamped photos behind every appliance after cleaning. Yes, behind them — a photo of the wall behind the fridge, the floor behind the cooker, the extractor filters after degreasing. These images cost nothing but can save you £150+ in deductions because they prove the clean was thorough, not cosmetic.
When Professional Cleaning Is the Smarter Option
Sometimes the buildup behind appliances is beyond a quick DIY job — particularly in properties that haven't been deep cleaned in years. If you're finding hardened grease sludge, heavy mould, pest droppings, or old food debris that won't shift, consider professional help.
The calculation is straightforward: if you don't clean it, your landlord will hire their own cleaners and deduct from your deposit — usually at a higher price than you'd pay booking it directly. Our end of tenancy cleaning includes a full appliance pull-out clean as standard. For pricing, see our cost guide.
Behind-Appliances Checkout Checklist
Work through each item before handover. Use a torch to check and photograph every area.
Floor behind fridge clean, mopped, and dry
Wall behind fridge wiped — no greasy dust film
Fridge compressor vent area dusted
Floor behind cooker scrubbed and degreased
Wall behind cooker free of grease and discolouration
No burnt debris or carbon flakes behind oven
Washing machine area free of lint, damp, and mould
Washing machine rubber seal and detergent drawer clean
Under-sink cupboard clean, dry, and checked for leaks
Extractor hood filters degreased and dried
Extractor hood underside wiped clean
Bin area floor scrubbed and disinfected
Top of wall cabinets wiped (no sticky grease film)
Kickboards / plinths wiped along base of units
Wall tiles behind hob degreased
Timestamped photos taken of all hidden areas
Bottom Line
Inspectors check behind every accessible appliance — fridge, cooker, washing machine, and under units
Vacuum first, then degrease. Don't mop dry debris — it smears grease into the floor
Protect the floor when moving appliances — a scratch is a damage deduction, worse than dirt
Photos behind appliances after cleaning are your strongest deposit evidence
Full Kitchen Deep Clean
Our end of tenancy cleaning includes a full appliance pull-out clean, extractor degreasing, and all the hidden zones inspectors check. 72-hour re-clean guarantee included.
Deni is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in content marketing and vast knowledge in the cleaning business. He specializes in creating engaging content that drives growth and builds brand identity. Passionate about innovation, Deni believes in delivering value through impactful messaging and providing value to readers in a concise and comprehensive manner.
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