How to Deep-Clean Every Room in Your House
Deep cleaning a house can seem daunting, but breaking it down into smaller tasks makes it more manageable. Our guide begins with six basic chores that cover the primary aspects of cleaning. Once you complete these, you move on to each room’s specific tasks.
This method is also useful for preparing your home for your annual seasonal cleaning. If you follow this guide, you will have a clean and organized living space throughout the year.
How to Deep Clean Your House
1. Clear Out Clutter First
Before you start deep cleaning, remove any obvious clutter. Find a place for items, or consider donating or throwing them away. Focus on whatโs out in the open and skip what’s behind closed doors for now.
2. Clean From Top to Bottom
Begin cleaning from the highest points in the room and work your way down. Start with the ceiling, trim, and light fixtures. Next, clean the walls, remaining trim, and baseboards. Use tools like microfiber mops, telescoping dusters, or cleaning wipes.
For high surfaces, water is usually enough, but surfaces near the floor might need a mix of warm water and dish soap. In bathrooms, add a bit of white vinegar to prevent mold. Use a microfiber cloth for hard-to-reach spots and rinse it often.
3. Clean the Windows Thoroughly
Start by vacuuming the window sills and tracks. Spray the glass cleaner from top to bottom and let it sit for a minute. Use a squeegee to remove the cleaner. Wipe in different directions on the inside and outside to easily identify streaks.
4. Freshen Up Window Treatments
Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to clean blinds or shades without removing them. For curtains, a few minutes in the dryer will fluff them up. While they are in the dryer, wipe down the rod and rings. Hang the curtains back up immediately.
5. Dust All Surfaces
Use furniture cleaner and a soft cloth to wipe down wood furniture, shelves, and other surfaces. For a quick dusting, put a clean tube sock on your hand and use it to dust, moving items out of the way with the other hand. Use a lint roller for lampshades.
6. Clean the Floors Deeply
Move all furniture, including beds and sofas, to clean the floors thoroughly. Use furniture slides to move heavy items. Vacuum corners and baseboards with the crevice tool. For hard floors, use a microfiber mop and proper cleaner. For carpets, consider renting a professional-grade cleaner, especially if you have pets or kids.
Follow these steps to ensure a thorough and effective deep clean for every room in your home.
Room-by-Room Deep Cleaning Checklist
How to Deep Clean a Bedroom
- Launder Bedding:ย Wash pillows, shams, duvet covers, and bed skirts. For down-filled items, use the extra spin cycle and dry with clean tennis balls to avoid clumping. Air-dry synthetic pillows outdoors. For bulky comforters, use extra-large front-loaders at the laundromat.
- Refresh the Mattress:ย Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it with the hose attachment. Flip or rotate the mattress according to the manufacturer’s instructions and repeat.
- Organize the Closet:ย Remove clothes you haven’t worn recently and set them aside for donation or consignment. Replace old hangers with matching ones for a tidy look, making it easier to maintain order in your closet.
How to Deep Clean a Kitchen
- Polish Cabinets:ย Clean the exposed tops of cabinets first. Line them with newspaper or shelf liners to catch dust, so you only need to replace the paper next time. Clean cabinet doors with wood cleaner or soapy water if they are painted or laminated.
- Deep Clean Appliances:ย Wait until the fridge is nearly empty before cleaning inside and out. Do the same for the stove and dishwasher. If possible, pull appliances out to clean the walls and floor around them.
- Tidy Countertops: Remove everything from the counters and clean and dry them thoroughly, along with the backsplash. Return only daily-use items. Store away rarely-used items to keep the countertops clutter-free.
- Bonus Task:ย Clear out the pantry, wipe down the shelves, and consider using a large roasting pan to catch crumbs while cleaning. Rent an air compressor to blow dust off refrigerator coils for better efficiency.
How to Deep Clean a Bathroom
- Wash the Shower Curtain:ย Most shower curtains can be machine-washed on a gentle cold cycle. Tumble dry on low and rehang before they are completely dry. Either wash the plastic liner on cold and hang it to dry or get a new one.
- Clean Shower Doors:ย Remove water spots and soap scum by applying heated distilled white vinegar to the doors for 30 minutes, then scrub with baking soda on a non-scratch pad. Use a squeegee and switch to glycerin soap to make future cleaning easier.
- Organize Vanity and Cabinets:ย Empty the space under the sink, discard unnecessary items, wipe down the storage area, and reload the essentials by category. Repeat the process for the medicine cabinet and any other bathroom cabinets.
How to Deep Clean the Living Room and Family Room
- Clean Furniture:ย Use the vacuum with a brush attachment to clean every upholstered surface, including the backs of furniture.
- Dust Frames: Take down framed pictures and art and wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth. Avoid spraying anything directly on the glass to prevent damaging the artwork.
- Clean Under Electronics:ย Use an ultra-thin dusting wand to reach under electronics without unplugging them.
- Bonus Task:ย Wash all the throws and pillow covers. Review DVDs, CDs, video games, and other media for items you no longer use and consider selling or donating them.
Supplies Needed to Deep Clean Your Home
To deep clean your home, you will need various tools and cleaning products. Essential items includeย baking sodaย in a shaker and liquid or powderedย dish soap. Useย distilled white vinegarย for many cleaning tasks. It’s helpful to haveย glovesย and aย lint rollerย for lampshades and upholstery.
Microfiber clothsย are essential for general cleaning and glass surfaces. Aย microfiber mopย with different covers is great for various floor types. Stock up onย Mr. Clean Magic Eraser spongesย and aย multipurpose cleaner.
Other useful items include aย nylon scrub pad,ย rubbing alcohol, aย stiff toothbrush, and streak-freeย window and glass cleaner. Aย telescoping dusterย with various attachments and aย wood cleaner/conditionerย complete the list.
You can makeย washing sodaย from baking soda by following thisย simple tutorial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to deep clean your house?
Deep cleaning your house involves tackling each room thoroughly. Start by removing any clutter. Then, dust and vacuum surfaces, including hard-to-reach spots like ceiling fans and baseboards. Clean windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces. Ensure to wipe down walls and doors. Finally, sanitize all common touchpoints like light switches and doorknobs.
In what order should you deep clean a house?
Start by decluttering and organizing all the rooms. Next, dust all surfaces, then vacuum or mop the floors, starting from the top floor and working your way down. Leave the bathrooms and kitchen for last, as these areas usually need more thorough cleaning. You might want to clean the bathrooms after wiping down the living spaces.
How can you deep clean your house in one day?
To deep clean your house in one day, focus on one room at a time. Start early and allocate specific times for each task. Declutter first, then dust, vacuum, and mop. Use efficient tools like microfiber cloths and multi-purpose cleaners to speed up the process. Be systematic, and don’t get sidetracked.
What should be included on a deep-clean house checklist?
Here are some key tasks for your checklist:
- Living Room: dust furniture, vacuum carpets, clean windows.
- Bedrooms: wash bedding, organize closets, vacuum floors.
- Kitchen: Clean appliances, wipe countertops, and mop floors.
- Bathrooms: scrub toilets, clean showers, and sanitize sinks.
- General: Wash windows, dust ceiling fans, and clean light fixtures.
How do I clean my house like a professional?
To clean like a pro, use high-quality cleaning products and tools. Work from top to bottom and left to right. Pay attention to detail, ensuring you clean all nooks and crannies. Vacuum with strong suction and use microfiber cloths for streak-free surfaces.
How long does it normally take to deep clean a house?
The time it takes to deep clean a house depends on its size and condition. On average, a thorough deep clean can take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. It’s best to schedule a full day or break it down over a weekend. For larger homes or more intensive cleaning needs, it may take longer.