Are you one of these people that love to clean? No? Neither am I. But sometimes, you have to deep clean your house. You may wonder where to begin or have the memory of when you thought you had finished cleaning only to find the dusty greasy spot no one sees on top of your cooker hood. To avoid these situations, I have created my deep cleaning house checklist. All you have to do now is grab it and follow it!
Why deep clean your house?
While basic cleaning is often enough, deep cleaning is going to the details, every spot you don’t see anymore when you clean weekly. When you deep clean, you also take care of all those complicated tasks you regularly overlook because they require more time and energy.
Even if you may wonder why you impose these chores on you, it’s worth it because, as a result, your house will feel tidier and fresher. The air quality will be improved. Your health, mentally and physically, will be better as well, and it will be easier to be productive.
How often deep clean the house?
You can follow different schedules. Some do the proverbial spring cleaning. Other splits the cleaning into 2 seasonal cleanings, one in the spring and the other in the fall.
If the idea of doing so much cleaning during a short amount of time is not for you because you don’t have time or your energy levels make it impossible, you can focus on one room each month or a few tasks each week.
Which approach to use?
There are 2 approaches.
If you have some help from other people living with you, you can clean by tasks. It’s easier to assign a task to each person than to expect someone to know the multiple tasks involved in deep cleaning a particular space.
The second approach is to clean by zone. Going room by room will ensure that you clean everything on your list before moving to the next room.
Most of the time, it’s better to go room by room and, if you feel overwhelmed, focus on one task at a time.
My tips to be more efficient cleaning
When you enter a room, go from one side and all around to the other side. You’ll less likely forget something.
Also, go from the top to the bottom. You don’t want dirt to fall on the already cleaned floor.
Create a cleaning checklist and follow it. Don’t aim to do everything all at once. Then, if you are interrupted, you’ll be able to know where you left off and resume your cleaning.
How to have a good start
While creating your cleaning strategy, don’t forget to plan breaks to eat or rest. Cleaning needs more energy than you think, and you’ll need these breaks.
Try to find someone to look after your children and your pets while you clean. You’ll prefer not to have to take care of them as they are one of the more significant distractions when you want to focus on your cleaning tasks.
Decluttering at the same time as you clean would be overwhelming. Start with decluttering and then deep clean your house. Decluttering first means less cleaning and organizing.
Follow your schedule! If you begin to let it slip, soon, you’ll be overwhelmed with everything you have to clean. If having motivation is the problem, look at my post about it!
If your house is pretty dirty, I suggest you begin with your kitchen. You’ll see the results daily, which will help you keep your momentum. Then, you should tackle the bathroom and continue with the living room and bedrooms. And in the end, you’ll take care of the less used spaces of your home.
What’s needed
- Gloves
- Garbage bags
- Vacuum
- Mop
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Spray bottle
- Sponges
- Microfiber cloths
- Rags or paper towels
- Squeegee
- Scrub brush
Deep cleaning house checklist
Entire house
- Clean the ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Remove the cobwebs
- Replace the light bulbs as needed
- Check the fire alarm and the carbon monoxide detector
- Replace the air filters
- Clean the windows and their frames
- Clean the blinds
- Wash the curtains
- Clean the garbage cans
- Clean the doors and their frames
- Wipe the walls, dust the pictures, and clean the baseboards
- Dust, vacuum, and mop
Kitchen
- Deep clean the fridge and the freezer and, if possible, move them to clean behind
- Clean the cooker hood
- Deep clean the stovetop
- Wipe the backsplash and countertops
- Clean the microwave
- Wash the utensil holder
- Clean the coffee maker
- Deep clean the oven (inside and outside)
- Deep clean the dishwasher
- Clean and organize the cabinets
Bathroom
- Wash the shower curtain and scrub the liner (The liner can go in the washing machine on a delicate wash cycle. Put a towel with it to wash it better and let it air dry.)
- Clean the shower walls
- Descale the showerhead
- Clean out the drains
- Clean the plastic part at the bottom of the shower door
- Sort the toiletries and throw those that are expired
- Bring the old medications to a drop-off site
- Organize the cabinets and toiletries
- Organize the linen closet
- Wipe down the cabinets and drawers
- Clean the makeup brushes
- Clean the toothbrush holder
- Wash the trash can
- Wash the rugs
- Scrub the tile grout
Living room
- Dust the shelves and the top of the furniture
- Dust the decorative items and the electronics
- Disinfect the remote controls
- Clean the TV
- Organize the video/media cabinets
- Wipe down plants
- Wash the throw blankets and pillow covers
- Spot clean and vacuum the furniture
- Polish wood furniture
- Shampoo the carpets
- Vacuum the floors, including under the furniture
Do you want to keep your efforts up after the deep cleaning?
It will be easy.
Just grab my weekly cleaning schedule. And then, all you have to do is follow it!
Entryway
- Clean and organize the coat closet
- Dust the furniture
- Organize drop-off items
- Clean the rug/welcome mat
Bedrooms
- Clean the drawers and the closets
- Sort, and fold or hang the clothes
- Dust the wood furniture
- Wash the bedding, throw blankets and pillow covers
- Vacuum and flip the mattress
- Clean under the bed
- Vacuum the carpet and rugs
Laundry room
- Dust the surfaces
- Fold and put away the clothes and linen
- Clean and organize the cabinets and shelves
- Wipe the outside of the washing machine and the dryer
- Clean inside the washer (don’t forget the filter!)
- Clean the drier vents and the lint trap
- Vacuum behind the washer and the dryer
Home office
- Organize and put away paperwork
- Shred and recycle paperwork you don’t need anymore
- Dust and polish the furniture
- Dust and clean the electronics
- Organize the shelves and drawers
- Vacuum the office chair
- Sanitize the mouse and keyboard
Kids’ playroom
- Dust and wipe the flat surfaces
- Wash and disinfect the toys
- Donate unused toys
- Wash the stuffed animals
- Wipe the toys bins and holders
What will be the first task you’ll tick on your deep cleaning house checklist?
Tell me in the comments so I can cheer you on!
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