Keeping your home clean should be a top priority. A clean and organized home not only looks great but can also improve your health and wellbeing. Deep cleaning your home goes beyond regular dusting and vacuuming – it tackles all those areas that are easy to neglect over time.
Giving every room in your house a periodic deep clean can seem like a daunting task. But if you break it down room by room, it becomes much more manageable. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to deep clean each room from top to bottom.
Living Room Deep Clean
The living room tends to be where your family spends much of their time together. Consequently, it can quickly become cluttered and dirty. Give your living room a thorough deep cleaning using these tips:
Furniture
- Sofas/Chairs – Vacuum sofa cushions and crevices to remove crumbs and dust. Flip cushions to clean both sides. Use a fabric cleaner for any upholstered furniture.
- Coffee Tables – Remove everything from surfaces. Clean with a wood cleaner and polish if wood furniture. Disinfect surfaces.
- Entertainment Centers – Dust surfaces and items. Remove all electronics and clean shelves, surfaces, and items.
- Bookcases – Remove books and dust shelves. Vacuum shelves. Wipe down with a wet microfiber cloth. Clean book bindings as needed.
- Pillows/Throws – Wash removable covers. Spot clean pillows and throws.
Windows and Doors
- Wash windows inside and out. Clean window sills and frames.
- Dust blinds, shades, and curtain rods. Wash curtains and blinds in the tub if needed.
- Clean out doorways, thresholds, and sliding door tracks.
- Wash baseboards and clean cobwebs in corners and ceilings.
Electronics
- Dust TV screens, stands, remotes, and game consoles.
- Clean DVD players, cable boxes, speakers, etc. with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Vacuum media cabinets, consoles, shelves, vents, and cords.
Flooring
- Carpets – Vacuum thoroughly and shampoo if needed. Clean edges along baseboards.
- Rugs – Clean small rugs in the washing machine. Professionally deep clean large or fringed rugs.
- Hard Floors – Sweep and mop floors. Clean crevices and inside floor vents.
Walls and Ceiling
- Spot clean walls and ceilings.
- Dust corners, light fixtures, fans, wall hangings, trim, and vents.
Furnishings
- Fluff and rotate cushions.
- Freshen fabrics with an upholstery cleaner or steamer.
- Wash or dry clean any fabric coverings like slipcovers.
Bedroom Deep Clean
Bedrooms tend to collect a lot of clutter and dust. Give yours a refresh using these deep cleaning tips:
Furniture
- Beds – Wash bedding, mattress covers, pillows and shams. Disinfect mattress. Flip/rotate mattress if possible.
- Nightstands – Clean surfaces, drawers and items inside. Dust tops of furniture.
- Dressers – Clean drawer exteriors. Remove items from drawers and clean inside surfaces.
- Chairs/Benches – Vacuum crevices and upholstery. Spot clean cushions.
Storage Areas
- Closets – Remove everything and clean shelves, rods, walls, floors. Donate or purge unwanted items. Organize with bins, dividers, hangers.
- Under Bed – Pull out everything and clean floors, walls, bases. Vacuum and wipe down storage bins.
Windows, Walls and Floors
- Clean windows, window sills, blinds, and curtains thoroughly.
- Spot clean walls. Inspect corners and ceilings for cobwebs.
- Vacuum and mop flooring. Clean along edges and baseboards.
Electronics
- Clean lamp shades and light fixtures. Switch out burned out bulbs.
- Use microfiber cloths to gently clean TV screens, remotes, alarm clocks.
- Check for dust buildup on TV stands, gaming consoles, speakers.
Furnishings
- Freshen room with vacuuming, steaming, or washing all linens and fabrics.
- Fluff and rotate cushions and pillows.
Kitchen Deep Clean
As one of the most used rooms in your home, the kitchen takes a beating. Give it a deep clean using this checklist:
Appliances
- Refrigerator – Remove everything and wash shelves, drawers, containers. Clean surfaces, handles. Vacuum coils.
- Oven – Use commercial oven cleaner to clean interior. Scrub racks, wash doors and glass.
- Stovetop – Clean burners, dials, and surfaces thoroughly. De-grease hood and fans.
- Microwave – Mix water, vinegar, and lemon and boil to loosen grime. Wipe interior and exterior.
- Dishwasher – Run empty dishwasher with vinegar. Clean door gaskets, racks, filters.
- Coffee Maker – Clean interior, exterior, reservoir and drip tray. Descale interior.
- Toaster Oven – Unplug and remove crumb tray. Clean racks and interior. Wipe down exterior.
Cabinets and Drawers
- Remove everything from cabinets and drawers. Clean interiors and fronts.
- Check shelves for sticky spills or grime and clean thoroughly.
- Organize items efficiently as you replace them.
Countertops
- Clear all items from countertops.
- Use a granite cleaner for stone counters. Disinfect.
- For laminate, use a gentle cleaner and avoid harsh chemicals.
Sink and Faucet
- Clean sink basin with a scrub brush or cleaner. Avoid abrasive pads on stainless steel.
- Remove faucet heads and clean. Soak overnight to clear hard water buildup.
- Clean and polish faucet fixtures.
Flooring
- Sweep and mop floors thoroughly. Clean along edges and corners.
- Give tile grout a deep clean using a grout brush or steam cleaner.
- Clean inside floor vents and air returns.
Walls, Windows and Doors
- Spot clean walls using warm soapy water. Repaint if needed.
- Wash windows inside and out. Clean window sills, frames and glass.
- Dust window treatments and wipe down doors.
Other Areas
- Clean inside cabinets, on top of fridge, under sink, pantry.
- Look for crumbs or spills inside drawers. Vacuum and wipe out.
- Check corners of room for dust and cobwebs.
Bathroom Deep Clean
Bathrooms harbor lots of dirt, bacteria and soap scum. Be sure to disinfect all surfaces.
Toilet
- Scrub interior with toilet brush and cleaner. Let soak to lift stains. Clean base and exterior.
- Descale interior tank and clean all exterior surfaces.
Bathtub and Shower
- Spray tub and shower walls with cleaner. Let soak then scrub. Use grout brush on tile.
- Clean soap dishes, shelves, rails, faucet fixtures. Squeeze showerhead to clear sediment.
Sinks
- Remove everything from under sink and clean cabinets. Wipe down pipes.
- Clean sink basins, faucets, handles, and backsplashes.
- Pour boiling water down drains to clear soap buildup.
Flooring
- Sweep and mop floors. Clean along edges and corners thoroughly.
- Use grout brush or steam cleaner on tile grout.
Storage and Organization
- Clean inside medicine cabinets. Toss expired items.
- Organize under sink cabinet with bins and labels.
- Fold and organize towels and linens.
Other Surfaces
- Wipe down doorknobs, light switches, outlet covers, and vents.
- Dust corners and baseboards. Spot clean walls as needed.
- Clean mirrors and windows till streak-free.
Laundry Room Deep Clean
The laundry room often becomes a cluttered catch-all. Give this busy space a thorough refresh using these tips:
Appliances
- Clean inside of washer by running a sanitizing cycle. Clean lid gaskets, dispensers.
- Wipe down exterior of washer and dryer. Vacuum lint trap in dryer.
- Descale and clean interior and exterior of utility sink.
Cabinets and Drawers
- Remove everything and wipe down shelves and drawers.
- Organize supplies efficiently as you replace them. Toss expired products.
- Arrange folding area neatly with bins and baskets.
Walls, Ceiling and Windows
- Dust vents, light fixtures, trim and baseboards. Spot clean walls.
- Wash windows and sills thoroughly inside and out.
Flooring
- Sweep and mop flooring. Clean edges and corners thoroughly.
- Give tile grout a deep clean with a grout brush.
Other Areas
- Tidy shelving using bins and labels to organize supplies.
- Clean washing machine soap dispensers and dryer vent.
- Wipe down doorknobs, switches, and other surfaces.
Garage and Basement Deep Clean
Garages and basements tend to collect dust and clutter easily. Get these spaces clean using the following checklist:
Garage
- Completely empty garage to sweep and mop floors thoroughly, including corners.
- Vacuum cobwebs from walls and ceilings with crevice tool.
- Hose down interior walls, workbenches, and storage systems.
- Box and label items neatly and efficiently as you replace in organized storage.
- Clear dust, dirt and debris from vents, windows, and light fixtures.
- Check garage door tracks and motors and lubricate parts.
Basement
- Clear any clutter and sweep floors. Mop using a disinfecting cleaner.
- Vacuum cobwebs from joists, vents and pipes.
- Clean windows, sills, walls, trim and corners thoroughly.
- Dust ceiling fixtures and clean light covers.
- Organize storage items neatly on shelves or in labeled bins.
- Check for any moisture issues like leaks or mildew.
Outdoor Areas Deep Clean
Cleaning your home’s exterior and outdoor areas is also important. Follow this checklist:
Exterior Surfaces
- Clean outdoor furniture cushions and tables.
- Sweep debris from porches, decks, patios and walkways.
- Use a hose or pressure washer on siding, outdoor furniture, fences, railings.
- Drain and clean window wells, gutters and downspouts if needed.
Yard
- Rake leaves and debris from yards.
- Edge walkways, trees and beds.
- Trim shrubs and branches.
- Weed overgrown areas.
- Clean outdoor light fixtures.
Driveway and Sidewalks
- Sweep debris from sidewalks, paths and driveways.
- Use a pressure washer on concrete and pavers to clean deeply.
- Clean out flower beds and gardens from weeds and leaves.
- Seal cracks or make repairs to surfaces.
Entryway Deep Clean
As the first area people see when entering your home, your entryway should make a good impression.
- Clean entryway flooring thoroughly – sweep and mop tile, vacuum carpets.
- Dust walls, baseboards, trim, vents and ceilings.
- Wash windows, screens, sills, and window frames.
- Clean out entryway clutter – coats, shoes, backpacks.
- Sanitize doorknobs, handles, railings, switches, knobs.
- Dust and polish furniture and fixtures.
- Shake out entry rugs and clean doormats.
Stairs and Hallways Deep Clean
Don’t forget about traffic areas like stairs and hallways during your deep cleaning.
Staircases
- Sweep stairs first, then vacuum thoroughly. Clean banisters, rails, and spindles.
- Use carpet cleaner on carpeted stairs. Mop hard surface stairs.
- Check for cracks or needed repairs. Tighten any loose railings or spindles.
Hallways
- Clean walls, corners, baseboards, vents, light fixtures, windows and doors.
- Sweep and mop hard flooring. Vacuum and clean carpets.
- Polish wood trimwork and dust shelves or ledges.
- Organize closets and storage spaces off hallways as needed.
Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Entire Home
Deep cleaning your entire house effectively takes some planning and diligence. Keep these tips in mind:
- Set aside adequate time – Don’t rush the process. Deep cleaning takes time. Tackle one room per day.
- Start top to bottom – Clean ceilings to floors for optimal results.
- Remove everything – Clear rooms completely to clean all surfaces thoroughly.
- Check for damage issues – Inspect for water stains, cracks, peeling paint as you clean. Make repairs after deep cleaning.
- Clean windows last – Do windows after cleaning other room surfaces to avoid re-soiling.
- Vacuum first – Vacuum before washing floors or furniture to clear dirt and debris.
- Use the right tools – Microfiber cloths, small brushes, grout brushes, and more can optimize cleaning.
- Protect surfaces – Avoid harsh cleaners on delicate surfaces like natural stone.
- Disinfect properly – Use the appropriate disinfectant and allow proper contact time to kill germs.
- Replace A/C air filters – Vacuum vents and replace air filters after cleaning floors and vacuuming.
- Take breaks – Pace yourself and take breaks as needed when doing an entire house deep clean.
- Check your work – Inspect each room after completing for any areas you may have missed.
Why Deep Clean Your Home?
Deep cleaning your home from top to bottom provides many benefits beyond just getting surfaces looking their best. Consider all these advantages:
- Improves air quality – Removes dust and allergens for better airflow and breathing.
- Kills germs – Disinfects surfaces and clears bacteria that cause illness.
- Increases safety – Clean windows, lighting, stairs and floors reduce risks and accidents.
- Saves money – Extends life of furnishings with proper care and maintenance.
- Creates healthy habits – Develops routines to keep cleaning manageable.
- Boosts efficiency – Organizes clutter and optimizes storage areas.
- Enhances wellbeing – Coming home to a clean house provides comfort and peace of mind.
- Adds value – A deep cleaned home shows better if you go to sell your property.
- Improves sleep – Provides allergen-free bedrooms for better rest.
- Makes life easier – Maintains a orderly home that functions smoothly.
Conclusion
Although deep cleaning your entire home is a big undertaking, it’s incredibly worthwhile. Breaking the process down room-by-room makes it feel less overwhelming. Use the checklists and tips provided in this guide to tackle each space successfully. The results will be a cleaner, healthier, more organized home that feels fresh and rejuvenated. Commit to deep cleaning each room of your house periodically and it will pay off in comfort, efficiency and improved quality of life for years to come.