deep clean house checklist

A Comprehensive Deep Clean House Checklist

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Get Smarter On Architecture and Design

Get the 3-minute weekly newsletter keeping 5K+ designers in the loop.

Enter your Email to Sign up

Side-bar-footer-forum

It is always draining, time consuming and requires a lot of work to deep clean your house because there are many tasks involved. However, this process becomes much easier with the help of a checklist where you can follow each step.

The following deep clean house checklist outlines a step by step guide that will assist anyone who wants to get the job done. If you subdivide the cleaning work by rooms it is easier to clean systematically without missing any place in your house. You can also follow the steps during your annual deep clean regimen in the spring cleaning.

Quick Tips Before Deep Cleaning Your House

Deep cleaning your home can be a daunting task, especially when you do not know where to start.

  1. Begin by making a cleaning schedule or a cleaning checklist which will help you plan your work and make sure you do not leave out any area.
  2. Cleaning should not be done all at once to avoid getting stressed; clean in sections or rooms by sections.
  3. Begin by emptying the rooms of clutter to ease the cleaning process.
  4. Accumulate all the cleaning materials and equipments at one place so as to keep the flow of cleaning uninterrupted and the required things within your access. While cleaning, it is also important to open some windows or ensure that there is adequate supply of fresh air.
  5. Think of involving other family members or even hiring the services of a house cleaning company for a more enhanced deep cleaning exercise.
  6. Lastly, try putting on music or your preferred podcast when cleaning so that cleaning can be more engaging.

Supplies and Tools You Will Need for Deep Cleaning

To effectively carry out the deep cleaning tasks mentioned in this checklist, it is helpful to have the following cleaning items on hand:

1. Microfiber Cloths: Appropriate for dusting and cleaning surfaces without leaving trails.

2. All-Purpose Cleaner: An all-purpose cleaner will help to clean different types of surfaces in your home.

3. Disinfecting Wipes: Cleaning wipes are especially applicable when it comes to fast disinfection of the frequently touched surfaces like the switches, doorknobs etc.

4. Vacuum Cleaner or Broom: A vacuum cleaner or broom is essential for removing dust and debris from floors and carpets.

5. Kitchen Cleaner: Choose a kitchen cleaner that is safe on the kitchen surfaces such as the countertops, appliances as well as the inside of the oven.

6. Bathroom Cleaner: Choose a bathroom cleaner that is strong enough to deal with soap scum, dirt and mineral deposits on the bathroom surfaces.

7. Glass Cleaner: This will allow you to clean mirrors, windows, and other glass items within your home without leaving streaks.

8.  Duster: An extendable handle duster is perfect for cleaning high spaces that are often hard to reach like ceiling fans and light fixtures.

9.  Rubber Gloves: To cover your hands while cleaning wear strong rubber gloves.

10. Storage and Organizational Supplies: To maintain order in closets, cabinets, and drawers, perhaps it is time to invest in additional storage bins, drawer dividers, and other accessories.

Always ensure that the list is tailored to suit your requirements and personal preferences. These are some of the basic cleaning materials that will be handy during the deep cleaning to help in attaining the intended results.

Deep Cleaning House Checklist

Image Credits: checkatrade.com

1. General Deep Cleaning Tips

When cleaning the house, it’s advisable to deep clean some of the rooms, among them are the bathroom, the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen. Below is a general idea of what deep cleaning entails before focusing on the four priority rooms:

  • To guide you on your deep cleaning process, you begin with the general cleaning tasks that are relevant to all the rooms in your house.
  • Cleaning all the furniture, shelves, and decorations also contributes to the removal of dust and other allergens in homes.
  • Sanitizing common areas such as door handles and light switches helps in maintaining high levels of hygiene.
  • Cleaning baseboards and moldings help to give the house a fresh look.
  • Cleaning the floors and carpets, either by vacuuming or sweeping helps to remove dust and other debris.

I. Walls and Ceilings

Search for fingerprints on corners and near light switches. If the walls have different paint finish or any wallpaper then the correct cleaning method should be used.

The flat painted walls should be cleaned by mixing liquid dish detergent and water, then sponging, scrubbing and rinsing and lastly drying with a towel. Disposal cleaning erasers should be used for deep, concentrated stains but do this carefully to avoid stripping the paint off the wall.

After dusting the wallpaper with a microfiber cloth, wash the walls with wallpaper using a mixture of warm water and liquid dishwashing soap. Subsequently, use a little amount of fabric softener on a sponge and spread it on the areas that are sticky. Let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing off the solution with clean water and a sponge. It will be quite easy to remove adhesive remnants by using a fabric softener.

II. Windows

Clean the glass with a damp microfiber towel and window cleaner and the window sills with an all-purpose cleaner. In addition, use a bleach cleaner to remove any mold or mildew you may have seen on the window sills or frame.

After diluting chlorine bleach three times with warm water, you can scrub the mold using an old toothbrush, cleaning brush or a rough sponge. When the mold is cleaned, throw the brush into a plastic bag in order to avoid spreading the spores.

Clean the windows, including their features like roller shades or blinds, using a vacuum cleaner. To remove any remaining dirt, clean them with a sponge, liquid dish detergent, and water solution.

iii. Cleaning Cabinets and Closets

To clean the area in between the cracks, carefully remove debris using a putty knife. Look at the gaps between the stove and the counter. To clean tile backsplashes, one can use a light cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water.

For the interior and outside of the cabinet, linen closet, and even the bathroom vanity drawers, it is advisable to use paper towels or a clean cloth with water and gentle all-purpose cleaner. Elements like handles, knobs, and pulls should not be neglected.

If the cabinets are painted or lined, you can wash the inside of the cabinets with a light cleaner, or warm soapy water on paper towels. Also, it is also important to note that if the shelves are not already lined then it is important to line them using shelf liners.

Wipe the doors and tops of cabinets. If the surface is wood, then use cleaner made for wooden cabinets. To clean oily cabinets, use an all-purpose oil cleaner or mix baking soda with water in equal proportion. Make a paste and then apply it and leave for some time. To clean the drawer interiors and handles, one should use paper towels and a mild all-purpose cleaner.

Iv. Interior Doors

Generally people do not pay much attention towards doors and door knobs when cleaning but since they are often touched on surfaces, they should be cleaned in the best way possible to get rid of all that dirt and grime.

Start with wiping the top edge of the door frame and the top part of the door. Then wash with warm water to remove fingerprints and smudge marks that may be present on the surface. Do not leave out the door handles and the hinges, make sure to clean and polish them as well.

2. Kitchen

Image Credits: totalcommercialsolutions.ca

We now turn to the deep cleaning checklist for the kitchen. Remember that a kitchen is usually the center of a house, so when cleaning it, one has to be more scrupulous. It is also important to note that a healthy kitchen is also a clean one and this may require more than washing the surface of the kitchen.

Kitchen Deep Cleaning Checklist

  • Sanitize surfaces which come into contact with food items for preparation.
  • Clean stovetops, microwaves and refrigerators both inside and outside them using a damp microfiber cloth.
  • Focus particularly on the oven; make sure you clean it well.
  • Clean and empty the refrigerator and the freezer, taking out any food products that are no longer good for consumption.
  • Wash and sanitize the kitchen sink, the faucet handle, and the drain for proper hygiene purposes.
  • Scrape the dishes or operate the dishwasher if it remains dirty to ensure it is clean.

3. Bathroom

Image Credits: anitashousekeeping.com

Bathrooms demand meticulous cleaning to maintain hygiene and overall cleanliness. First, strip your shower, get rid of your curtain and a few towels, wash them and then hang dry your liner. Next, use a shower cleaner and spray it on the liner to make it stay clean for the next time you shower. Besides, this will make you feel clean as you shower as your shower liner will be of a long duration.

Deep Cleaning the Bathroom

  • Clean the toilet, inside and out, as well as the seat, the lid, and the base.
  • Clean the bathtub and shower, focus on tiles, grout, and glass partitions.
  • Scrub the sink, tap, and drain area to eliminate dirt deposits.
  • Clean mirrors and glass surfaces to get a non-wipe shine.
  • Wipe the counters and any other surfaces in the bathroom and clean them with a disinfectant.
  • Clean or put new shower curtains and bath mats and sort the cabinets and drawers to create a clean space.

4. Bedroom

Image Credits: tidylifehappywife.com

Living rooms are areas where comfort is important so it is required to clean as deeply as possible. If there are many bedrooms in your house, dust and clean each bedroom first before cleaning the floor and stairs.

Bedroom Deep Cleaning Checklist

  • Wash bed linens, including bed sheets, pillow cases, and duvet covers to avoid compromise of hygiene.
  • Empty the dust bins, vacuum or sweep the floors to get rid of dust and debris.
  • Wipe dust on furniture and clean all flat surfaces such as nightstands and dressers to ensure cleanliness.
  • For a more polished appearance, clean mirrors and glass surfaces using a glass cleaner.
  • Wash the light bulbs and lampshades to ensure that they give a good light once switched on.
  • Remove clutter and improve closet organization in order to create useful and inviting space.

5. Living Areas and Dining Room

Image Credits: bhg.com

Common spaces including the living room and the dining area need to be cleaned frequently to ensure they offer the occupants comfort and relaxation. Clean the living and dining areas thoroughly to be able to avoid accumulating dirt thus allowing odors to build up. Furthermore, since these areas can be easily neglected, it is always wise to clean hallways, entryways, and landing areas.

Living Room and Dining Room Deep Cleaning Checklist

  • Clean the floors from dirt and dust by vacuuming or sweeping the floor.
  • Vacuum and wipe all furniture like couches, chairs, and coffee tables to reduce the accumulation of allergens.
  • Clean and disinfect dining room table and chairs
  • Clean and shine the wooden furniture to make them look fresh again.
  • Clean electronics products like television sets and remotes to make them clean.
  • Carry out cleaning and dusting of decorative items to improve the general appearance.
  • Vacuum all the upholstery and wash or steam clean where necessary.
  • Use clean curtains or blinds to open up the windows and regulate the flow of natural light.

6. Deep Cleaning Light Fixtures

Image Credits: www.thespruce.com

  1. It is also important to switch of the light fixture and then let it cool before cleaning it. If the light fixture is connected to electricity, switch off the circuit breaker or remove the power connection.
  2. If the light fixture has separate parts in the form of glass shades, globes, or bulbs, then they should be removed.
  3. Gently wipe the surface of the fixture using a microfiber or soft cloth, removing any loose dust or debris.
  4. Wash the glass shades or globes in warm water mixed with mild dish soap, then wiping the glass surfaces gently with a cloth or sponge and then rinsing.
  5. If the fixture itself is dirty, use a cloth with an all-purpose cleaner or glass cleaner based on the material of the fixture.
  6. To clean the light bulbs, wipe on them with a clean dry cloth or a cloth with a little water and mild soap.
  7. It is important to carefully put back all the parts of the light fixture after they have dried.
  8. Once the light fixture has been reinstalled, clean any other area or surface that may have been affected by the dust during cleaning.

Hiring a Professional House Cleaning Service

Image Credits: scrubnbubbles.com

If you are finding it a bit too much to handle cleaning your house, then you can hire a professional house cleaning service. It is always advisable to get a cleaning service that is very popular in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions on Deep Clean House Checklist

Image Credits: european-food.com

1. How often should you deep clean your home?

How often you should deep clean your home depends on several factors including the number of people living in your home, the way of life of these people and your individual choice. In general, deep cleaning is advised to be done at least once or twice a year for your home. However, areas that go through more traffic, or rooms that are used frequently may need more intense cleaning. You should evaluate your home requirements and choose the correct pace to make it as clean as possible for the health of your family.

2. What does a professional house cleaning checklist look like?

The following is an example of a premium home cleaning checklist:

  • Cleaning and sweeping the floor and carpets
  • Garbage disposal
  • Sanitizing light fixtures and door handles
  • Cleaning the ledges, window sills, and windows
  • Altering linen (often as an additional service)
  • Cleaning the exterior of the kitchen's appliances
  • Cleaning the exterior of the kitchen cabinets and the countertops
  • Dishes are done (often as an additional service)
  • Cleaning and sanitizing the restroom
  • Sanitizing the sink, shower, and bathtub

Conclusion on Deep Clean House Checklist

Image Credits: thespruce.com

The great news is that you do not need to set aside the entire day to deep clean your house. Using this checklist and the correct cleaning tools, every area in a home can be cleaned methodically and effectively. By following the guidelines highlighted above, everyone will be able to live in a clean, hygienic and comfortable environment. Well, grab your cleaning gear, start with one area at a time, and enjoy the fruit of having a perfectly cleaned house.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Related Articles
best steam mop for laminate floors

The Best Steam Mop for Laminate Floors

A steam mop is excellent for a thorough deep cleaning session. It's an ideal method to effectively sanitize your floors ...

Step-by-Step Methods on How to Clean a Polyester Couch

The couch goes through a lot. From drool, spills, pet hair, crumbs, sweat, and other stains. Furthermore, polyester is a ...

person in glove using sponge and detergent for washing bathroom sink

How To Unclog A Sink At Home

We all know the frustration of a long delay, while merely waiting for water to clear from a sink even ...