Every home needs a deep cleaning at least once a year. If you wonder what's the difference between a deep cleaning and the usual, everyday housework, it's easy to explain. The most time-consuming cleaning tasks are put aside during daily chores—like cleaning the stovetop or vacuuming your mattress. However, deep cleaning your entire home might seem overwhelming.
Has it been a while since you last deep-cleaned your home? Grab your cleaning supplies and use this room-by-room deep cleaning guide to leave your home sparkling and neat!
Make a room-by-room plan for deep cleaning
Deep cleaning your home may take more time than you think. A benefit of cleaning room by room is that you focus on one place at a time over several weeks without compromising quality.
Before starting, make a detailed plan and schedule. Many people find it easier to start by the most challenging room for cleaning—commonly the kitchen. However, if cleaning your home seems too much of a task, start by the most accessible room to motivate yourself—usually the living room. You could tackle one or two rooms a day or try to deep-clean your entire home on the weekend. Consider the supplies needed in each room to purchase them beforehand during the planning.
Deep cleaning your home room by room
Quick note: Don’t forget to pick up the clutter before starting!
Dealing with clutter while mopping, vacuuming, or dusting will turn your deep clean into an endless task. Before cleaning any room, take some time to pick up every item from the floor and furniture. You could store them in a basket. If your home is heavily cluttered, consider decluttering as your first task.
Kitchen
Cleaning inside and outside the fridge
Cleaning your fridge might take some time, so consider unplugging it to avoid wasting energy. If there is ice built-up, check the manufacturer guidelines for defrosting. Take every item from your refrigerator and freezer. Wipe the shelves and drawers with a mix of hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda. In an upright position, move it enough to sweep hard-to-reach areas. Search and discard all the expired food, then put the rest back inside. Lastly, wipe your fridge exterior with your all-purpose cleaner.
Cleaning the countertops
Wipe all countertops with your all-purpose cleaner. Scrub the grout. You could use baking soda and hot water. If you have granite tiles, use the proper cleaning product for that material.
Wiping the sink, faucet, and cleaning the garbage disposal
Soak your garbage disposal with water and a non-toxic disinfectant. You could also use white vinegar and baking soda, pouring half a cup of each one into the garbage disposal. Let it sit for several minutes and then run hot water to rinse. Scrub your sink and faucet using dish soap, then wipe down the faucet and rinse the sink.
Cleaning the stovetop and oven
Lift the burner grates and burner caps from the stovetop, then remove crumbs and grime. You can scrub the burner grates and wash them with dish soap. Use hot water to deal with grease. Many ovens have a self-clean feature, but you should remove any crumbs or built-up grease before running it to avoid fire hazards.
Wipe down appliances
Wipe the surfaces of every appliance. Devices like a microwave oven, the toaster, the coffee maker, etc., can be cleaned following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Clean inside cabinets and drawers
Empty the cabinets, drawers, and shelves to dust them thoroughly using a microfiber cloth. Then wipe down exterior surfaces too.
Wash kickboards and mop the floor
Wash the kickboards with a damp microfiber cloth. Sweep or vacuum the floors to take away dust and debris. The last step is to mop the kitchen floor.
If you want a thorough explanation of the process with more tips and considerations, visit our complete step-by-step guide on how to deep clean your kitchen.
Bathroom
Clean inside the toilet
Scrub with a toilet brush using castile soap or your commonly used soap. Flush the toilet after scrubbing thoroughly.
Wash bath towels, bath mats, and shower curtains
Throw every bathroom towel into the washing machine. Clean your bath mats and shower curtain according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Wipe down mirrors, vanities, and sink
Scrub your sink with soap and water, and then rinse. Empty your cabinets and drawers so that you can dust inside them. Dust and wipe down your mirrors, light fixtures, and bathroom vent using a microfiber cloth.
Scrub the shower and tub
Scrub your shower and tub with soap and water. Use a sanitizing product to ensure that it is disinfected or baking soda and vinegar for mild disinfection. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Mop the floor
Mop the bathroom floor, ensuring you are reaching all areas. Be sure to clean between the vanity and wall and also behind the toilet.
If you want details about the process, visit our complete step-by-step guide on how to deep clean your bathroom.
Living room
Clean the curtains, drapes, and window blinds
Cleaning techniques for curtains and drapes vary depending on materials. Make sure you are following the manufacturer's guidelines. Dust the window blinds using a microfiber cloth or a duster. You can dip the cloth in vinegar or a cleaning product to add more cleaning power. If you have wood blinds, don't use any product to prevent damaging the finish.
Vacuum upholstered furniture
Upholstered couches and chairs can hold a large amount of dirt and debris. Remove the cushions and vacuum to eliminate crumbs and debris. Spot clean with a good cleaning product. If cushion covers are removable and safe to launder, throw them into the washing machine.
Dust wood furniture, knick-knacks, and picture frames
Wood and other hard-surface furnishings should be dusted thoroughly during a deep cleaning. A microfiber cloth should be enough. Make sure to wipe all surfaces.
Dust fans and light fixtures
Ceiling fans collect a lot of dust. Use a microfiber cloth to dust every fan blade and light fixture in your living room. Remove dust from light bulbs to prevent the light from dimming.
Clean the windows
With a vacuum, remove the dirt from your window frames and sills. Take window screens, wash them with soap and water, and put them back after letting them air dry. Use a glass cleaner to clean the interiors of your windows.
Wipe down baseboards
Clean baseboards using a damp microfiber cloth. You can use a melamine sponge for cleaning stains from baseboards and walls.
Vacuum carpets and rugs
Throw washable rugs and mats into the washing machine. If you don't have the proper tool for deep cleaning your carpets and rugs, you might rent a steam carpet cleaner. For wall-to-wall carpets, move furniture to reach all areas on the floor. If you have hard surface floors in your living room, vacuum and mop them.
If you want more tips, visit our quick guide on how to fast clean your living room.
Bedroom
Wash sheets and pillowcases
Strip the bedding from your mattress and throw washable sheets, pillows, and pillowcases into the washing machine.
Clean the mattress
Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and scrub it with a brush. Let it rest for an hour before vacuuming it. Flip your mattress and repeat the process.
Dust wood furniture and fixtures
Using a microfiber cloth, dust and wipe down your nightstand, dressers, light fixtures, and picture frames thoroughly.
Clean the windows
Clean your bedroom windows by vacuuming the frame and sills, then use a glass cleaner to wipe the glass in the window frame. Wash your window screen and let it dry before putting it back.
Wipe down baseboards
Wash the baseboards using a damp microfiber cloth. You could also use a melamine sponge to remove spots on baseboards and walls.
Vacuum carpets and rugs
As in your living room, vacuum the carpet and rugs. Move every piece of furniture to reach hidden spots.
If you want a more thorough explanation (and more tips), visit our complete guide on how to deep clean your bedroom.
Or hire a professional deep cleaning in Seattle
Deep cleaning is challenging, but you don't have to do it all by yourself! We are a cleaning company focused on helping homeowners in Seattle, WA, with their cleaning chores. Visit our website and find the service that fits your cleaning needs.
Requesting a quote is entirely free!
