How to Build Your Deep Cleaning Checklist

The first step is to take some notes. What room always feels messy? Do you always fret about your dining room, even if you know the table is clean and the floor has been swept?

Spaces that feel messy are often simply cluttered. Getting into a daily decluttering habit is a very simple way to spend 10 to 15 minutes putting things in order. If your dining room table or your kitchen counter is full of bags, purses and backpacks, create a drop-off space near the main door and work with your family to build a new habit.

Once you have clutter defined, it’s time to build a stock of cleaning tools and supplies.

• Extendable dusting tools for ceiling fans, high light fixtures and the cobweb corner where wall meets the ceiling
• Microfiber cloths for picking up dust
• Lint-free cloths for polishing glass
• Shop or bar towels for sanitizing surfaces
• Soft bristle brush for your tub and shower surrounds
• Quality vacuum with a crevice tool
• Toilet brush
• Decluttering containers

• Disinfecting spray that smells good to you
• Ammonia based glass cleaning product
• Fine grit scouring powder for your tub/shower if appropriate for the surface
• White vinegar to remove hard water deposits
• Toilet bowl cleaner with some cling
• Laundry soap with deodorizing power

Because it’s frustrating to clean around clutter, make sure the first feature on your deep cleaning house checklist is tidying. Start at the main light switch and circle the room with

•  a black trash bag
• a white trash bag
• a box or plastic tub

Check flat surfaces and the floor. If it’s garbage, put it in the black trash bag. If you can donate it, put it in the white trash bag. If it’s just in the wrong spot, put it in the box. Be really consistent in this process. As soon as you finish a room, visit other areas of the house and empty the box. When the bags are full, take them to the dumpster or to your vehicle or door. As you circle the room, note areas that are truly dirty. Are the tops of picture frames covered with dust? Your crevice tool will take care of it! Are the mirrors cloudy? Glass cleaner will make them shine.

As you enter any room, look up. Is the light dusty? Wipe it down so you can easily see the space. If you have clinging dust, you may have to take features of the light fixture apart to wash them. Leave the light switch off to remove globes and covers. Let them soak in warm soapy water before wiping them down and rinsing them. Once you’ve washed a light fixture with water, let it dry overnight. Don’t risk yourself by mixing water and electricity.

Your goal may be a beautiful foyer, but the first priority with an entryway is that it be serviceable.

Check the closet. Is it packed with cold weather gear? As possible, it may make more sense to keep only one coat per person in this closet. Wipe down the shelves and vacuum the floor. Wipe down the trim around the door of the closet.

Wipe down any shelving you have in your entryway. If you have a swapping station where folks can change from shoes or boots into slippers, relocate extra shoes back to their personal closets. Sweep and mop the floor. If you see signs of water damage or puddling from wet shoes, consider adding a rubber boot mat to the area to protect your floor. Dust the baseboards.

Wipe down the outside of your cabinets with a mild degreasing soap. Sanitize your counters next. Empty cabinets, one by one, and wipe down the shelves before putting things back. If needed, wipe down the counters again. Do the same to your bottom cupboards

This is a great time to inventory and declutter as necessary. Do you have too many water bottles, food containers, or other items? Use your trash bags to lower the inventory of stuff you’re storing that you know you’re not going to use.

Pour boiling water and a little dish soap down the disposal, then run the disposal for no more than 20 seconds. Wipe down your sink and polish any chrome.

Spray your oven with oven cleaner if needed and let the oven cleaner work while you empty and clean the freezer and refrigerator. Now is the time to play “I don’t remember buying this item.” Check the dates on condiments and toss anything you’re uncertain about.

Clean the oven. Empty the trash and wipe out the bin before putting in a new liner. Sweep, mop and wax the kitchen floor.

Dust the tops of all picture frames. Polish glass on artwork and all mirrors. Dry dust all flat surfaces, then polish wood or glass as appropriate. Check blinds for dust and vacuum window sills before vacuuming the baseboards. Vacuum all soft furnishings and spot clean if necessary. Sweep or vacuum the floors and spot clean carpets. If necessary, hire a steam cleaner to do all the carpets in your home.

Bedrooms are mostly about laundry. Strip the bed and change the sheets. Plump up your pillows and flip the mattress as recommended. Wipe down all flat surfaces to remove dust and polish wooden furniture. Make sure you fully vacuum the space, including baseboards and the tops of window treatments, as bedroom dust can impact the quality of your rest.

If possible, deep clean your bedroom in the morning so any lingering fragrances can dissipate by nightfall.

If you’ve never vacuumed your bathroom, do so. Check the vent cover of your exhaust fan and vacuum it, as well as the gap behind your toilet. Bathroom dust is immediately moist and it sticks.

Wash towels, rugs and your fabric shower curtain. Consider adding vinegar to the rinse of your towels and rugs instead of fabric softener; it will freshen them without reducing their absorbent qualities. Consider replacing the vinyl shower curtain liner if it’s discolored. Polish the mirror and all chrome. Scrub the tub and shower surround with a mild abrasive to remove soap scum. Spray hard water deposits with vinegar. Sanitize the countertop, sink and toilet.

Make sure you check under items on your countertop, such as your liquid soap or toothbrush holder, to reduce the risk of hard water deposits.