Deep cleaning can be a difficult task given that it requires you to get to the areas that are hard to reach. But it’s important to deep clean your home every now and then to make it look clean and tidy at least until the next deep cleaning session. Think of it as something that helps you get rid of every last particle of dust or dirt hiding beneath the sofas, under the couch and in every other corner of your home.
Deep cleaning should ideally be a part of your regular home maintenance routine. Although deep cleaning as a task doesn’t need to happen as frequently as you mop the floors or wipe the flat surfaces, but it’s still something that you should be doing every 2 months or so.
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Our family, for so many years, used to deep clean every 6 months and I can tell you for sure that it wasn’t enough. We now deep clean every corner of our house once in 3 months and we are now hoping to start doing it on a more frequent basis. My mom suggests we should now try breaking our huge deep cleaning routine into smaller tasks that can be done over a 2-month period. Trying to deep clean the entire home in a couple of days sounds too overwhelming and we just want to do it in a way that works for us.
If you’re not sure how often you should deep clean your home, you can make a decision based on the requirements of your family. If you have kids who like to create mess, you might have to deep clean once in 2 months. On the other hand, if you’re living alone or with a spouse, once in 3 months is enough to keep your home tidy. You can even choose to deep clean more often if you have spousal help available.
If you’ve decided to deep clean your home, you can pick this simple checklist to help you guide through the process:
1. Scrub the bathroom taps, shower and other bathroom fixtures using baking soda. Once you’ve scrubbed the surface of the fixtures, rinse it off with water and use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the excess water.
2. Dust the flat surfaces (dining table, coffee table, nightstand, ironing board, office desk, kitchen countertop, bathroom counters, etc.), ceiling fans, wooden furniture, entryway bench, television screen and light fixtures.
3. Clean the inside of your refrigerator using white vinegar or chlorine bleach and scrub any stains or grime. Do the same for pantry.
4. Clean the inside of your kitchen cupboards using soap and water, and don’t forget to reach the hidden corners. Also wipe the cupboard doors using a damp microfiber cloth.
5. The trash bins lying in your kitchen and bathrooms also need to be cleaned with soap and warm water to maintain the hygiene of your home. Wash them as thoroughly as you do your dishes.
6. Clean the dishwasher and microwave using scrubbing brush and warm soap water and leave them open for drying.
7. Wash all the linens in your bedroom and living room – curtains, sofa cover, bed sheets, comforters, blankets, pillow covers and towels. Don’t forget to wash the shower curtains and towels.
8. Vacuum the area underneath the beds, washing machine, sofa set and couch.
9. Clean the inside of your bedroom closets and drawers using a damp cloth. You don’t need to use soapy water for this purpose. Make sure that you use nice closet liners in your cupboards to keep your clothes organized.
10. Flip the carpet and vacuum underneath it. Then place it back and vacuum the upper side. Use lint roller if needed. If any of your carpet has stains that refuse to go away, scrub the area gently using baking soda or a good quality carpet cleaning solution.
11. Wipe clean the windows of your house using a damp microfiber cloth. Make sure that you do it gently to avoid scratching the glass.
12. Use a good quality bathroom cleaner to clean your bathroom floors, tiles and the bath area. Don’t forget the bathtub and sink. Scrub off the stubborn stains and grime, if any.
13. Mop the floors using a good quality disinfectant and a push broom or a dust mop. Areas of the house that are more prone to dirt (like entryway, patio and porch) need to be power washed every now and then.
14. Wipe the mirrors in your bathrooms and vanity using white vinegar and water. I sometimes use a solution of rubbing alcohol for stubborn stains on the mirrors.
15. Clean the walls, doors and baseboards with a damp sponge every now and then. While you are at it, don’t forget to reach the uppermost cupboards and cabinets in your kitchen and bedrooms.
16. Do a deep clean of the kitchen sink using hot water and white vinegar. Scrub off the stains or grime using a scrubbing brush.
17. Wipe the outsides of your kitchen appliances using a damp cloth and your electronic fixtures using a dry microfiber cloth.
18. Vacuum the mattresses on your beds before spraying them with essential oil and water. It will help them stay fresh.
19. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the door knobs, switch boards and handles.
20. Clean your kitchen stovetop on alternate days by leaving the gas stoves soaked up in warn soapy water. You can also use baking soda or white vinegar to scrub off any dirt or grease settling on them.
21. Wash the inside of your washing machine using a solution of white vinegar and water. Wipe the excess water using a dry microfiber cloth once you’re done.
Deep cleaning takes time which is why you’re more likely to procrastinate or feel overwhelmed. But it’s totally worth the time and efforts because it gives you a home that is clean and healthy enough to live in.
I hope this decluttering checklist helps you in achieving a perfectly deep cleaned home in no time!