The Ultimate Home Deep-Cleaning Checklist By Room

Spring is not the only time for deep cleaning. With a dedicated plan, a little patience and elbow grease, your home or renovation project will receive a breath of fresh, sparkling air. 

Although cleaning and maintenance of living spaces takes place regularly in our homes, deep cleaning is an all-inclusive checklist. These tasks target hard-to-reach corners, heavily-used appliances, and various surfaces to ensure a longer lifespan of your home. 

Typically, deep cleaning involves three main tasks: sanitizing, dusting, and organizing.

When Should We Deep Clean?

Deep cleaning is not an everyday regimen. Many people begin their detailed cleaning cycles before hosting events or starting renovations and installations.

Consider a deep cleaning monthly or bimonthly, while still maintaining and sanitizing heavily-used surfaces on a regular basis. 

Why is Deep Cleaning Important?

Though many home-dwellers deep clean when guests are on their way, ultimately this process is for the happiness and health of the people who live there. 

The sanitization and polishing of a home helps the mind relax: clutter is a visual reminder of unfinished work. Entering an organized space can essentially calm the mind. 

Additionally, wiping away dust can help prevent allergies and other asthmatic symptoms, and de-cluttering reduces the risk of fire hazards.

Steps to Get Started: Patience and the Power of Checklists

Customize a deep cleaning checklist to your home layout and needs. If certain rooms need special attention, add your own tasks that target tough-to-reach places, dirt and germs. 

Checklists are an easy way to see everything at once. They also give the user the power to cross off a task at a time, ensuring a continuous cycle of wins. Make sure to check off your tasks to award yourself for a successful work day. 

Finally, remember that deep cleaning can be a longer process than typical cleaning tasks. Segmenting these checks into different days or weeks can allow a natural integration with work, family, and fun activities. Others prefer to schedule one day to breeze through all the rooms at once. 

Either way, deep cleaning is an essential part of living in indoor spaces. So blast some cheerful music, let the sunshine in, and begin the deep cleaning checklist by room down below. 

Deep Cleaning Checklist By Room

Living Room

• Dust shelves, lamps, picture frames, and fan blades.
• Wipe dirt and grime off windowsills.
• Wash windows with warm soapy water.
• Wash pillows (Most covers can be placed in the washing machine, but be sure to check the tag for specific directions.)
• For carpets, vacuum thoroughly under furniture and consider a carpet cleaning machine or service to launder the fibers. 
• For hardwood floors, use soapy water or a sanitizing solution to mop.
• Rug maintenance

Dining Room

• Sanitize table and chairs (Consider the fabric of your cushions.)
• Organize pantry (Are your canned foods stacked together? Are there any expired bags or boxes?)
• As with the living rooms, thoroughly dust surfaces and cleanse floors.

Kitchen

• Oven and Stovetop (Many stoves have a self-cleaning button. For the build-up of grease or other materials, use a baking soda paste or store-bought oven cleaners to disinfect, soak, and wipe clean.)
• Sanitize and organize countertops
• Fridge (Check expiration dates and wipe and sanitize inside and out surfaces.)
• Disinfect microwaves and other appliances like crockpots or dishwashers.
• Cleanse hard-to-reach places in cabinets and drawers.
• Rejuvenate coffee makers and teapots by running a brew cycle with undiluted vinegar.

Bathrooms

• Clean grout and tiles with tile cleaner and a brush.
• Scrub tubs and showers with an all-purpose cleaner and a sponge. 
• Submerge showerhead in white vinegar to cleanse.
• Send shower curtain through the wash cycle.
• Toilet maintenance with baking soda, vinegar, and a toilet brush
• Wash and disinfect sink and toothbrush holders.
• Towel organization
• Restock on soaps, toilet paper, tissues, and toothpaste.
• Wipe and sanitize mirrors.

Bedrooms

• Send all bedding through its required wash cycle.
• Vacuum or sweep in corners and under beds and furniture.
• Sanitize surfaces.
• Dust knick-knacks and shelves.
• Organize dresser drawers and closet (Do you have any out-of-season clothes or items in disrepair?)
• Sanitize and de-odor shoes.

Foyer/Hallways/ Closets

• Prepare proper floor cleansing (see living room checklist).
• Dust picture frames or shelves and lamps thoroughly (These spaces may have more build-up than more trafficked places in your home.)
• Ensure a spot for everything: winter hats, gloves, shoes, umbrellas, etc.
• Sanitize door knob and wash the door with soapy water.
• Donate coats that don’t fit or are unwanted.
• Label boxes and containers.

Fresh scents, clear spaces, and a relaxed feeling are all part of a deep cleaning routine, so why not start today?