Our Deep Cleaning Checklist To Make Every Room In Your Home Sparkle

While familiarizing yourself with quick and easy cleaning hacks will keep your home presentable at all times, you'll have to set aside a few days once or twice a year to give your home the deep cleaning it needs. This means rolling your sleeves up and dusting, scrubbing, and vacuuming all the nooks you typically ignore during your weekly routines. That's not all. You must also declutter and organize storage drawers, shelves, and closets. Undertaking such a task will help you keep your home in tip top shape and well maintained. But to pull it off, you will need a detailed plan. 

Begin by creating a list of all the rooms in your house and estimating the amount of time each room will require. After you have a rough idea, schedule which spaces you'll clean on which days, as this will likely take more than one day. Once done, gather your tools and get ready to tackle the mammoth task. This can get pretty intimidating, not only because it will take a lot of work, but also because there are so many nooks and crannies to remember to tackle. To take some of the mental load off your shoulders, we devised a detailed plan on how to deep clean each room in your house. Take it in, bookmark it on your phone so you can reference it between sessions, and get ready to make your home sparkle.

Wondering where to start when you're cleaning your living room? Take a top-down approach, meaning, clean the ceiling's corners, fan blades (after turning off the switch), top of cabinets, and light fixtures prior to dusting the furniture or mopping the floor. This helps you avoid washing them twice. To clean these hard-to-reach places, arm yourself with the proper tools. A Swiffer with an extendable arm can help you reach ceiling fans and tops of bookcases or cabinets, while a microfiber dusting kit with a 20 foot extendable pole can help you clean your ceilings and walls. The U.S. Duster Company's Triple Action Microfiber Dusting Kit on Amazon is great for those hard to reach spots.

After the top portion of the room looks clean, wipe down the windows, mirrors, and wall decorations. Begin by taking down the window curtains and washing them per the care label instructions. In case you can't take down the blinds, use a vacuum cleaner and microfiber cloth to quickly remove dust buildup. Next, bring the mirrors and windows to a shine with distilled white vinegar. Clean the window tracks, too. Dust the pictures, decor items, plant pots, and plant leaves. Move on to the furniture and use a vacuum with a dusting brush attachment to remove any built up dirt before rubbing in furniture polish. Wash the throw blankets and removable cushion covers, and vacuum the sofa and chair with an upholstery attachment. Finally, shampoo the dingy carpets with a tool like the Hoover PowerScrub XL Carpet Cleaner Machine for a deep-clean, and vacuum and mop the floors.

For a squeaky clean bedroom, toss out the trash, put the laundered clothes back in the closet, throw the dirty ones in the washing machine, and find a solution for your worn clothes that aren't dirty enough to be washed yet. Once done, grab a Swiffer, attach one of its signature dry cloths, and run it over the walls and ceiling to pick up dust. Then, use a microfiber duster to remove dust from the light fixture or ceiling fan. Once done, wash the windows, and then vacuum the window coverings and the furniture in the room.

Dust all surfaces, like nightstands and headboards, with a microfiber cloth dampened with an all-purpose cleaner. Strip the bed and throw the bed sheets, duvet covers, bed skirts, and pillow cases in the washing machine (after checking their care label) to get them fresh again. Tack on the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to deep clean the mattress and remove dust mites. Once done, vacuum the floors and deep clean the rugs with a shampooing vacuum or have them professionally cleaned. Dry cleaners often offer a cleaning fee for smaller area rugs, so check if any nearby ones can tackle the task. Lastly, mop the floors with 1 gallon of warm water and a few drops of dish soap, preferably using a two-tank system that separates the clean from dirty water. Such an example is the O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Microfiber Spin Mop on Amazon.

Deep cleaning your bathroom and keeping it clean requires serious elbow grease, so set aside a few hours while cleaning this room. But prior to gathering your materials, consider what types of materials you have in your bathroom. Using the wrong cleaners can damage your surfaces. For instance, if you have natural stone tiles or an enamel bathtub, avoid using  acidic or chemical cleaners. Also, avoid using steel wool or rough scouring pads since they might scratch the finish on your bathtub, floor, and sink. However, if you have ceramic or porcelain materials, you can use stronger commercial or acidic cleaners. 

Before you begin scrubbing, throw your shower curtain and bath mat in the washer on a warm cycle, and consider replacing the plastic liner if it appears cloudy or mildewy. Then, remove any cobwebs from the air vents and fans by either using a vacuum hose or an extendable duster. If the dust is caked on, grab a step ladder and clean the grate with a damp microfiber cloth. Continue wiping the light fixtures, shelves, countertops, baseboards, exterior of the toilet bowl and toilet tank, and window sills with a damp rag. Replace it once it gets too dirty. Once done, combine vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle and use the solution to clean mirrors, windows, chrome fixtures, countertops, and soap scum from shower glass. You can also put vinegar in a plastic Ziploc bag and put your shower head in it to remove limescale and build-up. Simply secure the bag to the head with a rubber band. Lastly, regarding the wall and floor tiles, get a specialized cleaner based on the material. For instance, natural stone tiles like marble should only be washed with soap and water, but porcelain and ceramic can be cleaned with a vinegar and water solution. 

To deep clean your kitchen, begin by clearing out your clean dishes and silverware and putting the dirty ones in the dishwasher. Additionally, wipe the exhaust fan, stovetop vent hood, kitchen cabinet tops, lights and bulbs, and the top of your refrigerator clean. Don't forget to dust the back of your appliances and shift them to vacuum the dust hiding underneath. Now, create a 1:1 water and distilled white vinegar solution in a spray bottle, spritz it on the cabinets and drawers, and scrub them clean with a microfiber cloth. Wipe the insides, too. 

Deep clean your stovetop with a solution of 2 cups water, 1 cup white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon soap. Use a soft sponge if you have a glass top, but a scouring sponge if you have a gas stove. Next, move on to the appliances. Empty your refrigerator, scrub the sticky shelves, and add a bowl of activated charcoal on a shelf to absorb any stinky odors. Similarly, wipe the oven, toaster, blender, air fryer, coffee maker, and waffle iron inside out. Empty your dishwasher, give it a hot water bath, and scrub the stuck on gunk with an old toothbrush. Remove the filter from the appliance, soak it in a bowl of soap and warm water, and use a toothbrush to scrub it clean. Next, clean the sink and carefully pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. Follow it with 1 cup of baking soda, allow it to sit for a few minutes to deodorize, and follow it up with more boiling water to flush it. 

Although a dining room isn't the most used space in a home, you'd be surprised by the amount of dust, sticky spots, and debris it accumulates over time. First, grab a duster with an extendable arm to clean dust from your fans, air vents, and light fixtures. If the lights and bulbs are ensconced within crystal or glass coverings, turn off the switches and create a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution onto a microfiber cloth and wipe down the coverings. Remember to let the fixture thoroughly dry before turning on the lights.

Meanwhile, dust any hutches or china cabinets in the room with a lightly damp microfiber cloth, and wipe down the tables and chairs. Add the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner and run it over the upholstery and cushions to get rid of forgotten food particles, dust, and dirt. Regarding the linens, gather your tablecloths, napkins, and place mats and wash them per their care instructions. Lastly, carefully move the chairs out of the room to vacuum the area rug and floor. Follow up with a quick mop to ensure the flooring is sparkling clean.

Working from home has innumerable perks. The only drawback? Dealing with a dirty home office. So, grab a duster and clear the dust from your bookcase, light fixtures, air vents, windows, blinds, fan, picture frames, and decorations. Another must-do task? Sorting through your growing paper collection (work documents, bills, invites, memos, and to-do lists), tossing the redundant ones, and properly filing (or digitizing) the important ones.

Next, clear your desk and chair. To dust it, run a damp microfiber cloth doused with an all-purpose spray along its length, but use an upholstery attachment for the seating. If you have a mesh computer chair and dust and dirt are stuck in the fabric, fill a spray bottle with warm water and two to three drops of soap and spray it on the chair. Grab a soft bristle brush and run it across the back and seat to loosen the dirt. Wipe it clean with a slightly damp towel and then let it air dry. To safely clean your computer screen, keyboard, and mouse, wipe them with a clean microfiber cloth to remove the gathered dust and debris. Sanitize the devices by rubbing them with a Clorox disinfectant, 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA), or 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, but avoid any screens as this can damage the coating. Instead, to deep clean them, mix water with isopropyl alcohol in a 3:7 ratio, spray it on a microfiber cloth, and wipe down the screen.

It might be ironic that the room responsible for cleaning your clothes can be one of the dirtiest, but it's true. Put on the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner to bid the dust on your ceiling, walls, air vents, and fan blades goodbye. Then, gently push the washer and dryer away from the wall to suck up the dust bunnies behind and underneath them. Wipe the cabinets, shelves, drawers, baseboards, windows, and the washer and dryer's exterior by spraying an all-purpose cleaner on a microfiber cloth.

To clean your washer, pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar instead of detergent and run it empty on a hot water cycle. Follow this up by combining equal parts vinegar and water, dipping a lint-free cloth in the solution, and scrubbing the insides thoroughly. If you can, remove the detergent tray and clean that with the solution to remove dried detergent buildup. The final step is to run a cleansing hot water cycle with an empty machine. Also, clean the drain pump filter per the user manual instructions to prevent clogging. Generally, all you have to do is put a towel and a small dish in front of the access door at the foot of the appliance, which will catch the water when you open it. Let the water drain, and then unscrew the filter's lid. Wash it in the sink with soap, and then put it back. Similarly, for the dryer, set aside the dryer lint screen and vacuum its insides. Lastly, vacuum and mop the floors and you're done.

Your entryway is the first thing guests will notice once they enter your home, so make sure it's in tip-top shape. The first order of business is to carry your doormat and rug outside and shake the dust out prior to vacuuming them. This will loosen the dirt embedded deep in the fibers. Now, bring out a duster like the Swiffer sweeper to remove dust from the ceiling and walls. Next, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with an all-purpose spray and wipe down lighting, paintings and mirrors, top of the door frame, shoe rack, cabinets, tables, and baseboards.

To make your front door shine, mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a bucket, and use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to wash it clean. Rinse it with a new microfiber cloth dipped in clean water, and then buff it dry. Next, wipe high-touch surfaces like door handles with antibacterial spray, ensuring the handle is visibly wet for 10 seconds for proper sanitation. Reapply the spray if it begins to dry before then. If you have stairs, vacuum each step and use baby wipes to make cleaning sticky handrails a breeze. Finish by vacuuming and mopping the floors to make the hall guest-ready.

A cluttered and dirty attic is one of the best places for pests to hunker down, especially during the cold winter months. So, maintain a clean attic to keep unwelcome guests out. Start by dusting all of the items and boxes in the space, then donate or dispose of what you no longer need. When cleaning the room, adopt a top-down approach, dusting the ceiling, beams, lighting, vents, windows, walls, door, and baseboards. Finish by vacuuming and mopping the floors. While at it, ensure the insulation is intact, there's no moisture damage or mold, and there are no insects nesting in plain view.

As for the basement, the cleaning routine remains the same as your attic — declutter and sort the room, dust it from top to bottom, and save the floors for the last. If you have a finished basement with carpeting, vacuum the carpet and use a shampoo vacuum if there are any stains, but involve a professional if it's too dirty. If you have furniture there, wipe them with a microfiber cloth. Lastly, if it feels humid or damp in the space, open windows, strategically place fans, or use a dehumidifier to control the muggy atmosphere.

A home gym can be incredibly convenient, especially if you don't have much time in between juggling work, family life, or schooling. However, it also means you're in charge of cleaning the room and the sweaty equipment yourself. Since there's no getting out of this, dust the air vents, fan blades, lighting, storage shelves, and walls.  Now, unplug the treadmill, elliptical, and bike and arm yourself with anti-bacterial wipes to wipe the machinery clean. However, in order for it to be properly sanitized, you need to keep the surfaces visibly wet for a minimum of 10 seconds.

Next, sanitize the free weights, dumbbells, barbells, stability balls, kettlebells, and jump rope. Dry all equipment with a clean cloth before plugging them back or using them. That being said, check the manufacturer's instructions prior to using any DIY remedies. Similarly, check the care instructions on your yoga mat to understand if it's machine-washable. If it's not, spray it down with a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap, and wipe it clean with a sponge. However, avoid saturating the material. Next, move onto the mirror if you have one, wiping it clean with a 1:1 vinegar and water solution or a dedicated glass cleaner. Wash the used towels and water bottles, and run a damp microfiber cloth along your fitness trackers and armbands. Finally, vacuum and mop the floor.

It's easy to forget about the ancillary rooms, like the library and garage, when deep cleaning your home. However, they require a thorough cleaning to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. When cleaning your library, remove all the books from the shelf and get a dry microfiber cloth or Swiffer to dust your bookshelf, books, bookends, and beloved knick-knacks. While you can use a gently damp cloth to clean particularly dusty books and covers, don't use a wet cloth as it can damage the paper. Finally, vacuum the upholstery, any area rugs, and floors.

Coming to the garage, dust the stored items and move them out of the room. Then, dislodge the cobwebs using a shop vac, which will be better suited than your house vacuum for the task. To clean the surfaces, windows, and doors, take a top-down approach to keep pushing the dust down toward the floor. If your floor has unsightly grease stains from your car, treat them by pouring baking soda over the splotch and scrubbing with a wet, stiff bristle brush. If that doesn't work, move on to using Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, which is a laundry booster and is tougher on stains. Lastly, sweep the floors before removing any lingering dust with the shop vac. Then, mop the floors using a bucket of warm water and soap, using a hard bristle broom to clean the surface. Push the water towards the drain or out the garage door.