Clean Like You Mean It: The Ultimate Deep Cleaning List

Are you one of the only 20% of Americans who deep clean their homes at least every six months?

If not, you may think of this as your dirty little secret. But, the truth is there’s no shame in not cleaning your house as often as you’d like.

We’re all busy, and it can be easy to brush aside housework in favor of spending time with your family, working towards your next promotion, or just plain relaxing.

The good news is that you can get started cleaning at any time. And, we’ve got the perfect deep cleaning list for you to follow while you do it.

Keep reading for the only deep cleaning checklist you’ll ever need.

Essential Cleaning Supplies

Before you can start tackling the dirt, dust, and grime that’s accumulated in your home, you’ll need the right tools for the job.

Here’s a list of the most important items you’ll need to get your house clean and sparkling.

Broom
Mop
Vacuum
Microfiber cloths
Sponges
Gloves
Window or glass cleaner
Furniture polish
Multi-purpose cleaning solution
Baking soda
Vinegar
Old toothbrush

Once you’ve gathered up your supplies, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty!

Room-By-Room Deep Cleaning List

The easiest way to tackle deep cleaning your house is to go room-by-room. This way, you can focus on one area at a time, without getting too distracted.

It also helps to make the cleaning process feel less overwhelming by breaking it up into smaller, more manageable chunks. In fact, don’t feel like you have to accomplish all of your deep cleaning in one day.

You may choose to only focus on two or three rooms each week, so you don’t spend an entire Saturday scrubbing your house from top to bottom.

By finding a routine that works for you, you’re more likely to keep up with these cleaning tasks.

Kitchen

As the old saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Unfortunately, it’s probably also one of the dirtiest spaces in your house.

Not only do stains and crumbs build up if you don’t clean your kitchen regularly, but it can also turn into a prime place for harmful bacteria to thrive.

Deep cleaning your kitchen is about more than just wiping down the counters and sweeping the floor. Try to do those small tasks every day and use your deep cleaning time to go a step further.

Several times per year, completely remove everything from your refrigerator and freezer. Throw out anything that’s expired, then wipe down the walls and shelves before filling it again.

At least once a year, you should also vacuum your fridge’s coils and vents to remove dust. This helps keep it running properly, so you can avoid an expensive repair.

And, don’t forget to disinfect the handles of all appliances and cabinets, to help remove any germs that may have been transferred while cooking and handling food.

Bathrooms

When’s the last time you paid attention to your shower curtain? While you might remember to clean or replace the plastic liner regularly, it can be easy to forget that the curtain itself should also be cleaned.

Look at the tag on your curtain and wash it according to the instructions. You can throw in your bathmats at the same to remove any built-up grime.

If you have tile in your bathroom, don’t forget to pay attention to the grout while you clean. Put together a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda to form a powerful cleaning solution to make your grout look brand new.

Use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean and repeat every few months, as necessary.

You’ll also want to disinfect the cabinet and door handles in the bathroom, to help prevent the spread of germs.

Bedrooms

Your bedroom should be a relaxing space for you to drift off and dream. But, when it’s dirty, it can become a nightmare of its own.

Completely strip off and wash all the bedding, including pillow shams and duvet covers. Just be sure to follow the washing instructions, so you don’t accidentally ruin anything.

Twice a year, you’ll also want to flip your mattress, to help keep it from wearing out too quickly. When you do, take the time to sprinkle some baking soda on top of it and let it sit for a while to soak up odors.

Then, you can vacuum it off for a clean, refreshed sleeping space.

And, if you have a ceiling fan in your room, don’t forget to dust it, so you’re not breathing in allergens every night.

Living Room

As one of the central hubs in your home for your family to spend time together, the living room can quickly become a catch-all for clutter and dirt.

Once a month or so, clean your couches and wash the covers on any throw pillows you have.

If you have lots of electronics, you’ll also want to dust the devices themselves and pick them up to dust underneath them. Just be sure not to use any harsh cleaners on the electronics.

Instead, your best bet is to use a gentle microfiber cloth.

Laundry Room

Did you know that your washer can grow mold if you’re not careful? You can help prevent this by keeping the door open after every use, so it has a chance to dry out.

But, you can also sanitize your washer using a vinegar mixture and the self-cleaning cycle to remove any grime that has built up.

While you probably remember to clean the lint filter after every load, consider vacuuming the filter once a month to remove any stubborn lint.

You should also clean out the dryer duct once a year, to help reduce the risk of it turning into a fire hazard. However, you must do this very carefully, so as not to hurt yourself or break the dryer.