Expert Tips on Deep Cleaning Every Room of The Home
Even the most clean and tidy homes benefit from a deep clean every now and again. Deep cleaning your home doesn’t need to be an overwhelming experience. To avoid becoming overwhelmed when deep cleaning your home, it’s best to break the process down into smaller bite-sized chunks. Focusing on one room at a time can help you with this task.
Below, cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey at MyJobQuote.co.uk has teamed up with a range of other experts to create this guide on deep cleaning every room of your home. This cleaning checklist and all of these tips come in very handy if you're looking to get rid of clutter and ensure your home is as clean as it possibly can be. Follow these tips room by room, and you'll soon have a showroom-style home that is sparkling clean.
Living Room
To begin with, we’ll go over cleaning the living room, one of the most used rooms of the home. “Before deep cleaning, remove clutter and unnecessary items. This makes it easier to clean thoroughly and prevents dust and dirt from hiding in plain sight," says Muffetta Krueger, cleaning expert and founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants.
The living room contains a lot of elements, so it can be quite an overwhelming job if you’re not prepared. “To achieve a pristine living room, adopt a systematic approach. Begin by vacuuming and steam cleaning upholstery, carpets, and rugs, effectively eliminating dust, pet dander, and unsightly stains, reviving the room's freshness," explains Sol Kruk, home inspector and owner of Property Inspection Pros.
“Dust and clean electronic devices and their peripherals to ensure functionality and maintain an uncluttered appearance. This not only enhances their performance but also contributes to a clean and organised living space," Kruk continues. "For a healthier indoor environment, take time to wipe down light fixtures, ceiling fans, and vents, preventing the accumulation of dust and allergens that can affect air quality. Deep clean your windows and window treatments, including curtains and blinds. This allows more natural light to illuminate the room, creating an inviting ambience and enhancing the overall appeal of your living space.”
It's also worth going over your upholstery items to ensure they are clean and smelling fresh. “For upholstery, sprinkle baking soda on couches and chairs, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up to remove odours", explains Daniel, owner of Daniels Carpet Care. Also, if you have any stains on your carpet, these can be dealt with now. “For deep carpet stains, mix equal parts of vinegar and baking soda to create a paste, apply to the stain, let it dry, and vacuum", Daniel adds.
Dining Room
The dining room is one of the most important spaces when it comes to cleanliness. This is the place where you and your family will consume meals, so it's important that this space remains clean and tidy.
To start with, you should focus on the skirting boards, walls and ceilings. Go over these with a feather duster to ensure they are free from dust. A good thorough vacuuming will also ensure there is no dirt or dust lingering on the floors. Keep on top of wiping over your dining table each time you eat to prevent food and stains from setting and to ensure the area is always sanitary and ready for the next meal.
“Deep clean your dining room table and chairs with a wood or upholstery cleaner, depending on the material", explains Abe Nyayapathi, cleaning expert at Bio Recovery. It may also be worth running your curtains through the washing machine if the material suits it. That way, you can ensure there is no dirt or dust sticking around in the room.
Finally, you want to clean your light fixtures. Light fixtures are often overlooked. However, they can collect dust extremely quickly, so it's important that you don't forget to give them a go-over when you're cleaning the dining room. "Dust chandeliers and light fixtures to keep them shining brightly", Nyayapathi adds.
Bathroom
The bathroom is arguably one of the dirtiest rooms in the home. However, some simple cleaning tips can get your bathroom gleaming in no time. Tile grout can become dirty very quickly if it’s not maintained. If you have dirty or grimy grout between your tiles, there is something you can do. “Create a fizzy cleaning paste by mixing vinegar and baking soda," says Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning. This mixture is perfect for cleaning tile grout. Simply add the mixture to the grout and leave it for around 10 – 20 minutes. Then, wipe away the residue with a warm, wet cloth.
“A meticulously cleaned bathroom is vital for hygiene and comfort," says Edward Reay, owner of Build Fanatic. “Commence the deep cleaning process by removing all items from bathroom shelves, cabinets, and countertops. This presents an ideal opportunity to discard expired products and thoughtfully organise the remaining items.” Decluttering is essential if you want to make the cleaning process easier.
“To address the shower and bathtub, create a potent cleaning mixture using equal parts white vinegar and water. This solution effectively dissolves soap scum. Gently scrub the surfaces, exercising caution to protect grout and tiles from damage," Reay continues. "To elevate your bathroom's freshness, consider washing shower curtains and bathmats. This not only eliminates mildew and odours but also enhances the overall cleanliness and ambience of your bathroom.”
You will also need to pay close attention to the toilet. When cleaning the toilet, be sure to clean all areas properly. This includes the cistern tank, all areas of the seat and all around the toilet bowl. Use an antibacterial bathroom cleaner to clean your toilet. This will leave it looking sparkling clean. It's also worth giving your faucets, doorknobs, and light switches a quick wipe with an antibacterial wipe periodically to ensure the space is sanitary.
Hallway
Your hallway is the first impression of your home. When guests come to visit, the hallway is the first thing they will see, so you want to make sure this space is clean and tidy to give a great first impression. Decluttering the space will make a huge difference. Avoid leaving shoes and coats in the hallway. Instead, find a new home for these so that they’re not cluttering up the entrance hall.
“Don't forget to clean windows and mirrors in all rooms for a crystal-clear view. Use a streak-free glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth” says one of the Cleaning experts from KK cleaners. Mirrors can help reflect light around the room and also make the space feel bigger, so they’re a great addition to your entrance hall.
“A feather duster is ideal for dusting out picture frames, blinds, and other hard-to-reach surfaces," says Will Jo, president of Soho Painters. You want to ensure you have a good quality feather duster that is capable of collecting and keeping hold of all of the dust that you need to eliminate. "Ostrich feather dusters are a favourite because the feathers effectively remove dust, and the huge quills remain securely attached to the handle", Jo adds. Aim to dust your hallway and all of the other rooms in your home regularly to prevent dust from being able to build up on surfaces.
Home Office
If you work from home, you will likely spend a large portion of your day in your home office. This space should remain clean and tidy to prevent it from becoming overwhelming. Keeping the space clean and tidy will help to eliminate distractions and make you more productive.
“Dust and clean electronics with microfiber cloths and electronic-safe cleaning solutions", explains Abe Nyayapathi, cleaning expert at Bio Recovery. “Clean your computer or laptop keyboard by gently using compressed air to blow out dust and debris from between the keys", adds Hashi Mohamed, president at Ivy Cleans.
You should also aim to declutter the space. Invest in some handy storage solutions to hold things like important files and office accessories. It’s also a good idea to keep on top of vacuuming the space to prevent dust from accumulating.
“Disinfect your frequently touched items, like your mouse, keyboard, and desk, with a disinfectant wipe", adds Hashi Mohamed, president at Ivy Cleans. You should aim to do this regularly to prevent bacteria from building up on these frequently used items.
Kitchen
The kitchen is used for cooking meals, so it's absolutely essential that this space is kept clean. Keeping the space tidy and clutter-free will also ensure that the space doesn't become overwhelming and will also make cooking and preparing meals much easier.
“Start with the oven and microwave. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Spread it over greasy spots, leave it for a few hours, and wipe away grime effortlessly," explains Abe Nyayapathi, cleaning expert at Bio Recovery. “For stainless steel appliances, use a mixture of water and vinegar to remove fingerprints and smudges", Nyayapathi adds.
Edward Reay, owner of Build Fanatic, agrees that baking soda and water are the way to go for your appliances. Raey suggests, "Initiate the process by emptying all kitchen cabinets and drawers, creating an opportunity to declutter and reorganise your kitchenware systematically. For the oven, fashion a potent cleaning paste by mixing baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the oven's interior surfaces, allowing it to sit overnight. The following day, scrub away the grime, unveiling a spotless oven.”
“Don't overlook the importance of cleaning the refrigerator coils and condenser coils. Dust and debris can accumulate, affecting the appliance's efficiency. Regular maintenance in this regard extends the lifespan of your refrigerator," Reay adds. Muffetta Krueger, cleaning expert and founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants, agrees that cleaning the fridge is very important, "Empty the fridge, discard expired items, and wipe down shelves and
drawers," Kruger suggests.
“Don't forget about less obvious areas like baseboards, window sills, and behind appliances. These are often overlooked but can accumulate a lot of dust and grime," says Alexander Wright, CEO at REIInsiders. Also, you should empty your bins regularly. Kevin Geick, manager at Bio Recovery, a professional deep cleaning company, explains, “You can use a mixture of water and vinegar or a disinfectant to eliminate odours and bacteria in your bins. This prevents lingering smells and pests.”
“Don't forget about less obvious areas like baseboards, window sills, and behind appliances. These are often overlooked but can accumulate a lot of dust and grime," says Alexander Wright, CEO at REIInsiders. Finally, you should wipe down your cabinet doors, handles, and countertops with a kitchen cleaner and microfibre cloth to get them looking sparkling clean.
Bedroom
Next, you will need to focus on the bedroom, another room of the home where we tend to spend a lot of our time. “A deeply cleaned bedroom promotes a tranquil and healthy sleep environment," says Sol Kruk, home inspector and owner of Property Inspection Pros.
“Commence by washing all bedding, such as sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, in hot water. This kills dust mites and bacteria, ensuring a hygienic and comfortable sleeping area," Kruk continues. "Dust and organise closet shelves and drawers, decluttering your storage spaces and removing items you no longer require, enhancing accessibility and tidiness.”
Also, it’s important that you don’t overlook the often neglected areas of your bedroom, including the spaces behind your furniture items. “A thorough cleaning in these hidden corners removes dust and debris, contributing to a truly clean and rejuvenated bedroom. A well-maintained bedroom provides the ideal atmosphere for rest and relaxation," Kruk adds.
“Deep mattress cleaning is often overlooked but essential for a healthy sleep environment", explains Hashi Mohamed, president at Ivy Cleans. “To remove odours and moisture, sprinkle a thin layer of cornstarch evenly over the entire mattress surface. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, allowing it to absorb moisture and neutralise odours. Then, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove the corn starch. This method helps freshen up your mattress without using harsh chemicals," Mohamed adds.
Garden
Finally, when it comes to making your home look clean and tidy, you shouldn’t overlook your outdoor space. This includes tidying up the front and back gardens. Work on weeding and cutting back shrubs, bushes, and trees to make your outdoor space look neat. This will help to improve your home’s kerb appeal and will make your home look overall more aesthetically pleasing.
It's also a good idea to consider power washing your driveway and patio areas. These spaces can become very dirty over time. You may not even realise how dirty they are until you've power-washed them.
Keep on top of sweeping away fallen leaves and branches, and make sure to keep on top of watering and fertilising plants and grass to keep the garden space thriving.
In terms of cleaning, most people overlook how important it is to keep your outside bins clean. Keeping them clean will help to reduce odours and keep away pests. Create a mixture of liquid dish soap and water, and give your outside bins a thorough wash. A long-handled brush will help you reach right inside the bins for scrubbing. Give the bins a rinse with a hose, and make sure you leave them to dry thoroughly before adding rubbish to them.
Final Thoughts
There are many things you can do to keep your home clean. Focusing on one room at a time will help to make your cleaning process much less overwhelming. Plus, focusing on one room at a time can ensure that nothing gets missed and that every area of that space is cleaned thoroughly.
