
Do you know the average person spends 12,856 hours of their life cleaning?
That’s quite a bit, especially if the cleaning is being left to once a year! Fortunately, you can reduce the work by following a simple deep cleaning checklist.
By following this simple checklist once a month, you can keep your home looking fresh and not have to work so hard come spring time!
What You’ll Need for the Deep Cleaning Checklist
Before we get into what needs to get done, we need to tell you what you’re going to need:
- Broom
- Mop
- Glass Cleaner
- Wood Cleaner
- Electronics Cleaner
- Clean Rags for dusting
- Deep cleaners for bathrooms
- Bleach
Of course, if you fancy kitchen towels, you’re more than welcome to use these as well.
Patio
Your patio is the first impression of your home. Try the following steps to deep clean and create a welcoming tone:
Sweep your front patio space, be sure to get under any welcome mats or swings that may be in place.
- Dust any outdoor furniture, the top of railings, and the top of outdoor fans
- Disinfect any commonly handled objects like door handles or doorbells
- Wash front windows
- Pay attention to any overgrown vines or weeds.
- Replace any dead light bulbs for front walkways
You’ll also want to switch out any outdated decorations to the correct season. For example, going from your summer decor to fall decor, etc.
Living Room
This is more than likely space where you and your family spend the most time, which means it’s probably the messiest as well. Try the following tips to create a clean and cosy living room:
- Sweep the floor including under couches and tables
- Dust all counter tops and surfaces
- Clean TV screen (be sure to use a soft fabric that won’t scratch the screen)
- Add in a toy bin or chest as an easy place to keep toys organised and out of sight.
- Create small storage spaces for books and magazines.
If you can, remove the fabric from couch cushions and give them a good wash. If you have kids or pets you may have to pretreat them by letting them soak in a mixture of white wine vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and a little detergent before washing.
Kitchen
Your kitchen is one of the most germ-filled areas in the house, it’s also one of the most important spaces to be cleaned. Follow these cleaning steps to keep cooking neat and sanitary.
- Wash and put away any dirty dishes or cookware
- Scrub down cooker hoods, inside ovens and stove tops.
- Use half a lemon to clean and disinfect cutting boards.
- Use a strong disinfectant to wipe down kitchen counters.
- Take dry goods like beans and pasta out of plastic bags and into decorative glass jars.
Remove any items past their expiration date from fridge and pantry, give the fridge a thorough wash down and add in some baking soda.
Bedroom
Did you know that having a messy bedroom decreases the quality of your sleep? Fortunately, a quick clean up can have you sleeping like a baby in no time.
- Sweep floor, getting under all furniture pieces.
- Dust ceiling fans, tops of dressers, and nightstands.
- Wash and change out all linens (try using a different scent each season)
- Remove any clothes that you no longer want or fit to give to charity
- Fold and organise remaining clothes
If in a children’s room, narrow down to a few favourite toys and put the rest in storage, this will make it easier for children to put each toy away where it belongs. Every month, switch out the toys with a couple in storage, this will also keep children from getting bored with their toys.
Bathroom
The dirtiest room in the house can quickly become your sanctuary if you take care of it. Try our steps below to turn your bathroom into a mini spa retreat.
- Thoroughly scrub toilets, sinks, and bathtubs
- Clean Mirrors and counter tops
- Set out candles
- Wash bath towels, hand towels and wash clothes
- Change out towels
- Replace soaps, shampoos, razors and anything else that may be in short supply
- Clean shower door or shower curtain
- Clean and disinfect showed organiser
- Mop floors
Make sure you organise medicine cabinets and throw away any expired medicine or vitamins.
Office
It’s hard to focus or be productive when you’re surrounded by clutter. Create a work space you love with the following tips:
- Clean or vacuum floor, being sure to get under furniture
- Dust off counter tops and shelves
- Clean computer screen and keypad (careful to use a cloth that won’t scratch the screen)
- Organise files in filing cabinets
- Shred and discard any unnecessary documents
- check pens and discard any broken or out of ink
- Replenish printers with fresh paper and ink
- Make sure calendars or tack boards are up to date, remove any past events
- Tend to any plants that may need watering
When you have a clean work space, you’ll find you’re more productive.
Storage
Since it is storage, this space can quickly become cluttered making it impossible to find anything when you need it. To simplify life, try the following cleaning and organisation tips:
- Create a “craft cabinet” for any crafting items stored
- Separate holiday decorations into different bins
- Create a visible shelf for tools
Go through your family mementos and see what can be scanned to a hard drive. Anything that can’t, make sure you have it in a lidded storage bin for safe keeping.
Garden
Want to hold outdoor parties but are too embarrassed to bring anyone out back? Try these tips to get back to the great outdoors.
- Rake up any leaves or branches
- Cut the grass
- Sweep back patio, or walkways
- Replace any burnt out outdoor lights
- Make sure any jungle gyms or playhouses have been wiped down
- Scrape and clean grill area
There’s always a lot to do in the garden, but try your best to keep weeds pulled and tend to your flowers. If you do this often, it won’t be so cumbersome.
When to Use Your Deep Cleaning Checklist
A deep cleaning can help relax your mind, organise your life, and even improve your family’s overall health! That’s why we suggest using the deep cleaning checklist at least once a month.
This same checklist can also be used if you are trying to sell your home or are preparing for a move.
The important thing is to stay with it and to create a clean and organised system from the minute you move into your home.