Too often, we as homeowners put off deep cleaning for as long as we can. Deep cleaning is all about the little details. When you finally take care of these harder tasks, you’ll notice how it makes your place feel more tidy and inviting.
Let’s look at first things first; the materials you will need to get these tasks accomplished. In no particular order, you should be prepared with rubber gloves, an abrasive scrub pad, a spray bottle with vinegar and water, degreaser or disinfectant spray, a bucket of water, disposable rags, and some paper towels.
Now, some tasks are universal regardless of what room you are cleaning. For example, all rooms have doorknobs that have been touched by dozens of people. The cleaning processes for these tasks are all the same throughout the entire house. To get started, you should do the following:
- All hard-to-reach ledges, windows, and cabinet tops should be dusted and vacuumed.
- Soak all faucets and showerheads in some vinegar for about an hour.
- Remove and wash all vent covers with warm, soapy water.
- Dust your window sills and window tracks. Don’t forget to remove any cobwebs and bugs from the window screens.
- Wipe down all ceiling fan blades.
- Spot clean stains on the carpets and upholstery.
- Wipe down the doors, doorknobs, and doorframes to remove any fingerprints.
- Wipe and sanitize your garbage cans and recycling bins.
- Spray down your blinds with vinegar and thoroughly scrub them.
- Remove the cushions from your couches and vacuum the entire area. Then, move the couch and repeat with the floor where the couch usually sits.
- Empty your cabinets and drawers and wipe them down with your cleaning spray. Wipe down the knobs as well.
The kitchen is filled with appliances you use daily, but rarely think to clean. Just think of how many times a day you open the refrigerator. Now, how often do you clean the rubber that seals your grocery items inside? Not often, I bet. For the kitchen, you should:
- You should empty the refrigerator and wipe down all of your surfaces. Use this opportunity to throw out any expired items. Then use warm soapy water followed by disinfectant to clean the rubber door seal. Don’t forget to restock the fridge when you are done!
- If your oven has a self-cleaning system, you can empty it out and run the cycle. Fumes may build up, so open the windows or take this time to get out of the house and go for a walk. If your oven does not have a self-cleaning option, baking soda paste and a scrub brush should do the trick.
- Remove the breadcrumbs sitting at the bottom of your toaster. These aren’t just disgusting, but they are also a fire hazard!
- Glass cleaner can be used on the face and buttons of the microwave. Vinegar should be used to clean the inside; especially any food stains.
- Depending on your stove, you might have pot grates. These should be soaked in hot soapy water. All surfaces and knobs should be cleaned with a soapy sponge and then wiped down with a wet rag.
- Use baking soda and vinegar to clean your dishwasher by running it empty. This will remove soap residue that builds up and accumulates over time.
- Once you are done doing all of this, address the sink. Chances are you used the sink throughout this deep-cleaning process. It should be pretty disgusting. So, wipe it out with hot soapy water and follow this up with disinfectant spray and bleach.
As for your bathroom, you need to:
- Clean the mold and mildew accumulating in your bathtub grout. You can create a solution by combining bleach/baking soda and water. Use this to soak the tiles and the tub. Let the solution soak in for a couple of minutes, then scrub away with a sponge. Finally, rinse the entire area and wipe it clean with a wet rag.
- You probably clean your bathroom mirror regularly, but take this opportunity to thoroughly wipe down and disinfect it.
- The toilet is a multi-step process to clean. Use toilet cleaner, or vinegar, to clean inside the bowl. Let it soak and use a brush to spread it around. Next, spray the exterior with a disinfectant and wipe it down. Use a scrub sponge on the exterior, and don’t forget the floor around the toilet. Then, use a toilet brush to remove any stains inside of the bowl. Finally, scrub under the rim to clean the part where the water flows out of.
- Your shower head should be soaked in vinegar and water overnight.
- Your shower curtain requires a few different steps. The linen curtain should be washed, so check and see if it can go in the washing machine. As for the plastic curtain, you should honestly probably replace it. These are difficult to clean and aren’t that expensive, so replacing them is just easier.
Do you have any other deep cleaning techniques or suggestions? Let us hear about it in the comments section, and good luck making your house a little more homier.
