How to Deep Clean Your House | Deep Cleaning Checklist
How to deep clean your house with a free deep cleaning checklist. If your house needs a good cleaning, here’s how to do a deep clean like a pro!
Deep cleaning isn’t one of my favorite things to do, but it still needs to be done! If you’re wondering how, why, and what to do on deep cleaning day, this post will give you some ideas.
And, be sure to get your free deep cleaning checklist below!
Why Should You Deep Clean Your House?
Even if you keep your house clean on a regular basis, sometimes you still need to deep clean your house.
RELATED: 7 Things to Do Every Day to Keep Your House Clean
Deep cleaning will help you focus on all those “extra” areas that tend to get overlooked during regular cleaning.
We’re talking about things like cleaning the top of the refrigerator, underneath the furniture, and behind the kitchen appliances.
Deep cleaning takes care of all those things that are hard to get to on a more regular basis. These are the big jobs that require a bit more time and effort.
And even though more effort is required, you’ll be rewarded with a cleaner, fresher home!
What is Included in a Deep House Cleaning?
There are probably many opinions about what should be cleaned when you do a deep cleaning. Cleaning can be a personal thing.
However, most people agree on the basic areas that should be cleaned during a deep cleaning. Here are a few things to consider cleaning:
- furniture
- pillow covers
- under furniture
- curtains
- walls
- baseboards
- carpets
- light fixtures
- bedding
- mattresses
This list isn’t exhaustive (we’ll get to that below), but it gives you an idea of what is usually included.
I have a list I like to follow so I can check each thing off the list as I go.
Here’s what’s on my deep cleaning checklist, with the cleaning chores listed room by room.
Get your free deep cleaning checklist by filling out the form below. You’ll also get access to all of our other free printables!
RELATED: Fall Cleaning Checklist
How to Deep Clean Your House
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure here.
Now let’s talk about how to give your house a good deep cleaning.
First, decide on a plan. I like to start with the entryway and living room area, and then work my way through the house.
But you can start with any area of the house that makes sense to you!
Create a deep cleaning plan that will work best with your particular house and schedule. I’ll share my plan below to give you some ideas.
Then, gather your cleaning supplies. Here are some of the basic cleaning supplies I like to keep on hand.
- Vacuum cleaner
- Broom
- Mop
- Microfiber cloths
- Microfiber duster with telescopic handle
- All-purpose cleaning spray
- Glass cleaner spray
- Wood cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Baking soda (for freshening mattresses and carpets)
Once you’ve got your plan and your supplies, it’s time to start cleaning! Here’s the list I like to refer to when I’m deep cleaning.
Entry and Living Room
- Clear away cobwebs (this is my favorite tool for the job!)
- Dust light fixtures
- Dust or vacuum vents and baseboards
- Dust all shelves and tops of furniture
- Dust pictures, decor, and lamps
- Clean windows and dust windowsills
- Wash window coverings and curtains
- Clean walls, doors, and trim
- Wipe down door knobs and light switches
- Wash throw blankets and pillow covers
- Spot clean and vacuum furniture
- Clean out and organize coat closet
- Vacuum whole room, including under furniture
- Shampoo carpets and mop hard floors
Kitchen
- Clear away cobwebs
- Clean and organize pantry
- Clean out cabinets and drawers
- Wipe down cabinets
- Clean appliances inside and out
- Clean inside of refrigerator and freezer (defrost if needed)
- Wipe down refrigerator top to bottom
- Vacuum coils in back and underneath fridge
- Wipe down walls, trim, and light switches
- Wipe down backsplash and counters
- Clean oven and stovetop
- Vacuum under and behind stove
- Disinfect sink and drain
- Clean windows and windowsills
- Dust surfaces and decor
- Wipe down table, table legs, and chairs
- Disinfect trash can
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floors
Laundry Room
- Clear away cobwebs
- Dust surfaces and clean windows
- Wipe down washer and dryer
- Clean inside washing machine
- Clean dryer vent
- Vacuum behind washer and dryer
Bedrooms
- Clear away cobwebs
- Wash bedding and pillows
- Wash or air out mattress pad
- Dust light fixtures
- Dust or vacuum vent covers and vents
- Dust furniture and decor
- Wash window coverings and curtains
- Clean walls, doors, and trim
- Clean windows and windowsills
- Vacuum mattress
- Rotate or flip mattress if needed
- Get out fall and winter clothes
- Clean and organize closets
- Vacuum room including under furniture
- Shampoo carpets and/or clean wood floors
Bathrooms
- Clear away cobwebs
- Wash window coverings
- Wash shower curtain and liner (or replace liner)
- Dust surfaces and light fixtures
- Clean window and windowsill
- Clean out and organize drawers
- Organize linen closet
- Wipe down cabinets
- Clean sink and drain
- Deep clean toilet
- Clean and disinfect counters
- Deep clean tub, drain, and shower head
- Clean and organize under the sink
- Clean mirror
- Disinfect trash can
- Wipe down walls, doors, and trim
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floors
Printable Deep Cleaning Checklists
Be sure to get your free printable deep cleaning checklists by filling out the form below!
How Often Should a House Be Deep Cleaned?
Giving your house a deep cleaning at least once a year is highly recommended. Some people prefer to deep clean more often than once a year.
Some people divide their deep cleaning into two seasonal sessions, one in the spring and one in the fall.
Or, you can also spread out these more intensive cleaning tasks by working on them all year long.
You can make a list of all the cleaning tasks that need to be done in a year, and then make a plan to do one a week. Sometimes doing it this way feels a lot less overwhelming!
However you decide to deep clean your house, I hope this post has been helpful to you!
Related Posts
- Fall Cleaning Checklist
- Spring Cleaning Plan and Printable
- 7 Things to Do Every Day to Keep Your House Clean
- How to Clean Your House in 30 Minutes
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There’s nothing quite like a good deep clean is there – the feeling afterwards is wonderful! Thanks so much for linking up with #fortheloveofblog – hope to see you back again next week!
So true!
I love a list! I tend to tackle an organisational or deep clean job every Friday. Sometimes it’s a 10 minute thing, sometimes it’s an all day thing, but it helps me feel like I’m keeping on top of it all. Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofblog
I’m the same way!
The checklist is great, I’m totally printing it out for my upcoming spring cleaning. I always find I think I did a thorough job but then have to go back later on and do the few things I missed.
Thank you, Sarah!
I love living in a small space that is easy to keep clean and tidy. I have to be honest though, I rarely do deep cleaning all at once, – Margy
I often spread my deep cleaning out also, to keep it from being too overwhelming!