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Start Deep Cleaning when the Time is Right for You 

There is no right or wrong time to deep clean your home. You may prefer to do a deep cleaning before or after the holidays, before you put your house up for sale, during a break from work or over a long weekend.

If you start to feel overwhelmed and stop before you get started, take a deep breath and remind yourself that deep cleaning does not have to be done in one day. Take it one day at a time, one room at time. Do what is best for you and your schedule.

If you’re looking for a quicker cleaning method, read my post on the Quick Clean Method.

I find that if I’m not in the mood to clean and I’m forcing myself to do it, it takes me longer and it feels dreadful. If you have the flexibility to choose when to begin, do so when you’re motivated to do it.

How to Deep Clean the Kitchen

To start deep cleaning the kitchen, I work from the top down. I start with dusting where the wall and ceiling meet. This seems to be where dust tags hang out. Ewww. I use a Swiffer duster with the expandable handle, this allows me to reach without having to stand on top of a chair (that comes later).

How to Deep Clean Cabinets to Baseboards

Next, I stand on top of the countertops in order to reach the top of the cabinets. The very top. Ever look up there to see the dust and grease that accumulate after a few months? Most of the time I can remove the dirt and grime with Windex and paper towels. If the dirt and grime are thick like it was when we first bought our house, I suggest using a scouring brush to remove everything. It will take some elbow grease and time.

After the tops of the cabinets are cleaned, I begin cleaning the doors of the upper cabinets. I have white cabinets and have used both Clorox Anywhere and Windex. I find the Windex removes food stains and smudges more effectively. If you have oak, cherry, walnut or any other type of wooden cabinet, I suggest wiping them down with Murphy’s Oil Soap or Dutch Glow Amish Wood Milk.

Once the upper cabinets are finished, I move to the lower cabinets and finally the baseboards. I wipe down the baseboards around the entire kitchen (which leads to the hallways, family room, and dining room). It’s amazing how nice the baseboards look after a simple cleaning. If you have pets like we do, you’ll really see the difference.

How to Deep Clean Countertops

To begin cleaning the countertops, I remove all items so it is easier to clean and wipe down the entire area, including the backsplash. Since I like to keep my countertops from feeling cluttered, I have very few items that I keep on top. Currently I keep a coffee pot, Keurig, blender and standing mixer. Everything else in the kitchen is stored out of sight. I then clean each of the appliances before placing them back on top of the countertops.

Before I move on to appliances, I pour 1 cup of bleach and a few squirts of Dawn dish soap in each side of the sink and fill it with hot water.  The Dawn dish soap helps to keep the drains free of grease, a tip we learned the hard way from our friendly neighborhood plumber. I allow the bleach and soap to work for 10-15 minutes before rinsing and wiping them dry. This chore is important enough that I also include it in my weekly rotation.

How to Deep Clean Appliances

Next job I tackle while deep cleaning the kitchen is to clean the major appliances. We clean out the refrigerator every week before we buy groceries so it just needs to be wiped down. The dishwasher gets a cycle with Affresh and the outside cleaned. The microwave is cleaned by placing a 2-cup measuring cup inside with water, a few tablespoons of vinegar and lemon slices. I heat the water for 5-6 minutes and allow it to steam inside the microwave for a few minutes longer. I simply wipe down the inside with a paper towel and wash the rotating dish with soap and water. Looks great (until the next bag of popcorn, which is any minute in my house)!

I like to wait until everyone is out of the house before I clean the oven. The self-cleaning cycle has a very potent odor and even with the windows open and exhaust fan on, the smell can be overpowering. Don’t forget to remove all oven racks prior to starting the self-cleaning cycle. I wash them by hand with the help of Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser.

How to Deep Clean Lights & Table

Now it’s time to clean the light hanging over the kitchen table and/or island. Be sure to dust the bulbs as well. Next, clean your kitchen table from the top down, including the legs of the table and chairs. 

How to Deep Clean Windows & Window Treatments

If you have windows in your kitchen, begin by using Windex to clean off any smudges and fingerprints. Make sure to wipe down both the top and bottom of the windows. Open the window and clean the track. I do this by spraying the track with Windex and wiping it down with a paper towel. If the dirt inside the track is hard to reach, try placing a butter knife inside an old washcloth and using it to reach tight spaces.

The method used to clean your window treatments will vary according to what you have. I currently have Roman shades in my kitchen and I am unable to take them down to wash them. Instead, I spot clean them with a damp cloth and mild soap and use a lint roller to rid of dust.

In other parts of my house, I have plantation shutters that I use a microfiber dust cloth to clean. If you don’t have microfiber cloths, I have found that Swiffer dusters work great as do dry Swiffer cloths. They both trap the dust and prevent it from spreading everywhere.

How to Deep Clean Doors & Switches

Wipe down door knobs and light switches with sanitizing wipes to reduce the likelihood of spreading germs. In addition, wipe down the doors to remove dirt and grime. If you have white doors, I suggest using Windex or Clorox Anywhere to clean the doors. If you have oak, cherry, walnut or other type of wood, I suggest using a wood cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or Dutch Glow Amish Wood Milk.

How to Deep Clean Floors

We are almost finished deep cleaning the kitchen! Hang in there! Now it is time for the floors get all the attention with a dry dust and then a wet mop (Swiffer is my favorite for both). In our previous home I used a floor steam mop to sanitize our kitchen floor. The hardwood we have now prevents me from using the steamer but I highly recommend using one if your flooring allows it.

Final Thoughts About the Kitchen

Now, pour yourself a nice beverage and relax! You have successfully deep cleaned your kitchen!

There is nothing more satisfying than to look around the kitchen and see everything clean and sparkling. The only way it would stay that way is if we never used it and we all know that’s never going to happen. So look now and be proud of your effort to deep clean your kitchen – it’s the hardest room in the house and you just finished it.

Take it one room, one day at a time. You’ve got this! When you’re ready, your bedroom is next. 

How To Deep Clean Your Bathroom

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the idea of deep cleaning any room, let alone an entire house. That is why I’m taking it one room at a time. I’ve created a checklist for you to download so you can check-off items as you go, giving yourself some momentum to finish the job. Do what you can when you can. If you can only work on it an hour or two at a time, then do that. If you have a period of time where you can dedicate more than that, take advantage of the opportunity and get it all done. The whole idea is to make it work for you. So let’s get started on our next cleaning venture…the bathroom.

Just like in the kitchen, I suggest starting at the top and working your way down when deep cleaning the bathroom. This eliminates the need to have to clean areas multiple times as a result of dirt and dust moving around. Use a long-handled duster (I like to use this one made by Swiffer) to reach where the ceiling and wall meet. Pay particular attention to the corners, they can become pretty dusty.

Next, dust the walls of the bathroom. Use a wet cloth to wipe down afterwards to remove any toothpaste or unwanted splatter. I’m always amazed at how far toothpaste can travel in my kids bathroom.

How to Deep Clean Mirrors & Lighting

Clean the mirrors and the lighting using Windex or a microfiber cloth. Be sure to dust the lightbulbs as well.

How to Deep Clean Vanity & Sinks

Scrub your vanity tops and sinks with a disinfectant to kill unwanted germs. Be sure to wipe around the back of the faucets and faucet handles. If you have a backsplash behind your sink, don’t forget to wipe it down as well.

Spray your cabinet doors with either a wood soap cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or Windex, depending on what type of cabinets you have. I prefer to use Windex since I have white cabinets, it removes dirt and smudge marks better than anything else I’ve used.

How to Deep Clean the Doors & Switches

Wipe down door knobs and light switches with sanitizing wipes to reduce the likelihood of spreading germs. In addition, wipe down the doors to remove dirt and grime. If you have white doors, I suggest using Windex or Clorox Anywhere to clean the doors. If you have oak, cherry, walnut or other type of wood, I suggest using a wood cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or Dutch Glow Amish Wood Milk.

How to Deep Clean the Toilet

The toilet – perhaps the worst part of cleaning. Not because it’s hard, just because it’s gross. I always start with the back of toilet tank and wipe it down. Proceed to disinfect in this order: tank, around the outside of the bowl, sides, top of lid, underneath lid, top of seat, underneath seat, and rim of toilet.

Sanitize the inside of the toilet bowl with your favorite toilet bowl cleaner. Wait a few minutes and scrub from the top of the bowl to the bottom. Resist flushing to allow the cleaner to continue working.

How to Deep Clean the Rugs & Decorative Items

Rugs and decorative items are the easiest. Simply throw your rugs in the washer (on hot!) and wipe down any decorative items. This includes pictures, candles, plants, shelving… anything in the bathroom that collects dust.

How to Deep Clean the Baseboards & Floors

For baseboards, begin by spraying them down with your favorite cleaner and wiping them with a cloth. You can use a dry duster if you choose, I prefer to spray them because it just works better, especially if you have pets and have pet hair to remove. Dry dusting your baseboards is a good option though if you’re short on time.

For our bathroom floors, I use a floor steamer . It sanitizes while removing dirt and grime. The pads that attach to the bottom of the steamer can be easily removed and washed in the washing machine. The steamer itself is light and easy to maneuver.

How to Deep Clean the Windows & Window Treatments

If you have windows in your bathroom, begin by using Windex to clean off any smudges and fingerprints. Make sure to wipe down both the top and bottom of the windows. Open the window and clean the track. I do this by spraying the track with Windex and wiping it down with a paper towel. If the dirt inside the track is hard to reach, try placing a butter knife inside an old washcloth and using it to reach tight spaces.

The method used to clean your window treatments will vary according to what you have. I currently have Roman shades in my kitchen and I am unable to take them down to wash them. Instead, I spot clean them with a damp cloth and mild soap and use a lint roller to rid of dust.

In other parts of my house, I have plantation shutters or blinds that I use a microfiber dust cloth to clean. If you don’t have microfiber cloths, I have found that Swiffer dusters work great as do dry Swiffer cloths. They both trap the dust and prevent it from spreading everywhere.

How to Deep Clean the Shower & Bath

To clean the bathtub, spray it with disinfectant and wipe down the entire area, including the faucet and handles.

Next, I move on to the shower. I wet the floor of the shower, sprinkle it with Comet, and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes. I then use a scrub brush and scrub the floor in a circular motion, focusing on the center of the shower where it becomes the dirtiest. Rinse well.

For the tile surrounding the shower, I have used both a homemade shower cleaner and Tilex. I personally prefer the Tilex but I know there are alternatives you may be more comfortable with. I wait until I have finished cleaning everything else since the spray I use has a strong odor. Spray down the walls and the shower door with your preferred cleaner and allow it to penetrate. Open-up the window and keep the exhaust fan on at all times to help reduce the fumes. I leave, close the door and return in about an hour to rinse the shower down.

Hooray! Your Bathroom is Now CLEAN!

Congratulations on finishing the steps towards a bathroom that is not only clean, but deep cleaned. Take a moment to relish in your hard work while everything is still sparkling. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Feels so good, doesn’t it? Ready for the next room? Give yourself time before reading how to Deep Clean Your Bedroom. For now, enjoy a nice glass of your favorite beverage and relax – maybe even take a bubble bath – you deserve it!

How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom

Let’s Begin at the Top

To start deep cleaning your bedroom, I work from the top down. I start with dusting where the wall and ceiling meet. This seems to be where dust tags hang out. Ewww. I use a Swiffer duster with the expandable handle, this allows me to reach without having to stand on top of a chair (that comes later).

How to Deep Clean Lamps, Doors & Light Switches

One of my favorite cleaning hacks is to use a lint roller to remove dust and hair from lamp shades. It works amazingly well and doesn’t damage the shade.

Wipe down door knobs and light switches with Clorox sanitizing wipes to reduce the likelihood of spreading germs. In addition, wipe down the doors to remove dirt and grime. If you have white doors, I suggest using Windex or Clorox Anywhere to clean the doors. If you have oak, cherry, walnut or other type of wood, I suggest using a wood cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or Dutch Glow Amish Wood Milk. 

Wash Bed Linens, Including the Pillows

When it’s time to deep clean the bedroom, the bed is the most important item on your checklist. Start from the bottom-most layer on the bed and work up. Wash your mattress pad on hot and vacuum the mattress thoroughly. Next, wash the sheets on hot in addition to your pillowcases and blankets. For added measure, I also add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to kill any remaining bacteria.

Place your pillows in the washer on hot. When drying, place a tennis ball inside a sock and place it in the dryer. This will help to fluff your pillows.

Finally, wash the bed covers. Depending on what type of bed covering you have, you may need to take it to the dry cleaner or laundromat if it doesn’t fit inside your washing machine.

Baseboards & Floors

For baseboards, begin by spraying them down with your favorite cleaner and wiping them with a cloth. You can use a Swiffer duster if you choose, I prefer to spray them because it works better to remove dirt. Dry dusting your baseboards is a good option though if you’re short on time.

Vacuum carpets or mop depending on what type of floors you have. If you have carpet, vacuum before dusting because the vacuum will send dust everywhere.

I absolutely can’t live without my microfiber dusting cloths,  I use them during my weekly cleaning but also when I deep clean. I have dark furniture in my bedroom and it shows EVERYTHING. That is why I keep a supply of microfiber dusting cloths both upstairs and downstairs because I use them a lot. They trap the dust and prevent it from flying everywhere. I do not use dusting spray on the furniture in my bedroom because it makes the finish look greasy. If there’s a smudge or something I need to remove, I use a wet dusting cloth and wipe in clean.

If you have windows in your bedroom, begin by using Windex to clean off any smudges and fingerprints. Make sure to wipe down both the top and bottom of the windows. Open the window and clean the track. I do this by spraying the track with Windex and wiping it down with a paper towel. If the dirt inside the track is hard to reach, try placing a butter knife inside an old washcloth and using it to reach tight spaces.

Now that you’ve deep cleaned your bedroom, it can truly become your sanctuary. Relax and unwind in your own private space and get ready for a fantastic night of sleep!

Congratulations on a job well done! You have just completed a deep cleaning of three major rooms in your home. Take pride in what you’ve accomplished! Now that you’ve done the hard work, stay on top of the cleaning with minimal effort. Check out my posts on weekly cleaning and five daily habits to keep your house clean throughout the week.

Do you have any cleaning tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by!