Have you recently looked around your home and realized it’s gotten kind of messy? You’re not alone. Often, we get so caught up with work, school, and other priorities that it’s easy to get behind on chores and cleaning. This results in a living space that may not be your idea of clean. 

To keep a tidy home, you’re going to need to first hit the reset button by doing a deep clean and getting it back to the way you like it. From there, a bit of daily maintenance will help your home look and feel fresh all the time. 

In this article, we take you through a deep clean checklist for the whole house that will help you get through it room to room, including some tips on what you’ll need to get the job done and how to keep it spick-and-span.

Once you've completed a deep clean, maintenance can be a breeze. Here are some tips to help you keep a tidy home:

• Clean up any spills or dirt right away to prevent build-up or spreading.

• Ask your housemates and any guests to remove their shoes at the entrance.

• Do your dishes or load the dishwasher right after dinner before settling in for the evening.

• When cooking, clean up as you go to avoid a mountain of dishes.

• When working on a craft or DIY project, pick up any scraps or items you're finished with right away instead of letting them clutter your room.

• Thoroughly wipe your kitchen counter daily, sweeping your crumbs into a cloth and then the garbage.

• Create a weekly cleaning checklist for rooms and items in your house that need regular attention. If it helps, make a schedule until you get used to it. The best cleaning schedule is one you create yourself.

• Put things back where they go as soon as you've finished using them.

The cleaning supplies you’ll need

• Dishwashing detergent

• All-purpose cleaner

• Floor cleaner

• Window cleaner

• Scrub brush

• Rubber or latex gloves

• Duster

• Vacuum

• Mop

• Cloths

House cleaning tips

• Dust from top to bottom so you’re not dropping dirt on your freshly cleaned surfaces.

• Do your dusting before you sweep or vacuum, so you’re not shooting dirt onto your freshly cleaned floor.

• Sweep or vacuum your floors before mopping them, so you’re not simply moving dirt around the room. Additionally, dirt is easier to sweep when it’s dry.

• Work from right to left in an orderly fashion instead of darting around the room to ensure a thorough clean.

• Create a process in which you clean the rooms each time you deep clean and avoid going back to a room once complete. Starting at the back of the house will ensure those rooms get the attention they need. It’s easy to want to clean the ones near the entrance and call it a day.

• Pick up any clutter or misplaced items before cleaning and put them in their respective places.

• Carry your supplies in a caddy or apron for easy access. You’ll save time by not going back and forth to your closet or cupboard to get them.

• Play music and wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty.

House cleaning checklist

What to clean in every room

• Pick up any clutter or misplaced items.

• Dust the ceiling fan, shelves, surfaces, and things like picture frames and knick-knacks.

• Wipe the light fixtures.

• Vacuum or dust the lampshades and blinds.

• Wash the windows, avoid using a streaky all-purpose cleaner and go for a product like Windex.

• Vacuum the vents and registers.

• Sweep or vacuum the floors, mopping if needed.

Bedroom

Suphansa – stock.adobe.com

• Flip the mattress.

• Change the bedsheets.

• Organize the closet.

• Straighten out the clothes in your dresser.

• Ensure any dirty clothing is in the hamper and wash your dirty sheets right away to make some space in there.

Kitchen

Aleksandra Suzi – stock.adobe.com

• Organize the pantry.

• Clean the microwave inside and out.

• Wipe the shelves and outside of the fridge.

• Shine the stovetop.

• Scrub the oven.

• Deep clean the sink.

• Wipe under items and small appliances that sit on your countertop.

• Spot clean the outside of the cabinets.

Bathroom

New Africa – stock.adobe.com

• Clean the toothbrush holder.

• Wipe down the shower rack.

• Tidy and clean the vanity.

• Shine the mirror.

• Scrub the toilet, not just the bowl, be sure to get it all over with a bathroom cleaner.

• Clean the tub and sink.

• Wash the bath mat and shower curtain.

• Pull the hair from your drains.

Living room

tanyastock – stock.adobe.com

• Polish the furniture.

• Sanitize the remote controls.

• Vacuum the sofa and chairs.

• Wash the blankets and pillows.

• Dust inside the drawers of your furniture.

Cleaning FAQs

How do I motivate myself to clean my house

First and foremost, breaking it down into smaller tasks is likely to help you feel less overwhelmed. The list in this article divides cleaning an entire house into rooms. If you’re unable to get it done in one day, plan to do it over a few days. You can also start by completing a small task and then another to see how you’re feeling. Getting a few things done feels rewarding, and it will most likely motivate you to keep going. If all your tasks seem too large, set a timer for 10 minutes and see how far you get and how you feel.

Technically, you needn’t feel like cleaning to actually clean, but once you get through it, you’ll feel amazing, and your house will look refreshed. Weigh your options, though. If it’s a choice between a get-together with friends on a beautiful day or organizing your sock drawer, go out and enjoy yourself.

What rooms should you clean first?

The most challenging rooms to clean in your house are likely to be the ones you use the most, like the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. To ensure you get through the whole house, starting with these rooms is ideal as you’ll have smaller tasks afterward that require less energy and attention to detail. Start with the furthest room from your main entrance, as you’re more likely to keep the motivation to clean the ones visible from your door.

How do you properly clean a toilet?

Start by spreading the toilet cleaner around the bowl so it can soak. As it does, focus on getting the outside of the toilet clean. If it’s covered in hair, give it a quick wipe down with a paper towel or a clean cloth. Next, spray it with a bathroom cleaner or an all-purpose disinfecting cleaner.

Using a separate cloth or sponge, clean the outside, including the base and the floor immediately around it. Wipe the seat and lid, saving the underside of the seat for last. Then use the brush to scrub the bowl, and remember to get under the rm around the top. Avoid cleaning anything but the bowl with the brush.

Happy cleaning

If you suddenly realize that you’re behind on chores, you’re not alone, and kudos to you for showing up and looking for a solution. Why not let Gopuff check one item off your list by ordering cleaning supplies right to your door? They’ll be there in a matter of minutes.