How to Deep-Clean Every Room in Your House
Last month, I decided to tackle a full house deep clean, and wow – I had no idea how much stuff I’d been missing in my regular cleaning routine. There’s something incredibly satisfying about getting into all those forgotten corners and making your entire home sparkle.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, don’t worry. I’ve broken it down room by room so you can tackle this project without losing your mind.
What Makes Deep Cleaning Different?
Regular cleaning hits the obvious stuff – dishes, laundry, vacuuming. But deep cleaning goes further. We’re talking baseboards, light fixtures, inside appliances, and all those spots you normally just walk past.
I like to think of it as giving your house a reset. You’re not just maintaining – you’re really taking care of your space.
Before You Start: The Game Plan
Trust me on this – don’t just dive in with a spray bottle and hope for the best. Here’s what I learned works:
Gather your supplies first: All-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, vacuum with attachments, scrub brushes, and rubber gloves.
Work top to bottom: Dust falls down, so start with ceiling fans and work your way to floors.
One room at a time: Don’t bounce around. Finish completely before moving on.
Kitchen
The kitchen always takes me the longest, but it’s so worth it.
Start with the big appliances. Pull out your refrigerator and clean behind it – you’ll be shocked at what’s back there. Same with your stove. Remove the drip pans and soak them while you work on other areas.
Inside the fridge: Take everything out, toss expired items, and scrub every shelf and drawer. I use baking soda and water for this – it cuts through sticky spills without harsh chemicals.
Cabinets and drawers: Empty them completely. Wipe down the insides and clean the fronts. Don’t forget the handles – they get grimy fast.
The oven: This is where I usually cave and use the self-clean function, but if you’re going manual, make a paste with baking soda and water. Let it sit overnight, then scrub.
Living Room
Furniture: Move everything you can and vacuum underneath. Flip couch cushions and check for lost items (I found $3.47 and my missing earbuds).
Electronics: Dust your TV, gaming consoles, and sound system with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget the cords and cables behind everything.
Windows and blinds: This is tedious but makes such a difference. For blinds, I use a sock on a pair of tongs – weird trick, but it works.
Bedrooms
Under the bed: Move it if possible. You’ll probably find dust bunnies that have formed their own ecosystem.
Closets: Take everything out, vacuum the floor, and wipe down shelves. This is a great time to donate clothes you never wear.
Mattress: Strip it completely, vacuum both sides, and flip it if you can. Sprinkle some baking soda, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum again.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms need extra attention because of all the moisture and, let’s be honest, germs.
Shower and tub: Remove all bottles and scrub everything. Don’t forget the shower curtain or glass doors. I use white vinegar for soap scum – it works better than expensive cleaners.
Toilet: Not just the bowl – behind it, around the base, and those little bolts that somehow collect dust.
Medicine cabinet: Check expiration dates while you’re cleaning. Toss anything old or that you don’t use.
Laundry Room
Washing machine: Run an empty cycle with white vinegar to clean out soap buildup. Wipe down the outside and don’t forget the lint trap area.
Dryer: Clean the lint trap thoroughly and vacuum around the back if you can access it safely.
Pro Tips I’ve Learned
Music makes everything better. Create a playlist that gets you pumped up.
Take breaks. This isn’t a race. I usually do one room per day when I’m deep cleaning.
Get the family involved. Even kids can handle dusting baseboards or organizing closets.
When to Call for Backup
Sometimes the project is bigger than you bargained for, or life gets in the way. “I see a lot of people start ambitious deep cleaning projects and then get overwhelmed halfway through,” says Wes Bobek, owner of House Keep Up, which provides housekeeping services in Chicago. “That’s totally normal. The key is knowing when to ask for help.” Professional services can tackle the big jobs while you focus on maintaining the day-to-day stuff.
My Room-by-Room Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist I made for myself:
Every Room:
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Wipe down all surfaces
- Clean windows and window sills
- Vacuum or mop floors thoroughly
- Clean out vents and replace air fresheners
Don’t Forget:
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Door frames and the tops of doors
- Baseboards throughout the house
- Stair railings and spindles
The Satisfaction Factor
I’m not going to lie – deep cleaning is work. But when you’re done, your house feels different. The air seems cleaner, everything smells fresh, and you’ll notice details you’d forgotten about your own space.
The best part? Once you’ve done a thorough deep clean, keeping up with regular maintenance becomes so much easier. You’re not fighting layers of built-up grime anymore.
