Deep Clean Your Home in 7 Simple Steps for a Sparkling Space

Deep cleaning involves more than routine tidying; it means scrubbing every corner to eliminate ingrained dirt, dust, and grime.

A thorough deep clean addresses areas usually overlooked, resulting in a fresh and spotless home.

Here, cleaning professionals share their best cleaning hacks for effectively deep cleaning your home, including essential supplies and potential costs.

Deep Cleaning Your Home

1. Begin with Decluttering

'Always kick off with decluttering,' advises Alessandro Gazzo, a professional cleaner. His logic is straightforward.

'Why waste time cleaning items you plan to discard?' he asks.

Use three boxes labeled “donate,” “dispose,” and “recycle or keep,” following the Pile Decluttering Method.

According to Lauren Houser, a cleaning expert, 'Clearing visible clutter simplifies surface cleaning and instantly enhances room tidiness.'

'Utilize storage baskets, like the Mainstays Storage Basket at Walmart, for organizing stray items, and collect trash or donations as you go.'

Afterward, decide whether to donate or sell items you’ve cleared out.

2. Dust All Surfaces

Next, focus on dust removal.

Karina Toner, cleaning expert, suggests, 'Since dust falls, start at the top. Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves before moving down to counters and floors.'

'This order ensures you won’t dirty any areas you've just cleaned.'

Begin by dusting ceiling corners, crown moldings, and light fixtures using an extendable duster, like the Swiffer Dusters with Extension Pole from Walmart, or a microfiber cloth to capture cobwebs.

'Continue down to walls, art, and picture frames, ensuring to dust them thoroughly.'

'Don’t forget high shelves, cabinet tops, and door frames, along with blinds and vents.'

3. Clean Windows

Next, tackle your windows, suggests Lauren.

'Start by vacuuming window sills and tracks to remove dust and bugs,' she recommends. 'Then apply glass cleaner, such as Zep Foaming Glass Cleaner at Amazon,' and allow it to sit for a minute.'

'Wipe the glass from top to bottom, alternating directions to spot streaks easily. Clean window frames and locks, too.'

Don't forget window treatments; use a handheld vacuum with a brush attachment for blinds. For curtains, wash or fluff them in the dryer to remove dust.

'Re-hang immediately to prevent wrinkles.'

4. Wipe Down Surfaces and Fixtures

Karina notes, 'After dusting, it’s time to disinfect high-traffic areas.'

Both Lauren and Karina recommend a reliable all-purpose cleaner like the Method All-Purpose Cleaner at Walmart for general use, or a tougher option like the Zep Commercial All-Purpose Cleaner at Walmart for tough areas.

'Wipe countertops, tables, windowsills, doors, light switches, and baseboards,' Lauren instructs. 'Use a soft microfiber cloth like the Great Value Microfiber Cloth at Walmart to avoid scratches.'

'For wood surfaces, opt for a gentle wood polish or cleaner.'

'Always spray cloths instead of directly on electronics to prevent damage.'

'This is also a great opportunity to sanitize frequently touched areas, including doorknobs and remote controls, which can be cleaned in just a few minutes.'

5. Thoroughly Clean the Kitchen

Cleaning the kitchen is often the most time-consuming aspect of a deep clean, but the results are rewarding.

Lauren advises, 'Begin at the top by dusting and wiping high cabinets or ledges where grease accumulates.'

'Clean both the exterior and interior of appliances, including the refrigerator and the microwave.

If possible, pull the fridge and stove away from the wall to vacuum and mop the dirt behind them.'

Next, clean your stovetop, using methods specific to your appliance type. For tough grease, a heavy-duty cleaner like Zep Commercial Grill and Oven Cleaner at Amazon can be effective.'

'Wipe down cabinet fronts with a gentle cleaner for wood or warm soapy water for painted surfaces.'

'Lastly, clean small appliances like the toaster and coffee maker, and thoroughly clean the sink.'

'Finish by scrubbing countertops and backsplashes, only returning items that are clean and essential for daily use.'

6. Deep Clean Your Bathroom

Your bathroom also requires a thorough deep clean, so address it next.

'Start by treating visible mold or mildew, particularly in grout, shower corners, or tub edges,' Lauren suggests. 'If you see pink or gray discoloration from mold or soap scum, apply a mildew remover like Zep Mold Stain & Mildew Remover at Walmart and let it sit before scrubbing.

This step allows the cleaner time to work while you tackle other tasks.'

Next, clean the tub and shower. If you have a shower curtain, wash it according to its care instructions. For fabric curtains, a gentle cycle in the washer works well, while plastic liners can usually go on cold.

Remove any products from the shower, spray tub and tile cleaner on surfaces, and let it sit to dissolve soap scum.

For glass shower doors, use a trusted cleaner to restore clarity, then rinse and polish fixtures.

Don’t neglect the toilet; apply cleaner, such as the Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel at Amazon, and scrub the bowl thoroughly with a brush like the Clorox ToiletWand from Walmart.

'For the sink and vanity, remove items, scrub the sink and faucet (a toothbrush works well for tight spots), and wipe down countertops and cabinet faces,' Lauren adds. 'Clean mirrors with a glass cleaner and microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine.'

'Finally, sweep and mop the floor, focusing on areas around the toilet, and make sure to clean bathroom walls and corners where moisture accumulates.'

Be sure to sanitize high-touch areas like faucet handles, light switches, and cabinet pulls for better hygiene.

As Lauren emphasizes, a comprehensive bathroom clean not only makes it shine but also enhances sanitation. This is key to keeping your bathroom smelling fresh.

7. Clean Your Floors

Wrap up by addressing your floors.

Utilize an appropriate vacuum for hardwood or carpet to clear away any remaining dust and debris.

Then, Lauren suggests, 'Mop with a suitable cleaner – use a wood cleaner for hardwood floors, a mild cleaner for laminate, or a tile cleaner for tiles.'

'For wood, use a damp microfiber mop to prevent excessive water damage.' The MR.SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop at Amazon is a great choice.

For added cleanliness, especially in bathrooms, consider using one of the top steam cleaners. The BLACK+DECKER 7-in-1 Steam Mop at Amazon is highly recommended.

'Vacuum carpets slowly to extract embedded dust,' Lauren adds. 'Use the crevice tool for baseboards and under furniture. Focus on high-traffic areas and treat any stains as needed.'

You can refresh carpets without a machine or use the BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner at Amazon for spot cleaning.

What to Buy

All prices are accurate as of publication.

Hiware All-Purpose Shower Squeegee

This versatile squeegee provides a streak-free finish, featuring an ergonomic handle and a 10-inch rubber blade.

Joseph Joseph CleanTech Cleaning Set

This comprehensive kit includes everything needed for polishing surfaces, complete with a telescopic handle for hard-to-reach spots.

EasyWring™ Spin Mop & Bucket System

This microfiber mop effectively removes 99% of bacteria using just water, safe for all sealed surfaces like tile, wood, and laminate.

FAQs

What is the cost of deep cleaning a home?

Deep cleaning can be done independently for the cost of supplies or by hiring professionals for a fee.

If you hire a cleaning service, expect to pay between $200 and $400 for a deep clean, depending on size, location, and the specific services needed.

'Larger or particularly dirty homes will incur higher costs,' Lauren mentions. 'For example, homes exceeding 3,000 sq. ft. or those needing extra services, like appliance cleaning, could cost between the high hundreds to over $800.'

When cleaning yourself, anticipate spending around $50 on supplies, depending on what you already have. Investing in quality cleaning supplies is recommended for best results.

That said, as Karina points out, 'If you're stocked up and enjoy the process, DIY may only cost you time.'

Meet Our Experts

A cleaning enthusiast and mother, Lauren emphasizes the importance of effective cleaning products and consistent habits.

With contributions to various publications, Karina possesses extensive knowledge in commercial and residential cleaning, with Spekless completing 1,500 to 2,000 deep cleans annually.

As a professional cleaner, Alessandro has deep cleaned 80 to 100 homes personally.

Experts recommend deep cleaning every three to six months, depending on household factors such as the number of residents and pets.

Learn more about cleaning with pets.