Deep cleaning. We know our homes need it. But it always sounds so … deep! It brings to mind this massive chore that’s exhausting and never gets finished. Who has the time or energy? Surface cleaning is enough, right?
While surface cleaning helps week to week, deep cleaning with each new season, or at least twice a year, makes a big difference. You’ll breathe cleaner air, feel calm without the clutter, and enjoy a more comfortable home.
And deep cleaning isn’t as deep as it sounds. It’s manageable if you do it step by step, perhaps 15 minutes at a time. Here is a simple, doable checklist to help you refresh your home in easy steps. I recently used this exact list to deep clean my home, and I’m enjoying my home so much more.
Is Deep Cleaning Really Needed?
I know I’m not the only one who’s looked at that layer of dust, untouched for months, and wondered, “Is that making it harder for my family and me to breathe while we sleep?” The answer is yes, but it’s simpler to fix than most of us realize.
Deep cleaning refreshes indoor air quality, making your home a healthier place to live. You’ll reduce allergens, like dust mites, by eliminating all the dust they feed on. The air will be purer to breath, and your skin will feel better too.
When you deep clean, you’ll notice a difference right away in how fresh your home feels. You’ll feel more comfortable and relaxed. You’ll enjoy your time at home so much more. And you won’t be scrambling to clean for hours when you find out folks are visiting.
Deep cleaning gives you a solid foundation of clean. Your weekly surface cleaning will be a breeze. It’s so much easier to tidy up each week in a home that’s been deep cleaned.
Simple Steps for Seasonal Deep Cleaning
You can start deep cleaning right away with just little bursts of time. Here’s a helpful guide to deep clean your home, one step at a time.
Dust and Shine
Start with simple dusting. With a good duster, it’s easy, and you’ll see visible results.
Aim for the areas that don’t get dusted regularly: ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents, baseboards.
Start up high and work your way down, in case a dust bunny tumbles down in the process. Ideally, a good duster will pick up most of the dust instead of knocking it down.
Change out the duster when needed—it takes a few seconds to change it, so don’t put it off.
Brighten the Windows
The windows are often the most neglected in surface cleaning, but they can harbor a lot of allergens. Deep cleaning is a chance to wipe down your windows, inside and outside, if possible.
Give blinds a through dusting or vacuum. Put curtains in the wash. Be sure to wipe down windowsills too. Window cleaning will go a long way toward a healthier, more comfortable home.
Spiff up High-Touch Areas
Door knobs, drawer handles, switch plates—these are some of the most handled areas in your home, but they rarely get included in surface cleaning. Walk around with cleaning cloth in hand, ready to wipe every high-touch area.
Safety precaution: Turn off the breaker before cleaning a switch plate; test the switch to be sure the power is off; always proceed with caution, even with the breaker off; and avoid spraying or squeezing any liquid on the switch plate, due to its proximity to electrical wiring.
Touch up Appliances
We use appliances all the time, but they’re often neglected in regular cleaning. We may clean over and around them, but not give them thorough attention. The beauty of appliances is that a seasonal deep cleaning is often all they need.
Wipe down the inside of your oven and microwave. Wipe down refrigerator and freezer shelves. A baking soda-vinegar-water mixture makes a safe cleaner for food-related surfaces.
If feasible, unplug and move the fridge so you can wipe the coils and floor space. Safety precaution: Always be sure to unplug the fridge while wiping the coils.
Check Your Filters
If you own your home, deep cleaning time is a great reminder to check your HVAC filters and replace if needed. If you are renting, it’s a great time to remind your landlord, unless you already know their filter replacement schedule.
Remember to check any other filters too: air purifier, dehumidifier, vacuum cleaner, even your water and coffee pod filters that often get overlooked.
Choose One Area to Declutter
Deep cleaning is a great chance to do a little decluttering. You don’t need to hit the whole home—that’s a different project for a different time. But you can select one area to declutter as part of your deep cleaning.
You can choose to declutter the area that’s most visible on a daily basis, so you’ll feel at peace when it’s done. Even clearing off a counter or table surface is a great way to deep clean. Store items you need to keep and donate items you no longer need.
Refresh Less Visible Areas
A deep clean is your chance to get those areas you don’t see—under and behind furniture. That often sounds like an ordeal, but it doesn’t have to be, especially if that’s all you’re targeting for one day. It’ll go faster than you realize.
It’s important to keep those hidden areas clean. You’ll have peace of mind, knowing you’ve gotten rid of those cobwebs and dust bunnies that attract insects and aggravate allergies. That simple step can improve your air quality and comfort. If you hit those areas seasonally, you’ll be in good shape.
You can start with one room or clean several at a time, just targeting those specific areas. Move the furniture safely or use a dust or vacuum wand that reaches behind and under furniture. Give it a good cleaning, and you’re done till next season.
Revive Your Floors
While floors are part of regular cleaning, embrace your deep-cleaning mode to look a little closer. Are there stains you need to focus on? Does your carpet need a shampoo? Is this a good time to bring in a floor cleaning professional for a cleaning boost?
Apart from your furniture, your floors get the most wear and tear in your home. Take this deep-cleaning time to see how they’re doing. Keep your flooring in top shape, so it will last a long time.
Spruce up Indoor and Outdoor Entryways
If you have an entryway, this is a great time to shake out doormats, clear out cobwebs high and low, and sweep porches, patios, stairs, and those stray leaves and dirt deposited just inside the door. A clean entryway means less dust blown or tracked into the home, and it creates a welcoming feel every time you walk in.
Tips to Fit Deep Cleaning into Your Schedule
- Break your deep cleaning into doable 15-minute tasks. Set a timer so you can focus on the project and not feel like you’re stuck for hours.
- Choose one room or one cleaning category per day.
- Get the whole family to pitch in for faster results.
- Play fun music that you really enjoy to boost your energy.
You can also work a bit of deep cleaning into your regular cleaning routine to make things easier.
For example, whenever you wipe the kitchen counters, pick one thing extra to wipe, like appliance handles, fridge shelves, or microwave oven interior.
Whenever you dust, run the dust rag over the blinds and windowsills too.
Those little extras will make your seasonal deep cleaning easier and keep your home in great shape year-round.
Ready to Start?
Seasonal deep cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on one simple task at a time, you can deep clean in a way that fits into your schedule. You’ll see a positive difference as you complete each task. With a good deep cleaning seasonally, you’ll find weekly touch ups a breeze.
Ready to start? Choose one task from this list to focus on this week. When you finish, sit back, relax, and enjoy how much fresher your home feels already. If you can remember and celebrate that feeling, you’ll be motivated to clean another area on the list. And you’ll enjoy a comfortable, healthy, clean home.
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Janet Eriksson 