Everyone always talks about the importance of spring cleaning, but fall cleaning should be just as important! Starting the new season off organized and clean will help set you up for success in the coming months.
Deep cleaning can seem like a monumental task, but with a few tips and tricks, it can be simplified! Following a deep cleaning checklist is one of the most important ways to narrow down big tasks and can help you speed along the cleaning process.
A couple of tips to start…
- Go room by room. Working in one individual room at a time can make deep cleaning easier to accomplish because it makes the process less overwhelming. By starting with the most used rooms like the kitchen and bathrooms, the process can be much less stressful.
- Separate deep cleaning and decluttering. Decluttering and cleaning are different! Doing both at the same time can quickly make fall cleaning overwhelming. Declutter your home first, then do deep cleaning once all of the unnecessary items have been removed.
- Prepare your cleaning supplies. Make sure before you take on the task of deep cleaning your home that you have all of the necessary supplies to clean with. Having to stop the cleaning flow to get supplies will make it more difficult and time-consuming.
(P.S. This list can always be tailored to your individual needs and your home!)
1. Whole House
- Sweep/ vacuum all floors
- Steam clean carpets
- Mop floors
- Wash or steam rugs
- Polish hardwood floors
- Change burned-out light bulbs
- Change smoke detector batteries if necessary
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Dust baseboards/ crown molding
- Dust hidden corners of the rooms
- Wipe down windows/ blinds
- Dust decorative pieces/ wall art/ wall hangings
- Wipe down/ disinfect door handles 2. Kitchen
- Wash and store away dishes
- Clean and disinfect the sink and sink handles
- Clean and disinfect the countertops
- Throw away expired food from the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer
- Clean and disinfect the inside of the refrigerator and freezer
- Wipe down appliances
- Clean the interior of the oven, microwave, and other appliances
- Wipe down the backsplash
- Wipe down the cabinets (and underneath the cabinets)
- Dust the top of the cabinets
- Organize the cabinets and drawers
- Organize under the kitchen sink
- Organize the pantry
- Take out the trash
- Clean the interior and exterior of the trash can 3. Bathrooms
- Wipe down the sink and sink countertops
- Disinfect sink handles
- Wipe down the mirrors
- Dust the light fixtures/ top of cabinets
- Scrub the toilet
- Wipe down the exterior of the toilet
- Clean and organize under the sink/ cabinets
- Scrub the shower/ bath and fixtures
- Wash towels and rugs
- Take out the trash
- Clean the interior and exterior of the trash can 4. Living Room
- Dust the mantel/ shelves/ decorative items
- Wipe down/ dust coffee table
- Dust the electronics
- Wash pillowcases and blankets
- Vacuum drapes/ dust blinds
- Organize decorative items
- Organize items in drawers
- Steam/ vacuum couches and chair 5. Dining Room
- Wipe down the dining room table
- Dust any dining room furniture
- Organize decorative items 6. Bedrooms
- Wash bedding and pillowcases
- Clean/ dust bedroom furniture surfaces
- Vacuum drapes/ dust blinds
- Organize decorative/ misc. Items 7. Closets
- Hang up clean laundry
- Wash dirty laundry
- Organize/ fold clothing where necessary
- Dust top of shelves 8. Office
- File away loose papers
- Organize drawers and cabinets
- Wipe down/ dust surfaces of furniture
- Wipe down/ dust electronics
- Take out trash
- Clean interior and exterior of trash can 9. Laundry Room
- Dust all surfaces
- Refill laundry supplies
- Discard empty laundry cleaning supplies
- Clean dryer vents and ducts
- Take out the trash (if applicable)
- Clean interior and exterior of trash can 10. Garage
- Sweep debris out of the garage
- Clean interior of the car of unnecessary items
- Put away tools/ supplies
- Organize seasonal items and storage into containers
- Store away/ organize sports items or toys