A deep clean of your home goes beyond the regular surface cleaning you do day-to-day. It tackles those areas that tend to be neglected and helps remove built-up dirt, germs, and allergens. Doing a thorough deep cleaning session regularly is important for several reasons:
Improves Air Quality
Dust, pet dander, mold spores and other allergens floating around in your home’s air can lead to breathing issues and aggravate allergies. Deep cleaning helps trap and remove these irritants from your home’s environment.
Some key tasks that help improve indoor air quality:
- Vacuuming upholstery, curtains, blinds and carpets gets rid of dust and deeply embedded pet dander. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for the best results.
- Washing bed linen and pillow covers in hot water removes dust mites and their feces which are common allergens.
- Cleaning ceiling fans, AC vents, windows, baseboards and walls gets rid of surface dust, cobwebs and accumulated grime.
- Using steam cleaners on tiles, grout and showers eliminates mold and mildew growth.
- Cleaning and replacing HVAC filters stops dust and allergens from circulating back into the air.
Kills Germs and Bacteria
Deep cleaning your home with disinfectants is important to help kill illness causing germs like Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, influenza virus and the common cold virus. These germs and bacteria accumulate on household surfaces over time.
Focus disinfecting these germ hot spots:
- Kitchen sinks, countertops, appliance handles and floors
- Bathroom sinks, showers, toilets, doorknobs and floors
- Kids’ toys, play areas and furniture
- Pet bowls, crates and litter boxes
- Garbage cans
- Shared electronics like phones, tablets and remotes
- Doorknobs, light switches and railings
Prevents Pest Infestations
Crumbs, grease spills, dirt and clutter around the home attract pests like ants, cockroaches, mice, flies and silverfish. A deep cleaning session helps eliminate food sources and hiding spots for these pests.
- Clean behind and under appliances in the kitchen
- Vacuum and wash floor crevices and baseboards
- Clean window sills, vents and door frames
- Clear out clutter in storage areas
- Inspect for leaks including pipe leaks
- Seal any cracks and crevices
Improves Mental Health
Research shows that clutter around your living environment can negatively impact your mood and mental health. It can make you feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious.
Deep cleaning clears out the physical clutter so your mind feels less chaotic and stressed. A clean organized home sets a calming tone that makes your living space feel peaceful and put together.
Makes Your Home Safer
Deep cleaning improves home safety in many ways:
- Clearing dirt, grime and clutter removes tripping and falling hazards.
- Disinfecting surfaces prevents the spread of illnesses.
- Cleaning out cobwebs and dust lets you spot any pest issues or leaks early.
- Fixing leaks, electric issues, smoke detector batteries during the deep clean makes your home safer.
Easier Surface Cleaning
When you deep clean first, regular surface cleaning becomes quicker and easier. Dust and dirt have less places to hide when you’ve cleaned ceilings, walls, behind furniture and appliances, inside cabinets etc.
Vacuuming and mopping floors takes less time when you’ve already deep cleaned the floors beforehand. The floors stay cleaner longer as well.
Maintains Your Home’s Value
A clean and well-maintained home holds its value better and fetches a higher price when it’s time to sell. Deep cleaning when done regularly keeps your home looking its best.
Buyers also feel more comfortable moving into a home that’s been deep cleaned compared to one that hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly in years.
Where to Start with Deep Cleaning
Now that you know why deep cleaning is so important, here are some tips on tackling the job:
Make a plan – Make a list of all the tasks you want to complete and break them into more manageable chunks. Schedule the tasks room by room.
Set time aside – Deep cleaning takes more time than regular cleaning. Set enough time aside so you don’t feel rushed.
Start with clutter – Decluttering and organizing spaces allows you to clean more thoroughly.
Clean ceiling to floor – Work from top to bottom: ceilings, walls, then floors last. This stops dirt from above falling onto already cleaned areas.
Clean least to most dirty – Clean the cleaner rooms and items first before tackling really dirty areas to avoid spreading germs.
Move and clean behind furniture – Don’t forget areas hidden from view – behind and under furniture, beds, appliances etc.
Deep Cleaning Checklist by Room
Print out this deep cleaning checklist to make sure you tackle every part of each room:
Living Room
- Dust ceiling corners, fans, light fixtures, wall hangings
- Vacuum/wash curtains, blinds and upholstered furniture
- Disinfect remote controls, game controllers, TV screens and stands
- Vacuum under furniture and clean baseboards
- Steam clean carpets and rugs
- Dust shelves, clean windows and glass items
- Rearrange furniture and declutter
Bedrooms
- Vacuum mattresses, wash bedding and pillows
- Dust ceiling corners, fans, fixtures, baseboards
- Clean under bed and furniture
- Steam clean carpets
- Wash windows, sills, blinds and curtains
- Declutter closets, surfaces and storage areas
Kitchen
- Clean stove hood, top of refrigerator, cabinets and counters
- Disinfect sinks, appliance handles and surfaces
- Vacuum and mop floors, clean inside trash can
- Dust ceiling corners, vents, light fixtures
- Declutter pantries, organize appliances/cabinets
Bathrooms
- Disinfect toilet, sinks, showers, bathtubs, counters
- Scrub grout and tiles
- Clean walls, baseboards, ceilings, light fixtures, mirrors
- Dust vents and corners
- Declutter cabinets and storage spaces
Other Rooms
- Clear hallways, entrances of clutter
- Clean laundry room surfaces and appliances
- Vacuum and dust kids play areas and pet zones
- Clean patio furniture, declutter outdoor spaces
- Garage and basement deep clean and declutter
Supplies You’ll Need
Gather these supplies ahead of time to make your deep cleaning more efficient:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Disinfecting sprays and wipes
- Glass cleaner
- Tile/grout cleaner
- Floor cleaner and mop
- Vacuum with hose and attachments
- Microfiber cloths and dusters
- Small scrub brushes
- Rubber gloves
- Garbage bags
- Replacement HVAC filters
- Cleaning bucket, broom, dustpan
Deep Cleaning Services
If deep cleaning your entire home feels overwhelming, consider hiring professional cleaners. Look for services that offer deep cleaning packages.
Pro cleaners know how to thoroughly clean using the right techniques and can tackle difficult areas like HVAC ducts. They bring specialized equipment and use eco-friendly cleaning products.
Though hiring out costs more upfront, the benefits are worth it:
- The whole process is faster with a team cleaning your home.
- You avoid the physical labor and chemical smells.
- Professionals are trained to clean without damaging your property.
- It frees up a lot of time and mental energy for you.
- A deep cleaned home can be maintained more easily after.
Investing in a professional deep clean of your home every year is ideal. But doing a DIY session 2-3 times a year can go far in keeping your home fresh, healthy and safe for your family.
