The Ultimate Deep Cleaning Checklist for Your House

We’ve scrubbed away the confusion around deep-cleaning with this organized, easy-to-follow deep-cleaning-your-house checklist that guides you through every step of the process.

Supplies you'll need for a deep house cleaning

The key to getting the deepest clean is ensuring you have the right products and tools for the job. Before we get into our deep cleaning checklist, gather the essential supplies you’ll need to do the job:

• Microfiber cloths
• All-purpose cleaner
• Vacuum with attachments
• Broom and mop
• Toothbrush or small scrub brush
• Glass cleaner
• Disinfecting wipes
• Degreaser
• Baking soda and vinegar
• Trash bags and donation boxes

Living Room and Common Areas

Let’s tick off the first boxes of our deep clean checklist in the living room. Because this is where you and your family hang out, so it’s only natural that dust, dirt, and clutter of life accumulate here. To truly refresh this high-traffic space, go beyond surface cleaning and target some less obvious areas.

• Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures: Dust loves to settle up high. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to clean ceiling fan blades. Wipe down light fixtures, lampshades, and bulbs.
• Baseboards and Molding: Run a damp cloth or sponge along baseboards and molding. Scrub corners where dust collects with a soft-bristle brush.
• Upholstery and Furniture: Vacuum sofas, chairs, and cushions, paying special attention to crevices. Dust and polish wood or metal furniture. Use a fabric cleaner on upholstery to remove stains or spills.
• Electronics: Wipe down TV screens with a microfiber cloth. Clean remotes, gaming controllers, and other devices with disinfecting wipes.
• Air Vents and Grills: These can accumulate dust, and cleaning them is key to improving the air quality in your home. Remove vent covers and wash them with soap and water, if applicable. Vacuum inside the vent openings and the ducts leading to them to remove dust buildup. Check and clean the condensate drain line to ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage.
• Carpets and Floors: Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly, including under furniture. Use a deodorizer on carpets and rugs to eliminate odors and leave your space smelling fresh. For hard floors, sweep and mop using a suitable floor cleaner to remove dirt and grime.

Kitchen

While you may do some of your most regular cleaning in the kitchen, some hard-to-reach splatters, hidden crumbs, and tricky stainless steel spots deserve some extra attention. The next items on our deep cleaning checklist include tending to some forgotten areas.

• Behind, Under, and Inside Appliances: Move appliances like the fridge and stove to sweep or vacuum behind and underneath. Wipe down the walls and floors where appliances were placed. Clean the inside of the fridge and oven, scrubbing shelves and racks, as well as the range filter. A thorough cleaning of appliances can be not only hygienic, but a great way to extend their lifespan.
• Cabinets and Drawers: Empty all cabinets and drawers, then vacuum out crumbs and debris. Wipe down shelves and drawer interiors with a mild cleaner. Use a degreaser to remove sticky spots from kitchen cabinets.
• Sink and Faucets: Water spots and grime can gather around sinks and taps. Scrub the sink basin with a non-abrasive cleaner and clear the garbage disposal of any food debris. Use a toothbrush to clean around faucet bases and handles. Polish stainless steel sinks and faucets for extra shine.
• Countertops and Backsplash: These surfaces need more than a quick wipe. Clear countertops and wipe them down with an all-purpose cleaner. Scrub backsplash tiles and grout with a mild cleanser or vinegar solution.
• Dishwasher: Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or vinegar to remove buildup. Wipe down the door and seals of your dishwasher, making sure they are free from grime.

Bedrooms

The next target of our house deep cleaning are the bedrooms. Once you tackle this space, you’ll breathe easy knowing it’s a true dust and clutter-free zone, ready to welcome you at the end of the day.

• Mattress and Bedding: Vacuum your mattress, paying special attention to seams and edges. Launder bedding, pillows, and comforters according to care labels. Rotate or flip your mattress to even out wear.
• Closets and Drawers: Empty out your closet and drawers, then vacuum or dust shelves. Wipe down drawers and closet doors with an all-purpose cleaner. Sort through clothes, donating or discarding items you no longer wear.
• Baseboards and Furniture: Dust and polish bedside tables, dressers, and other furniture. Wipe baseboards with a damp cloth to remove dust and grime.
• Mirrors and Glass: Use a streak-free glass cleaner to wipe down mirrors and any glass surfaces.

Bathrooms

If there’s any room in your house that could use a deep clean, it’s the bathroom — the soap scum, mildew, and grime that can build up are no joke. Follow our deep clean checklist to ensure this space sparkles and feels fresh.

• Tile and Grout: Scrub tiles and grout with a mild cleaner or a baking soda paste. Use a toothbrush or grout brush for deep cleaning grout lines. Rinse and dry thoroughly to prevent future mildew growth.
• Cabinets and Drawers: Empty out cabinets and drawers, vacuum up any debris. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and doors with an all-purpose cleaner. Toss expired products and reorganize toiletries and essentials.
• Mirrors and Faucets: Use a streak-free glass cleaner on mirrors for a spotless shine. Clean faucets with a disinfecting wipe or mild cleaner to remove soap scum and water stains.
• Shower Curtain and Bath Mat: Wash or replace your shower curtain and liner. Launder the bath mat, and be sure to dry it thoroughly.

Entryway and laundry room

Next up on our deep clean checklist are those extra spaces. Your entryway is the first part of your home guests see, and clutter and dirt easily pile up here. Meanwhile, the laundry room is a workhorse that can also gather lint, dust, and spills.

• Baseboards, Light Switches, and Doorknobs: Wipe down baseboards with a damp cloth to remove dust. Clean light switches, doorknobs, and other touchpoints with disinfecting wipes.
• Closets and Shoe Storage: Empty closets, vacuum or wipe down shelves, and sweep out dust. Reorganize shoes, coats, and accessories, donating any items you no longer use.
• Laundry Appliances: Pull out the washer and dryer to clean behind and underneath them. Wipe the inside of the washer drum with a damp cloth to prevent mildew. Clean the dryer’s lint trap thoroughly, and vacuum out the vent if necessary.
• Laundry Shelving and Cabinets: Empty cabinets and shelving, vacuuming up lint and dust. Wipe down shelves, and reorganize detergents and cleaning supplies.

Outdoor spaces

Since outdoor spaces are, well, outside, it can be easy to overlook the dirt buildup on the furniture and fixtures. These can use a good deep clean, too.

• Windows and Screens: Wash windows with a glass cleaner or vinegar solution for a streak-free shine. Clean window screens by removing them and scrubbing gently with soapy water.
• Window Tracks and Frames: Use a vacuum attachment or a small brush to remove dust and debris from the tracks. Wipe down the window frames with a damp cloth, making sure all dirt is removed for smooth operation.
• Outdoor Furniture: Wipe down outdoor furniture with a mild cleaner and a cloth. Wash cushions, if applicable, or hose them off and let them air dry.
• Patio or Deck: Sweep the patio or deck thoroughly to remove leaves and dirt. Scrub the deck or patio with a brush and a mild detergent to remove stubborn stains.

Don’t Worry. Be Warranty, with American Home Shield®

Now that you’ve taken a look at our checklist for deep cleaning your house, there can be no doubt that deep cleaning is one of the best things you can do to feel good in your space, and one of the best things you can do to extend the life of your systems and appliances.

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.