Use Our Deep Cleaning Checklist for Every Room in Your Home

Our checklist covers every room, every surface, and every often-overlooked spot.

sponges, gloves and cleaning spray bottle on a table in a home
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Carol Yepes / Getty Images

A clean home is more than just visually appealing—it’s a sanctuary that promotes comfort, health, and peace of mind. While regular tidying keeps things neat, a deep clean is essential for the overall maintenance of your space. But where do you start? Well, right here of course. We’ve consulted cleaning experts to create the ultimate deep cleaning house checklist that covers every room, every surface, and every often-overlooked spot.

Whether a particular room is in need of a deep clean or you're gearing up for a big seasonal refresh, this checklist, compiled with the help of cleaning experts, is your guide to a sparkling, refreshed space.

Meet the Expert

  • Molly Maid professional cleaners of North Nashville, Sumner, and Wilson Counties, Tenn.
  • Stephanie Phillips, owner of Phillips Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services

Before You Get Started

Our experts all agree that deep cleaning is best done when your home is already tidy. Before you dive into detail work, clear off counters, desks, and tables, and make sure the floors are clear of out-of-place items.

Below, you'll find that our deep cleaning checklist is organized room by room. "The easiest way to deep clean your home is to tackle it one room at a time," says owner of Phillips Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services, Stephanie Phillips. This will help keep the project manageable, allowing you to keep focus on each space without feeling burnt out or overwhelmed. It also ensures that no area goes overlooked, leading to a deeper, more effective clean. Plus, completing one room at a time can provide a sense of accomplishment and, thus, the motivation to continue.

How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen

open shelving in white kitchen
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vm / Getty Images

With all of its daily (nay, constant) use, kitchens need a frequent deep clean. Here's how to tackle this high-traffic area.

Materials Needed:

  • All-purpose cleaner with degreasing action
  • Oven cleaner
  • Floor cleaner (formulated for your floor type)
  • White vinegar
  • Bleach-based cleaning spray
  • Clean microfiber cloths
  • Detail brush
  • Vacuum or broom
  • Mop and bucket

Surfaces and Appliances:

  • Wipe down all counters, backsplashes, and shelves using a non-abrasive cleaner suitable for your countertop material (granite, marble, etc.).
  • Using an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth, wipe all cabinet fronts and inside cabinet doors. 
  • Clean stovetop and range hood. Remove grease and food splatter with a degreaser. 
  • Spray the inside of the oven with oven cleaner. While it sits for the specified time, wipe down the outside of the oven. Then wipe the inside with a dry cloth and then with a clean, damp rag to remove residue. 
  • Wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. Check expiration dates, clean shelves, and discard anything you will no longer use
  • Wipe the outside of the fridge with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Take extra care on the door handles.
  • Steam vinegar and water to loosen debris inside the microwave, then wipe to remove. Wipe the front of the microwave with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth. 
  • Clean and sanitize the sink and faucet with a bleach-based spray, microfiber cloth, and a detail brush for hard-to-reach areas. Pay attention to soap scum and mineral deposits.
  • Run a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or vinegar. Wipe the exterior and sanitize the handles.
  • Take the trash can outside and spray it with a bleach-based cleaner. Use your hose to rinse and allow it to fully air dry before bringing it inside.

Floors:

  • Vacuum or sweep floors to remove dust, crumbs, and debris.
  • Wipe down baseboards. 
  • Mop the floors with a cleaning solution suited for your floor type (tile, hardwood, laminate).

How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom

clean, modern bathroom in home
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hikesterson / Getty Images

There's nothing quite like a clean, fresh-smelling bathroom. Make yours sparkle with the following steps.

  • All-purpose cleaner 
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Disinfectant cleaner (formulated for your floor type)
  • Bleach-based cleaning spray
  • Glass cleaner
  • Clean microfiber cloths
  • Detail brush
  • Vacuum or broom
  • Mop and Bucket

Surfaces and Fixtures:

  • Scrub the toilet bowl with a toilet cleaner and wipe down the tank, seat, and handle with bleach-based cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth.
  • Use a bleach-based bathroom cleaner, detail brush, and microfiber cloths to tackle soap scum, mildew, and grout lines. 
  • Remove toothpaste, soap scum, and other buildup from sinks and countertops. Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe the surfaces and faucet handles.
  • Use a glass cleaner or a vinegar-water solution to clean the mirror. 
  • Wipe down any shelves, cabinets, and storage areas, throwing away unused or expired items as you go. 
  • Dust and clean frequently touched areas like soap dispensers or towel bars with an all-purpose cleaner
  • Restock the toilet paper and hand soap. 
  • Wash all towels, bath mats, and shower curtains and return them to their spaces.

Floors:

  • Vacuum or sweep floors to remove dirt and debris. Pay close attention to corners. 
  • Wipe down baseboards. 
  • Mop the floors with a disinfecting solution.

How to Deep Clean Your Living Room

snake plant in living room by tv
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Oscar Wong / Getty Images

Whether you're hosting guests or unwinding with family, your living room should be a welcoming oasis. Keep it that way with a thorough deep clean.

What You’ll Need:

  • All-purpose cleaner 
  • Glass cleaner
  • Floor cleaner (formulated for your floor type)
  • Duster
  • Clean microfiber cloths
  • Vacuum or broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Wood polish (as applicable)

Furniture and Upholstery

  • Wipe down furniture with a microfiber cloth and the appropriate cleaning spray. This includes coffee tables, end tables, shelves, bookcases, and credenzas. 
  • Dust décor with a duster. This includes wall-hanging décor, knickknacks, picture frames, and vases. 
  • Vacuum sofas, chairs, and cushions. Spot clean with a handheld upholstery cleaner if needed.
  • Wipe down electronics and remotes. Clean TV screens, remote controls, and any other frequently touched devices.
  • Polish wood furniture as needed.

Floors

  • Vacuum carpets and rugs. Don’t forget to get under furniture and along edges.
  • Wipe down baseboards.
  • Mop hard floors with a cleaning solution suited for your floor type (tile, hardwood, laminate).

How to Deep Clean Your Bedrooms

neutral-colored bedroom with orange decor
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Clean sheets? A clear nightstand? Sounds positively dreamy. Breathe deep and rest easy in your bedroom by tackling this deep clean checklist.

What You’ll Need:

  • All-purpose cleaner 
  • Glass cleaner
  • Floor cleaner (formulated for your floor type)
  • Duster
  • Clean microfiber cloths
  • Vacuum or broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Wood polish (as applicable)

Surfaces and Furniture

  • Wipe down nightstands, dressers, and shelves with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose spray.
  • Wipe down light fixtures and switches.
  • Clean mirrors and glass surfaces with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
  • Change bed linens and replace pillows with fresh ones. Consider flipping your mattress or rotating it to ensure even wear.

Floors

  • Vacuum carpets and rugs. Don’t forget to get under the bed and along edges.
  • Wipe down baseboards.
  • Mop hard floors with a cleaning solution suited for your floor type (tile, hardwood, laminate).

How to Deep Clean Your Laundry Room

Bathroom accessories and washing machine in cozy room interor design. Cleaning and laundry.
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Getty Images

The room where you do plenty of cleaning deserves a deep clean, too!

What You’ll Need:

  • Washing machine cleaning tab
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Floor cleaner (formulated for your floor type)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Vacuum or broom
  • Mop and bucket

Appliances

  • Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner or a vinegar-water mixture.
  • Wipe down the inside of the dryer drum and vacuum lint traps. Clean the dryer vent.
  • Wipe down counters, shelves, and storage spaces with a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaner. Clean any drips in areas that hold detergents and fabric softeners.

Floors

  • Vacuum or sweep floors to remove dirt and debris. Pay close attention to corners. 
  • Wipe down baseboards. 
  • Mop the floors with a cleaner formulated for your floor type.

Remember to...

Don't forget to tend to these often-overlooked areas that may apply to multiple rooms and spaces throughout your home.

  • Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans. Professional cleaners with Molly Maid call this “high dusting.”
  • Clean the outside of vents and air returns to ensure proper airflow. This is also a great time to change the filters.
  • Wipe down all doors, doorknobs, and cabinet handles. These are high-touch areas that can accumulate grime and germs.
  • Spot-clean walls, checking for scuffs and handprints. 
  • Wash all window coverings. Vacuum or launder curtains and drapes and wipe down blinds.
  • Clean the inside of all windows with glass cleaner to ensure a streak-free surface. Don’t forget to wipe the sills, too. 

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