The Ultimate Deep Cleaning Checklist for Your Home
Even a well-kept home can use a deeper clean from time to time. Everyday traffic, cooking, pets and home improvement projects can leave behind dust, scuffs, grease and grime in places that don’t always make the regular cleaning routine.
That’s where a good deep cleaning checklist comes in. Setting aside time for often-overlooked areas—like baseboards, light fixtures, appliances and bathroom caulk—can help your home feel brighter, fresher and better maintained.
Before you get started, walk through your home and make notes of the areas that need the most attention. Then gather your cleaning supplies, roll up your sleeves, and work through these house cleaning tips one at a time.
10 Deep Cleaning Tips for Your Home
Freshening up your home can mean more than just vacuuming and lighting a candle. Don’t forget to look up at your ceiling fans, light switches, tops of doorframes, and upper corners. No matter how you choose to organize your deep cleaning day (or days), grab a cup of coffee, and add these helpful cleaning tips to your list.
Dingy bathroom? Bathrooms deal with plenty of moisture, which means soap scum, mildew and grime can build up around tubs, showers and sinks.
Start by cleaning caulk with a product that's appropriate for the surface and following the manufacturer's directions. A soft brush or cleaning cloth can help work cleaner into stubborn areas. Don’t just spray and go. Read the cleaning manufacturer’s label for the “dwell time”. That is the time needed for the product to sit on a surface for maximum effectiveness.
Cleaning tip: Never mix household cleaning products unless their labels specifically say it's safe to do so.
Unsightly toilet? Mineral deposits and toilet bowl rings can make an otherwise clean bathroom look dingy. If a typical toilet bowl cleaner and brush just isn't cutting it, a pumice stone is a great way to file unsightly rings.
For a deeper clean, sprinkle 1/2 cup of borax into the bowl and let it sit overnight. Then, scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Make sure to dust and clean the outside of the toilet with a multi-purpose cleaner!
Living room looks shabby? Baseboards and walls are easy to overlook during everyday cleaning, but they're magnets for dust, fingerprints and scuff marks.
Start with a damp microfiber cloth and mild soap. For tougher marks, a melamine foam sponge like a Magic Eraser may help on compatible surfaces. Test any cleaner in an inconspicuous area first, especially on darker or flat-finish paint, since scrubbing can sometimes change the appearance of the finish.
And while you're there, wipe down light switch plates and doorframes—two high-touch areas that can collect more grime than you might expect.
Peeling caulk? Deep cleaning is also a good opportunity to spot small maintenance jobs before they become bigger ones. As you clean around windows, baseboards and other trim, look for caulk that has cracked or pulled away. Re-caulking small gaps can help create a neater finish while helping seal out moisture and drafts in appropriate areas.
Dim lighting? Dust can quickly build up on ceiling fan blades, light fixtures and bulbs. Turn lights off and allow bulbs and fixtures to cool completely before cleaning. Then use a dry duster or a slightly damp rag that is damp (not soaking wet!) with some warm soapy water and wipe them down. Be sure to have the light off and cooled before cleaning! Have a trash bag ready for any dust to fall into.
For ceiling fans, placing an old pillowcase over each blade before wiping can also help trap dust instead of sending it onto the floor.
Greasy kitchen? Stove tops can become caked with grease and stuck food residue from all those nights of family dinners. Mix warm water, vinegar, and dish soap. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes and wipe down. This works for almost all types of stove tops. If you need some scrubbing, abrasive action, baking soda can help to scrub away stubborn grease. When was the last time you pulled out your stove and cleaned the sides and behind it? All the buildup can cause a stinky smell. Now is the time to clean with an all-purpose cleaner or the vinegar, water, and soap mixture.
Microwave food splatters? Dried food inside the microwave can be surprisingly stubborn. Fill a microwave-safe container with water and/or lemon juice and microwave the mixture until it steams. Steam will help loosen the stuck food to make wiping easier.
Pet hair everywhere? When the vacuum just won’t get the stuck pet hair in the carpet, use a broom, and sweep with a little force. Often, broom bristles can grab the hair better than the suction of a vacuum can.
Musty mattress? Your mattress deserves a spot on your home cleaning checklist, too. Strip the bedding and vacuum the mattress surface using an upholstery attachment, paying extra attention to seams and edges where dust can collect. If you're treating a stain, use a cleaning method recommended by the mattress manufacturer and avoid soaking the material.
While everything is uncovered, it's also a good time to vacuum underneath the bed and clean around the headboard. Before vacuuming, you can sprinkle some baking soda and an essential oil of your choice (lavender is nice for sleep) and let it sit for an hour. Then vacuum it off the bed. Bonus: It works for the couch, too!
Dreary Windows? Window treatments can quietly collect a surprising amount of dust and pet hair. Use a vacuum attachment, lint roller, or microfiber duster to freshen curtains between washes. For blinds, work across each slat with a microfiber cloth or duster.
Before machine washing curtains or fabric window treatments, check the care labels as some materials require special cleaning.
Get to Cleaning with Cleaning Supplies from McCoy’s!
Whether you're tackling one room or working through your entire deep cleaning checklist, having the right supplies can make the job easier.
McCoy's has the cleaning products, rags, buckets, scrubbers and home maintenance supplies you need to help keep your home looking its best. Order online or stop by your local McCoy's so you can get in, get out and get to work.
