How to Clean a House: A Comprehensive Guide to Keep Your Home Sparkling

Last updated: August 11, 2023

Maintaining a clean and organized home is essential for a healthy and comfortable living environment.

However, the task of cleaning your entire house can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a plan in place.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your house effectively, along with tips on the essential items you’ll need and how often you should clean.

Items You Will Need to Clean Your House

Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to gather the necessary items to make your task easier and more efficient. Here are some essential items you should have on hand:

1. Cleaning Supplies:

• All-purpose cleaner: Ideal for most surfaces and can be used for general cleaning purposes.
• Glass cleaner: Specifically designed to clean glass surfaces, mirrors, and windows without leaving streaks.
• Disinfectant: Important for killing germs and maintaining a hygienic environment, especially in high-touch areas like kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces.
• Microfiber cloths: Soft and highly absorbent, these cloths are perfect for dusting and wiping surfaces without scratching them.
• Scrub brushes: Useful for tackling tough stains, grout lines, or scrubbing surfaces that require a bit more elbow grease.
• Broom, mop, and vacuum cleaner: Essential tools for sweeping and mopping floors, as well as vacuuming carpets and rugs.

2. Organizational Tools:

• Storage bins or baskets: Help keep items organized and reduce clutter.
• Labels: Make it easier to identify and find items when organizing.
• Cleaning caddy: A portable container to hold your cleaning supplies, making it convenient to carry them from room to room.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you clean your house effectively:

1. 1. Make a Plan: Start by creating a cleaning checklist or schedule. Identify the areas and tasks that need attention, such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and bathroom cleaning. Breaking down the cleaning process into manageable chunks will make it easier to tackle.
   2. Gather Your Supplies: Before you start cleaning, gather all the necessary cleaning supplies and tools.
   3. Declutter First: Before you dive into deep cleaning, declutter the spaces you’re about to clean. Clear away any clutter, put items back in their designated places, and organize any loose items. This will make it easier to clean surfaces and ensure a more visually appealing result.
   4. Start from the Top: When it’s time to clean, always start from the top and work your way down. Begin by dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, and high shelves. Then, move on to wiping down surfaces, such as countertops, tables, and furniture. Finally, clean the floors by vacuuming or sweeping, followed by mopping.
   5. Clean Room by Room: It’s generally more efficient to clean one room at a time. Focus on completing all the cleaning tasks in one room before moving on to the next. This way, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment as you complete each area.
   6. Pay Attention to Detail: Don’t forget to clean the often-neglected areas. Dust and wipe down baseboards, clean window sills, and wash curtains or blinds periodically. Pay attention to corners, crevices, and hard-to-reach spots where dirt and dust tend to accumulate.
   7. Bathroom Cleaning: Bathrooms require special attention. Start by applying cleaning products to surfaces like sinks, toilets, and showers. Let the products sit for a few minutes to help break down grime and stains. Then, scrub and rinse thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean mirrors and wipe down countertops and fixtures.
   8. Regular Maintenance: Once your house is clean, develop a regular cleaning routine to maintain its cleanliness. Set aside time for daily tasks like surface cleaning and dishes, and schedule weekly or monthly deep cleaning tasks to keep your house in top shape.

How Often Should You Clean?

Cleaning frequency depends on various factors, including your living situation, personal preferences, and the specific areas of your house.

Here are some general guidelines to help you determine how often you should clean different areas:

1. Daily Tasks:

• Surface cleaning: Wipe down kitchen counters, dining tables, and bathroom sinks daily to remove any visible dirt or spills.
• Dishes: Wash and put away dishes after each meal to maintain a tidy kitchen.
• Make beds: Straighten and make your beds each morning for a neat and inviting appearance.
• Sweep or vacuum high-traffic areas: Remove dirt, dust, and debris from frequently used areas such as entryways, hallways, and living rooms.

2. Weekly Tasks:

• Dusting: Dust surfaces, furniture, and electronics using a microfiber cloth or a duster.
• Vacuuming and mopping: Vacuum carpets and rugs, and mop hard floors to remove dirt and maintain cleanliness.
• Bathroom cleaning: Clean toilets, sinks, showers, and mirrors using appropriate cleaning products.
• Changing bed sheets: Wash and replace bed sheets and pillowcases for improved hygiene and comfort.
• Laundry: Wash, fold, and put away laundry as needed.

3. Monthly or Seasonal Tasks:

• Deep cleaning: Tackle more intensive cleaning tasks such as cleaning windows, scrubbing grout, washing curtains (check if these are spot clean only or not), or dusting hard-to-reach areas.
• Decluttering: Take time to go through your belongings, decluttering and organizing items you no longer need.
• Refrigerator cleaning: Empty and clean the refrigerator, discarding expired items and wiping down shelves and drawers.
• Oven cleaning: Deep clean the oven to remove built-up grease and residue.

Don’t forget to regularly water your plants too if you have added greenery to your home with the best houseplants.

By following a regular cleaning schedule, you can maintain a clean and organized home without feeling overwhelmed by the tasks.

Keeping your house clean and tidy is a continuous process that requires planning, consistency, and the right tools. By following the steps outlined in this guide, and with the essential cleaning items at your disposal, you can efficiently clean your house and create a comfortable and inviting space for yourself and your family. Remember to adapt the cleaning frequency based on your specific needs and preferences, ensuring a well-maintained home that you can take pride in.

You may also love:

The ultimate Airbnb cleaning checklist