How to Deep Clean Your Home (A Room-by-Room Checklist)

My deep cleaning checklist is the perfect little tool to help guide you along your way to a sparkling home. Oh, there’s just nothing like the feeling you get from a truly clean home, is there? It’s so much more than just tidying up—it’s like hitting the reset button for your whole space.

Your Guide to a Truly Deep Clean

I know firsthand that starting a big deep clean can feel completely overwhelming. I mean, where do you even begin? That’s the exact reason I came up with my own system over the years, and today I’m sharing all of it with you, including a checklist to keep you on track.

We’ll go through everything together, room by room, making it all feel simple and totally manageable. This whole process isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about creating a home that feels fresh, comfortable, and brings you a little more joy. The positive effect of a clean space on your mood is very real!

My number one, non-negotiable rule is to always work from top to bottom! It saves so much time and keeps you from having to clean things twice. You can read all about my method for how to clean from top to bottom to make every bit of your effort count.

Your Deep Cleaning Game Plan

Here’s a quick look at the key areas we’ll cover to make your deep clean a complete success.

Focus Area	Key Tasks We’ll Cover	Why It Makes a Difference
Kitchen	Degreasing cabinets, cleaning appliances inside and out, sanitizing countertops.	This is the heart of your home! A clean kitchen just makes everything feel healthier and more organized.
Bathrooms	Tackling grout, descaling fixtures, deep cleaning showers and toilets.	Gets rid of soap scum and buildup for a sparkling, hygienic space.
Bedrooms	Washing all linens (including pillows!), dusting everything, and cleaning under furniture.	Creates a restful, allergen-free sanctuary for better sleep.
Living Areas	Cleaning upholstery, washing windows, and dusting all those forgotten surfaces.	Makes your main gathering spaces feel bright, airy, and welcoming for family and guests.

By breaking it down into these focused zones, the whole project feels much less intimidating. We’ll turn a mountain of a task into a series of small, satisfying wins.

So, let’s get ready to tackle that built-up grime together, one simple step at a time. I’ll even be sharing some of my all-time favorite homemade cleaner recipes along the way! By breaking it down like this, we can conquer any mess.

Assembling Your Deep Cleaning Toolkit

Before we even think about scrubbing a single surface, let’s talk supplies. I’ve learned the hard way that having everything you need in one spot makes deep cleaning go so much faster. It’s the difference between a productive afternoon and a frustrating one!

My secret weapon? A portable cleaning caddy. Seriously, if I have to keep running back to the laundry room for another tool or a different cleaner, I completely lose my steam. You can see exactly how I put my go-to kit together and create your own homemade cleaners caddy—it’ll make your cleaning day a total breeze.

My Must-Have Supplies

Your toolkit doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. In fact, most of my favorite tools are simple, hardworking basics that just get the job done right. Here’s what I always keep in my caddy:

• Microfiber Cloths: These are a true game-changer! They grab onto dust and grime so much better than paper towels and are perfect for everything from wiping counters to polishing faucets without leaving a speck of lint behind.
• Scrub Brushes: It’s smart to have a couple of different sizes. I use a larger one for big surfaces and save a small, old toothbrush for getting into those annoying tight spaces like grout lines or around sink fixtures.
• A Good Vacuum with Attachments: The crevice tool and the brush attachment are your best friends here. They’re essential for getting into corners, cleaning along baseboards, and even dusting things like lampshades and curtains.
• My DIY All-Purpose Cleaner: You really don’t need harsh chemicals for most jobs! My go-to is just a simple mix of borax, washing soda, Castile soap, hot water, and a few drops of Simple Clean essential oil blend in a spray bottle. It works wonders on so many surfaces.

Here’s a little peek at how I keep my own caddy organized and ready for action.

When you have these essentials gathered in one spot, you’re truly prepared to tackle any task on your deep cleaning checklist. No more wasted time searching for supplies

Deep Cleaning the Heart of Your Home: The Kitchen

Oh, the kitchen! It’s where so many of our family memories are made, but goodness, it can get messy in a hurry. I find that this room is often the most intensive part of any deep clean, but the payoff is just huge. A sparkling clean kitchen can truly make the entire house feel brighter and more put-together.

We’re going to go way beyond just wiping down the counters today. This is about tackling the big jobs that really make a difference. The tasks on my deep cleaning checklist  for this room ensure you won’t miss a single spot, from the grimy to the forgotten.

Tackling Cabinets and Appliances

Let’s start with those surfaces that see daily splatters and fingerprints. Degreasing cabinet fronts is one of the most satisfying jobs! I use a simple mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap on a microfiber cloth. For stubborn, sticky buildup, a little bit of my Dawn Powerwash spray works wonders.

Next up are the appliances. We’ll pull everything out of the fridge and pantry, give every single shelf a thorough wipe-down, and finally get rid of anything that’s expired. Don’t forget the outside of your appliances, too! Wipe down the dishwasher front, the microwave, and the top and sides of the refrigerator.

The oven often feels like the biggest monster to tackle, but it doesn’t have to be.

So many people think you need harsh, smelly chemicals to get your oven clean, but that’s just not true! Over the years, I’ve perfected a method that’s both simple and incredibly effective without any of that stuff.

I’ve put together a full guide on how you can clean your oven the smarter way, and it makes this dreaded chore so much easier.

Making the Small Details Shine

Once the big appliances are handled, it’s time for the finishing touches that really make the room sparkle. This is when I focus on the little things that often get overlooked.

• Descale the Coffee Maker: Run a cycle with equal parts white vinegar and water to clear out mineral buildup.
• Clean the Garbage Disposal: Toss a few lemon or lime wedges down and run it to freshen things up instantly.
• Wipe Down the Backsplash: Give it a good scrub to remove any hidden grease or food splatters.

And for my favorite trick? To get your sink and faucet to shine like new, scrub them with a paste of Bar Keepers Friend, rinse well, and then dry completely with a clean microfiber cloth. It’s amazing what a difference a gleaming sink makes

Creating a Restful Retreat in Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Our bedrooms and bathrooms should really be our sanctuaries, don’t you think? They’re the spaces where we start and end our days, so giving them a proper deep clean can truly transform them into the relaxing retreats they’re meant to be.

For these rooms, we’re going to go much deeper than the usual weekly tidying.

In the bedroom, that means doing more than just changing the sheets. We’re going to tackle the big stuff, like laundering pillows and comforters and giving the mattress some much-needed attention. Just vacuuming your mattress can make a huge difference, especially if you deal with allergies.

I’ve also found that flipping it at the same time keeps it wearing evenly. For a complete refresh that will make it feel brand new again, you’ll want to learn all the simple steps for how to clean your mattress.

Dusting and Deep Cleaning Details

Once the bed is handled, it’s time to focus on all those forgotten dusty spots. This is where the attachments on your vacuum cleaner really come in handy!

• Ceiling Fan Blades: Grab a brush attachment for these. It’s the best way to catch all that dust before it flies everywhere. Or use a pillowcase to corral that dust!
• Window Blinds and Sills: A microfiber cloth or the vacuum brush works wonders here.
• Baseboards and Vents: This DIY cardboard crevice tool is perfect for getting right into these narrow spaces.

Making Your Bathroom Sparkle

Now, let’s head into the bathroom, where we’ll conquer soap scum and grime for good. I always start by scrubbing grout lines with a small brush and a good cleaner until they’re bright again. After that, I give the toilet, sink, and shower a thorough scrubbing, making sure to get into all the little crevices around the fixtures.

One of my favorite tricks is for a clogged showerhead. Just fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, tie it around the showerhead so the holes are submerged, and let it sit for about an hour. The mineral buildup will dissolve right off!

To finish things off, let’s get those mirrors completely streak-free. The secret? Use one damp microfiber cloth to clean, followed by a second, dry one to buff it to a perfect shine. It’s these little tasks that make such a huge difference in how these important rooms feel.

Revitalizing Your Living and Common Areas

This is where life happens, isn’t it? The living room, the family room—these are the spaces where we kick back, entertain our friends, and just spend time together. Since they get so much traffic, they definitely deserve a little extra love when it’s time for a deep clean!

We’re going to tackle all those little details that get missed in the regular weekly tidy-up. You’d be amazed how much dust and grime can hide in plain sight. This is where we go beyond just a surface wipe-down and really dig into the nooks and crannies. The tasks on my deep cleaning checklist will help make these spaces feel genuinely welcoming to anyone who walks in.

From Top to Bottom Detailing

Like with any room, the golden rule is to start high and work your way down. Gravity is your friend here! Dust is the biggest offender in living areas, and it settles on every single surface you can imagine (and some you can’t).

• Curtains and Blinds: First things first, get those curtains down. If they’re machine-washable, toss them in the laundry. For blinds, a damp microfiber cloth works wonders, or you can just run your vacuum’s brush attachment over them for a quick fix.
• Windows and Tracks: Don’t stop at the glass! Slide those windows open and get your vacuum in the tracks. Seriously, you’ll be shocked at what’s been hiding in there. A little brush can help you loosen up any caked-on gunk.
• Furniture and Upholstery: Now’s the time for the big move. Scoot your couches and chairs out from the wall and vacuum everything that was hiding underneath. Don’t forget the baseboards! Then, grab your vacuum’s upholstery attachment and go to town on the cushions. If you spot any stains, check the manufacturer’s tag for spot-treating instructions before you do anything else.

I always say that deep cleaning isn’t just about what you can see. It’s about cleaning the places you don’t see every day. That’s what makes your whole house feel fresh and truly clean.

Finishing Touches for a Fresh Space

Once the heavy lifting is done, it’s the little things that really make the room sparkle. This is when I zero in on all the high-touch surfaces and electronics that are magnets for fingerprints and dust.

Gently wipe down your TV screen, remote controls, and light switches. For electronics, a slightly damp microfiber cloth is usually all you need. Finally, give your carpets or rugs a really good, thorough vacuuming, and mop any hard floors. It’s these final steps that add up, leaving you with a home that doesn’t just look clean—it feels clean.

Deep Cleaning Checklist

Alright, now for my favorite part—the tool that pulls all of this together! I’ve created a deep cleaning checklist just for you. I wanted something simple and easy to follow, not another overwhelming project list.

It’s organized room-by-room, mirroring the guide, so you can just check things off as you make your way through the house. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing your progress in real-time!

This little checklist makes sure you don’t overlook those tasks we all forget, like wiping down light fixtures or cleaning the tops of door frames. If you’re a fan of staying organized (like I am!), you might also love my annual printable planners that help keep the whole household running smoothly.

Just copy and paste the list into any app you choose – I like to keep mine in my Notes app because I can check things off in the app as I get them done. It’s also super easy to edit the list if you need to.

Deep Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

• Degrease cabinet fronts
• Thoroughly clean fridge
• Clean pantry
• Wipe down all appliances
• Clean oven
• Descale coffeemaker
• Clean garbage disposal
• Wipe down the backsplash
• Polish the sink and faucet

Bedrooms

• Wash sheets and pillowcases (tackle throw pillow too, if needed)
• Launder the pillows
• Launder duvet cover and comforter
• Vacuum and flip or rotate the mattress
• Clean ceiling fan blades
• Dust and wipe window blinds and sills
• Vacuum baseboards and vents

Bathrooms

• Scrub grout
• Clean toilet
• Clean sink
• Scrub the shower and shower door
• Scrub the bathtub (tip: use a broom!)
• Clean the mirrors

Living Room & Common Areas

• Wash curtains if possible, or take them down and give them a good shake outdoors.
• Vacuum or dust blinds
• Wash windows and vacuum the tracks
• Vacuum under furniture
• Vacuum baseboards
• Vacuum and spot-clean upholstered furniture
• Gently clean tv screens, remotes, and light switches
• Vacuum rugs and/or clean and mop hard floors

Your Top Deep Cleaning Questions, Answered

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about deep cleaning. I figured it was time to pull up a chair and answer the most common ones right here. Think of this as our little pre-cleaning chat before you roll up your sleeves!

How often do you do a deep-clean of your home?