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One of the hardest things about deep cleaning your home is setting aside the time to do it. Between work and family obligations, finding the consecutive hours needed to give your house the intense attention it deserves can not only feel daunting, but downright impossible. We understand completely—and have a solution. Instead of scrambling to find an elusive window of time, block off an entire day to refresh your home from top to bottom.
To help, we tapped a few cleaning experts to find out how you can cross a whole-house deep clean off your to-do list in just one day. Spoiler alert: It’s all about creating and sticking to a schedule (and we have that, too). Here’s how cleaning professionals recommend loosely structuring your day if you’re ready to give this method a try.
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9 AM: Bathrooms
To give your bathrooms a quick, but thorough clean, start by moving all your toiletries and décor out of the space (into the hallway) to create a clean workspace, says Paulo Filho, the owner of Celestial Cleaning Service. Then, save time by spraying down your sink, tub, and toilet with a foaming cleaner (look for sanitizing, brightening iterations suitable for the bathroom); let the foam sit as you get to work on other parts of this space to make removing gunk (especially from tiles and grout) faster and easier.
In the bathroom, order matters: As you wait for your sink, tub, and toilet cleaner to work, wipe down cabinets and drawers—then return to scrubbing sinks and toilets, says Lauren Doss, the owner of Nashville Maids. As for the last few steps? “Dust light fixtures and window treatments, mop the floor, and [lastly] use glass cleaner to clean mirrors and windows,” she says.
10 AM: Living Room
The living room should be next, says Doss. Here, you’ll want to start with any high-level dusting (like ceiling fans and the tops of door jams or tall furniture); then, polish your furniture. Don’t forget about your furniture’s soft parts: Val Oliveira, the owner Val’s Cleaning Services, says you need to prioritize cleaning your couch and other upholstered pieces. Vacuum between cushions and hit it the fabric with a steam cleaner if you really want to be thorough. “Don’t forget to move [the couch] and vacuum underneath it,” she says.
Next, move onto your windows and mirrors (use glass cleaner or make your own)—and don’t forget about glass fixtures. “Clean the light fixtures and replace any burnt-out light bulbs,” Oliveira says. After you’ve covered dusting, polishing furniture, treating upholstery, and wiping down glass, it’s time to hit the floors, says Doss. This may involve sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming, depending on your flooring type.
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11 AM: Kitchen
The heart of your home will require more time than the other spaces; set aside two hours to get the job done, says Doss. “Start by emptying cabinets, drawers, and closets,” she says. Put these items on a kitchen table or another out-of-the-way spot while you start wiping everything down, being sure to work from the highest point down.
After you clean your cabinets, give your countertops and cooking surfaces the attention they need. “Clean the stovetop, oven, and microwave with a degreaser,” Olivera says. “Wipe down the exterior of your appliances, including the dishwasher and refrigerator.” After these areas have been cleaned, it’s time to give your sink a good scrub before tackling the floor.
1 PM: Bedrooms
Depending on how many bedrooms you have, this may take more or less time—but Doss suggests allotting two hours for all rooms. Once again, you’ll want to start with higher elevation cleaning (like ceiling fans) before working your way down. “Dust all surfaces, including the furniture, windowsills, and baseboards,” says Oliveira. Next, vacuum the carpets and rugs thoroughly, moving furniture to ensure a thorough sweep. Since you spend a lot of time in your bedroom, it’s important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove dirt, dust, and allergens—and use a cleaner that is appropriate for your flooring type.
Next come any glass surfaces, like mirrors and windows. Lastly, take care of the bed, which might have collected dust and debris as you cleaned. “Strip the bed sheets and wash them with hot water to kill germs and bacteria,” Oliveira says.
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3 PM: Hallways, Doors, and Stairs
Don’t neglect these common areas. Clean any lighting fixtures in these spaces and replace any blown-out bulbs before you start dusting. “Wipe down walls, baseboards, windowsills, and window treatments,” Doss says, adding that you’ll need to finish by vacuuming carpets, hard floors, and any furniture.
Make sure you’re wiping down any doorknobs as well, especially when dealing with your entryway or exterior doors, says Oliveira.
4 PM: Wrap Up
Once you hit the end of your list, it’s time to do a final sweep of each room to make sure you didn’t miss anything, explains Doss. “Double-check windows and mirrors for streaks, [examine] shelves for dust, and make sure everything is in its place,” she says. “Finally, empty the vacuum and store any cleaning supplies you have left over. You’re done!”
