Think like a buyer. When you move into a new home, you will definitely want to clean it! This is especially important if you're moving into a place that has been "well lived in" prior to your purchase. Even if the home appears to be clean, there could be dust, dirt, and other allergens in the nooks and crannies. A deep cleaning should eliminate all of that and leave your new home sparkling clean.
Divide & Conquer
One of the most overwhelming aspects of deep cleaning is when you realize just how much needs to be done. Before going there, stop and list everything in your home that requires attention. Begin by listing all of the rooms in the house. Include the garage, basement, and attic. You may add a general "outdoor" category for tackling additional projects. When you have your house more or less divided by space, start listing what needs to be done in each of those spaces. Before you know it, you'll have a comprehensive list of everything you need to do to get your home clean.
Deep cleaning tips
Natural Cleaning
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide make a great solution for removing stubborn stovetop stains. Pour baking soda into a small bowl and add just enough hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Spread it over the stove and let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrub. Hard water stains on metal hardware like faucets and shower heads can be challenging to remove. Rub them with juice from a fresh lemon to make it easier. The acid breaks down hard water stains and makes metal surfaces shine. Clean your windows with vinegar mixed with hot water. Only a towel is needed with that mixture to clean and dry the surface.
Bathrooms & Kitchen
Cleaning the bathroom & kitchen is not the easiest. From getting rid of dirt and dust to touching up areas where grout needs fixing. In those types of spaces, cleaning is as much about disinfecting as it is about a spotless surfaces. Here's a checklist for cleaning those difficult areas:
- Replace any unnecessary items that have accumulated bacteria, like the toilet seat, toothbrush cups, sponges, sink strainers, etc.
- Use grout cleaner early on surfaces and give this time to soak in
- Give the walls, doors, and fixtures an good cleaning by using an all-purpose cleaner
- Scrub the bath, toilet & sink to make sure you get rid of any noticable dirt
- Wipe everything again with a clean cloth
- Vacuum the floor to get rid of loose dirt and dust prior to mopping
Garage, Basement, Attic
When you're ready to start cleaning out your garage, basement, or attic, make sure these rooms do not contain any valuable items. Also, vacuum all of the dust in these spaces prior to painting it because if there are stains on top, they will just get worse when wet!
The Floors
Different types of flooring require different care methods. Steam-clean your carpeting and tile floors; also consider re-sealing tile floors, as they probably need it. Likewise, your wood floors will most likely need a decent waxing.
Clean Screens & Windows
Cleaning screens and windows is not a favorite activity of most people. It makes a big difference in the quality of light that pours through those windows, and it's well worth doing at least once a year. Remove screens, wipe them down, dry them, and be sure you're washing the inside and outside of the window. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the windows to minimize streaks. It also helps to wash windows on an overcast day, as bright sunlight can cause the cleaner to dry too quickly, leaving streaks.
Light Fixtures
Just like windows, light fixtures affect the quality of light in your house. Your light fixtures may be dusty or dirty - you may not even notice because they're so far above your head. Make sure you're removing and cleaning light fixtures in each room, drying them thoroughly.
Organize & Declutter
Deep cleaning is an great way to organize your things and be sure that everything is in the right place. If you still have stray boxes hiding away in your closets, now is the time to get rid of them so you can keep the home looking nice. Find out how much storage space you have; maybe you need to reorganize some places in the home.
When you have a lot of things like books, clothes, pots and pans, etc., cleaning around it can become a challenge. The first step in any room should be an assessment of what you use and haven't used in a year or more. Anything that falls into the latter category should be considered for disposal. Try giving it to a friend or donate it.
Keeping your house looking neat and clean will be so much easier if you can power through the hard part and let go. Get serious about decluttering now so your home will look cleaner and more presentable forever!ink
Thinking about putting your home up for sale in the near future? Contact me!
