Use this as a menu, not a marathon. Break the list into rooms or weekends. Finish one area completely before scattering half-finished projects throughout the house.
Whole house
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Dust vents and returns
- Wipe doors, frames and switch plates
- Clean baseboards
- Spot-clean walls as appropriate
- Wash interior window glass
- Clean window sills and tracks
- Vacuum edges and under movable furniture
Kitchen
- Degrease cabinet fronts
- Clean backsplash detail
- Clean range hood exterior
- Clean inside microwave
- Clean refrigerator shelves and drawers
- Discard expired food
- Clean oven according to manufacturer directions
- Vacuum beneath reachable appliances
Bathrooms
- Detail grout and corners
- Remove mineral buildup from compatible fixtures
- Wash shower curtain or liner as appropriate
- Clean exhaust fan cover
- Declutter medicine and vanity storage
- Discard expired personal-care products
- Clean behind toilet where accessible
Bedrooms
- Rotate mattress if manufacturer recommends it
- Vacuum mattress surface
- Wash washable bedding and protectors
- Dust lamps and headboards
- Clean beneath bed
- Declutter closets and drawers
- Donate clothing no longer used
Living spaces
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- Clean beneath cushions
- Dust shelves and decor individually
- Clean remotes and high-touch items
- Move light furniture and vacuum beneath
- Wash throw blankets and washable covers
Laundry & utility
- Clean washer detergent dispensers
- Run washer-cleaning cycle if recommended
- Vacuum around dryer
- Inspect dryer vent connection
- Discard empty or expired cleaning products
- Organize household supplies
Surface care still matters during a deep clean. Stronger is not automatically better. Follow manufacturer directions for stone, flooring, appliance finishes, coated glass and specialty materials.
A better way to tackle the list
Start high and work down, clean dry soil before wet cleaning, and save floors for near the end. If a room needs decluttering, finish that first so cleaning time is spent cleaning rather than moving belongings.