Deep Cleaning Checklist – Simple Tips for a Deep Clean

Preparations

Before you start: gather everything loose that is lying around and pack dirty textiles in a basket so they are not in the way. Bring your equipment to one place so you don’t have to run around looking for it. Common tools include a vacuum cleaner, mop, bucket, microfiber cloths, cleaning agents, a window squeegee, and rubber gloves. If you want to be environmentally friendly, choose products that are labeled for low environmental impact.

• Place all materials near the work area.
• Check that you have enough cleaning supplies and bags.
• Always start in a less-used room and work your way towards the exit to avoid dirtying already cleaned surfaces.

1. Declutter Before Cleaning

Decluttering before cleaning saves time. Go room by room and decide what should stay. By sorting first, it becomes easier to dust and vacuum without obstacles. Start with a quick inventory. Write down what is obviously broken or superfluous and create three piles: keep, donate, and recycle. Once you have organized away unnecessary things, it will be easier to keep things tidy afterward.

• Take inventory and create three piles: keep, donate, recycle.
• Store remaining items in labeled boxes if you need time to go through them later.

2. Planning

A realistic plan reduces stress. Break down the deep cleaning into smaller sessions and decide which rooms to prioritize. If there are several people in the household, assign clear tasks. Short sessions of 30–60 minutes often work best. Also, plan the logistics. When should the windows be washed? Is help needed with heavy lifting or cleaning appliances? By preparing answers to such questions, you avoid interruptions.

• Make a simple schedule for rooms and tasks.
• Distribute the work if necessary. Shorter sessions often provide better focus.

3. Cleaning – Room by Room

Always work from top to bottom. Dust falls downwards, so you avoid having to clean the same surface multiple times.

All Rooms (General Checklist) Start by dusting high surfaces like lamps and shelves. Continue with woodwork, radiators, and the tops of cabinets. Finish by vacuuming upholstered furniture and mopping the floor.

• Dust walls and shelves.
• Vacuum woodwork, radiators, and the tops of cabinets.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture and polish mirrors.
• Beat and air out rugs where needed.
• Vacuum and mop floors as the final step.

Hallway The surfaces in the hallway collect dirt from both shoes and clothes. Empty shoe racks and shake out mats before wiping down shelves and surfaces. A clean entrance makes a big difference in the overall impression.

• Empty and wipe down shoe racks.
• Shake or vacuum entrance mats.
• Wipe down coat racks and other surfaces.

Kitchen The kitchen often requires extra work as grease and food residues accumulate there. Let a degreaser work on the stove and fan before you scrub. Wipe out cabinets and clean out the fridge and freezer if needed.

• Clean the stove, oven, and fan filter; let cleaning agents work.
• Wipe down kitchen cabinets and drawers inside and out.
• Clear out and wipe down the fridge and freezer.
• Clean tiles and grout. Empty trash cans.

Bathroom The bathroom often needs descaling and extra thorough cleaning. Use a lime-scale remover on faucets and shower heads, and finish by scrubbing the toilet, bathtub, and sink.

• Descale the shower, faucets, and tiles.
• Scrub the toilet, bathtub, and sink.
• Clean the floor drain and wipe out cabinets.
• Wash towels and the bath mat.

Living Room and Bedroom In the living room and bedroom, the goal is to create a sense of order. Change the bedding and dust bookshelves, pictures, and electronics. Feel free to move furniture slightly to get rid of dust behind and under it.

• Change bed linens and wash textiles as needed.
• Dust bookshelves, pictures, and electronics.
• Move furniture if necessary to access hidden surfaces.

Windows and Glass Windows washed at the right time give the best results. Wash from the inside and, if possible, from the outside. Use a window squeegee to avoid streaks.

• Wash windows from the inside. Also clean the outside if possible.
• Use a rubber squeegee for a streak-free result.

Storage and Wardrobes Organize wardrobes and storage spaces after decluttering. Take out shelves and dust them, sort clothes, and label boxes for easier future access.

• Clear shelves. Dust and organize drawers.
• Label boxes for easier storage in the future.

4. Final Check

Before you finish, go through each room with the checklist in hand. Empty the trash and replace the trash bags. Air out the rooms by opening a window for a while. A final quick review ensures that nothing has been forgotten.

• Empty the trash and replace trash bags.
• Go through each room and check off the list.
• Air out by opening a window for a while.

Tools and Cleaning Products to Have at Home

Having the right equipment simplifies the work. Microfiber cloths remove dust effectively. A good vacuum cleaner with several attachments makes work in corners and on furniture easy.

• Microfiber cloths
• All-purpose cleaner and degreaser
• Descaling agent
• Window squeegee
• Vacuum cleaner with different attachments
• Mop and bucket

Effective Work Methods

Small changes in your work method can have a big impact. Always work from top to bottom so that dust falls downwards. Let cleaning agents sit before you scrub. Use microfiber to avoid scratches and the spread of dust.

• Work from top to bottom.
• Let cleaning agents work before you scrub.
• Use microfiber to avoid scratches.
• Divide the work into zones and finish one zone before moving on.

Time Estimate (Rough)

The time required depends on how well-prepared the home is. A small apartment generally takes 2–3 hours, while a larger home can take 5 hours or more. Decluttering and planning reduce the total time.

• Small apartment (1 room): 2–3 hours.
• Medium (2–3 rooms): 3–5 hours.
• Large apartment or townhouse: 5+ hours.

5. Reward

When the job is done, treat yourself to something small. A cup of coffee in a newly cleaned home provides extra satisfaction. Celebrating a completed job strengthens motivation for the next time.

Short on time or want professional results? Book Effektstäd. We are your cleaning company in Vellinge, Lomma, and large parts of southern Skåne. We use environmentally friendly products and adapt our services to your home.

Contact us for a quote or a booking, so you can spend your time and energy on other things.