A Thorough, Room-by-Room Cleaning Guide
It's never too late to start a home cleaning project; dust off the cobwebs and give your home a deep clean
It’s easy to find reasons to avoid doing household chores but it’s time to face the inevitable. A good cleaning of your home will take several days to complete, but the payoff is that you’ll breathe new life into your abode, and the whole place will feel fresher and healthier. Does the scale of the job make you shudder? Fear not: Our practical room-by-room guide will make it feel infinitely more manageable.
Now grab your feather duster and attack all those hard-to-reach places such as lights, ceiling fans, door frames, vents and skirting boards. Clean light switches and vacuum curtains. Wipe furniture with a damp cloth.
Remove sheets, blankets, quilts and pillows, and wash according to care instructions. Turn your mattress to ensure even wear. “To freshen up your mattress, sprinkle it with bi-carb of soda and then vacuum using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum,” says Michael Girowal, founder and managing director of environmentally friendly cleaning firm, Green Clean. Thoroughly vacuum your carpet to complete your bedroom spring clean.
Remove sheets, blankets, quilts and pillows, and wash according to care instructions. Turn your mattress to ensure even wear. “To freshen up your mattress, sprinkle it with bi-carb of soda and then vacuum using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum,” says Michael Girowal, founder and managing director of environmentally friendly cleaning firm, Green Clean. Thoroughly vacuum your carpet to complete your bedroom spring clean.
Bathrooms
Next, move on to your bathrooms. Once again, the best way to start your spring clean is with a clear-out. Go through your cabinets and drawers, and throw out any cosmetics or lotions that are out of date or that you no longer use.
Wipe down medicine cabinets, tiles and bench tops using an equal amount of vinegar and water solution. This mixture will also remove soap scum from the shower area. To remove stubborn stains from baths and showers, make a paste using baking soda and water. For any stains that still refuse to budge, omit the water and use a paste made of baking soda and vinegar instead.
Find out why baking soda is your home’s best friend
Next, move on to your bathrooms. Once again, the best way to start your spring clean is with a clear-out. Go through your cabinets and drawers, and throw out any cosmetics or lotions that are out of date or that you no longer use.
Wipe down medicine cabinets, tiles and bench tops using an equal amount of vinegar and water solution. This mixture will also remove soap scum from the shower area. To remove stubborn stains from baths and showers, make a paste using baking soda and water. For any stains that still refuse to budge, omit the water and use a paste made of baking soda and vinegar instead.
Find out why baking soda is your home’s best friend
To thoroughly clean the toilet, spray vinegar inside the bowl, sprinkle with baking soda and let it sit for 15 minutes. When that time is up, scrub inside the bowl using your toilet brush. Wipe down the outside of the toilet with a vinegar and water solution.
Wash bathroom rugs and decorative linens. Sweep and mop your bathroom floor.
If there’s an odour coming from your drains, Jane West from Organising Solutions suggests pouring a cup of baking soda into the drain or sink, followed by two cups of white vinegar. “Let it bubble up and then sit for a few minutes. Flush with a kettle of boiling water to help kill bacteria.”
Wash bathroom rugs and decorative linens. Sweep and mop your bathroom floor.
If there’s an odour coming from your drains, Jane West from Organising Solutions suggests pouring a cup of baking soda into the drain or sink, followed by two cups of white vinegar. “Let it bubble up and then sit for a few minutes. Flush with a kettle of boiling water to help kill bacteria.”
Kitchen
The kitchen is the hub of your home – the place where the whole family gathers and the chef cooks hearty casseroles and bakes. This also means it ends up being one of the messiest rooms in the house. The best way to start your kitchen cleaning is by putting away any appliances cluttering up your bench tops, such as the slow cooker. Once this is done, the cleaning can begin.
Learn about the dirtiest things in your kitchen and how to clean them
The kitchen is the hub of your home – the place where the whole family gathers and the chef cooks hearty casseroles and bakes. This also means it ends up being one of the messiest rooms in the house. The best way to start your kitchen cleaning is by putting away any appliances cluttering up your bench tops, such as the slow cooker. Once this is done, the cleaning can begin.
Learn about the dirtiest things in your kitchen and how to clean them
To clean your stovetop, remove the grates and burner caps. Wipe with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. If this doesn’t remove the grime, West suggests making a paste of salt, white vinegar and baking soda. “Let it sit for a while and then clean your stovetop with a soft cloth in a circular motion. For stubborn stains, leave the paste overnight.”
Once the stovetop is clean, it’s time to de-grease your range hood. Wash it with warm soapy water. If you can’t remove the grease from the metal filter, soak it overnight in hot soapy water with a cup of white vinegar.
To make your oven sparkle, West suggests putting three tablespoons of baking soda in an empty spray bottle and filling it with water. Mix until the baking soda has dissolved. Spray and leave overnight.
To freshen your microwave, place three tablespoons of baking soda and one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for a few minutes to remove odours.
Once the stovetop is clean, it’s time to de-grease your range hood. Wash it with warm soapy water. If you can’t remove the grease from the metal filter, soak it overnight in hot soapy water with a cup of white vinegar.
To make your oven sparkle, West suggests putting three tablespoons of baking soda in an empty spray bottle and filling it with water. Mix until the baking soda has dissolved. Spray and leave overnight.
To freshen your microwave, place three tablespoons of baking soda and one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for a few minutes to remove odours.
To clean your dishwasher, remove the food trap in the bottom and wipe it down. Add vinegar or baking soda to your dishwasher and run it on empty to give it a good clean-out.
Now it’s time to attack your fridge. Fridges can harbour lots of bacteria and should be cleaned regularly. Start by removing everything from the shelves, then wipe surfaces with a mix of baking soda and warm water. Or, you can make your own sprayable, non-toxic fridge cleaner, says Girowal, by mixing two parts hot water, one part vinegar and some lemon essential oil, and putting the mix in a spray bottle. Spray the fridge and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping clean. Once this is done, wipe the exterior and clean the rubber door seal with warm soapy water.
Now it’s time to attack your fridge. Fridges can harbour lots of bacteria and should be cleaned regularly. Start by removing everything from the shelves, then wipe surfaces with a mix of baking soda and warm water. Or, you can make your own sprayable, non-toxic fridge cleaner, says Girowal, by mixing two parts hot water, one part vinegar and some lemon essential oil, and putting the mix in a spray bottle. Spray the fridge and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping clean. Once this is done, wipe the exterior and clean the rubber door seal with warm soapy water.
Living room
The living room is a popular place to hang out in the cooler months and usually requires a major clean. Start by wiping down lights, ceiling fans, door frames, vents and skirting boards.
Dust couches and chairs, electronic equipments, photo frames and lamps. If you have a carpet cleaning machine (that cleans carpet more deeply than a standard vacuum cleaner, and often offers both wet and dry cleaning options), use the upholstery attachment to clean soiled couches and chair surfaces.
The living room is a popular place to hang out in the cooler months and usually requires a major clean. Start by wiping down lights, ceiling fans, door frames, vents and skirting boards.
Dust couches and chairs, electronic equipments, photo frames and lamps. If you have a carpet cleaning machine (that cleans carpet more deeply than a standard vacuum cleaner, and often offers both wet and dry cleaning options), use the upholstery attachment to clean soiled couches and chair surfaces.
Remove books and knick-knacks from shelves and wipe surfaces with a damp cloth. If your bookshelves are bursting at the seams, this might be time to donate or bin those items you no longer use or love. Freeing up space on your shelves will make your living room instantly feel lighter and fresher.
Now it’s time to vacuum. “Regular vacuuming can play a significant role in keeping your rugs clean, healthy and free of allergens and dust,” Girowal says.
If your carpets or rugs are stained, it may be time to call in the professionals. Girowal suggests having your rugs professionally cleaned once every 12 months at a minimum. “You can maintain their freshness in between by shaking them outside and leaving them there to soak up some of the sun’s cleansing rays,” he adds.
Now it’s time to vacuum. “Regular vacuuming can play a significant role in keeping your rugs clean, healthy and free of allergens and dust,” Girowal says.
If your carpets or rugs are stained, it may be time to call in the professionals. Girowal suggests having your rugs professionally cleaned once every 12 months at a minimum. “You can maintain their freshness in between by shaking them outside and leaving them there to soak up some of the sun’s cleansing rays,” he adds.
Kids’ playroom
The biggest problem with kids’ playrooms is the amount of toys they accumulate – an overload of playthings is hard to keep organised, even in the most spacious of playrooms. Do a major cull of any toys or books your children have outgrown. This will also make it easier for them to find the things they do enjoy playing with, and will make tidying up at the end of the day far less of a chore.
Once you have done a clear-out, fill a bowl with warm soapy water and wash remaining toys.
Dust inside cupboards and toy boxes, and wipe outer surfaces with a damp cloth. Sweep and vacuum the floor.
The biggest problem with kids’ playrooms is the amount of toys they accumulate – an overload of playthings is hard to keep organised, even in the most spacious of playrooms. Do a major cull of any toys or books your children have outgrown. This will also make it easier for them to find the things they do enjoy playing with, and will make tidying up at the end of the day far less of a chore.
Once you have done a clear-out, fill a bowl with warm soapy water and wash remaining toys.
Dust inside cupboards and toy boxes, and wipe outer surfaces with a damp cloth. Sweep and vacuum the floor.
Laundry
Clean ceiling vents, lights, and switches. Dust behind and under your washing machine and dryer.
Clean your dryer vent and inside your washing machine. “To refresh your washing machine, clean out the filters, then run a normal hot cycle. Place half a cup of bicarbonate soda and two cups of vinegar [into the detergent tray] before letting the cycle run as usual,” West says.
Clean windows and blinds with warm soapy water, and wash the floor to complete the job.
Clean ceiling vents, lights, and switches. Dust behind and under your washing machine and dryer.
Clean your dryer vent and inside your washing machine. “To refresh your washing machine, clean out the filters, then run a normal hot cycle. Place half a cup of bicarbonate soda and two cups of vinegar [into the detergent tray] before letting the cycle run as usual,” West says.
Clean windows and blinds with warm soapy water, and wash the floor to complete the job.
Read more:
Are You a Cleanliness Freak?
Tell us:
What’s your home cleaning routine? Tell us in the Comments below.
Are You a Cleanliness Freak?
Tell us:
What’s your home cleaning routine? Tell us in the Comments below.
The first step to sprucing up your bedroom is to clean out your wardrobe. Throw out anything that no longer fits. Gather up the clothes you hardly wear and tuck them away (prevent them from swallowing up your prime storage real estate by storing them in the upper and lower reaches of your wardrobe or under the bed).