How to Give Your Home the Deep (Season Change) Cleaning It Needs
Weekly tidying helps you keep your home in great shape, but there’s nothing quite like a good deep clean to bring out the best. People often like to do this as the seasons change, but sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start.
Never fear! We’ve put together the ultimate guide to deep cleaning your home. With our tips, your whole home will be sparkling in no time at all.
Look for Online Checklists
You can certainly make your own checklist for cleaning your home, but why reinvent the wheel? Martha Stewart and Good Housekeeping both offer checklists that can act as a starting point. These lists will include many of the basics, but you’ll also find some things that you might not have thought about on your own, such as resealing grout or washing your window screens.
But Personalize It
At the same time, your home is unique, so you shouldn’t feel obligated to check off everything on a pre-written list. If your home is new, for instance, you probably don’t need to reseal the grout. Use the online checklists as a starting point, but make adjustments to make it fit your own needs. Go through each of your rooms with the list to see what needs attention.
Make a Plan
Any to-do list requires a plan of action, so think about how you want to spend your time deep-cleaning your home. Some families might want to work together because “many hands make light work”. Others might want to divide and conquer: one parent keeps the kids entertained while the other does the cleaning. Some people want to get everything done in just a day or two, while others prefer to tackle only one or two tasks each day, even though that might mean your deep clean takes an entire month.
Think about your own lifestyle and schedule time to get your tasks done in a way that's manageable.
Purchase Necessary Cleaning Supplies
You don’t want to get into your cleaning groove only to find out you don’t have the cleaning supplies you need. Make sure that you have everything you need before you get started. Of course, you’ll need some basics like soap and sponges, but don’t forget to make a note of any special cleaning supplies. For instance, if you have quartz or granite countertops, you won’t want abrasive cleaners.
You may also want to rent some larger tools, like a carpet cleaner for the rugs or a power washer for the exterior of the home. People book these early during long weekends, so get your reservation in ASAP.
Tackle One Room at a Time
Deep cleanings can feel overwhelming. You see the long to-do list, and it starts to feel like it will never get done. Stay focused. Pick one room and complete everything that’s on the list for that room before moving on to the next.
Many people also recommend starting at the top of the home - and the room - and working your way to the bottom. For instance, if you vacuum the floors before dusting the fan, you’re just going to get the floor dirty again.
Avoid Burn-Out
At the start of a deep clean, it’s easy to feel productive, even if you don’t necessarily feel excited about the idea of cleaning the home. After several hours, though, you lose some steam. You start cutting corners just to check off the next item on your list, and this means that you’re not really giving your home the clean it deserves.
Give yourself a break. Grab take-out instead of spending time in the kitchen. Decide on a cut-off time for the night, and once that time hits, kick up your feet and watch your favourite show. Play music and dance while you clean. Plan some rewards for hitting your cleaning milestones. Anything you can do to make things a little fun will make it more enjoyable.
Don’t Forget Maintenance
When we do spring cleaning, we’re often focused on the cleaning part. However, this is also a good time to take on maintenance issues. Bring out your homeowner’s binder to look at the schedule for required maintenance. You might want to make an appointment for a furnace or HVAC tune-up, have the roof inspected, or put down some fertilizer on the lawn. These are important tasks, and they should definitely be on your list.
When you deep clean your home, you help keep it in great condition. You’ll be ready for guests to drop by at any time, and you’ll be able to comfortably relax after a job well done.
