While a clean home is a wonderful thing, getting it that way can be a challenge. Here’s everything we know about cleaning a home from top to bottom. It may take a fair amount of elbow grease to deep clean a house, but the result is worth it!
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are notorious for snagging dust and pet fur on their blades. While you can buy one of those special oval brushes to clean the blades, a stepstool and a microfiber cloth will get the job done. Some cleaning experts have suggested slipped a pillowcase over each blade and then applying pressure as you pull it off. Whatever you do, clean the fans before you dust or vacuum—it’s a messy process!
Showerheads
Most home owners never clean their showerheads. This can lead to mineral buildup and unpleasant discoloration (not to mention reduced water pressure). A popular hack is to fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and use a rubber band to hold it securely over the showerhead. After an hour or two, you should be clear to simply rub the surface with a toothbrush and rinse.
Washer & Dryer
If the home has appliances that convey, you’ll need to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. In the laundry room, add a cup of bleach to an empty machine and wash using the hottest cycle. The rest of the machine can be polished with a microfiber cloth and, if necessary, a small bristled brush. The dryer should be unplugged and vacuumed out to ensure that lint hasn’t built up where it can’t be seen.
Dishwasher
While you’re cleaning appliances, don’t neglect the dishwasher. Place either a bowl of vinegar or a healthy shake of baking soda in an empty machine, then run it on a hot cycle to get rid of any lingering smells or stains.
Baseboards
No one likes cleaning baseboards, but everyone notices when they’re scuffed and covered in dust. A one-two punch of a vacuum cleaner with a brush nozzle and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will have the baseboards looking brand new.
Refrigerator
Obviously you know that cleaning the inside of the fridge is important. Our friends baking soda and white vinegar can help with that. But what about the surface? Stainless steel needs a special polish to revive its shine. And while you’re at it, vacuum the refrigerator coils—something that even dedicated neat freaks neglect when they deep clean a house.
Tile Grout
Here’s another cleaning hack using just three low-cost ingredients. Make a paste of baking soda and water (about 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) and slather it onto your tiles. Then fill a spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. Spray and scrub, and voila! Perfectly clean grout.
Light Fixtures
Take down all the light fixtures and give them a good dusting followed by a spritz of a water-vinegar solution. You can use the same mixture to clean windows and mirrors, too!
