The Complete Room-by-Room Deep Cleaning Checklist for Your Home

A real deep clean works top to bottom, dry to wet, and room by room, hitting the spots that weekly cleaning skips: baseboards, cabinet fronts, grout, vents, behind furniture. Use the checklist below exactly in this order and you won't have to clean anything twice. Plan on a full day for an average house, or split it across a weekend.

Before You Start: Three Rules That Save Hours

1. Top to bottom. Dust falls. Ceiling fans and the tops of cabinets come before counters, and counters come before floors.

2. Dry before wet. Dust and vacuum first, then wipe and mop. Wet-wiping a dusty surface just makes mud.

3. Let products sit. Spray the shower, the oven and the stovetop first, then go do something else for 10 minutes. Dwell time does the scrubbing for you.

Gather your supplies

• Microfiber cloths (a stack, not two)
• Vacuum with crevice and brush attachments
• Mop and bucket, or a flat mop
• All-purpose cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner
• Grout brush or old toothbrush
• Step stool
• Extension duster for fans and high corners
• Rubber gloves
• Trash bags

If you prefer gentler products, plant-based all-purpose cleaners and plain dish soap with warm water handle most surfaces.

Kitchen Checklist

The kitchen takes the longest, so start here while your energy is high.

• Dust tops of cabinets, fridge and light fixtures
• Wipe down range hood exterior; soak or degrease the filter
• Spray oven interior (if cleaning it) and let it sit
• Empty, wipe and reorganize the fridge; toss expired items
• Wipe fridge door gaskets, handles and the top of the fridge
• Clean microwave inside and out
• Degrease stovetop, burner grates and knobs
• Scrub cabinet fronts, especially near the stove and trash
• Wipe cabinet handles and drawer pulls
• Clean backsplash and grout lines
• Wipe small appliances: toaster, coffee maker, kettle
• Clear and wipe counters, including under the appliances
• Scrub sink and faucet; clean around the drain and disposal flange
• Wipe the dishwasher door and edge of the door seal
• Wipe light switches and outlet covers
• Clean inside and outside the trash can
• Wipe baseboards and toe kicks
• Vacuum, then mop the floor, getting into corners and along cabinets

For more on cutting grease, see our kitchen deep cleaning guide.

Bathroom Checklist

Spray the tub, shower and toilet first and let the cleaner work while you dust.

• Dust the exhaust fan cover, light fixtures and the top of the mirror
• Dust towel bars and shelves
• Scrub shower walls, tub and grout
• Remove soap scum and water spots from glass doors
• Clean showerhead and fixtures
• Wash or replace the shower curtain liner
• Clean mirror and any glass
• Wipe vanity, sink, faucet and the backsplash
• Wipe vanity cabinet fronts and handles
• Clean toilet inside, outside, behind and around the base and bolts
• Wipe door, door frame, handle and light switch
• Wipe baseboards
• Shake out or wash bath mats
• Vacuum, then mop, especially around the toilet base

Bedroom Checklist

• Dust ceiling fan blades and light fixtures
• Dust tops of door frames, window frames and wall art
• Wipe window sills and interior tracks
• Dust dressers, nightstands and headboard
• Wipe lamps and lampshades
• Strip and wash bedding; wash pillows if they're washable
• Vacuum the mattress and flip or rotate it if recommended
• Vacuum under the bed
• Wipe closet shelves and doors
• Wipe light switches and door handles
• Wipe baseboards
• Vacuum floors, edges and corners; mop hard floors

Living Room and Family Room Checklist

• Dust ceiling fan, crown molding and high corners
• Dust and wipe radiators or baseboard heaters (vacuum behind radiators with a crevice tool)
• Dust bookshelves, mantel, TV and electronics
• Wipe remotes, light switches and door handles
• Vacuum upholstery, under cushions and along seams
• Move furniture and vacuum underneath
• Wipe window sills and interior tracks
• Wipe baseboards
• Vacuum rugs on both sides if they're small enough to flip
• Clean hard floors with a cleaner made for your floor type

Dining Room Checklist

• Dust chandelier or light fixture
• Wipe table, chairs, chair legs and rungs
• Dust buffet, china cabinet glass and shelves
• Wipe baseboards and window sills
• Vacuum and mop

Entryway, Mudroom and Stairs

In New England these areas take a beating, especially from November to April.

• Shake out or wash doormats
• Wipe the front door, inside and out, plus the handle and kick plate
• Empty and wash boot trays
• Wipe cubbies, hooks and benches
• Clean salt residue off hard floors (see our guide to road salt and your floors)
• Wipe stair railings and balusters
• Vacuum each stair, including the corners where dust collects
• Wipe stair risers and baseboards

Whole-House Final Pass

• Wipe all interior doors and door frames
• Check every light switch and outlet cover
• Replace HVAC filters if due
• Wipe vent covers and air returns
• Empty all trash cans
• Do a last walk-through with a flashlight held low across floors; it reveals what you missed

How Long Does a Full Deep Clean Take?

It depends heavily on the size and condition of the home. For one person working alone, a full house can easily take a long day or a whole weekend. Bathrooms and the kitchen will eat most of that time. That's why plenty of people in Norwood and the surrounding towns hand off at least the first one to a pro, then keep up with lighter weekly cleaning themselves.

If you'd rather have it done in an afternoon, our deep cleaning service covers this list and can add inside-oven and inside-fridge cleaning.