Six Week Deep Cleaning Guide
When is the last time you cleaned your ceilings, walls, or lint duct? It might be
time for you to participate in a 6 week deep cleaning to give your home a fresh start.
Spring is here and its time for a fresh start. The origin of spring cleaning can be
found in many cultures, especially those that experience a cold winter. During the
spring-cleaning ritual, partakers conduct a much more extensive cleaning routine than
what’s done daily, weekly, or monthly. Spring cleaning for my house is a time to clean
the house from top to bottom, catch up on tasks that have been forgotten, and begin
a new cleaning routine to maintain a clean house.
Before you start, you might want to create a cleaning kit. Some items to put in your
kit might be:
|
Bucket
Broom
Mop
Rags
Window cleaner
|
Microfiber clothe
Squeegee
Sponges
Disinfectant
Dish soap
|
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Spray Bottles
Furniture cleaner
Floor cleaner
|
Over the next 6 weeks, we’ll be breaking down a weekly cleaning schedule tackling
one room or one type of room at a time. Each room we will follow a few consistent
tips:
Clean top to bottom. Start at the top of the room with the ceiling and work your way down to the floor.
When cleaning go in a circle to make sure everything is accomplished on your way down.
This means start in the corner of the room and work your way around to all the corners
before moving on to the next task.
Declutter, simplify, and repeat. Each room in our homes is filled with things we don’t need. Remove the clutter from
shelves, counters, and furniture. Make your items earn their right to be on display.
Donate or sell items you have duplicates of. When putting items away, start with those
you need, want, or use most. If an item doesn’t have a designated spot or doesn’t
fit in a drawer or cabinet because there are too many things, you don’t need it. Repeat
this process in each room.
Vacuum highly dusty areas first. By vacuuming highly dusty areas such as base boards or cabinet tops while they are
dry, it will eliminate spreading the dirt or dust to other areas when cleaning with
wet rags or sponges.
Throw out expired items. Food in your fridge isn’t the only thing that expire. Spices, beauty products, and
other household materials expire as well. Also, use this time to change out batteries
in smoke alarms and replace air filters.
Lay down protective materials. Parchment paper on top of cabinets and aluminum foil on the bottom oven rack can
help make clean up a breeze for next time. Think of things you can use to cover shelves
or other areas to keep your home clean and messes quickly fixable.
Six Week Deep Cleaning Guides
Each week has a downloadable checklist of tasks to complete everyday of the week.
The first week, spend time cleaning your kitchen. Remember to throw out all expired
items in your fridge and pantry.
Day 1:
- Dust ceiling and crown molding
- Clean light fixtures
- Wipe down top of cabinets and refrigerator
- Clean door and window frames
- Disinfect door knobs and high touch areas
- Clean windows/window sills
Day 2:
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Line tops of cabinets with paper towels or parchment paper
- Wipe down cabinet doors and drawers
- Clean countertops and backslashes
- Collect non-kitchen items and return to proper place
Day 3:
- Declutter drawers and cabinets by donating or selling duplicate items
- Wash/clean inside cabinets
- Line drawers with parchment paper or drawer liner
- Find places for your stored items that make sense
- Dispose expired spices
Day 4:
- Clean vent hood/vent hood filter
- Clean microwave
- Clean oven
- Line bottom of oven with foil
- Clean stove top and stove knobs
- Clean coffee pot according to manufacturer directions
Day 5:
- Clean garbage disposals
- Run ice cubes through disposal to sharpen blades
- Clean dishwashers: remove removable parts
- Clean sinks and drying mats
- Replace sponges, brushes, etc.
Day 6:
- Clean out and organize refrigerator and freezer
- Clean out and organize the pantry
- Discard expired food
- Line refrigerator shelves with cling wrap
- Wipe down front of refrigerator
Day 7:
- Clean canisters
- Clean and wash trashcans
- Pull out oven, clean behind
- Pull out refrigerator, clean behind
- Vacuum then wash baseboards
- Sweep/vacuum floors
- Mop floors
Weekly Tasks:
- Sweep/mop floors
- Throw away expired food night before trash runs
- Wipe down cabinet doors
Daily Tasks:
- Wash/put away dishes
- Dry sink
- Wipe down store after cooking
During the second week, deep clean your living room.
Day 1:
- Dust ceiling and crown molding
- Clean light fixtures
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Clean door and window frames
- Clean window/window sills
Day 2:
- Disinfect door knobs and high touch areas
- Clean window treatments
- Dust furniture
- Discard trash
- Collect non-living room items and return proper places
Day 3:
- Dust television and electronics
- Declutter furniture
- Discard trash
- Collect non-living room items and return to proper place
Day 4:
- Discard unneeded electronic cords
- Dust and clean Knick-knacks
- Dust pictures and wall decor
- Organize shelves and cabinets
Day 5:
- Dust fake plants
- Wash all blankets, throws, and pillows
- Clean fireplace
- Spot treat upholstery stains
- Vacuum couch, chairs, and throw pillows
Day 6:
- Fluff throw pillows
- Clean vents
- Vacuum dust from baseboards
- Wash baseboards
- Push back furniture and clean underneath
Day 7:
- Rearrange furniture
- Clean under rugs
- Clean carpet/ rugs or wash rugs
- Sweep/vacuum/mop floors and rugs
Weekly Tasks:
- Sweep/ vacuum/ mop floors
- Dust furniture
- Fluff throw pillows
- Water plants
Daily Tasks:
- Pick up items and return to proper place
- Fold and put away blankets
- Throw away trash
The third week is dedicated to cleaning bedrooms. Get your kids involved in cleaning
their own rooms! If you haven't worn something in a year, it might be time to get
rid of it!
Day 1:
- Dust ceiling and crown molding
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean door and window frames
- Clean windows and window sills
Day 2:
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Disinfect door knobs and high touch areas
- Dust furniture
- Dust and clean Knick-knacks
- Dust television and electronics
Day 3:
- Discard trash
- Collect non-bedroom items and return to proper place
- Wash all blankets, throws, bedding, and pillow covers
- Clean mattresses
Day 4:
- Declutter furniture and shelves
- Declutter toys
Day 5:
- Clean out closets and drawers
- Organize books
- Wipe out drawers
Day 6:
- Push back furniture and clean underneath
- Vacuum then wash baseboards
- Remove items from under bed
Day 7:
- Clean under rugs
- Sweep/vacuum/mop floors
- Clean carpet/rug
- Make beds
Weekly Tasks:
- Sweep/vacuum/mop floors
- Dust furniture
Daily Tasks:
- Pick up items and return to proper place
- Fold and put away blankets
- Throw away trash
- Make beds
Week four means its time to deep clean the bathrooms in your house!
Day 1:
- Dust ceilings
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean door and window frames
- Clean windows and window sills
Day 2:
- Disinfect door knobs and high touch areas
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Clean toilets
- Clean sinks and faucets
Day 3:
- Clean countertops
- Clean shower and shower heads
- Clean tubs and spouts
- Collect non-bathroom items and return to proper place
Day 4:
- Clean title and grout
- Declutter cabinets and shelves
- Discard expired beauty products
- Toss out expired medicines properly and replace and restock
Day 5:
- Dust, clean, and sanitize Knick-knacks
- Discard trash
- Discard toothbrushes and replace
- Wipe out drawers
- Throw out old magazines
Day 6:
- Wash dirty towels, rags, and hand towels
- Spot clean shower curtains
- Replace plastic shower curtains
- Vacuum then wash baseboards
Day 7:
- Remove baskets or decor from the floor to clean
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors and rags
- Clean rags and bathmats
- Restock cotton balls and cotton swabs
Weekly Tasks:
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors
- Clean toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks
- Take out trash
Daily Tasks:
- Pick up items and return to proper place
- Put dirty clothes in hamper
- Put away toiletries
Cleaning your laundry room or laundry area may not take too long but it can be very
important. Lint build up in dryers and ducts can be a fire hazard.
Day 1:
- Dust ceilings
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean door and window frames
- Clean windows and window sills
Day 2:
- Disinfect door knobs and high touch areas
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Fold and put away clothes
Day 3:
- Clean hampers and laundry baskets
- Clean washer by following manufacturers instructions
- Clean washer seal
Day 4:
- Clean detergent and fabric softener drawer
- Declutter cabinets and shelves
- Organize laundry
Day 5:
- Move washer and dryer and clean under and behind
- Clean lint trap
- Clean dryer exhaust hose
- Clean dryer duct
Day 6:
- Vacuum then wash baseboards
- Restock detergents
- Clean and sanitize utility sink
- Clean out junk drawers and cabinets
Day 7:
- Remove baskets and decor from the floor to clean
- Clean rags
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors and rugs
Weekly Tasks:
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors
- Dust furniture
Daily Tasks:
- Leave washer open to dry after finishing laundry
- Clean lint trap
- Fold and put away clothes
The last week is for cleaning areas you missed. When cleaning anything in your house
start from the very top and work your way to the bottom.
Day 1:
- Dust ceiling and crown molding
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean door and window frames
- Clean windows and window sills
Day 2:
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Disinfect door knobs and high touch areas
- Clean photos and artwork on walls
- Pick up and throw away trash
Day 3:
- Clear off furniture and clean top and sides
- Dust and clean Knick-knacks
- Declutter cabinets and shelves
Day 4:
- Collect items and return to proper place
- Remove items from coat, linen, and other closets
- Clean closets from top to bottom
Day 5:
- Organize coats and linens
- Clean ot junk drawers and closets
- Throw away things you forgot you had or that you haven't used
Day 6:
- Vacuum then wash baseboards
- Vacuum floor and ceiling vents
- Change out air filters
Day 7:
- Remove furniture baskets and decor on the floor
- Clean rugs
- Sweep. vacuum, and mop floors and rugs
Weekly Tasks:
- Dust furniture
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors
Daily Tasks:
- Pick up items and return to proper place
- Hang up coats and put away shoes
Torrie Smith, Carroll County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H
shares information on about living well, saving money, and sharing tips to make life
better and easier for the everyday person. I release videos on my Facebook Page will
be providing more information about them here on this blog.
You can find me on Facebook:Torrie's Top Tips with Torrie Smith, on Instagram: Torrie's Top Tips or on Pinterest: Torrie's Top Tips. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at tsmith@uada.edu. I’d love to hear from you!
