Do you dream of a house where everything is just done? A house where the dishes are clean, the floors are spotless, the laundry is washed and folded and not a single speck of dust can be spotted on a flat surface anywhere? Let’s face it, it’s a dream that can never be realised, because well, life happens.
Although cleaning the house may be an inescapable (and endless) task, it’s also a great way to relieve stress, get some incidental movement into your day, and refresh the look of your home without having to buy new decor or spend a fortune on renovations.
So how do you clean a house? Well that depends on the level of cleanliness you’re hoping to achieve. While it is possible to clean your entire house in an hour, sometimes you will need to carve out a day or two to tackle the long list of less pressing jobs like deep cleaning the oven, decluttering the pantry or organising your entire wardrobe. To simply maintain a tidy home, you’ll need to complete certain cleaning tasks daily (think: wiping down kitchen counters and stacking the dishwasher).
Here, we’ve walked through every room in the house while pretending to be a judgy houseguest, to bring you not only a complete house cleaning checklist but some handy hacks and shortcuts to help you get the job done faster along the way.
What you’ll need
Cleaning the house from top to bottom requires some equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Natural cleaning products that work hard and smell amazing, we love Koala Eco’s Best-seller Collection.
- Vacuum cleaner
- Reusable cleaning cloths
- A mop and bucket
- White vinegar (for banishing grime, odours and mould)
- A cleaning caddy for keeping all supplies close to hand as you move from room to room
Where to start cleaning a house?
Kitchen
Experts agree that the best place to start cleaning your house is the kitchen. To clean the room thoroughly, head to our kitchen cleaning checklist. But if the space is already in pretty good shape here’s what to prioritise.
The essentials
- Wash dishes or stack and run dishwasher
- Wipe kitchen benchtops
- Wipe down sink
- Clean oven and oven racks
- Clean microwave using steam and white vinegar
- Wipe down stovetop
- Discard expired food in fridge and wipe down shelves with a soapy cloth
- Sweep or vacuum floor
- Mop floor
The deep clean
- Declutter kitchen cupboards
- Declutter your pantry and reorganise it neatly using clever storage containers
- Find out how to clean 5 kitchen appliances including the rangehood and dishwasher.
The bathroom
Next up is the bathroom. If not cleaned regularly, the bathroom can become a breeding ground for mould and unsightly, discoloured grout.
The essentials
- Wash all towels in a warm-to-hot cycle
- Vacuum floor
- Wipe down bathroom vanity and sink
- Wipe down bathtub and surrounds
- Clean the bathroom mirror
- Apply no-scrub grout cleaner (or try one of these 3 handy grout-cleaning hacks) to tackle unsightly, discoloured grout
- Maintain your shower by scrubbing the walls and shower screen, descaling the showerhead and unblocking the drain
- Vinegar is a powerful natural mould killer, so spray it undiluted on any areas where mould is present.
- To guest-proof your toilet, wipe down the toilet cistern, lid and seat using soapy water. Dry before applying surface disinfectant. Apply toilet cleaner to the bowl and allow product to sit in bowl for 10-minutes (or follow product instructions). Scrub clean with a toilet brush. Disinfect and allow toilet brush to dry before placing it back in the cradle.
- Mop floor
The deep clean
- Wipe or dust bathroom exhaust fan blades
- Wash and disinfect toothbrush holders and soap holders (or place them in the dishwasher). Replace toothbrushes.
- Unclog drains
- Sanitise the toilet brush
- Declutter under the sink and discard expired beauty products and medication
Laundry
The final wet area to tackle is the laundry. If this area always looks messy no matter how often you clean it, it could be time for a stylish and functional laundry room redesign. Until then, focus on a small laundry organisation ideas that prioritise storage and efficiency.
The essentials
- Wash and fold laundry
- Scrub soaking tub and rinse clean
- Wash and disinfect cleaning buckets
- Clean dryer lint filter
- Wipe down benches
- Dust the front and tops of machines with a soft cloth
- Vacuum
- Mop
The deep clean
- Wipe inside of laundry baskets with a damp cloth
- Vacuum and wipe down empty laundry hamper
- Run an empty washing machine on the hottest cycle.
- Wipe down washing machine seals with a damp cloth, dry.
- Remove washing machine filter and clean before replacing.
- Remove soap tray from washing machine and wash and dry thoroughly. Replace tray.
- Wipe or dust exhaust fan
Living room
Give yourself a pat on the back, because the three most difficult areas to clean are now done – phew!
The essentials
- Dust all hard surfaces using two cloths; one damp soapy cloth for picking up dirt and dust, followed by a second, dry microfibre cloth to buff away spots and streaks.
- Clean the TV screen and gently wipe away fingerprints and dust
- Clean skirting boards using a vacuum cleaner brush attachment, or give them all a wipe with a damp cloth
- Vacuum the sofa, taking care to get all of the crumbs (and coins) out of the nooks and crannies
- Vacuum and mop floor
- Wipe indoor plant leaves
The deep clean
- Place cushion covers along with any throw blankets into the washing machine on a gentle cycle
- Vacuum and steam clean rugs
- Use an upholstery cleaner like the Bissell SpotClean to give the sofa a deep clean
- Vacuum underneath and behind large furniture pieces
- Dust ceiling light fixtures
- Do a cable management check: are cords taking over your entertainment unit? Plus, here are 9 other decorating mistakes to correct while you tidy up the living room.
- Clean the walls with a spin mop or flat mop
Bedrooms
A clean bedroom that is free from dust and clutter will help you get a better night’s sleep.
The essentials
- Wash and dry all bedding. Sheets should be cleaned at least once a week.
- Air out pillows and doona.
- Put away or wash any clothing that is lying around
- Wipe down mirrors and light fixtures
- Dust all surfaces twice, once using a damp soapy cloth and a second, dry cloth to buff and shine. Don’t forget to clean the windowsills and wipe down blinds.
- Vacuum mattress and headboard (if it is upholstered)
- Vacuum and mop floors
The deep clean
- Wash and dry all bedding, including the doona, pillows and mattress protectors
- Declutter and reorganise your wardrobe
- Wash and dry curtains
The finish line
One thing is for certain, unless you live alone, cleaning the house should be a shared duty. Delegate cleaning jobs to the kids, invest in a robot vacuum mop (to lighten the load) or get your partner on board by investing in The Fair Play Deck and divvying up household chores together over a glass of wine. Lastly, don’t forget that the job of keeping a tidy home is never really done, so make sure you set a ‘finish line’ and stick to it so you can devote some time to yourself and other hobbies that truly bring you joy.
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