Why Deep Cleaning Matters
Regular cleaning helps maintain a tidy home, but over time, dust, grime, and allergens accumulate in areas we don't clean during routine maintenance. Deep cleaning addresses these hidden spots, improving indoor air quality, extending the life of your furnishings, and creating a truly pristine environment.
At Vozdushnaya-Chernika, we recommend scheduling a deep cleaning at least twice a year—typically during spring and fall. This guide will walk you through a professional deep cleaning approach for each room in your home.
Before You Begin: Preparation Tips
Gather Your Supplies
Collect all cleaning supplies before starting: microfiber cloths, vacuum with attachments, mop, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfectant, scrub brushes, and step ladder.
Work Top to Bottom
Always clean from ceiling to floor so dust and debris fall to areas you haven't cleaned yet.
Declutter First
Remove items from surfaces and organize belongings before deep cleaning to ensure no area gets missed.
Kitchen Deep Cleaning
The kitchen requires special attention as it's prone to grease, food residue, and bacteria buildup.
Appliances
- Refrigerator: Empty contents, remove shelves/drawers and wash with warm soapy water. Clean interior walls and door seals. Vacuum coils at the back and clean drip pan.
- Oven: Remove racks and clean separately. Use oven cleaner for interior (or make a paste with baking soda and water for a natural option). Clean cooktop, knobs, and hood filter.
- Microwave: Heat a bowl of water with lemon for 3 minutes to loosen grime, then wipe interior. Remove and clean turntable.
- Dishwasher: Remove and clean filter. Run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar to eliminate odors and buildup.
- Small appliances: Unplug and clean coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and food processors according to manufacturer instructions.
Surfaces and Storage
- Cabinets: Empty each cabinet, wipe interiors, and clean doors (paying attention to handles and edges where grease accumulates).
- Countertops: Remove all items, clean with appropriate cleaner for your surface type (granite, quartz, laminate), and disinfect.
- Sink and faucet: Scrub sink basin, disinfect drain, and descale faucet with vinegar solution. Polish to shine.
- Backsplash: Clean tile and grout, removing any grease splatter or food residue.
- Pantry: Check expiration dates, wipe down shelves, and reorganize contents.
Floors and Finishing Touches
- Baseboards and moldings: Dust and wipe with damp cloth.
- Floors: Sweep, vacuum, then mop with appropriate cleaner for your floor type. Pay attention to corners and under appliances.
- Trash can: Empty, wash with disinfectant, and let dry completely before replacing bag.
- Light fixtures: Dust and clean covers/globes.
Professional Tip
For stubborn grease on kitchen cabinets, use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water with a few drops of dish soap. For persistent grime, apply the solution, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean.
Bathroom Deep Cleaning
Bathrooms require thorough sanitizing to eliminate mold, mildew, and soap scum.
Fixtures
- Shower and tub: Remove all products, spray surfaces with cleaner, and let sit. Scrub walls, floor, door/curtain, and fixtures. Pay special attention to grout and corners where mold forms.
- Toilet: Apply bowl cleaner and let sit. Meanwhile, clean exterior surfaces from top to bottom (tank, lid, seat, base). Scrub bowl interior with brush, focusing under the rim.
- Sink and vanity: Clear all items, clean sink basin and faucet. Wipe down vanity surface and cabinet exterior. Clean mirror with glass cleaner.
- Showerhead: Remove mineral buildup by filling a plastic bag with vinegar, securing it around the showerhead with a rubber band, and letting it soak for 1-2 hours.
Storage and Surfaces
- Medicine cabinet: Empty contents, check expiration dates, and wipe shelves. Clean mirror and exterior.
- Storage cabinets: Empty, clean interior shelves, and reorganize contents.
- Walls and ceiling: Wipe down with mild cleaner, paying attention to areas with moisture buildup. Check for mold growth.
- Exhaust fan: Turn off power, remove cover, vacuum dust, and wipe blades. Replace cover.
Floors and Details
- Baseboards: Wipe to remove dust and splashes.
- Floors: Sweep, focusing on corners and behind toilet. Mop with disinfectant cleaner.
- Trash can: Disinfect inside and out.
- Light fixtures: Dust and clean covers.
- Bath mats and towels: Launder according to care instructions.
Professional Tip
To prevent mildew in the bathroom, spray shower walls and doors with a mixture of one part water to one part white vinegar after each use. Leave the bathroom door open and run the exhaust fan for 20-30 minutes after showering to reduce humidity.
Living Room Deep Cleaning
This high-traffic area collects dust, pet hair, and various debris in unexpected places.
Furniture
- Upholstered furniture: Remove cushions and vacuum all surfaces including under cushions, crevices, and backs. Spot clean stains according to fabric type.
- Wood furniture: Dust thoroughly and polish with appropriate wood cleaner.
- Tables and surfaces: Clear items, dust, and clean with appropriate cleaner for the material.
Electronics and Décor
- TV and entertainment center: Dust screens with microfiber cloth, clean remote controls with disinfectant wipe, and organize cords.
- Lamps and light fixtures: Unplug lamps, dust shades, wipe bases, and clean bulbs if necessary.
- Décor items: Dust picture frames, vases, books, and decorative objects.
- Bookshelves: Remove items, dust shelves, and reorganize.
Windows, Walls, and Floors
- Windows: Clean glass, frames, sills, and tracks. Vacuum and wash window treatments according to care instructions.
- Walls: Dust walls with microfiber cloth or vacuum with brush attachment. Spot clean stains.
- Ceiling: Remove cobwebs and dust with extended duster.
- Ceiling fans: Dust blades (place a pillowcase over each blade to catch falling dust) and clean light fixtures.
- Baseboards and moldings: Dust and wipe down.
- Flooring: Move furniture when possible, vacuum carpet thoroughly (including under furniture), or sweep and mop hard floors. Consider professional carpet cleaning annually.
- Area rugs: Vacuum both sides if possible, and clean according to material.
Professional Tip
For carpet stains, always blot (never scrub) with a clean white cloth. For most fresh stains, club soda or a mixture of white vinegar and water works well. Always test any stain remover on an inconspicuous area first.
Bedroom Deep Cleaning
Create a healthy sleeping environment by targeting dust mites and allergens that accumulate in bedrooms.
Bed and Bedding
- Mattress: Strip bed, vacuum mattress thoroughly with upholstery attachment, focusing on seams and crevices. Spot clean stains with appropriate cleaner, then sprinkle baking soda all over, let sit for 1-2 hours, and vacuum again.
- Rotate or flip mattress if recommended by manufacturer.
- Bedding: Wash all sheets, pillowcases, mattress pad, duvet cover, and blankets according to care instructions. Consider washing pillows if they're machine washable or air them outside in the sun.
- Bed frame: Dust headboard, footboard, and under the bed. Tighten any loose screws or connections.
Furniture and Storage
- Nightstands and dressers: Remove items, dust, and clean surfaces. Polish wood if necessary.
- Closet: Empty contents, dust shelves, and vacuum floor. Consider organizing and purging unused items before replacing contents.
- Under bed storage: Remove boxes/containers, clean, and organize contents.
General Cleaning
- Windows: Clean glass, frames, sills, and wash curtains or dust blinds.
- Light fixtures: Dust and clean, including ceiling fans.
- Walls: Dust and spot clean.
- Flooring: Vacuum carpet thoroughly, focusing on under the bed and other furniture. Mop hard floors.
- Area rugs: Vacuum both sides and clean according to material.
Professional Tip
To reduce dust mites in the bedroom, wash bedding weekly in hot water (130°F or above). Consider encasing mattresses and pillows in allergen-proof covers and keep humidity levels below 50%.
Often Overlooked Areas
Don't forget these commonly missed spots during your deep cleaning:
- Air vents and returns: Remove covers, vacuum inside, wash covers, and replace.
- Light switches and door knobs: Disinfect these high-touch areas.
- Behind appliances: Pull out refrigerator, stove, washer, and dryer to clean behind and underneath.
- Under sinks: Clear items, check for leaks, and clean cabinet interior.
- Stair railings: Wipe down with appropriate cleaner.
- Window tracks and door frames: Vacuum debris and wipe clean.
- Reusable grocery bags: Launder fabric bags and wipe down plastic ones.
- Pet areas: Wash pet beds, toys, and feeding stations.
Maintaining Between Deep Cleans
Keep your home cleaner between deep cleaning sessions with these habits:
- Create a regular cleaning schedule for weekly maintenance
- Do a quick daily "reset" of each room before bed
- Clean spills immediately to prevent stains
- Use doormats at all entrances and consider a "shoes off" policy
- Dust and vacuum at least weekly
- Wipe down bathroom surfaces after use
- Keep cleaning supplies easily accessible in each area of your home
Conclusion
Deep cleaning your entire home is a significant undertaking, but the results are well worth the effort. A truly clean home isn't just visually appealing—it's healthier, more comfortable, and more inviting. Breaking the process down room by room makes it manageable and ensures no area is overlooked.
If you find the task overwhelming or simply don't have the time, Vozdushnaya-Chernika offers comprehensive deep cleaning services performed by trained professionals with the right tools and expertise. We can handle one-time deep cleaning or establish a regular schedule to keep your home pristine year-round.
