In this five-part series, we’ll take you through the steps to deep clean every room in your home!

Homes can go through a lot of wear and tear — especially after a busy winter. Keeping up with washing, dishes, and vacuuming from one week to the next can go a long way to maintaining a tidy house, but once a year, it’s a good idea to dive in and scrub those spaces that might be neglected during routine cleaning. Give your living space a little extra love by following this room-by-room checklist on how to deep clean your home this spring or throughout the year.

Before you begin

1. Clear away the clutter. Before you embark on a deep clean, you’ll need to do a light one. Pick-up any items that have accumulated on the floor, on top of counters and table-tops, or draped across furniture, so that you can get to the places you need to.

2. Take stock. Set yourself up for success by making sure you have everything you’ll need before you dig in. After getting started, the last thing you’ll want to do is mess up your rhythm by running out of something you need. Suggested supplies include:

• Bicarb/baking soda
• Broom
• Brush with stiff bristles
• Cleaning caddy (optional, but helpful)
• Dish soap
• Dusting cloths (microfiber works best)
• Gloves to protect your hands
• Lint roller
• Mop
• Multi-purpose cleaner
• Sponges
• Vacuum cleaner with extension accessories
• White vinegar
• Window and glass cleaner
• Wood cleaner and/or polish

Deep cleaning your bathroom

Scrub all showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilets. Before getting started in the bathroom, spray down your bath/shower with multi-purpose cleaner so that it can soak for a while and break up any soap and oil that have accumulated. Do the same with the toilet bowls and sinks. That will make scrubbing that much easier when you circle back to it later on.

*Tip: Don’t forget to wipe down the base of the toilet near the floor, where dust and dribbles can sometimes land.

Wipe down light fixtures, mirrors and window treatments. Take extra time to carefully clean out gunk that has made its way into corners and around edges. Remove any grime or dust that has built up by wiping items down with a little vinegar on a damp cloth.

Wash glass shower doors. To clear off soap scum or water spots, apply some warm distilled white vinegar and let it sit for a half an hour or so, reapplying if needed. Then sprinkle some baking soda on top, and gently scrub the spots away.

*Tip: A slightly damp dryer sheet will also remove build-up.

Toss any cloth curtains or bathmats in the washing machine. Just be sure to check care tags to verify what cycle items should be washed on. To keep anything from wrinkling in the dryer, set the heat setting on low and take items out when they’re still a little damp. Then, hang them back up in the shower to finish drying completely. If you also have a plastic shower curtain liner, wash it in the laundry on cold, and rehang it to dry, or replace it with a new one.

Clean out under the sinks and inside drawers. Over time, these spaces tend to get cluttered. Take everything out so that you can wipe the bottom of the cabinets and drawers and clear out any cobwebs that might have formed. As you’re putting items back, toss what you no longer need, and organise the rest — taking care to put items you’ll use most frequently near the front for easier access.

Don’t forget the grout. You can make a homemade grout cleaner using vinegar, baking soda and water. First, spray down the grout with a half-vinegar/half-water solution until the area is saturated. Let it sit for a few minutes, scrub with a bristled brush (an old toothbrush will do), and rinse. Then, mix some baking soda with water until it forms a paste, apply it to the grout using your brush, and spray it with the water and vinegar. The bubbles that form will start to clean away some of the grit, and your brush will do the rest. When you’re done, rinse the grout with warm water.

*Tip: In a pinch, carpet cleaner also works great on grout.

Disinfect handles and doorknobs. These neglected pieces of hardware are some of the germiest places in the house. If you haven’t wiped them down in a while, it’s a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning with a multi-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes.

Stay tuned for part 2: Deep cleaning your living area!