Now that we are mostly at home having too much time in our hands can be a blessing in disguise. We can turn these idle hours into a productive activity like deep cleaning our house. Nowadays, sanitation has become a huge factor in preventing the spread of coronavirus. More communities are paying more attention to cleanliness, and you can play a significant role in this battle by starting at your own home.
Regular Cleaning versus Deep Cleaning
Regular or routine cleaning is completely different from a deep cleaning. It is something that you normally do every day or every week. Regular cleaning usually refers to maintaining a level of cleanliness in the house. Chores under this category can be done by you and will normally take only a few hours to complete. Other tasks included in regular cleaning are:
- Removing some clutter
- Cleaning the bathroom
- Vacuuming
- Mopping the floor
- Wiping windows
- Mowing the grass
- Cleaning the kitchen counters and the stove
Deep cleaning, on the other hand, can be done every four or six months. Homeowners have the choice to tackle this task on their own. But to achieve the best results, it is best to hire professional cleaning services. Deep cleaning involves removing deep grime and dirt in your home. If you plan on doing this by yourself, you might want to use heavy-duty cleaning materials like a power washer. Other items that you will need are:
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Buckets
- Dishwashing liquid
- Abrasive scrub pad
- Spray bottle
- Cleaning brush
- Disposable rags or old towels
Deep Cleaning the Living Room
You can begin the whole process by dusting and vacuuming the living room. You should focus on hard-to-reach areas like light fixtures, under the sofa, windows, and top of cabinets. Ceiling fans also need to be cleaned by removing and wiping the dust from the fan blades. Another important part of the living room that you should focus on is the carpet. You can clean it by vacuuming and scrubbing spot stains.
Deep Cleaning the Bathroom
White grout, which is normally used in many bathrooms, can be cleaned using chemical grout cleaners or baking soda mixed with vinegar. In a spray bottle, mix one part vinegar and one part baking soda, then spray it on the grout on the floor and walls. If you have a linen shower curtain, you can clean it by washing or totally replace it if your curtain is made of plastic. Other items in the bathroom that needs to be cleaned are:
- Toothbrush holder
- Toilet bowl
- Sink
- Shower caddie
- Mirror
- Under the sink storage
Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen
You will be surprised to know that an unclean kitchen can harbor harmful bacteria that can cause illnesses to your family. Research shows that a kitchen sponge that hasn’t been replaced in quite some time can contain bacteria like salmonella and E. Coli. Exposure to these can cause food poisoning and other symptoms of illness like diarrhea and vomiting.
The refrigerator is one of the most commonly used appliances in the kitchen, and its cleanliness is imperative because it serves as food storage. You need to make sure that meat or raw food is put in a sealed container to avoid cross-contamination. You also need to unplug the refrigerator and vacuum its coils. Remove the drawers and wipe them one by one. You might also want to do an inventory of the foods inside your fridge and dispose of the expired or spoiled ones. Other things in the kitchen that you have to clean are:
- Stove
- Dishwasher
- Sink
- The cabinet under the sink
- Oven
Deep Cleaning Your Bedroom
Removing clutter is the first thing that you can do to clean your bedroom. You can begin by making the bed and sorting out the things that you have. These items might be dirty clothes, slippers, books, and hygiene products. Put the dirty clothes in the laundry room and hang the clean clothes inside the cabinet. You also need to dust the top of the cabinets and open drawers to see if there are items that you no longer need.
If you have a dedicated air conditioner in your room, remove the filter and wash it under running water. If your HVAC and vent system runs all over your house, you can consider calling air conditioning and air duct cleaning services. Having clean air and ventilation in your rooms is important to prevent respiratory illnesses.
Deep cleaning is a task that requires some time. It’s fine if you can not finish it in a day or two, so don’t be hard on yourself. This process requires attention to detail, so be patient and try to enjoy this chore.
Deep cleaning is a task that requires some time. It’s fine if you can not finish it in a day or two, so don’t be hard on yourself. This process requires attention to detail, so be patient and try to enjoy this chore.
