Deep cleaning by zone

What's inside

1. Dust chandeliers and curtain rods

   Start top to bottom: dust from light fixtures and curtain rods will settle onto sills and floors you clean later. Remove shades one at a time and wash in warm water with a drop of dish soap.

2. Wash the curtains

   Curtains trap months of dust and odors. Check the care label — sheers usually wash at 30°C, heavy drapes sometimes need dry cleaning only.

3. Clean windows, frames and sills

   Clean on an overcast day — direct sun dries the solution before you can wipe off streaks. Don't skip the rubber seals: mold builds up there unnoticed.

4. Clean inside the radiators

   Dust between radiator fins just blows around the room once heating kicks in. A narrow brush or an old sock over your hand clears each section in minutes.

5. Sort wardrobes and wipe the shelves

   Deep cleaning is a chance to pull everything out and decide what stays, not just dust around it. Set aside anything unworn for a full season.

6. Soak the range hood filter

   The grease filter clogs invisibly and cuts the hood's suction dramatically. Soak it an hour in hot water with degreaser or dish soap and baking soda — grease lifts off without scrubbing.

7. Clean the oven

   Baked-on grime burns during your next bake and fills the kitchen with smoke smell. Apply oven cleaner or a baking soda paste for 30 minutes before wiping — far less scrubbing.

8. Clean the microwave

   A bowl of water with a lemon slice, 3 minutes on full power — dried splatters wipe off on their own, no chemicals needed.

9. Defrost and clean the fridge

   Unplug it ahead of time so freezer ice has a chance to melt. Go through every jar and package — toss anything expired now, or it just goes back in tomorrow.

10. Clean the dishwasher filter and run a service cycle

    The bottom filter traps food scraps and causes odor even from clean dishes. Rinse it under the tap, then run an empty hot cycle with dishwasher cleaner or citric acid to clear scale from the lines.

11. Clean the washing machine gasket and drawer, run a 90° cycle

    Mold builds up in the rubber gasket folds and detergent drawer, giving laundry a musty smell. Wipe with an antibacterial cleaner, then run an empty 90°C cycle with washing machine cleaner or citric acid to descale the heater.

12. Scrub the bathroom tile grout

    Dark grout lines are mold and mildew, not just dirt. A baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste with an old toothbrush outperforms most sprays.

13. Descale the showerhead

    Clogged nozzle holes are limescale built up over years, and it's cutting your water pressure. Unscrew the head and soak it an hour in vinegar or citric acid — no need to pick each hole with a pin.

14. Scrub under the toilet rim

    The main buildup and odor hide there, not on the visible surfaces. A curved brush or dedicated rim tool reaches farther than seems necessary.

15. Clean the tub-to-wall seam

    The silicone seam darkens with mold first and is the easiest spot to overlook. If black stains won't scrub out, it's faster to cut out and re-caulk than to keep scrubbing.

16. Mop floors under furniture and appliances

    Dust and pet hair build up for years under sofas, beds and the fridge — routine cleaning never reaches it. Move everything that can realistically be moved, at least once a season.

17. Wipe down the baseboards

    Baseboards collect dust that every draft kicks back up into the room. A damp cloth with a little floor cleaner also lifts the greyish film that builds up over time.

18. Disinfect door handles and light switches

    These are the dirtiest surfaces in the house — everyone touches them constantly, yet they're cleaned the least. Wipe with a disinfecting wipe or alcohol solution.

19. Vacuum and flip the mattress

    A vacuum with an upholstery attachment lifts dust, crumbs and skin particles that build up over months. Flipping it once a season extends the mattress's life and prevents one-sided sagging.

20. Wash or dry-clean pillows and blankets

    Check the label: down and feather pillows can often go in the machine on a delicate cycle with tennis balls to keep the filling fluffy; synthetic ones too. Wool or down blankets more often need dry cleaning.

21. Clean the rugs and carpets

    A vacuum only lifts the top layer — dust and allergens sit deeper in the pile. Once a year, book a professional cleaning or run a carpet washer yourself.

22. Polish mirrors and glass surfaces

    No streaks if you use microfiber instead of paper towels, which leave lint behind. Wipe in one direction rather than circles.

23. Wash the ventilation grilles

    A dust-clogged grille cuts airflow and blows that same dust back into the room every time the extractor runs. Take it off, wash in warm soapy water, and let it dry fully before refitting.

24. Clean vacuum, AC and humidifier filters

    A clogged filter means the appliance is working overtime while pushing dust around instead of removing it. Most models let you rinse the filter under the tap every 1-2 months.

25. Wipe down houseplant leaves

    A layer of dust on leaves blocks photosynthesis almost as much as low light does. A damp cloth, or a quick shower for smaller plants, restores them in minutes.

26. Fill at least one bag of stuff to get rid of

    Deep cleaning is also about decluttering, not just cleanliness. As you go through cabinets and shelves, set broken, unused or unworn items aside in one bag — to toss or donate.