If you want to create a deep cleaning routine that works and is sustainable, you have to find one that naturally fits into your lifestyle and matches your personality.
A lot of moms, myself included, struggle with finding a system to deep clean their house. You are likely deep cleaning your house on as needed or ad-hoc basis. Which often translates to: cleaning something when it starts to bother you how dirty it is. The problem with doing it that way is that it can create a lot of mental clutter in your head. Because you are likely constantly think about what else needs to be clean, when was the last time you cleaned it, and how did it get so dirty, and so on.
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What is Deep Cleaning?
Deep cleaning is basically a very detailed cleaning of your house. It is not something you do daily or weekly but over much larger intervals of time. Think about tasks like washing your windows or vacuuming under the couch.
Those are likely areas in your house that you only clean from time to time.
What is Included in the Deep Home Cleaning?
The simple answer to this question is – whatever you want it to be. You get to decide what areas of your house you want to deep clean.
While there are a lot of templates and lists you will find online, I strongly recommend using them as a reference but creating your own that is specific to your house. Here is an example of one that I use for my house.
The best way to create one that works for you is to go through every room in your house, open every single cabinet and drawer, and make a list of the things you want to deep clean.
Think of this exercise as brainstorming or brain dumping.
You don’t want to think about how often you will clean it or how much time it will take. That will come later. At this point all you need to do is write everything down.
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What is the Fastest Way to Deep Clean Your Home?
Not a lot of people find cleaning a fun thing to do. It is rather something that we don’t necessary enjoy doing but a clean home does make us happy. So it’s a necessary task but we definitely would like to get very efficient at it. We all want deep cleaning to be something we can do quickly and effectively.
Decide on a system/approach
One of the most important deep cleaning house tips is to create a deep cleaning system that works for you. You can start by looking at some existing. cleaning systems
The two most popular ones are the FlyLady and the Clean Mama systems. Both of them have some pros and cons. I personally found them to be too scheduled and restrictive. As a working mom, I needed more flexibility. That is why I decided to draw inspiration from these two amazing ladies but create my own system. And you might find yourself doing just that. Customizing a system that already exists or creating something brand new.
Decide when you are going to deep clean
The second thing you have to decide on is how often do you want to deep clean in your house. Think about how frequently do you need to clean those windows or the inside of your kitchen cabinets before they get out of control and start bothering you.
Do you want to deep clean on a monthly basis? Do you want to have a rotation of deep cleaning tasks, which is the system used by the Fly Lady? Or you might be like me, and decide that deep cleaning everything once very three months (quarterly basis) will work best for your busy lifestyle.
Once you how often you will go through your deep cleaning tasks, you need to incorporate your deep cleaning into your schedule.
- will you incorporate deep cleaning into your weekly routine (adding deep cleaning tasks to your regular cleaning)?
- is deep cleaning going to be done on the weekends?
- will you dedicate a longer period of time for deep cleaning or a few short ones?
- are your family members going to be helping you?
Create your deep cleaning checkist
Depending on the system you have chosen and the frequency of deep cleaning you have decided on, you will create your deep cleaning checklist.
You want to keep it simple and easy to recreate every month, quarter, or whatever other interval you have chosen. It will take you some time to create it the very first time but next time the planning will be very minimal. All it will require is to update the one from last time with any adjustments and changes you want to incorporate.
As you go through your deep cleaning tasks, cross them off your checklist.
House Cleaning Hacks
In addition to establishing your deep cleaning routine, there are some additional tips that will help you keep your house clean and organized.
Daily and weekly cleaning routines
Your deep cleaning will become much easier when you clean on your house on regular basis. Basically, if you surface clean your house each week, it will create far less dust and mess when it’s time for a deep cleaning session.
For example, imagine how dirty your fridge would be if you did not quickly wipe down the shelves each week.
Declutter
There is nothing else that will make any cleaning session longer than an excess of clutter. We all collect clutter. Or it seems like clutter really collects itself. But regardless of how it finds its way to your house, you have to find a way to get it out.
Make sure that you declutter your house on regular basis. Yes, it can be part of your deep cleaning routine if clutter is manageable. But if you have a lot of things, set up some extra decluttering sessions.
RELATED: How to Get Motivated to Clean and Declutter
Set up timers
If you want to clean faster, give yourself a specific amount of time to do it.
When you think about it, we clean with a lightening speed when we know someone is coming over 🙂 So either invite someone over, or set up a time to help you move quicker through your cleaning tasks.
Be flexible
The last, but definitely not least deep cleaning house tip I have for you is to make sure that the deep cleaning system is flexible and customized to fit your needs.
Create your own deep cleaning list that you can adjust as needed. If your house is bigger, you will have more rooms and areas to clean. This is a running to do list. You cross the tasks off as you go.
And make sure you evaluate frequently. Change and adjust whatever is no working. Just because it is working for your friend or co-worker does not mean that it will also work for you.
Domestic cleaners can do as much or as little as you need. You can have them dust and wipe down surfaces, complete deeper cleaning on your kitchen, sweep and mop floors, vacuum carpeting, and clean bathrooms. All of these types of cleaning tasks can be done be professionals well in a very timely manner. Often what would have taken you all week to get done because of interruptions and distractions can be completed in a few short hours or less by professionals.
Absolutely. Hiring someone to help out with cleaning of your house is another great option! Like you said you can pick and choose what cleaning tasks you want them to do and which ones you prefer to do yourself.