You've gathered your cleaning supplies, decluttered the house, and are ready to deep clean and get organized!
Start at the top. Depending on how long it's been since you last cleaned these high spots, you may have some pretty dusty light fixtures, chandeliers, air vent covers, and window blinds so be prepared to get dirty. You may want to wear a baseball cap to keep dust out of your hair and eyes. Make sure you use a sturdy chair of step ladder to prevent falls.
Air Vent Covers
Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove as much dust as you can. Remove the cover and vacuum the back side and inside the vent as well. You may need to use a slightly damp sponge or microfiber cloth for any stubborn dirt or stain spots. Replace the vent cover.
Light Fixtures & Chandeliers
Use your dusting glove to remove the dust from the base, fixtures, and bulbs. If you can remove the bulb covers, place them in the sink with some soapy water to get them clean. Use a slightly damp cloth to remove any stubborn stains or dirt. Replace the bulb covers.
Switches & Outlets
Your light switches get pretty filthy with lots of dirty hands, sometimes a foot, and occasionally a nose reaching to turn on the lights. And yet, we often forget to clean our light switches and outlets regularly. clean & disinfect light switches. Use caution when cleaning anything electrical. Instead of spraying your all-purpose cleaner directly onto the light switch, spray it on a clean, dry cloth. Use your cloth to wipe down each switch and outlet. Add a little pressure for noticeable dirt spot and smudges.
Ceiling Fans
Use your dusting glove to clean each blade, one at a time. Start from the center and work your way out. If you have a light on your ceiling fan, remove the bulb cover(s) and wash them in a sink full of soapy water. Wipe the base clean with a damp cloth. Replace the bulb cover(s).
Blinds
Clean the headrail first with the vacuum or dusting glove. Then use the brush attachment on your vacuum or your dusting cloth and work on each slat at a time. Vacuum in the direction of the blinds; left to right for horizontal blinds or up to down for vertical blinds. Start from the top of the blinds and work your way down. If you have a cord or a wand, give those a quick swipe with your dusting cloth. Replace any broken slats.
Curtains
Put your curtains in the washing machine for a good wash. Depending on the material, you can throw them in the dryer. Otherwise, hang them to dry after the spin cycle. Wait to hang them back up on your window until after you've cleaned the windows.
Windows
First, wipe down the window sill, all the way around the window. Then, squirt a little dishwashing soap into a bucket of warm water. Use a sponge to cover the window and scrub out stubborn spots. Next, grab a squeegee to pull the soapy water off the window. After each stroke, wipe the squeegee's blade clean with a lint-free rag. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any drips left behind. Repeat this process on the outside of the window. Hang your curtains back up.
Going Forward
Monthly: Dust your air vent covers, lighting, fans, and blinds. Wipe down your window sills and windows with a microfiber cloth. If you tackle each of these items once a month, you'll keep the dust and dirt away.
Quarterly: Remove your bulb covers and soak them in hot, soapy water. Remove your vent covers to vacuum the back side and the vent. This should help keep that dust buildup under control.
Annually: Wash your curtains and deep clean both sides of your windows and screens at least once a year.
Check back here next week and we'll tackle the kitchen. Read the entire Deep Cleaning Guide here.
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