Here are some deep cleaning housekeeping tips from Polo & Tweed. Download your free housekeeping checklist too! Share on XIf you have a housekeeper, you may have considered having a Housekeeping checklist for them to follow. They are probably well-versed in the daily cleaning routine of your house; however, do they know which areas to focus on when they are doing a deep clean? These deep cleaning tips might come in handy!
Having a checklist will ensure your housekeeper knows exactly what needs doing in each room and will give you peace of mind that all required tasks are being done.
Download the Housekeeping Deep Cleaning Checklist for your own use!
For your housekeeper to effectively do a deep clean of your house, they will need certain tools and products. You may have your favourite disinfectant or want your housekeeper to use only eco-friendly products. The list below is a guideline to the essential tools and products your housekeeper will need for a deep clean:
- Cloths, sponges, abrasive scrubbing pads and towels which you don’t mind being used for the cleaning (they may need throwing away after a deep clean)
- Washing up bowls – one for clean water. Another for dirty water
- Your favourite disinfectant, washing up liquid and degreaser (eco-friendly products if preferred)
- Oven cleaner
- Baking soda
- Glass cleaner
- A spray bottle filled with equal parts of vinegar and water
- An old toothbrush or small scrubbing brush to get into the tight areas
- Rubber gloves
Before creating your deep cleaning checklist, you need to decide which areas of your house will need a deep clean. The kitchen and bathroom are frequently used areas and quickly become dirty, so they should be at the top of your deep cleaning checklist. While these areas are usually cleaned daily, dirt builds up over time, making frequent deep cleaning necessary.
Doors and windows are often overlooked. They don’t need to be regularly cleaned but dirt can build up in these areas so they should be included in a deep cleaning regime.
Sofas and chairs also often get missed in the regular cleaning routine but are well-used pieces of furniture so can quickly become dirty. Your housekeeper should focus on these areas during their deep clean of your house.
Deep Cleaning the Kitchen
- Oven: often the hardest piece of kitchen equipment to clean but a clean oven is essential to having a clean and functioning kitchen. Off-the-shelf oven cleaners work well but if you’d rather use more eco-friendly products, you can make a paste out of baking soda and water to scrub the oven interior. The longer you can leave the product to soak in, the easier it will be to remove the grease and grime. So begin the deep clean with the oven and leave the cleaner to soak while you carry on with the rest of the kitchen. Also remove the oven racks and soak them in soapy water. Then scrub them clean.
- Hob & Extractor fan: these areas can get very greasy so use a degreaser on them.
- Fridge/freezer: empty the fridge/freezer and discard any out of date produce. Wipe the shelves with a soapy cloth, then use disinfectant spray and finally dry with a towel before putting back all the food.
- Dishwasher: Empty the dishwasher. put half a cup of vinegar and baking soda in the soap dispenser and put the dishwasher on a hot cycle.
- Cupboard doors: wipe down cupboard doors with soapy water and dry with a towel. Clean the door handles with disinfectant spray.
- Floor: sweep and mop the floor in that order. If the floor is tiled, use a toothbrush with baking soda to clean the grout between the tiles.
Deep Cleaning the Bathroom
- Tiles and grout: wipe down the tiles with soapy water and scrub the grout with an old toothbrush and some baking soda. Then rinse off the tiles with clean water. Dry with an old towel.
- Shower screen and mirrors: clean the shower screen and mirrors with glass cleaner and wipe with a dry cloth.
- Taps and showerhead: clean with soapy water and a wet cloth. Rinse with clean water then dry with an old towel to avoid watermarks.
- Accessories: make sure you clean the toothbrush holder, soap dish, and any other bathroom accessories. Put away any products which should be in bathroom cabinets and organize if needed.
- Toilet: the toilet should be cleaned every day, but when doing a deep clean ensure you clean behind the toilet, the base, and the top of the tank as well.
Deep Cleaning Doors & Windows
- Doors: doors and door handles can get grubby and greasy with regular use. Wipe the doors down with soapy water and dry with an old towel. Clean door handles with disinfectant spray and then wipe with a dry cloth.
- Windows: wipe down the frame with soapy water and then dry with an old towel. Then clean the glass with glass cleaner and a dry cloth.
Sofas & Chairs
- Sofas: remove all cushions from sofas. Vacuum and plump the cushions, and vacuum the base of the sofa, before replacing the cushions.
- Chairs: wipe down the chairs with soapy water and then dry with an old towel.
Download the Housekeeping Checklist for your own use!
If you are looking for a housekeeper, or already have a housekeeper who needs a bit of extra training, get in touch with Polo & Tweed and we will be happy to talk through your options with you.