Quick Overview
How to clean a home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming with the right system; it becomes simple, structured, and even satisfying. This step-by-step home cleaning guide helps you create an organised, eco-friendly routine that keeps every room spotless and stress-free.
This guide covers:
✅ A room-by-room cleaning checklist for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas.
✅ Preparation tips and must-have supplies for efficient, eco-friendly cleaning.
✅ Step-by-step instructions to declutter, dust, disinfect, and freshen every space.
✅ Daily and weekly routines to maintain a clean, organised home effortlessly.
✅ DIY and sustainable cleaning solutions that protect your family and the environment.
Cleaning your home feels never-ending, and getting organised may feel overwhelming. But, with the right system, it doesn’t have to. It helps to have a system, whether you are getting ready for guests, starting spring cleaning, or simply trying to keep up to date with your daily tasks. Planning really helps!
This guide gives you a step-by-step structure on how to clean a home. It will help you appreciate the process of deep cleaning using a checklist for each room in your home. It will simplify the process for you and give you effective methods for cleaning surfaces in the kitchen and tiles in the bathroom. You will find the process manageable as it will include eco-friendly and DIY home cleaning methods, as well as professional techniques.
Why Follow a Step-by-Step Cleaning Routine?
Cleaning isn’t just about appearances — it’s about creating a healthy, calm, and organised living space. A methodical routine helps you save time, maintain consistency, and avoid missing key areas.
Following a structured plan also:
- Reduces cleaning stress and decision fatigue
- Keeps every room hygienic and allergen-free
- Helps maintain furniture, flooring, and appliances
- Makes deep cleaning easier over time
- Encourages better daily habits for long-term tidiness
Now, let’s dive into the room-by-room cleaning guide for a sparkling, fresh home.
Before You Start: Preparation Checklist
Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready. This saves time and prevents interruptions.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Microfibre cloths and dusters
- Mop, bucket, and vacuum cleaner
- All-purpose cleaner (or DIY mix of vinegar, water, and lemon)
- Glass cleaner
- Baking soda and white vinegar for stains and odours
- Trash bags and recycling bins
- Disinfectant wipes or spray
- Rubber gloves and protective mask (for deep cleaning)
Pro Tip: Use eco-friendly cleaning products wherever possible to protect both your home and the environment.
Step 1: Declutter Every Room
The first and most crucial step is to remove clutter. Before you clean surfaces, floors, or furniture, get rid of items that don’t belong in that space.
How to Clean a Home:
- Start in one room and work clockwise.
- Create three piles — Keep, Donate/Sell, and Discard.
- Return misplaced items to their correct rooms.
- Empty bins and recycling containers.
Decluttering makes cleaning faster and helps create an organised, peaceful environment. Think of it as resetting your home before the real cleaning begins.
Step 2: Dust and Wipe from Top to Bottom
Dusting should always come before vacuuming or mopping — gravity ensures that any fallen dust can be cleaned later.
What to Focus On:
- Ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents
- Window sills and blinds
- Shelves, picture frames, and skirting boards
- Furniture tops and decorative items
Use a microfibre cloth or electrostatic duster to trap particles efficiently. For stubborn spots, dampen the cloth slightly with a gentle all-purpose cleaner.
Cleaning Hack: Wrap a microfibre cloth around a broom handle to reach high or narrow spaces.
Step 3: Clean Surfaces and Furniture
Once the dust is gone, it’s time to wipe down and disinfect surfaces.
- Use a multi-surface cleaner or a DIY mix (equal parts vinegar and water).
- Focus on high-touch areas — doorknobs, switches, handles, and remote controls.
- For wood furniture, use polish sparingly to protect finishes.
- For glass and mirrors, use a streak-free cleaner and a dry cloth.
This step ensures your home not only looks clean but is sanitised and safe for everyone.
Step 4: Tackle Each Room One by One
Now comes the main part of your room-by-room cleaning guide. This helps you stay organised and ensures no space gets overlooked.
Kitchen Cleaning Routine
The kitchen collects grease, crumbs, and bacteria quickly, so deep cleaning here is essential.
Step-by-Step Kitchen Cleaning Checklist:
- Empty the sink and dishwasher.
- Wipe countertops and cabinet fronts.
- Clean appliances — oven, microwave, fridge, and kettle.
- Sanitise cutting boards and remove limescale from taps.
- Clean behind and beneath large appliances.
- Sweep and mop the floor with disinfectant cleaner.
DIY Cleaning Method:
Mix baking soda and vinegar to clean stubborn grease or burnt-on residue inside ovens or pans.
Pro Tip: Run a lemon slice with water in your microwave for 2 minutes — it loosens stains and leaves a fresh scent.
Bathroom Deep-Cleaning Steps
Bathrooms demand special attention to hygiene and safety.
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist:
- Remove items from surfaces and shelves.
- Apply cleaner to the toilet, sink, and tub — let it sit for a few minutes.
- Scrub tiles and grout with a baking soda paste.
- Clean mirrors and taps using glass cleaner.
- Wipe down shower screens, handles, and walls.
- Mop floors last using an antibacterial solution.
Eco-Friendly Solution:
Use vinegar spray to remove limescale and disinfect without harsh chemicals.
Professional Tip:
Disinfect toilet handles and flush buttons daily — these are among the most germ-prone areas in the home.
Bedroom Cleaning Routine
Your bedroom should feel calm, clean, and clutter-free.
How to Clean the Bedroom Step-by-Step:
- Change and wash bedding.
- Dust bedside tables, lamps, and dressers.
- Vacuum under the bed and along skirting boards.
- Wipe wardrobe handles and mirror surfaces.
- Freshen up curtains or blinds.
- Use a mild air freshener or diffuser for a relaxing finish.
Cleaning Hack:
Add a few drops of lavender oil to your linen spray — it promotes better sleep and leaves the room smelling amazing.
Living Room Cleaning Routine
The living room collects dust, pet hair, and crumbs faster than any other space.
Step-by-Step Checklist:
- Dust furniture, electronics, and decorative items.
- Vacuum sofas, cushions, and rugs thoroughly.
- Clean windows and mirrors for extra brightness.
- Wipe down tables, remote controls, and handles.
- Mop or vacuum floors, depending on surface type.
House Cleaning Tips for Busy Homeowners:
Keep disinfectant wipes handy for quick daily cleanups between deep cleaning sessions.
Hallways and Entryway
Often overlooked, your hallway or entrance gives guests their first impression.
Checklist:
- Dust surfaces and clean light switches.
- Wipe shoe racks and tidy up outerwear.
- Mop the floor or vacuum the mats.
- Disinfect door handles and railings.
A clean entryway helps prevent dirt from spreading through the rest of your home.
Other Spaces: Office, Laundry Room, and Storage Areas
If you work from home, include your home office in your cleaning routine. Wipe keyboards, screens, and desks weekly.
For laundry rooms, clean lint traps, wipe appliances, and disinfect surfaces monthly. Storage rooms should be decluttered seasonally.
Step 5: Vacuum, Sweep, and Mop Floors
Once every surface is clean, move to the floors.
- Vacuum carpets to remove dust, pet hair, and debris.
- Sweep and mop hard floors using a disinfectant or mild detergent.
- For high-traffic areas, use a steam mop for a deep sanitising clean.
Pro Tip:
Always vacuum before mopping — otherwise, dust and hair may spread or create streaks.
Step 6: Freshen the Air
Clean doesn’t just mean tidy — it should smell fresh, too.
Ways to Refresh the Air Naturally:
- Open windows for 10–15 minutes daily.
- Use indoor plants like peace lilies or snake plants to purify air.
- Boil citrus peels and cinnamon for a natural room fragrance.
- Use essential oil diffusers or eco-friendly air fresheners.
A pleasant scent enhances the feeling of cleanliness and comfort in every room.
Step 7: Set a Daily and Weekly Cleaning Routines
The cleaning hacks for a spotless house are to clean a little every day. A structured schedule ensures tasks don’t pile up.
Daily Cleaning Routine:
- Make beds and tidy surfaces.
- Wash dishes and wipe kitchen counters.
- Sweep high-traffic floors.
- Empty bins if full.
- Do a 10-minute evening tidy-up before bed.
Weekly Cleaning Routine:
- Vacuum and mop all floors.
- Wipe down appliances and mirrors.
- Change and wash bedding.
- Disinfect bathrooms thoroughly.
- Dust ceiling fans, blinds, and shelves.
Step-by-Step House Cleaning Schedule Example:
| Day | Main Focus Area |
| Monday | Kitchen and dining area |
| Tuesday | Bedrooms |
| Wednesday | Living room |
| Thursday | Bathrooms |
| Friday | Hallways and floors |
| Saturday | Laundry and outdoor areas |
| Sunday | Rest or light maintenance |
This system helps busy homeowners manage cleaning without feeling overwhelmed.
Bonus: Professional Home Cleaning Techniques
Even if you prefer DIY cleaning, borrowing a few efficient home cleaning tips can save you hours of effort:
- Work from top to bottom – prevents re-cleaning lower surfaces.
- Clean in a pattern – move clockwise around the room.
- Use microfibre cloths – they pick up dust better than paper towels.
- Time yourself – set a 20-minute timer per room for efficiency.
- Keep supplies mobile – use a caddy or trolley to move easily from room to room.
Eco-Friendly Home Cleaning Solutions
Sustainable cleaning is not just a trend — it’s a responsibility. You can easily reduce chemical use and waste by switching to natural alternatives.
DIY Eco-Friendly Recipes:
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts vinegar and water, add a few drops of lemon oil.
- Glass Cleaner: Combine vinegar, water, and a teaspoon of cornstarch for a streak-free finish.
- Deodoriser: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets or bins before vacuuming.
- Wood Polish: Mix olive oil and lemon juice for a natural shine.
These eco-friendly home cleaning solutions are safer for children, pets, and the environment.
Final Thoughts
How do you clean a home step by step? Start with decluttering, then dust, wipe, vacuum, and mop – moving room by room for efficiency. Follow a cleaning routine and use eco-friendly solutions to safeguard your health and the environment.
A clean home is more than just a chore — it’s a form of self-care. By following this home deep cleaning checklist, you’ll enjoy a more organised, comfortable, and inviting space all year round.
Everyone appreciates having a clean house! Whether you’re busy or a clean freak, it’s important to have a well-planned step-by-step house cleaning schedule so that every room sparkles, is organised, and gives you a sense of pride.