Even the most diligent homeowners and housekeepers will benefit from an annual or bi-annual deep clean. We recommend setting aside a couple of days for the process and scheduling the service based on your property’s specific seasonality. As a general rule of thumb, after the winter holidays and/or after summer vacation are good times to consider.
Before beginning the deep clean, conduct a walkthrough of the property to determine the most pressing areas that require cleaning. This list is intended to serve as a guideline; disregard lines that are not applicable and feel free to add any missing tasks. Use cleaning products and methods as necessary. Make a note of any items that need to be replaced, replenished, or repaired, and take photos if necessary.
Inventory of Articles for Offsite Laundry / Replacement:
(make a list of what needs to be professionally laundered or replaced)
- Bedspreads
- Blankets
- Bed skirts
- Mattress pads
- Pillow liners
- Pillow shams
- Couch/chair armrest slipcovers
- Couch/chair cushion covers
- Throw pillow covers
- Window valances
- Curtains
- Shower liners
- Shower curtains
- Throw rugs – from kitchen/hallway/bathrooms
- Other/Misc
Entry:
- Clean the entry and front door if necessary
- Take note of the condition of the entry rugs/doormats, remove and wash them, and replace as needed.
Dining Room:
- Vacuum all floors, including behind and under furniture and in corners
- Mop any tile or hardwood floors
- Dust all wood furniture, trim, and baseboards, and then wipe down with a damp cloth (including the dining table, chairs, coffee table, etc.)
- Vacuum all cloth furniture using a hand vacuum, remove pillows and vacuum underneath and in cracks
- Clean all sides (inside too) of baseboard heaters. Wipe with a rag and use a handheld vacuum inside baseboard heaters.
- Dust all pictures and clean all glass
- Clean the chandelier
- Dust all plants and miscellaneous items
Kitchen:
- Remove and dust art/knickknacks and fake plants
- Clean all major appliances inside, out, top, sides, and underneath as accessible (do not pull out refrigerators or ovens)
- Clean the oven, remove racks and clean, and clean the oven drawer
- For electric burners, remove heating elements and wipe. Remove catch pans from underneath burners and clean.
- Clean the stovetop fan, remove filters, and clean
- Wipe down the inside of the refrigerator and freezer (empty the ice-maker and defrost the freezer if necessary)
- Dust above the refrigerator
- Clean the inside of the microwave, remove the glass tray, and clean it
- Clean all small appliances, including the coffee maker, blender, toaster, toaster ovens, juicers, waffle irons, griddle, mixers, coffee grinder, can openers, etc.
- Empty the contents of all drawers and clean inside, organize like items inside drawers
- Empty all cabinets and clean inside, organize like items inside cabinets
- Inspect all cookware, dishes, glasses, silverware, utensils, etc. for cleanliness. Wash any that are dirty. Bring back any cookware that is unusable. Throw away broken glass/plates.
- Clean all cabinet doors inside and out
- Clean and mop all tile floors, especially the corners
- Clean all countertops
- Clean underneath the sink, remove all items, clean and replace, and organize items used daily to the front. Throw away dirty and old sponges.
- Wipe inside and outside of the garbage can with disinfectant. Note for replacement if needed.
- Wash walls of food grease/stains
- Wipe down wood kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Check rugs, and inventory to be laundered if dirty or replaced if needed
Living Areas:
- Dust ceiling fans first before dusting elsewhere, wipe blades if accessible
- Clean reachable windows and door rails/slides, both top and bottom
- Clean reachable sliding glass doors and door rails/slides, both top and bottom
- Vacuum all
Once Per Year or When Needed :
- Clean the inside of the dishwasher, including the interior walls, racks, and spray arms.
- Clean the washing machine, including the drum, detergent dispenser, and lint filter.
- Dust and clean all ceiling fans, including any blades and light fixtures.
- Clean and disinfect trash cans both inside and out.
- Clean and disinfect light switches and doorknobs.
- Dust and wipe down all blinds and shutters.
- Clean and organize closets, including wiping down shelves and vacuuming the floors.
- Remove any cobwebs from ceilings, walls, and corners.
- Clean and disinfect all remote controls, keyboards, and other frequently touched items.
- Dust and wipe down all artwork and decorative items, including picture frames and figurines.
- Clean and organize the garage, including sweeping or hosing down the floors and wiping down any shelves or storage units.
- Clean and disinfect all pet areas, including litter boxes, pet beds, and feeding areas.
- Replace batteries in fire alarms and remote controls.
- Make sure fire extinguisher is functional and reliable.
Remember, this list can be adjusted based on the specific needs of your property and personal preferences.