House Cleaning Checklist: Step-by-Step Guide for a Clean Home

We get it: life can be chaotic, and finding time to clean your house while juggling work, kids, and various responsibilities can feel like an impossible task. House cleaning is necessary, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming.

This comprehensive house cleaning checklist is your step-by-step guide through each room of your home. Use it to turn cleaning from an impossible chore to a manageable task. 

You can see what's included in a standard Homeaglow cleaning here.

What you’ll need

• Dish soap
• White vinegar
• Disinfectant wipes or spray
• Microfiber cloths or cleaning rags
• Scrub brushes (various sizes)
• Toilet bowl cleaner and brush
• A vacuum cleaner with attachments (crevice tool and upholstery brush)
• Broom and dustpan
• Mop and bucket
• Rubber gloves
• Trash bags
• Paper towels or disposable cleaning wipes
• Lint roller (optional)
• Extension cord (if needed for reaching electrical outlets)
• Step ladder (if needed for reaching high areas)
• Empty spray bottles

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Before you tackle your house cleaning checklist: Tips for getting started

Like so many big projects, getting started is the hardest part. Here are our favorite tips for taking the first step. 

Start with a game plan

Before you start, take a moment to assess your home and prioritize the areas that need the most attention. Identify rooms that have accumulated more dirt or clutter, and make a list of what needs to be done in each space.

Then, create a cleaning schedule to help you stay organized and motivated throughout the process.

Gather your cleaning supplies

Stock up on essential cleaning supplies that you’ll need: white vinegar, dish soap, mild detergent, all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant wipes, microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, a vacuum cleaner and its attachments. Having everything within reach will save you time and avoid interruptions.

Declutter before you clean

Before diving into the cleaning process, declutter each room first. Clearing the clutter will make cleaning easier and give your space a fresh and organized look.

Pro tip: Need a serious declutter? Use our declutter checklist to purge your house room by room.

Work from top to bottom

Dust and clean from the highest surfaces down to the lowest. Start with ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves, then move on to countertops, furniture, and the floors.

This approach ensures any dust or debris that falls during cleaning is captured when you clean the lower surfaces.

Focus on hidden areas

Pay attention to often overlooked areas like the baseboards, window sills, and door frames. These spots accumulate dust and grime over time, so you might miss them during regular cleaning.

Get your family involved

Turn cleaning day into a family affair by involving your kids or partner. The larger your family, the better. Assign age-appropriate tasks and make it a game or competition to keep everyone motivated and engaged.

Remember, teamwork makes the cleaning process faster and more enjoyable.

Bathroom cleaning checklist

• Clear countertops and remove any personal items.
• Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl, including under the rim and around the waterline.
• Scrub and disinfect the bathtub, including the inside, outside, and surrounding tiles.
• Clean the glass shower door and the strip below, removing any soap scum or water spots.
• Wash bath mats.
• Wipe down mirrors, windows, and any glass surfaces with a glass cleaner or a mixture of white vinegar and water.
• Clean the bathroom sink, including the faucet head, handles, and porcelain or stainless steel surfaces.
• Sweep or vacuum the bathroom floor, paying attention to corners and edges.
• Clean floor grout.
• Clean accumulated soap scum.
• Clean and disinfect the bathroom floor drain.
• Empty and clean the trash can, replacing the liner if necessary.
• Wash and disinfect towels and refill soap dispensers.

Learn more: For more information on maintaining your bathroom cleanliness, check out our bathroom cleaning checklist for a daily, weekly, and monthly list.

Bedroom cleaning checklist

• Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and decor.
• Vacuum or sweep the floors, paying attention to corners and under furniture.
• Clean windows, tracks, and sills.
• Wash curtains or blinds.
• Clean and disinfect light switches and doorknobs.
• Wash and fluff throw pillows.
• Remove cobwebs from corners and ceilings.
• Dust and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
• Clean mirrors and other glass surfaces.
• Wash bedding and blankets.
• Flip or rotate the mattress if needed.
• Clean and organize closets, decluttering any unnecessary items.
• Vacuum or clean upholstered furniture, if any.
• Clean baseboards.
• Empty and clean trash cans.

Learn more: Read our bedroom cleaning checklist for more information.

Kitchen cleaning checklist

• Clean and disinfect countertops and tabletops.
• Wipe down cabinets and handles.
• Clean oven racks.
• Clean and degrease stovetops..
• Clean the microwave inside and out.
• Wipe down the refrigerator, including shelves and drawers.
• Clean the sink and faucet head.
• Clean garbage disposal and sink drain.
• Scrub and disinfect the dishwasher inside and out.
• Clean the oven, including the oven glass door.
• Wipe down small appliances like the toaster and blender.
• Organize the pantry and discard expired items.
• Clean windows, window sills, and tracks.
• Wipe down kitchen table and chairs.
• Vacuum and clean sticky floors.
• Wipe down and disinfect the trash can.

Learn more: Read our detailed kitchen cleaning checklist for more information.

Living room / common areas cleaning checklist

• Dust and wipe down all surfaces.
• Clean windows, tracks, and window sills.
• Wash curtains, drapes, or blinds.
• Dust electronics, including TV screens.
• Disinfect remote controls and other frequently touched items.
• Vacuum or clean upholstered chairs and couches.
• Wipe away streaks and stains on walls.
• Polish wooden furniture.
• Remove cobwebs from corners and ceilings.
• Clean and disinfect light switches and doorknobs.
• Dust and clean light fixtures, chandeliers, and ceiling fans.
• Vacuum any rugs or carpets.
• Sweep and mop hard-surface floors and clean baseboards.
• Declutter and organize books, magazines, or other items.

Learn more: Maintain your living room’s cleanliness with our daily, weekly, and monthly living room cleaning checklist.

Kids playroom cleaning checklist

• Declutter and organize toys, games, and books.
• Clean and disinfect toy bins or storage containers.
• Wipe down and sanitize surfaces, including tables and chairs.
• Vacuum or sweep the floors
• Clean windows, window sills, and tracks.
• Wipe down and sanitize play equipment, such as slides or climbing structures.
• Clean and disinfect light switches and doorknobs.
• Wash curtains or blinds.
• Remove any cobwebs from corners and ceilings.
• Clean and fluff stuffed animals.
• Wash or spot clean play mats or rugs.
• Clean art supplies and craft areas, throwing away any empty items. 

Learn more: Kids are full of energy. Keep their rooms tidy regularly with our comprehensive kid's room cleaning checklist.

Regular home cleaning reduces the need for a stressful deep cleaning

Deep cleaning removes dirt and grime and helps create a healthier living space by eliminating allergens, reducing germs spread, and improving indoor air quality. 

But it can be a daunting task. By breaking it down into manageable steps, you can make the process easier and more attainable. In addition, it’s advisable to incorporate regular cleaning into your schedule to minimize the need for deep cleaning sessions in the future.

Need help keeping on top of your other house cleaning tasks? 

With Homeaglow, you can easily book an affordable, top-rated cleaner in your area. Read reviews, compare your options, and schedule online in minutes.