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Home is where the heart is, and when you can walk into a clean, tidy home, your heart will be filled with peace and joy. But if your home is in disarray, it’s hard to relax and get anything done.
All that physical clutter can also clutter our brains, making us feel irritable and a host of other unpleasant emotions that can even cause tension in the home. Plus, dust, dirt, and grime can trigger allergies, asthma, and other health issues. Therefore, knowing the best house cleaning tips to most effectively keep your space clean can be a game changer.
We asked several professional cleaners their top advice on how to create the cleanest home possible. Whether you are turning over a new leaf and want to make some new cleaning resolutions as the seasons change or are interested in upping your cleaning game, read below to unlock experts’ most valuable secrets to keeping your home cleaner than ever.
1. Master the art of decluttering.
Managing clutter is the first step to having a cleaner home, says Josh Miller, owner of Clean Carpets in Great Britain. “A clutter-free home is not only easier to clean but also helps maintain cleanliness over time. Start by removing unnecessary items to create a clean slate.”
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) also advocates for people to address clutter before bringing out any cleaning supplies, since it can be more daunting and difficult to clean if there is too much junk in the way. ACI suggests tackling clutter one room at a time. Gather items and place them in three different piles: relocate, donate, and toss. Group similar items so you can store or display them together, such as placing cookbooks on a shelf in the kitchen pantry for easy access while still being hidden. Get creative with storage, such as using attractive baskets that easily mask clutter.
2. Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.
Logan Taylor, founder of Dazzle Company in Seattle, Washington, suggests focusing on disinfecting high-touch surfaces like door knobs, light switches, remote controls, countertops, tables, handrails, and faucets every day. “The best way is to use disposable wipes or microfiber cloths with disinfectant to prevent the spread of germs and keep these areas consistently clean,” he says. This approach is especially important in the kitchen and any bathrooms used on a daily basis. “Always remember to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning,” says Taylor.
3. Clean up messes as they happen.
It’s understandable that if you let a mess build up, it will be more difficult to address it down the road. “Cleaning is not complicated, and you can essentially negate any mess by addressing it right away,” notes Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids in Denver, Colorado. “Messes become difficult when you let them fester. If they are dealt with right away, you will keep a clean home while rarely having to do any heavy-duty cleaning.”
Willatt suggests wiping up spills on floors and counters right away, and if someone tracks mud in the house, sweep and mop the small area without hesitation. Consider adding a 15-minute nightly cleanup to your routine to manage all the clutter, spills, splatter, and trash that accumulate daily.
4. Don’t neglect hidden areas.
All three experts we spoke to highlighted the importance of not forgetting the many nooks and crannies that collect dust and dirt throughout your home. “Pay attention to often-overlooked spots like under furniture, the baseboards, and all air vents,” says Miller. “Cleaning these areas regularly can make a significant difference.”
Willatt encourages homeowners to change HVAC filters at least once every 3 months and to clean air ducts annually. “Your HVAC accumulates dust and grime; you are constantly kicking the dust and grime back into your home,” he says.
Taylor suggests steam cleaning walls and baseboards in addition to floors and furniture, since they collect dust and grime, too. “A handheld steam cleaner works wonders for removing dirt from painted surfaces and corners. I often use it with a mild detergent for tough stains, but plain water also does the trick,” he says.
5. Schedule occasional deep cleans.
“While routine maintenance is crucial, periodic professional cleaning services, especially for carpets, upholstery, and hard-to-reach places, can refresh your home and prolong the life of your belongings,” says Miller. Hiring a professional for a deep clean service costs between $200 to $400 or more for larger homes. You can also choose to tackle this project yourself if you have all the necessary supplies, including a duster, vacuum, mop, microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, gloves, and a variety of cleaning solutions. And don’t forget the time, patience, and energy this requires.
As a general rule, you should deep clean your home about once every 3 months. However, you don’t have to tackle everything all at once. You could develop a cleaning schedule to space out tasks and keep the project more manageable. There are also important steps to follow in each room, so create a checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked. Tedious deep-clean tasks include cleaning appliances, wiping down ceilings and walls, dusting light fixtures and fans, cleaning HVAC vent covers, scrubbing grout, and washing all windows and window treatments.
