Step-by-Step Home Cleaning Checklist

While it’s not always fun to do the actual house cleaning, it is such a joy to have a clean house. That’s why I’ve created this step-by-step home cleaning checklist for you. 

Before you use the home cleaning checklist

Before you start cleaning, put on some of your favorite music. Music makes everything better!

Now deal with the surface clutter. Don’t get too deep in the weeds with this. But put away anything that’s out of place. 

The less mess there is the easier it is to clean. 

How to clean your home

01 | Dust

Dust first, from top to bottom in each room you’re tackling. 

Use a feather duster, Swiffer duster, microfiber cloth, or wool duster. If your family is prone to allergies, use a duster that traps and grabs dirt versus one that just moves it around. 

02 | Vacuum

You can either vacuum one room at a time or set aside the time to do the whole house. 

Vacuum floors, rugs, and upholstery, using the correct vacuum attachments for the surface you’re vacuuming.  

We have a Broan-Nutone central vac that we mainly use in the basement because it has wall-to-wall carpet. And we use our Dyson Animal cordless vacuum for the rest of the house. (Unless Dean is doing a deep clean and then he hauls the central vac upstairs.) 

03 | Mop

Start in the far corner of the room and work your way out towards the doorway. Use whatever mop you like best; a Swiffer mop, a mop with washable and reusable pads, or a more traditional mop and a bucket of hot, soapy water.  

Step-by-step home cleaning checklist

When you’re ready to do a full cleaning – either one room at a time or the whole shebang all at once – here’s how to clean each room in your home. 

Mudroom Cleaning Checklist

• Sweep & mop floors 
• Shake out mudroom mat 
• Clean baseboards 
• Hang coats 
• Sort shoes 
• Put away Umbrellas, backpacks, etc… 
• Dust shelves and top of the refrigerator (if you have one) 
• Wipe down the top of the chest freezer (if you have one) 
• Wipe down outside of the refrigerator 

Garage Cleaning Checklist

• Sweep floors 
• Mop or wipe down any oil spills 
• Put away tools 
• Dust shelves & top of the refrigerator (if you have one) 
• Wipe down the top of the chest freezer (if you have one) 
• Wipe down outside of the refrigerator 

Living Room Cleaning Checklist

• Wash throws & slipcovers if necessary 
•  Vacuum any crumbs & dirt from sofa & other seating 
• For leather furniture, wipe down any dust & moisturize leather 
• Dust blinds or remove & wash curtains if necessary 
• Dust blinds or launder curtains 
• Clean windows including sills 
• Dust light fixtures including ceiling fan 
• Dust/wipe clean electronics & home theatre area 
• Clean baseboards 
• Dust/wipe clean fireplace/mantle area 
• Dust/wipe clean decor 
• Put all decor back into place 
• Replace any throws & slipcovers that were removed 
• Sprinkle baking soda onto carpeting or area rugs. Let sit for 15 minutes & then vacuum 
• Vacuum & mop floors 

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

• Wipe down the entire fridge including inner shelving & baskets 
• Clear top of fridge & dust 
• Wipe around dishwasher seal & cleanout drain 
• Run the dishwasher through the hottest water cycle using vinegar & baking soda 
• Clean microwave inside & out; wash & wipe down turning plate 
• Wipe down stove including knobs. Remove & clean oven racks 
• Lock oven door & start self-cleaning. Wipe down any remaining residue after self-cleaning is complete 
• Dust top of high surfaces including cabinets 
• Scrub & rinse sink & surrounding counter space 
• Using a damp cloth wipe down walls surrounding kitchen sink & stove 
• Wipe down cabinet doors & shelves; throw out expired items 
• Organize pantry & throw out expired items 
• Clear & wipe down kitchen table 
• Empty, rinse out, & disinfect trash & compost bins. Dry bins & replace bags 
• Vacuum & mop kitchen floors 
• Replace kitchen linens 
• Dust kitchen decor & put it back into place 
• Clean baseboards 

Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

• Throw shower curtain & bath rugs in the washer & dryer 
• Scrub shower walls/glass & tub area including all the fixtures & rinse 
• Spray bathroom mirror & wipe clean 
• Scrub shower walls/glass & tub area including all the fixtures & rinse 
• Spray bathroom mirror & wipe clean 
• Dust light fixtures 
• Clean baseboards 
• Scrub sink & rinse. Wipe down the surrounding counter area & replace anything you removed from the sink area during prep 
• Spray bathroom mirror & wipe clean 
• Wipe down the floor area around the toilet 
• Wipe the entire toilet including the handle, the top, & around the hinges. Make sure all traces of disinfectant are removed. Use a toilet brush to clean inside the toilet & flush 
• Using a damp cloth wipe down bathroom walls & baseboards 
• Go through bathroom products & get rid of any junk. Replace empty products 
• Empty trash can 
• Mop floors & let dry 
• Put shower curtain back up & put bath rugs back into place 
• Hang fresh towels 

Bedroom Cleaning Checklist

• Flip mattress & Make your bed or remove linens & wash 
• Wipe down bedframe & polish if necessary 
• Remove junk from nightstands, dressers, & vanity 
• Wipe down light fixtures 
• Dust blinds or launder curtains 
• Clean windows including sills 
• Tidy up & organize dressers, closet, & vanity 
• Dust and/or wipe down tops of dressers & vanity 
• Sprinkle baking soda onto carpeting or area rugs. Let sit for 15 minutes & then vacuum 
• Vacuum & mop floors 
• Empty & sanitize the trash bin. Replace bag 
• Replace any linens & decor that were removed 
• Clean baseboards 

Playroom Cleaning Checklist

• Put away everything on the floor 
• Throw out trash 
• Remove anything in the room that doesn’t belong 
• Straighten up & stack bins 
• Clean baseboards 
• Dust & wipe down dirty & dusty surfaces 
• Put any furniture & larger toys that have been moved back into their original positions 
• Sweep & mop floors &/or vacuum 

Office Cleaning Checklist

• Clear & wipe the top of the desk 
• Organize papers & mail 
• Empty garbage 
• Dust shelves 
• Sweep & mop floors &/or vacuum 
• Clean windows including sills if needed 
• Dust computer & clean keyboard 
• Dust light fixtures 
• Dust blinds 

Laundry Room Cleaning Checklist

• Sweep & vacuum behind the appliances
• Sanitize washer & dryer 
• Wipe down out of washer & dryer 
• Go through laundry products & get rid of any empty bottles/containers 
• Refill any laundry products 
• Dust light fixtures shelves & high surfaces 
• Sweep rest of floors & mop floors &/or vacuum 
• Organize shelves & any bins 
• Put away everything that does not belong 
• Sort laundry 
• Fold & organize clean laundry 
• Clean dryer vent 
• Clean baseboards 
• Wipe down walls if necessary 
• Clean sink & surrounding area