Clean “top to bottom” – clean things that are up high first. Bend over and look from a kneeling position so you can make sure you get everything below eye-level equally sparkling clean. Every surface must look and feel clean to the touch.
In every room check and clean:
*light fixtures and bulbs
*corners and edges of floor
*light switch plates
*window sills and tracks in the frames, including with window open
*walls and ceilings where needed, check them all
Details on What Exactly to Clean, the Short Answer is EVERYTHING
Front door and door jamb inside and out including the entire exterior area near the entrance to the apartment or house
Window tracks and all window panes you can reach
Refrigerator and freezer: inside, outside including the ribs of the door gaskets
Dishwasher: inside and out, handles, under the filter at the bottom. Bleach off stains and clear grease
Clothes washer and dryer: inside and out, handles, control panel, lint filter and around the lint filter area
Stove top and oven: inside an out, control panel and all knobs, handles, under stove top if it’s the type that pulls up, burner drip pans (get new ones, take the ones you have to the hardware store when you buy, as there are a few size options)
Cupboard shelves, door, drawers, handles and counter tops
Floors and radiators, for carpet vacuum it twice. Smiley will schedule a carpet cleaning service.
Doors, walls, mirrors: tracks on floors included
Window blinds: you can dust the slatted type in place or soak them in the bathtub provided you wipe off each slat individually to remove dirt and water spots; you can gently use a vaccuum hose to clean the fabric cellular kind
Cleaning Products and Supplies
Supplies I recommend for proper cleaning (also refer to my previous guest blog by a professional cleaner titled Best Practices for Deep Cleaning).
– Tilex, Comet or Bon Ami or for getting soap scum off of bathroom tile
– Comet, Soft Scrub with bleach, or Bon Ami for the toilet, tub and sinks
– 409 for grease in the kitchen or an orange degreaser
– vinegar works well on a lot of dirt if you spray a vinegar/water mixture and wait a few minutes before wiping
– spray-on oven cleaner for inside the oven and on and under the stove top
– microfiber towels to dust blinds and light fixtures
– glass cleaner and paper towels and, ideally, a squeegee for windows and mirrors
– vacuum
– a good broom that makes even contact with the floor, a dust pan
– a mop that can be rinsed and wrung out easily and frequently while you work
– lots of professional cleaner rough blue or similar rags
– magic eraser for scuffs on walls
More tips
Feel all areas of the anything you are cleaning and clean what feels sticky or bumpy. Lift up the entire stove top and clean the surface underneath. If it doesn’t lift up, feel under the edges of the stove top and clean there. Pull out the range (oven/stove combo unit) and clean the sides of the machine. Make sure to clean the drawer below the oven.
Be especially conscious of areas where hands touch, such as switch plates, door knobs, handles. Wipe down every inch of bathroom and kitchen walls. Clean ceilings if needed. Pay attention to wall edges & corners & baseboards. Don’t leave cleaning product residue on surfaces.
Remove all nails, screws, hooks, stickers, etc. from walls.
