The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist

The TIDY Thorough House Cleaning Checklist

Over 345 items that you should consider cleaning in your home.

Cleaning a home is a lot easier with a checklist. Most house cleaning lists online have 20 or 30 items. This list is very thorough, with over 385 items. How did we develop this list? Easy, we polled top homekeepers, who have cleaned thousands of houses and apartments around the country. Don’t be intimidated! Having a complete list actually makes cleaning easier, since you don’t have to think as much. Feel free to skip items that aren’t applicable.

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS LIST?

Overview & General Tips

Generic Room Cleaning Checklist

Room by Room Cleaning Checklist

Living Room Cleaning Checklist

Family Room Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

Bedroom Cleaning Checklist

Entryway Cleaning Checklist

Closet Cleaning Checklist

Dining Room Cleaning Checklist

Porch Cleaning Checklist

Garage Cleaning Checklist

Laundry Room Cleaning Checklist

Home Office Cleaning Checklist

Bonus: Laundry Checklist

OVERVIEW & GENERAL TIPS

• CLEANING SUPPLIES
• Clean top to bottom
• Clean clockwise
• Minimize staging times
• Pay attention to detail

GENERIC ROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any cobwebs
• Doors
• Door tracks
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Baseboards
• Door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Mirrors
• Furniture
• Vents
• Shelves
• Rugs
• Floors
• Closets

Room by Room Cleaning Checklist

LIVING ROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean cobwebs
• Clean ceiling fans/other fans
• Clean any fireplaces
• Clean all doors
• Clean door tracks
• Clean any windows
• Clean window tracks
• Clean window ledges
• Clean any fans/ceiling fans
• Clean the baseboards
• Clean the door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean the mirrors
• Clean the couch
• Clean any chairs
• Clean any vents
• Clean the shelves
• Vacuum the rugs
• Spot treat any stains
• Vacuum the floors
• Mop the floors
• Clean any wardrobe closets

FAMILY ROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any fireplaces
• Clean all doors
• Clean door tracks
• Clean any windows
• Clean window tracks
• Clean window ledges
• Clean any fans/ceiling fans
• Clean the baseboards
• Clean the door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean the mirrors
• Clean the couch
• Clean any chairs
• Clean any vents
• Clean the shelves
• Vacuum the rugs
• Spot treat any stains
• Vacuum the floors
• Mop the floors
• Clean any wardrobe closets

KITCHEN CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean stove
• Drip pans
• Adjustment knobs
• Clean hood/vents
• Clean the dishwasher
• Clean kitchen cabinets
• Clean the microwave
• Clean any dishes
• Unload dishwasher
• Clean any dishes that need hand washing
• China
• Pots
• Pans
• Cutting boards
• Put other dirty dishes into dishwasher
• Plates
• Silverware
• Run dishwasher
• Clean the oven
• Remove grates
• Clean in sink
• Clean oven interior
• Replace grates
• Clean stainless steel appliances
• Clean the toaster
• Clean the refrigerator
• Empty fridge
• Spray with all purpose cleaner
• Wipe all shelves
• Wash all drawers
• Replace shelves/drawers
• Replace food items
• Clean the coffee maker/Kuerig
• Clean the kitchen sink
• Clean under sink & organize items
• Doors
• Door tracks
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Baseboards
• Door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean cabinets
• Clean any pet dishes
• Clean shelves
• Take out trash/recycling
• Run dishwasher
• Vacuum
• Mop

BATHROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Remove bath mats & trash cans
• Clean shower (part 1)
• Remove everything from shower
• Wet shower walls with warm water
• Apply grout cleaner & let sit
• Clean bathtub (part 1)
• Remove everything
• Wet tub walls with warm water
• Apply grout cleaner & let sit
• Spray/clean everything with all-purpose cleaner except toilet, vanity, shower/tub, mirror
• Clean mirror
• Clean shower (part 2)
• Scrub shower walls
• Clean soap scum
• Clean grout
• Clean shower rack and soap dish
• Clean shower head
• Clean shower track or curtain liner
• Rinse shower walls
• Dry with cloth
• Clean shower door
• Clean bathtub (part 2)
• Scrub bath tub walls
• Clean soap scum
• Clean any grout
• Clean soap dish
• Rinse bath tub walls
• Dry with cloth
• Clean toilet (part 1)
• Spray inside of toilet with heavier cleaner/solution & let sit
• Spray outside of toilet with all purpose cleaner
• Clean sink
• Spray grout cleaner
• Spray with all purpose cleaner
• Scrub grout clean
• Rinse sink & rag
• Wipe faucets with dry towel to give it shine
• Clean all counters
• Clean drawers/put things away
• For deep cleanings, remove all items, clean drawer, & replace items neatly
• Clean any scales
• Wipe down cabinet fronts
• Clean toilet (part 2)
• Scrub inside of toilet with brush
• Wipe outside of toilet with cloth
• Take out any trash/throw away items
• Clean floors
• Vacuum the floors
• Mop the floors
• Replace bath mat and trash cans

Need help getting this done? Book a certified homekeeper to clean your home.

Learn More About TIDY

BEDROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean cobwebs
• Dust ceiling fan
• Dust other fans
• Dust curtains
• Dust furniture
• Dust nightstands
• Dust drawers
• Polish furniture with wood cleaner or other solution
• Clean windows
• Clean mirrors
• Make the bed
• Remove the sheets & pillow cases
• Wash the sheets
• Wash the pillowcases
• Wash the down comforter
• Clean the quilt
• Clean the mattress
• Wash mattress pad
• Make the bed
• Fold hospital corners
• Clean floors
• Vacuum
• Mop
• Clean closet
• Dust everything
• Hang clothes
• Fold clothes on any shelves
• Make sure hangers face same way
• Throw out unused disposable hangers

ENTRYWAY CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean cobwebs
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean front door
• Door track
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Baseboards
• Mirrors
• Furniture
• Vents
• Shelves
• Rugs
• Floors
• Closets

CLOSET CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any cobwebs
• Clean any doors
• Door tracks
• Door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean cabinets
• Mirrors
• Vents
• Straighten clothes
• Ensure hangers are twisted the same way
• Dust shoes
• Shine shoes
• Shelves
• Baseboards
• Rugs
• Floors

DINING ROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any cobwebs
• Clean any doors
• Door tracks
• Door jams
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean cabinets
• Straighten dishes
• Clean dining table
• Polish table
• Make table as necessary
• Clean chairs
• Ensure they are straightened
• Baseboards
• Mirrors
• Furniture
• Vents
• Shelves
• Rugs
• Floors
• Closets

PORCH CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any cobwebs
• Clean any doors
• Door tracks
• Door jams
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean outdoor plugs
• Baseboards
• Sweep off furniture
• Clean outdoor table
• Water plants
• Shake or vacuum rugs
• Sweep Floors

GARAGE CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Empty items
• Clean any cobwebs
• Doors
• Door tracks
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Clean garage opening tracks
• Baseboards
• Door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Clean surfaces with all purpose cleaner
• Organize items
• Toss items
• Throw away trash
• Sweep floor

LAUNDRY ROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any cobwebs
• Doors
• Door tracks
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Baseboards
• Door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Vents
• Vacuum to ensure lint and dust are removed
• Shelves
• Wipe down washer & dryer
• Clean gunk under washer lid
• Dryer
• Empty lint from lint collector
• Wipe the inside of dryer
• Throw away trash
• Put away clothes
• Rugs
• Floors

HOME OFFICE CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Clean any cobwebs
• Doors
• Door tracks
• Windows
• Window tracks
• Window ledges
• Fans/Ceiling fans
• Clean desk
• Clean surface
• Clean legs
• Clean cabinets & organize papers
• Baseboards
• Door jams
• Clean walls of scuffs or marks
• Clean light switch covers
• Clean plugs
• Mirrors
• Furniture
• Vents
• Shelves
• Rugs
• Floors
• Closets

BONUS: LAUNDRY CHECKLIST

• Fold blankets and sheets
• Fold the fitted sheet
• wash clothes
• use the washing machine
• hand wash clothes
• dry clothes
• use the clothes dryer
• Hang dryer
• Send clothes to dry cleaner
• Clean dresses
• Clean shirts
• Clean pants
• Clean socks
• Clean underwear
• Fold clothes
• fold the t-shirt
• fold pants
• fold socks
• fold towels
• fold fitted sheets
• iron clothes
• Removing stains from fabrics
• clean the fireplace
• properly hang clothes
• Clean accessories
• clean & shine shoes
• maintain belts
• preserve & clean jewelry

And your done! P.S. TIDY lets you create your own custom To Do list, then have a certified Pro come and get it done. It’s really cool technology, you should give it a try!