What Is the Fastest Way to Deep Clean a House? Your Questions, Answered

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: July 20, 2021 References

Whether you’re getting ready for guests or you just enjoy a clean home, it might be time for a deep clean. If you don’t have a ton of time to spend, cleaning quickly might be your main goal. We’ve answered some of your common questions so you can learn how to clean your house quickly and effectively in just a few hours.

Question 1 of 6:

How do you deep clean a house in 2 hours?

1
Create a system. Map out the areas of your home that you’re going to hit: the living room, the kitchen, the bedrooms, and the bathrooms. Go through them room by room to make sure you’re hitting every spot. If you can get a system down and stick to it, your cleaning job will go much faster.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Having a system will also help you next time you need to do a deep clean. If you already have a plan, you won’t have to think about it as much.
2
Focus on high-traffic areas. Door knobs, sink handles, and anything else your family touches on a daily basis are going to be the dirtiest. If you do nothing else, wipe those down with a cleaner or vinegar solution to make your home sparkle.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- To make a vinegar solution, combine 1 part white vinegar and 1 part warm water. It’s a natural disinfectant that will clean your home without harsh chemicals.
Advertisement
3
Keep your cleaning products nearby. It might be helpful to collect them in a small basket or bucket so you can take them with you. The less you have to run back and forth to grab things, the less time it will take you to clean.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Question 2 of 6:

Is it better to clean one room at a time?

Yes, and it will help you save time! Rather than running back and forth from room to room, pick a spot and stick to it until it’s clean. You’ll also feel way more accomplished and you can work through your to-do list fairly quickly this way.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Some experts also suggest doing one task at a time throughout the whole house, like vacuuming or mopping. If that works better for you, you can do that instead of going room by room.

Question 3 of 6:

When cleaning a house where do you start?

1
Clear out any clutter before you clean. Spend a few minutes picking up anything on the floor that doesn’t belong there, like dirty clothes or kid’s toys. Put those things where they need to go to free up your house and get it ready for a deep clean.^{[5]
X
Research source}
2
Clean each room from the top down. Ceiling fans, blinds, curtains, and walls all get dirty, so start with those. As you clean them, you’ll probably notice dust and grime falling to the floor—but that’s fine! Since you’ll be deep cleaning the rest of the house later, it doesn’t matter.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- It might also help you to move from left to right. That way, you’ll make sure you clean the entire room, and you won’t be darting back and forth.

Question 4 of 6:

In what order should you clean your house?

1
Start with the living room and the bedrooms. These areas get used almost every day. In both the living room and any bedrooms, wipe down the ceilings and light fixtures with a damp cloth, dust the walls, and vacuum any carpets. If you have hardwood floors, mop them with a microfiber towel until they shine.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} Strip the beds and wash the sheets for a quick refresh.^{[8]
X
Research source}
2
Move onto the kitchen. Clear the clutter off your countertops, empty the dishwasher, and dust off the top of the fridge. Quickly wipe down any small appliances, like your toaster, coffee maker, or blender. Scrub down your stove and oven with oven cleaner, and use a scraper for any stuck-on bits. Do the same for your fridge, and then wipe down your counters. Finally, sweep, vacuum, and mop the floor.^{[9]
X
Research source}
3
Finish up with the bathrooms. Spray undiluted white vinegar on shower doors, then wipe it off. Clean off your shower heads by soaking them in a plastic bag full of white vinegar. Wipe down your drains, the sink, and the counters with a bathroom cleaner, then scrub your toilet with 2 cups (470 mL) of white vinegar. To finish up, sweep and mop the floor of every bathroom in your home.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Question 5 of 6:

Should I dust or vacuum first?

Dust first, then vacuum. Dusting stirs up a ton of dust that will settle onto your floors. Go over the entire room with a duster, then follow behind with a vacuum. Your floors will thank you!^{[11]
X
Research source}

Question 6 of 6:

What supplies do you need to deep clean a house?

A vacuum, a mop, a duster, some rags, and an all-purpose cleaner.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} If you don’t have an all-purpose cleaner, you can use white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio with water. You might also want to put on some rubber gloves to protect your hands as you clean.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Microfiber or terry cloth rags are ideal since they’re soft and won’t scratch any surfaces. If you don’t have those, you can also use cotton rags.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Matuska
  Professional Cleaner
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.}