1. Tidy

   • Go around the house and return all items to their home. Take out all trash and recycling. Get rid of anything you don’t need. Do the dishes, etc.

   • If your house needs organization this can take a bit. Follow the mantra, a place for everything, and everything in it's home.

2. Remove all Linens and Objects

   • Go room by room and remove objects necessary for cleaning. Example: remove the items from the counters in the kitchen and temporarily place in the dining area. Same for bathrooms, etc. You're going to clean the toaster and toothbrush holder before returning them.

   • Remove all throws, rugs, and linens for cleaning. Keep the washing machine going during your cleaning day.

3. Clean in the DRY

   • Sweep, vacuum, and clean all particles and dust in the dry. Remove as many particles as possible. I love using the vacuum attachments for serious dusting and particle removal.

   • Look at the floors, walls, surfaces, nooks, crannies, windows, baseboards, appliances, inside things like cabinets and shoe bins.

4. Clean in the WET

   • Use dish soap, water, or appropriate cleaner to scrub and clean all surfaces. I use a sponge, rag, or bristle brush as needed. Start high and work down. Scrub it all. Hand clean floors if necessary. Don’t worry about streaks at this point, just get up all the scum, spills, and remaining particles.

   • Look at the floors, walls, surfaces, nooks, crannies, windows, baseboards, appliances, inside things like cabinets. Even vents!

   • Carefully clean the objects that will go back to this area, like toasters, kettles, electronics, bathroom accessories, etc.

5. Polish and Sanitize

   • Use the appropriate cleaner to polish and sanitize after the wet clean. Polish and sanitize your objects too.

6. Clean and Return Objects

   • Return the clean objects, like the toaster, after you polish and sanitize everything.

   • Return clean rugs and linens after the room is done.

   • Apply home spray if you’re feeling fancy

• Cleaning in the Dry

  • Vacuum everything. I use the hose and various attachments on every possible windowsill, baseboard, corner, surface, sofa, under cushions, under furniture, lampshades, etc.

  • For stinky carpet, try the Stinky Carpet Blend below.  1 part borax, 1 part baking soda, and some clear essential oil drops mixed to sprinkle on rugs and carpet. Let sit at least 15 minutes and then vacuum.

• Cleaning in the Wet

  • Granite/Formica/Porcelain/Glass/Mirror etc: Mix of warm water and dish soap. Bathroom surface cleaner in bathroom.

  • Stubborn grime on tile/Porcelain/grout/sinks, etc. Use Miracle Paste below. Use hard bristle brush to work in and let sit. Then scrub it all out and rinse.

  • Wood, like cabinets, furniture: Wood cleaner (this is also the polish). If your wood cabinets are gunky, try the Cabinet Degunker below with a toothbrush. 

  • Baseboards: warm water and dish soap.

  • Greasy backsplash: mineral oil wipes or a clear oil with a paper towel to pick up all the initial grease. You might follow up with your warm water and dish soap belofre going to the polish step. These wipes are also ideal for wooden cutting boards and servingware. 

  • Shower glass/mirror scum: Bioclean Hard Water Stain Remover with a sponge

  • Don't forget trash and recycle bins! They are likely gross. Take them outside and hose and scrub. 

• Polish and Sanitize

  • Granite: Granite Cleaner

  • Baseboards: Polish with a dryer sheet to keep cleaner longer.

  • Formica/Porcelain/Glass/Mirror: Glass cleaner

  • Stainless Steel: Milky Stainless Steel cleaner. Great on grease.

  • Wood furniture/cabinets/stair rail/etc: Wood cleaner (I like Method with a soft rag)

• Forgotten Areas

• Over time, go drawer by drawer, cabinet by cabinet, furniture by furniture and empty it out, sort through the objects, clean out/wash the insides, and get rid of clutter. Get drawer organizers. Baskets and dividers in cabinets and closets.

• Seriously, get rid of excess and replace worn objects.

• Trinkets are dusty.

• Don’t forget to clean all the door handles, light switches, power outlets, vent covers, and wall hangings. If it exists, it is gathering dust, grime, fingerprints, and scum.

Stinky Carpet Blend 

• Ingredients: 

  • 1 part borax

  • 1 part baking soda

  • some clear essential oil drops (optional)

• Directions: Mix and sprinkle on rugs and carpet. Let sit at least 15 minutes and then vacuum.

Miracle Paste

• Ingredients: 

  • 2 parts baking soda

  • 1 part hydrogen peroxide

  • A squirt of dawn to make a paste. 

• Directions: Use soft or hard bristle brush to work in to surface and let sit. Then scrub it all out and rinse.

Cabinet Degunker (for SERIOUS gunk)

• Ingredients: 

  • 2 parts baking soda

  • 1 part vegetable oil

• Directions: Mix to thick paste and smoosh into grimy wood. Use a toothbrush to work into all the nooks and crannies and a sponge for the larger surface area. Scrub off the gunk and grime, it will make a mess on the floor FYI. Follow up with your standard wood cleaner.