How often should you deep clean your home? Plus top tips from the pros

While regular cleaning keeps things ticking over, it's only deep cleaning that truly addresses those hard-to-reach areas and the stubborn grime that accumulates over time. But how often should you deep clean your home to ensure it stays fresh and hygienic?

Fear not – our industry experts are here to explain exactly how often you should deep clean your home. They'll also provide top cleaning tips, and reveal their favorite cleaning essentials.

As with our fall cleaning checklist, no stone is left unturned as our industry pros outline the best frequency, tips and products to have your home sparkling all year round.

1. How often to deep clean

The ideal frequency of deep cleaning depends on various factors, such as the size of your home, the number of occupants, and whether you have pets.

Microbiologist Shaun Veran, chief operating officer at OURA, says, 'Ideally, homes should undergo a deep clean every three to six months, depending on factors such as the number of occupants, pets, overall lifestyle, and how well you keep on top of the day-to-day.

'Maintaining a clean home is a delicate balance between regular upkeep and deeper, more intensive cleaning sessions. While deep cleaning is essential for tackling hidden dirt, allergens, and bacteria, regular cleaning is just as important in keeping these elements from building up in the first place.

'The key to a healthy home isn’t just how often you scrub every nook and cranny but how consistently you keep up with smaller tasks on a daily or weekly basis. Doing quick things like cleaning common stains from kitchen countertops, dusting surfaces, sweeping or vacuuming high-traffic areas, and keeping bathrooms tidy can drastically reduce the amount of work required when it's time for a deep clean.'

High-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms may require more frequent attention – perhaps every two to three months. Bedrooms and less-used spaces can usually be deep cleaned twice a year.

2. How long to allocate

Deciding how long to allocate for your deep clean will depend on several factors including the size of your home and how well you stay on top of those smaller, day-to-day cleaning tasks.

Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, says, 'Depending on the size of your home and how thorough you want to be, a deep clean can take anywhere from a full day to a weekend if you’re doing it all at once. If you prefer to spread it out, it could take a few hours each day over the course of a week.'

Veran agrees, adding, 'As a rough guide, for a typical 2-3 bedroom house, allocating about 6-8 hours should suffice – whether in one go, or split up.'

3. Deep clean task list

Deep cleaning your home can be daunting, and it's sometimes hard to know where to begin. Here, Veran runs through his across-the-home deep cleaning task list:

More frequent tasks (every 3-6 months)

• Kitchen: Deep clean the oven, refrigerator, and microwave every 3-6 months. Clean behind and under appliances. Degrease cabinet doors and scrub down the backsplash. Empty and clean out the pantry, checking for expired items.
• Bathrooms: Scrub grout and clean tile thoroughly every few months. Deep clean bathtubs and showers, including fixtures, and replace or wash shower curtains. Empty and sanitize the bathroom trash can.
• Floors and carpets: Shampoo carpets or have them professionally cleaned every 6 months to remove embedded dirt and allergens. Mop and polish hardwood or tile floors for a thorough refresh. Steam cleaners and steam mops are also highly-effective options.
• Upholstery: Deep clean upholstered furniture like sofas and chairs to remove accumulated dust, pet hair, and spills. Vacuum under cushions and use a fabric cleaner or steam cleaner every 3-6 months. Check out our guide to the best Shark vacuum deals of 2024.
• Bedding: Wash pillows, duvet covers, and mattress protectors every 3-6 months. Rotate or flip your mattress and give it a deep vacuuming to remove dust mites and allergens.
• Windows and Blinds: Wash windows, sills, and blinds thoroughly every 6 months. Clean screens and wipe down window frames for a fresh, streak-free finish.
• Baseboards and Walls: Dust and wipe down baseboards, crown molding, and walls every few months, especially in high-traffic areas where fingerprints, scuffs, and dust collect.
• Closets: Organize and deep clean closets to remove clutter and dust. Vacuum closet floors and wipe down shelves. Donate or dispose of unused items.

Less frequent tasks (every 12 months)

• Guest Rooms: Clean guest rooms, including washing bedding, dusting furniture, and vacuuming once a year, or before and after guests' visit. Freshen up curtains and check for cobwebs in corners.
• Storage Areas: Vacuum or mop the floors, dust light fixtures, and clean out cabinets or storage bins to prevent dust buildup.
• Behind and Under Furniture: Move large pieces of furniture like beds and sofas to vacuum or sweep beneath them annually. Dust or clean baseboards and walls that are normally hidden by these items.
• Outdoor Spaces: Once a year, deep clean patios, decks, or outdoor furniture. Power wash surfaces and clean cushions or other fabrics exposed to the elements.

4. Top tips from the pros

If the magnitude of the task puts you off deep cleaning, you're not alone. Here, Karina Toner reveals her top tips to make the process more manageable...

She says, 'With deep cleaning, the key to success lies in planning ahead – deciding the approach you'll take, choosing a method that works for you, and gathering your supplies.

'Decide firstly whether you want to tackle the whole house in one go or break it down over several days. Some like to have it done and dusted in a day, but for most of us, a room-by-room approach is more manageable and avoids overwhelm.

'Next, decide your favored approach – room by room, or task by task. The first allows you to complete one space entirely before moving on, giving you a sense of accomplishment as you go. The second allows you to tackle similar tasks together, such as dusting the entire house first, followed by vacuuming, mopping, and so on. This can be more efficient if you’re using the same tools for multiple rooms.

'Finally, you want to get prepped,' Toner adds. 'Gather all your cleaning supplies ahead of time – this includes cleaning solutions, microfiber cloths, mops, vacuum cleaners, and any specialty products you might need. Having everything to hand will greatly save on time and hassle.'

Our guide to tackling the hardest household cleaning tasks features plenty more tips to turn your deep cleaning from a burden to a breeze.

5. Cleaning essentials

Having the right tools and products is essential for effective deep cleaning.

Stock up on microfiber cloths, which are excellent for trapping dust and dirt. A good vacuum with HEPA filters is crucial for removing allergens, while a steam cleaner can sanitize surfaces without harsh chemicals. For tougher jobs, keep a supply of baking soda, vinegar, and an all-purpose cleaner on hand.

Here are some of our cleaning pros' favorites:

• The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste from Amazon is great for cleaning bathroom tiles and scrubbing grout.
• For an effective carpet-cleaning machine, Toner recommends the Hoover Powerscrub Deluxe from Wayfair. She says, 'This carpet cleaner is excellent for deep cleaning carpets and upholstery. It’s easy to use and has a fast-drying feature, making it perfect for busy households.'
• Steam mops like the Shark Steam & Scrub from Amazon are especially effective on hardwood floors.
• For its strength and versatility, Toner swears by this Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Ultra Thick Multi-Purpose Cleaner from Target. She says, 'This versatile cleaner is great for floors, counters, and even walls. It’s effective at cutting through grease and grime, leaving surfaces sparkling clean.'
• This Window Glass Cleaner Spray, available from Amazon is ideal for ensuring your windows have a sparkling finish.

So there you have it – the answer to 'How often should you deep clean your home?' By setting a regular deep-cleaning schedule and using the best products, you can keep your home in top condition year-round.

Next, check out how to deep clean a carpet — an expert guide for a spotless finish.