When the flu or other illnesses spread through the community, you may find yourself thinking it’s time to focus on cleaning your home or apartment just a little more than you usually do. A deep clean is both healthy and rewarding because you can look back on your efforts and see all of the benefits. Use this guide to get started on your might be surprised at just how quickly you can accomplish the things on this list!

Grab Your Supplies

First, you’ll need to grab some necessary cleaning supplies. Make sure you have plenty of these things on hand:

• Rags or towels you can toss when you’re done
• Two buckets
• Dish soap or another degreasing cleaner
• Disinfectant spray
• Rubber gloves
• Scrubbing pads
• Vinegar
• Old toothbrush or scrub brush

Consider placing these items, except for the buckets, in a caddy. Fill one bucket with clean, soapy water, and another with fresh water for rinsing, and you’re ready to get to work. Start the process room by room and tackle these tasks.

Dust and Vacuum

The first step when you enter a new room for cleaning is to dust and vacuum. Work from the top of the room to the bottom, starting with ceilings and light fixtures and working your way down to the floor. This allows the vacuum to pick up any dust or debris you knock off when dusting. Make sure you dust above shelves and cabinets and on top of your ceiling fans. Vacuum all vents, including exhaust fan vents in bathrooms.

Clean the Faucets and Sinks

For rooms with faucets, use vinegar to de-scale them. Consider taking the faucet apart to clean the aerator, if it has one. Then, shine the faucets using glass cleaner.

If the sink has heavy stains, consider bleaching it. Plug the drain and fill it with hot water. Had ¼ cup of bleach to the water, and let it sit for an hour. This will remove many of the stains from the sink. Rinse thoroughly before using any other cleaners, as bleach can interact dangerously with ammonia-based cleaners.

Clean the Windows and Doors

Vacuum the windowsills and tracks. Wash the window screens to remove bugs and dust. Then, use a glass cleaner to clean the windows, inside and out.

Next, move to the doors. Use a wood cleaner to wipe down the doors and frames. You’ll be surprised just how soiled they are! Then, use disinfectant to clean all of the doorknobs. Don’t neglect cabinet and drawer doors, either. Open the cabinets and wipe out all of the shelves, putting things back in an organized manner.

Additional Steps in Each Room

In each room, find the garbage can. These can harbor quite a bit of grit and germs, so wash and sanitize it. Don’t neglect the recycling bins.

If the room has curtains or blinds, clean these. Blinds need a deep cleaning with a vinegar/water mix and a scrub brush or toothbrush. Launder or vacuum the curtains.

For upholstered furniture, remove the cushions and vacuum in the crevices. If you notice any stains, use an upholstery cleaner to tackle them. Then vacuum all of the cushions and put them back. Move the furniture to clean underneath. Vacuum your mattresses to remove built-up dust and allergens.

Special Considerations in the Kitchen and Bathrooms

The kitchen needs some special attention to ensure you have a safe, clean space for preparing and serving food. For the stove, remove the grates and soak them in hot, soapy water. While they soak, wipe the entire surface of the stovetop down. Then, clean the hood fan and hood fan filter. Open the oven and clean it, using cleaner and a scrub brush to dislodge burnt-on food. Clean the door, wash the grates, and put everything back together.

If you have a microwave, use lemon and vinegar to spray it down before wiping out the food mess. Clean underneath and around it if it’s not built-in. Clean the keypad and front of the microwave, including the handle.

Next, move to your fridge and freezer. Remove all expired food, and wash the shelving with warm, soapy water. Clean the rubber gasket around the door as well.

Finally, move to the dishwasher. Add a cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda, and run the dishwasher empty to remove the residue that builds up over time.

In the bathroom, make sure you clean the grout thoroughly. If you have a shower curtain, wash it, or replace it. Finally, clean the entire toilet, including the handle and base, and clean the toothbrush holder.

Cleaning your home is one of the best ways to protect yourself from illnesses spreading in your community. Please note, these tips will help your home feel clean and disinfected, but does not guarantee sterilization from the COVID-19 virus. Take a weekend and tackle this list, and enjoy the benefit of a clean, sanitary home!