How to Clean Your Home: Mastering the Art of Home Cleaning Like a Pro

Keeping a clean and tidy home creates a welcoming atmosphere and promotes a sense of well-being and organization. While cleaning may seem daunting, mastering the art of home cleaning like a pro can streamline the process and make it more manageable.

With the proper techniques and mindset, anyone can achieve a sparkling, clean house that feels like a sanctuary.

Cleaning your house can feel like a wasted effort if you need to know the correct order or basic steps. Without a clear plan, you might become frustrated and demotivated, tempted to avoid the responsibility altogether. But fear not! With the right guidance, you can tackle cleaning tasks efficiently and regain control of your home.

This article serves as a guide to help you master the art of cleaning. Whether you’re a beginner or want to know how to clean your home quickly and efficiently, this guide is packed with pro tips to elevate your cleaning game. 

Plus, as an added bonus, I have added a section on the power of steam with a list of the best steam cleaners available, ensuring you finish the job like a true expert!  

So, let’s get started.

What Are the Seven Steps in the Cleaning Process?

To become really good at cleaning, you must learn about the seven steps involved in the process. This way of cleaning isn’t just for experts; regular people also use it to keep their homes clean and healthy, keeping allergies and sickness away.

So, let’s have a look at these steps.

1. Get Rid of Trash

The first and foremost step is to dispose of trash. Empty all garbage bags and liners and throw them away. We recommend using Amazon Basics Flextra Trash Bags for this purpose because they are tear-resistant and easy to tie and carry.     

You also need to disinfect trash bins to prevent odors and bacteria buildup. Disinfecting and sanitizing involves using a commercial disinfectant (like Clorox Disinfecting Mist) or preparing your own solution at home using white vinegar. 

You can use a trash can deodorizer regularly to keep the odors at bay.

Once the trash cans have been cleaned and sanitized, you should replace the bin liner with a new bag. 

2. Start Dusting 

The next step is to dust all surfaces, furniture, and other objects in the room. Remember to work your way from top to bottom when dusting. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to remove dust and cobwebs from surfaces, shelves, and hard-to-reach areas. 

Microfiber is lint-free, absorbent, and anti-abrasive, ensuring the surfaces are not scratched while dusting. These clothes are washable, so you can use them many times before discarding them.

Use a dry or lightly damp microfiber cloth to dust from top to bottom and left to right. For wooden and leather furniture, consider using furniture polish or leather cleaner and conditioner to nourish the wood, add shine, and prevent the cracking of leather furniture.     

3. Clean Surfaces Using a Damp Cloth

Once dusting is done, the next step is to start cleaning surfaces, such as countertops, tables, and cabinets, again using a multipurpose surface cleaner. This step differs from dusting because it helps remove stains, grime, and odors from all types of surfaces.   

There are many types of surface cleaners available on the market. You can use any good one, but our favorite is Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Cleaner Spray. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also backed by over 70,000 positive reviews—definitely worth giving a shot!

Investing in a surface cleaner like the one mentioned above is a good idea because it can be used on any type of surface, including tile, marble countertops, wooden floors, and wooden table tops. 

4. Declutter, Organize, and Restock

After completing the initial cleaning, it’s time to dedicate a few moments to tidying and decluttering the space. As you tidy, organize items and replenish empty or used containers, jars, vases, candle holders, and similar items.

This is where you will put away out-of-place items and clear surfaces of unnecessary clutter. It’s an important step in the cleaning process because it makes cleaning easier. By decluttering first, you have better access to surfaces and can clean more thoroughly without moving or working around unnecessary items. 

Moreover, clutter tends to collect dust, allergens, and other pollutants.

Removing clutter reduces the surfaces where dust can accumulate, leading to a cleaner and healthier home environment.

5. Vacuum or Mop the Floor

After dusting and surface cleaning, the next step involves vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping the floors to eliminate loose dirt and debris. Performing this step after dusting prevents the floors from becoming dirty again, ensuring a thorough cleaning process.

If you have carpeted or hard floors, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust. For carpets and rugs, it is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner with a triple-action brush roll to lift and loosen pet hair and other types of debris effectively.  

Select a suitable cleaner for tiled and wooden floors. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the tile or grout. Instead, opt for a pH-neutral cleaner or a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Investing in products like Mops for Floor Cleaning is a good idea because it simplifies the mopping job and comes with features like a spray function. These tools help to remove tough stains and clean high-traffic areas easily and effectively.    

6. Clean the Bathroom 

The bathroom or toilet is an important place to clean in your home. Even if the rest of your house is super clean, your home will only feel clean if you clean the bathroom. 

When cleaning a bathroom, you follow the same steps as cleaning other places. But it’s good to use a special cleaning product made for bathrooms. Leave it on the surfaces for a while before wiping it off to ensure everything gets clean.

It’s also a good idea to use commercial toilet cleaners only occasionally and prepare your own solution at home to save money. To prepare the famous citric acid toilet cleaner, you will need citric acid powder (readily available at Amazon), rubber gloves, and a toilet brush or scrubber.

Read this article for a complete guide on how to clean your home with citric acid. 

This homemade solution is not only economical but also helps to get rid of the limescale buildup easily. Lower the toilet lid and let the citric acid sit in the bowl for at least an hour. For optimal results, leave it overnight. This gives the acid enough time to dissolve stains, mineral buildup, and bacteria.

7. Add Finishing Touches

Once all the above steps are done, the final step is to add finishing touches to your cleaning. This may include polishing surfaces, arranging decorative items, and ensuring everything is properly placed.

How to Clean Your Home: What is the Correct Order to Clean a House?

Remember the correct order to clean your house to keep dust and dirt away. Not only will it help the spread of dust, but it will also allow you to clean your house quickly. The rule is to start cleaning from the top, then move down, and go from left to right. This simple mantra ensures that dust and dirt don’t get redistributed. 

Start from the Top

When it comes to cleaning, always begin with the highest surfaces and work your way down. Start by dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to capture dust and dirt, preventing them from falling onto lower surfaces later.

This way, when you clean the higher spots first, any dust or dirt that falls will land on areas you still need to clean. This helps prevent the spreading of dust and dirt, making your cleaning more effective and fast. 

Work Left to Right

Once you’ve cleaned the high spots, move horizontally across the room from left to right. This way, you won’t miss any spots or have to return and clean again. It helps make sure you clean everything in a neat and organized way.

Clean Furniture First

Starting with furniture allows you to focus on larger surfaces before moving on to smaller, more detailed areas like windows and mirrors. This systematic approach maximizes efficiency and ensures that you cover all surfaces thoroughly.

Moreover, once the furniture is clean and dust-free, attention can be shifted to other areas, resulting in a more thorough and satisfying cleaning experience.

Address Windows and Mirrors

Once furniture is clean, it’s the perfect time to tackle windows and mirrors. This ensures a seamless flow in your cleaning routine and allows you to maintain momentum.

Cleaning windows and mirrors after furniture cleaning ensures that any dust or dirt stirred up during furniture cleaning settles. This provides a clearer view of smudges, streaks, or spots on glass surfaces, making it easier to identify and address areas that need attention.

Tackle Floors Last

Cleaning floors last helps maintain the cleanliness of previously cleaned surfaces. By addressing other areas first, you prevent dust or cleaning residue from settling on freshly cleaned furniture, countertops, or fixtures.

Mop hard floors with a suitable cleaning solution and water, focusing on high-traffic areas and spots with spills or stains. Allow the floor to air dry, or use a clean mop to dry it.

You can also use disposable dry mop pads that can easily attach to a spray mop head. 

How Can I Clean My House Fast?

If you want to clean your home fast, there are some tips you can use. From keeping your cleaning products handy to organizing things so they don’t get in the way, these tips help clean the entire place in just a few minutes. 

Our article, How to Clean Your Home in 15 Minutes explains the process in more detail. For now, let’s look at these tips briefly. 

Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy

Cleaning can be much faster if you keep all your cleaning tools and supplies handy. To simplify this task, we have created a list of the essentials you need for a thorough cleaning session. 

Use Multipurpose Cleaners

Simplify your cleaning routine using multipurpose cleaners that tackle various surfaces. This saves time and eliminates the need to switch between different products. 

Declutter and Organize

While cleaning, take a few moments to declutter and put away out-of-place items. This prevents clutter from building up and makes future cleaning sessions quicker and easier. 

Delegate Tasks

If you have family members or roommates, divide cleaning tasks among yourselves to make the process faster and more manageable. Assign specific areas or functions to each person to maximize efficiency.

Set a Timer

Challenge yourself to clean as much as possible in a set amount of time, such as 15 or 30 minutes. This will help you maintain focus and motivation to work efficiently. Once you complete this challenge several times, doing tasks quickly will become a habit. 

How Do House Cleaners Clean So Fast?

Have you ever wondered how professional house cleaners whip through a home so swiftly, leaving it sparkling clean in what seems like no time? 

They have some clever tricks up their sleeves that make cleaning faster and more efficient. Let’s uncover some of these secrets and learn how to apply them to your cleaning routine!

1. They have a plan: Professional cleaners don’t just dive in randomly; they have a systematic approach. They start with a plan, breaking the cleaning tasks into manageable chunks and tackling one area at a time. 

2. They use the right tools: Professional cleaners know that having the right tools for the job can make all the difference. They invest in high-quality cleaning tools and supplies designed to do the job quickly and effectively.

3. They work smarter, not harder: These cleaners know how to work efficiently, using techniques that maximize their time and effort. They use strategies we discussed above, such as the “top-to-bottom” and “left-to-right” approach, ensuring they don’t waste time going back and forth between areas. 

4. They work as a team: In many cases, professional cleaners work in teams, which allows them to divide and conquer the cleaning tasks more efficiently.

5. They learn from experience: Last but not least, professional cleaners have years of experience under their belts, which gives them an edge when it comes to cleaning quickly and efficiently. 

How to Clean Your Home: Embrace the Power of Steam

Steam cleaning has become increasingly popular for quick and efficient home cleaning for several reasons:

• Steam cleaning gives a really good clean by getting into tiny spaces where dirt and grime hide. This is great for places like between tiles, furniture folds, and in the corners of mattresses, where dust and allergens build up.

• It can save much time compared to traditional cleaning methods because it eliminates the need to pre-treat surfaces or use special chemicals or solutions. 

• This method effectively removes all allergens, including dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, from furniture and other surfaces. This answers the most commonly asked question: how to clean your home to fend off allergies.

• Unlike traditional methods of harsh chemicals, steam cleaning uses only water to clean and sanitize surfaces. This makes it a safer and more environmentally friendly option for those concerned about exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Last but not least, one of the key benefits of steam cleaning is its versatility. It can be used to clean various surfaces and materials, including tile, grout, hardwood floors, carpets, upholstery, and even mattresses. This makes it a valuable tool for tackling multiple cleaning tasks around the home with just one device. 

Investing in a multipurpose steam cleaner is smart, especially if you aim to clean your home like a pro. With various steam cleaners available, ranging from budget-friendly options to pricier models, it’s essential to consider features such as portability, ease of use, and large capacity. These features make cleaning tasks easier and more enjoyable, ensuring you get the most out of your cleaning experience.

We recommend Dupray Multipurpose Portable Steam Cleaner, which has all the qualities of a great steamer. The best thing is that it can be used with any regular towel or cloth, eliminating the need to buy separate accessories! 

Duprey Multipurpose Portable Steam Cleaner

Wrapping Up

A clean and tidy home is essential for a comfortable and healthy living environment. However, tackling household chores can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you need clarification on the best approach. Fortunately, mastering the correct order to clean your house can make the process more efficient and effective.

This article delves into a comprehensive seven-step cleaning process, ensuring a deep and thorough cleaning for your home. Additionally, it offers valuable tips and tricks to expedite the cleaning process while maintaining efficiency. 

Finally, it strongly advocates incorporating a steam cleaner into your cleaning routine for professional-grade results. With these insights, you can streamline your cleaning tasks and enjoy a cleaner, more organized living space. Follow these tips to simplify your life and keep your home in shape!