How to Clean: 45 Housecleaning Tips for Every Room of Your Home

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Housecleaning can seem never-ending—especially if you have kids, pets or both. You barely have time to cross one item off your housecleaning checklist before you spy something else that's dirty, dusty, sticky or grimy.

What's more, cleaning can be complicated, partly due to the proliferation of different types of surfaces and fabrics, explains Brandi Winch, owner of Homemaid Cleaning Service in Kalamazoo, Michigan. "Just 25 years ago, we had something like five different floorings to choose from and four different countertops," she says. "Now we have hundreds of both, and they all require different care." And that's not even including all the fabric coverings for your sofa or variety of rugs.

The good news: "It is not difficult to learn how to clean," says Winch. It's all about finding the right technique and product. And once you master these expert housecleaning tips for dusting, mopping, scrubbing and other chores, and have the best cleaning products in your arsenal for the targeted surfaces, upkeep will be easier. Read on for the inside cleaning know-how that will help you clean everything in your home—and keep it spotless.

While cleaning may seem like common sense (if something is dirty, wash, dust or vacuum it), pros do know certain housecleaning tips and tricks for getting the job done more efficiently and effectively.

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Before you start cleaning, gather all the cleaning products you’ll need, including a scrub brush, sponges, microfiber cloths and a bucket. Carry them in a caddy or wear them in an apron so you don't waste time looking for the right cleanser or brush.

Cleaning accessories make a big difference. Most cleaning pros favor microfiber cloths and mop pads because they’re reusable, they don't leave behind fuzz and they’re less abrasive than paper towels. Winch prefers Quickie microfiber cloths but cautions that you can't wash or dry them with high heat, since the microfiber is really a kind of plastic, not a cloth. A vacuum-mop combo that sucks up dirt while washing your floors can also be a huge two-in-one time-saver.

All deep-cleaning comes down to one of four things: chemicals, agitation (aka physical scrubbing), time and heat. Sometimes you may need just one of those things, and sometimes all four. "You do not remove tough grime by wiping alone," says Winch. "You get through grime with strong chemicals that require time to activate." You may need the addition of steam or hot water to remove tough stains.

Instead of focusing on one cleaning task at a time, such as cleaning the counters, Winch starts at one end of a room and cleans everything in a space from top to bottom—in a kitchen, for example, it might be the cabinet above the sink, the sink backsplash, the sink itself, the cabinet below the sink and the baseboard—then moves to the right and repeats. It's counterintuitive, Winch says, but it's a major time saver because you aren't running around the room or retracing your steps.

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"Most of the yuck on floors is right along the four inches or so around the edge of the room," says Winch. That's where vacuums and mops tend to miss, so if you really want a spotless floor, clean that area by hand with a designated floor cleaner and a microfiber cloth. While you’re down there, clean the baseboards.

Listening to a playlist chock-full of good songs for cleaning won't necessarily make cleaning easier, but we promise it will make cleaning more fun.

Now that you have the basics down, learn the secrets to cleaning the house, room by room.

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Not only is the kitchen the most-used room in the home that needs to be cleaned on average twice a week, but it's also the room with the biggest variety of surfaces, which makes it tricky, says Winch. After all, a stainless steel sink requires an entirely different cleaning product and technique than, say, granite countertops or wood cabinets. Here's how to clean the kitchen from top to bottom.

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Because refrigerators contain food and are opened and closed constantly, sometimes by folks with dirty hands, they can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. The key to cleaning out the inside of a fridge is to be very systematic and work from the top to the bottom, so any crumbs or drips don't get missed. "People go all over the place, trying to clean the dirtiest spot first," Winch says. Follow these steps for a comprehensive clean:

Pro tip: Clean the rubber seal around the fridge with an old replaced toothbrush or dampened Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

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The best way to keep any type of stovetop looking like new is to wipe up splatters and spills right away, before any heat bakes them into hardened goo. To clean an electric stovetop or to clean a gas stovetop, follow these steps:

Pro tip: "I really like using Scrub Daddy sponges, so I wanted to pass along a couple of tips for making them last longer," Winch says. First up: "Rinse the sponge after each use, then let it dry on a paper towel or slip it into the Daddy Caddy (the water drips off while the sponge stays dry)." One more tip: Don't use bleach with the Scrub Daddy. "I love both products, but they don't get along well together."

Although the inside of your oven is mostly hidden from view, cleaning it properly is important because food residue can create smoke and unpleasant odors that may affect the taste of the food you cook next. Self-cleaning options use very high temperatures to burn away left-behind bits, but they won't always leave your oven spotless. Here's how to do it right:

Pro tip: Don't forget to clean the glass oven door for a truly sparkling clean.

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Even though sinks spend a lot of time around running water and dish soap, they can still accumulate a lot of dirt. Here's how to keep yours spotless:

Pro tip: To make your sink look like new, go over it with a damp Mr. Clean Magic Eraser every month or so. Winch says it will even clean dirt out of the lettering around the drain.

When it comes to cleaning countertops, you need to know your surface. Though it looks attractive, natural stone—including granite and marble—is sensitive to chemicals, and over time, food and drink spills and even soap from dishwater splatter can cause erosion. Regular cleanings help prevent long-term pitting, dull spots and other damage. Natural-stone counters also need to be professionally sealed on a regular basis.

Pro tip: Wipe up any spills immediately, before they have a chance to set in and become stains.

Cabinets often get overlooked, but they "will get dirty just existing in the room," says Winch, thanks to all the grease and dust particles in the air. Here's how to keep your kitchen cabinet doors looking new.

Pro tip: Clean cabinets top to bottom so gravity helps remove dust and dirt.

Between mildew, a damp environment and residue from soap, toothpaste and other products, cleaning the bathroom can be a daunting task, but the right approach will help you clean quickly and efficiently, says Sarah Mitchell, CEO of Eco Mama Green Clean in Scottsdale, Arizona. Follow her expert cleaning tips for a bathroom that gleams.

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Start with the toilet, as cleaning a dirty one can disperse germs into the air, according to research. Cleaning the toilet first gives you the chance to fight those germs as you make your way to the rest of the room.

Pro tip: Be sure to clean all the way down to where the toilet meets the floor, an area that tends to collect dirt and grime, says Vanesa Amaro, housecleaner and CleanTok personality.

Bathtubs are naturally prone to buildup from soap and other products, as well as mildew. How you clean will depend on what your tub is made of: porcelain, enameled cast iron, acrylic or fiberglass. If you’re uncertain that a product will be safe, test it in an inconspicuous area first.

Pro tip: To keep the tub clean longer, rub it down with a soft, dry cloth to remove excess moisture after every use.

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Similar to tubs, showers experience significant buildup from soap and other products, as well as mildew—and how you clean will depend on your shower's material. If you’re not sure if a product will be safe, test it in an inconspicuous area first.

Pro tip: For a natural cleaning solution, make a paste of baking soda with a small amount of water. Use it in place of a commercial cleaning product.

Bathroom mirrors can be prone to toothpaste spatters, makeup smudges and other marks. Cleaning them takes finesse if you want to avoid leaving streaks. Follow these steps:

Pro tip: Don't forget to clean out the medicine cabinet while you’re at it.

Your bedroom is your refuge from the world, so keeping it clean is a priority. Cleaning also helps reduce allergens that can lurk in the place you spend an average of eight hours a night. Clearing away any clutter and vacuuming the floors and carpets, including under the bed, is a good start. You’ll also want to wipe down surfaces such as nightstands, dressers and mirrors using a disinfecting cleaner and a microfiber cloth, Mitchell says.

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The quickest way to straighten up a bedroom is to make the bed, complete with freshly laundered linens. After all, sheets accumulate dirt, dead skin cells, body oils, sweat and dust mites, according to The Sleep Foundation. You’ll want to change and clean your bedding weekly, at minimum. Here's how:

Pro tip: Reach for oxygen bleach, not regular, to get yellow stains out of pillows, says Lori Williamson, founder of Now It's Clean. Those yellow stains are caused by sweat and are protein-based. "Bleach isn't the ideal solution, as it can cause further yellowing," she explains.

Just because mattresses are usually covered doesn't make them immune to stains or odors. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning your mattress. For general freshening up, Mitchell recommends doing the following on a monthly basis:

Pro tip: Every six months, flip your mattress to promote even wear.

Window treatments can also harbor dust and allergens. There are a number of ways to clean blinds, depending on the material. These steps work for most varieties:

Pro tip: Machine-wash or dry-clean drapes.

Living is messy, and this room shows it—with snack crumbs, pet hair, sundry papers and more. Keep it at its best with these tips.

Cleaning a couch not only makes it more pleasant to sit on, but it can also help it last longer too. How you clean depends on the material of your couch, so always read the labels for care instructions.

Pro tip: Some fabric sofas, including velvet, can benefit from a steam cleaning.

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Wood furniture such as end tables and bookshelves need regular dusting and should also get an occasional deep-clean to preserve the wood.

Pro tip: Furniture polish is generally not necessary, but you can wax wood once it's clean to help protect it. Apply the wax to clean wood using a microfiber cloth, then buff it in the direction of the wood grain.

TVs have gotten larger and larger over the years—ideal for streaming your favorite flick, but less so when it comes to cleaning. If your living room features a large-screen television, you might be surprised by the collection of smudges, streaks and fingerprints you can see when it's turned off. To make your TV smudge-free, follow these tips.

Pro tip: Remember to dust the TV cabinet if you have one, and give the remote a quick swipe with a disinfecting wipe.

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Windows can get surprisingly filthy, and that actually affects the quality of the light coming through them. Nothing says clean like a clear, shining windowpane.

Pro tip: Focus on cleaning one window at a time and spray as you go. According to Fisk, letting the solution dry on the window leads to streaks.

Dirt accumulates quickly on floors because of gravity: After all, everything ends up on the floor regardless of what room you’re in. How you clean a floor varies, depending on its material, and while vacuuming is generally a good first step to suck up loose debris, many surfaces require a more thorough technique.

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The No. 1 rule of laminate floors is to never get them too wet, because moisture can seep into the cracks between boards and cause damage. That's why you never want to spray products directly on a laminate floor.

Pro tip: Vinegar, while excellent for cleaning many things, is too abrasive for laminate floors, according to Clyde. If you want to use a natural cleaner, try Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner.

Not every tile floor is the same, but what usually makes them difficult to clean is the grout lines. Do these last, after the tile has been cleaned.

Pro tip: If regular cleaning doesn't clean stained grout, try a product that contains a touch of bleach, like Lysol's Mold and Mildew Remover.

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All the professional cleaning tips in the world won't help if you don't address some of the things that are getting your house dirty in the first place. Here are a few ways to ease your cleaning burden.

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Much of the dirt that enters a home is brought in by the people who live there. "Want to keep your floors cleaner? Take off your shoes when you enter the house," Amaro says. "Keep ‘house shoes’ by the door."

Making sure air vents are cleaned regularly and filters in heating, air conditioning units and air purifiers are clean can help cut down on allergens and dust. In the kitchen, making sure to run your exhaust fan while cooking can help reduce grease and odors.

"Keeping a clean home with pets requires a bit of extra effort," says Mitchell, "but it's worth it to maintain a healthy and hygienic living space with our furry friends." One of her favorite pet hair removers is a device called a ChomChom, which is kind of like a lint roller without the sticky paper. There are also specific kinds of vacuums for pet hair, and if you own one or more pets, it makes sense to invest in one. While pet hair tends to be a major issue, it's also important to be mindful that pets occasionally make messes, so keep some pet odor eliminators and pet stain removers handy.

By incorporating these habits into your routine, you can cut down on the time and energy you spend cleaning your space, and have more time to enjoy it.

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