Your house should be one of the few places that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed when entering it after a long day at work or school. Your home should also be a place where your family feels welcome and can relax, which can only happen if you have a clean living room.
Cleaning up small messes throughout the week like dust on surfaces spills on rugs, or crumbs around furniture can make all the difference between an organized space and a clutter-filled disaster area.
Your living room is the heart of your home, where people relax after they come back from work or school. It should stay organized and clutter-free in order to ensure everyone there feels safe and comfortable.
But what happens when all of this comes to an end? The only thing left behind were your kids’ toys, piles of clothes thrown on top of the couch, magazines scattered across the coffee table, and empty pizza boxes piled up next to it all. We’ve collected some deep cleaning tips on how to clean your living room and look new again in no time!
Vacuum your carpets to remove dirt and dust
First, you’ll need a vacuum cleaner for the carpets and rugs for your living room cleaning. This will remove any dirt or dust that accumulates over time. A good rule of thumb is that it needs to be vacuumed if you walk on something with your shoes.
If the carpet has a lot of dust and pet hair, you can sprinkle some baby powder or baking soda on it and then vacuum. This will help remove any smells as well as excess dirt. If there are any stains on your carpets, you can use a cleaning solution to gently scrub away those too! When using any kind of cleaning solution, you must follow the manufacturer’s directions as well as be wary of what it might do to your furnishings.
Vacuum slowly to clean every area. Try not to miss any spots, especially crevices or corners, because that’s where dirt and grime like to gather. It is more effective to use two slow passes rather than many fast ones to eliminate ground-in dirt. Make sure you vacuum your couch as well using your handheld vacuum!
The next step is to do a quick dusting of the most commonly touched surfaces. If you have wood furniture or glass furniture tops, for example, damp microfiber cloth for cleaning. This will not only pick up any surface grime that might be there but also prevent scratches and other damage from occurring because of overzealous dusting.
Get rid of clutter around the house
Once you’ve removed as much dirt as possible from your living room, it’s time to bag up any old clothes that are lying around or in the laundry basket. Throw away or donate anything that is damaged beyond repair. If there are clothes on the floor or other debris, start by picking them up.
Fold all the clean clothes and put them away in their proper place.
Next, gather up books lying around your house and stack them neatly together on shelves or tables for easy access. If you have magazines lying around, go through and recycle or trash the ones you don’t want to keep.
Clean the couch with a damp cloth and soap
If you have upholstered furniture, it’s best to clean them with a damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner. Scrub the surface using a soft-bristled brush or sponge in small circular motions for a deep clean. Rinse off the residue with cold water, then let the fabric air dry before applying carpet cleaner to remove any stubborn stains.
Next, clean the cushions by placing them in a large basin or bucket filled with warm water and liquid detergent. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, then drain and rinse. If you want to keep the fabric dry while it’s air-drying, just flip or rotate the cushions so that they don’t stay wet.
After the fabric has dried, apply an appropriate cleaner over the entire surface of the upholstery. Take note it should be safe to use on that type of material, and you should check for colorfastness first before proceeding with the application.
Once everything is done, allow it to dry and apply a fresh coat of stain protector. This treatment will prevent the furniture from any spills or dirt, so you can keep your home clean and tidy for at least a bit longer before having to do the cleaning all over again.
Wash down the walls with warm water and soap to remove any dirt or dust
After you clean your living room, wipe down the top and sides of your walls with a damp cloth. Be careful not to let excess water drip onto your floor since it could cause damage to the paint or baseboards. If any dirt stains on the wall need further attention, run warm soap water over them using a sponge, then scrub the areas until the stains are gone.
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Keeping your wall clean is essential for maximizing the appearance of your paint job. Letting dirt accumulate on the wall will cause it to be dull over time. It can also cause an asthma attack or other breathing problems if the walls are filled with dirt or mold, so be sure to wipe down your walls every few months.
Wash windows inside and out for an extra shine
Now that your walls and furniture are sparkling, it’s time to brighten up your windows and clean windowsills. If there is dirt or grime on the glass, start by spraying a solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid on the surface.
Before spraying your solution, use a soft, clean, lint-free microfiber cloth or paper towel to dust off the glass. Allow it to dry, then apply a fresh coat of glass cleaner before buffing away any streaks.
If you want to go the extra mile, use newspaper instead of paper towels for an improved shine! This is especially helpful if the weather forecast calls for rain since it will prevent your beautiful windows from getting all streaky again.
If you have a very dirty window, this trick will also save you from having to do a full-blown washdown. Just be sure to test your window cleaner first before scrubbing any stains off since some papers might contain ink that could damage the glass when set with a liquid solvent.
Clean windows not only provide a brighter view but also enhance the look of your home.
Dust off light fixtures
There is nothing more embarrassing than turning on a ceiling fan and having large chunks of dust fall down on your guest’s head. Use this living room cleaning time to dust down the fan and fan blades.
For hard-to-reach areas, use a microfiber cloth to remove any dust. If your light fixtures are delicate, be sure to use the right cleaner for them instead of using household cleaners. Also, try to avoid using paper towels since they can leave lint.
Once everything is dusted and shiny, it’s time to turn our attention to corners. This could mean light switches, as well as the edges of the flooring and walls. If you want a spotless home, make sure these areas are as clean as possible. You can use angled dusters or microfiber cloth.
Add an air freshener to make it smell fresh and clean
This last step is optional, but it’s still important. If your home starts to smell dirty even though you just cleaned it, don’t despair! Just place some air fresheners or scented candles around the house to make everything smell nice and clean again. It might not be a substitute for a full-blown cleaning session, but it can help cover up any unpleasant odors.
If you have a pet, try to place the air fresheners away from their reach since they could be dangerous to their health if ingested accidentally.
To keep your home smelling lovely every single day, invest in an air purifier or dehumidifier instead of relying on scented candles or air fresheners. They’re a bit more expensive, but they make a world of difference if you want to create a healthy environment for your loved ones at home.
FAQ:
How long should it take to clean a living room?
This depends on how much time you have, how clean you want your living room to look, and what kind of living room you have. If it has a high density of furniture or decorations that need dusting off, it might take quite some time for you to get the job done, especially if it’s quite messy already.
If you just want to quickly remove any cobwebs, it might take as little as 30 minutes. It all depends on what you want to do and how much time you have.
How often should I deep clean my house?
As frequently as you can, you can do it at least once a week, even if you have to sacrifice your weekends to sneak it in there at one point or another during the month. If you are too busy to clean each week thoroughly, aim for three times per month instead of 1 time per month – at least get the surfaces cleaned then. If you can manage four times a month, that is ideal.
What should I clean first?
Sometimes it’s best to start at the top of your Living Room and work down – starting with the overhead lights/fans and working towards the floor – this way, you won’t forget to dust or wipe any surfaces before they’re obscured by furniture.
Follow whichever approach works best for you, but make sure you don’t neglect any of the most visible surfaces in your Living Room.
When should I wash my rugs, carpets, and furniture?
If you’ve accumulated some tough dirt or stains, it’s best to wash them as soon as possible. If you can’t do this, aim to clean them once every 2-3 months (or longer if your Living Room doesn’t get much foot traffic).
Washing them while they’re still dirty or still fresh stains will ensure that these residues don’t become entrenched in the fibers.
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