The living room is the heart of the house. Whether you want to have an uninterrupted rest after a long day at work, entertain some friends, or binge-watch the latest Netflix series, the living room is the place to be. With so much use, the living room is susceptible to generating dust and clutter. The WebMD names it the third germiest place in a house after the bathroom and kitchen. This is mainly because of the upholstery, which is a breeding ground for allergens and bacteria. The fabrics are exposed to unwashed hands, sneezes, and dirt from shoes and feet. Therefore, deep cleaning your living room shouldn’t be a 10-minute affair. The more rigorous your cleaning, the better the result. That’s where this article comes in.
Living Room Deep Cleaning Tools
The first step is assembling your weapons of warfare. Remember, this isn’t a 10-minute-quickie where you speed clean because your parents are coming over. The goal is to get tools that will allow you to clean nooks and crannies with ease. Most of these tools are also effective for tasks like kitchen deep cleaning.
Below are the must-have tools:
- Vacuum cleaner (preferably with attachments for different surfaces)
- Window cleaner (you can DIY it)
- Microfiber mop and bucket for hard floors
- All-purpose cleaner
- Scrub brushes and duster
- Carpet cleaner or extractor
- Gloves
- Baking soda in a shaker
- Wood cleaner/conditioner
- Microfiber cloths (both multipurpose and glass-only)
1. Gather Trash And Declutter The Living Room
Before you start deep cleaning, you should first declutter the room and remove trash. Decluttering is a great idea if you have energetic kids who tend to toss things everywhere or if a wild party leaves your room in disarray. Start by removing toys, video games, papers and clothes, utensils, clothes, books, and anything else that doesn’t belong in the living room. You should also collect all the trash.
This includes leftover foods you didn’t put in the fridge, unopened mail, and wrappers. Get rid of items you rarely use that take up space in your room. If you can’t gift them or find a use for them, tossing them out is better.
2. Dust The Living Room
This is where you bring your microfiber cloths into action. But be prepared to turn your living room upside down. You’ll have to remove all the books from the shelves, book jackets, wall decorations like pictures, and even the household ornaments and artwork scattered across the living room. Dust them thoroughly using the microfiber cloth or duster.
For electronics and devices, use a different cloth and wipe gently in one direction to avoid streak marks. Make the electronic cleaner using an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution. The solvent dissolves light oils, fingerprints, and flux residues, notorious in home electronics. Remember the air vents and window blinds. These areas gather dust quickly, so it’s wise to include them on your living room cleaning checklist.
3. Deep Clean Sofas (And Other Seats)
This is the step you bring in the vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment. You also need a cleaning solution of your choice. Just be sure to avoid using strong chemicals if you have pets or toddlers, as they could be affected. Start by vacuuming the sofas thoroughly. Place the upholstery under cushions and crevices to remove crumbs, pet hair, and dust.
Mix a cup of warm water with white vinegar in a spray can to remove hard stains. Gently dab the stain with a cloth, starting from the edges and moving inwards to prevent it from spreading. You’ll note odors from the chemicals used in the process. Baking soda works perfectly to get rid of the smell. Sprinkle it over the sofa and let it rest for half an hour before vacuuming it.
4. Re-arrange Your Sofas, Electronic Equipment And Coffee Table
Remember the last time you visited your friend and thought they bought new stuff, only to find they’ve changed the living room layout by moving it around? You can do the same while deep cleaning your living room. As you clean the nooks and crannies where you’ve placed your equipment, coffee tables, and sofas, this is an opportunity to change the layout of your living room.
You’ll not only clear dust from those tricky spots but also have the chance to reimagine your living room layout. Just ensure the new setup keeps the space accessible for cleaning and organizing in the future.
5. Clean The Walls
The walls are the most forgotten places when deep cleaning the living room. They quickly pick up dust and stains, especially if you have toddlers with sticky “Spider-Man” hands. The cleaning approach is the same whether cleaning a white or expensive wooden wall. Start by taking down any artwork or pictures from the walls. If there are cobwebs, use a broom to sweep them away. An extendable duster can help you reach those high corners with ease. Once done, the next step involves using a microfiber cloth or sponge. Soak them in warm water and gently rub the walls.
Use a product like a magic eraser to clean tough stains from the wall. They work well, removing tough stains without compromising the wall paint. Cleaning walls in the living room can also be applied to other rooms in the house. Whether it’s bathroom deep cleaning to tackle stubborn mildew or kitchen deep cleaning to remove grease stains, a consistent approach keeps every room spotless.
Conclusion
Deep cleaning of the living room is a tiring process. But you don’t have to wait till it looks like a dumpsite before you take action. It’s recommended that you take a “little but often” approach. This can be a daily 10-minute cleaning of the “seen areas.” You can also advise your household members to be wary anytime they’re in the living room. They can wipe spills as soon as they occur and ensure the place is always tidy. But as I said earlier, a 10-minute quickie can’t keep the living room spotless for long. Dedicate at least one day per week where you go all in with a thorough, deep clean.