As spring arrives in London, bringing longer days and renewed energy, it's the perfect time to give your home a thorough deep clean. After months of closed windows, indoor heating, and winter dirt, a comprehensive spring clean can transform your living space and provide a fresh start for the new season.
At Mises Affid Cleaning Services, we've refined our deep cleaning approach over years of professional experience. This guide shares our room-by-room cleaning process, professional techniques, and time-saving tips to help you achieve a thorough spring clean that will leave your home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Preparing for Your Spring Deep Clean
Get Organised First
Before diving into cleaning tasks, set yourself up for success:
- Create a cleaning schedule - Break your deep clean into manageable sections. Consider tackling one room per day rather than attempting the entire house at once.
- Gather supplies - Having everything ready prevents interruptions. Our professional cleaning toolkit includes:
- Microfibre cloths (various colours for different tasks)
- Extendable duster for high areas
- Glass cleaning cloths
- Scrub brushes of various sizes
- Vacuum with attachments
- Mop and bucket
- Step ladder for reaching high areas
- Appropriate cleaning solutions for different surfaces
- Protective gloves
- Declutter before deep cleaning - You'll achieve better results by removing excess items first. Set aside time to sort through belongings and create donate, store, and discard piles.
The Top-to-Bottom Approach
Professional cleaners always work from top to bottom in a room, and for good reason: dust and debris naturally fall downward. Start with ceiling corners, light fixtures, and the tops of furniture, then work your way down to floor level. This prevents you from having to clean lower surfaces twice.
Room-by-Room Deep Cleaning Guide
Kitchen Deep Clean
The kitchen typically requires the most intensive cleaning effort due to food preparation, cooking residues, and heavy use.
Appliances
- Refrigerator:
- Remove all items and discard expired food
- Take out removable shelves and drawers to wash in warm, soapy water
- Wipe interior surfaces with a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda in 1 litre of warm water
- Clean door seals with a toothbrush dipped in the same solution
- Vacuum refrigerator coils (usually located at the back or underneath)
- Clean the exterior, paying special attention to handles and the top surface
- Oven:
- Remove racks and soak in hot, soapy water
- For a natural approach, make a paste with baking soda and water
- Apply paste throughout oven interior (avoiding heating elements)
- Leave overnight, then wipe away with a damp cloth
- For stubborn residue, spray with vinegar to create a foaming reaction that loosens grime
- Clean the oven door glass on both sides
- Scrub racks before returning them to the oven
- Microwave:
- Place a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons vinegar inside
- Heat for 5 minutes to create steam that loosens dried-on food
- Wipe interior surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth
- Remove and wash the turntable plate
- Clean exterior surfaces and controls
- Dishwasher:
- Remove and clean the filter (usually located at the bottom)
- Wipe around the door seal with a damp cloth
- Run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar
- Clean exterior and controls
- Small appliances: Unplug and thoroughly clean toasters, kettles, blenders, and coffee machines according to manufacturer instructions. Descale items that come in contact with water.
Surfaces and Storage
- Cabinets:
- Empty one section at a time, discarding expired or unused items
- Vacuum interiors to remove crumbs and dust
- Wipe shelves with a damp cloth and mild cleaning solution
- Pay special attention to handles and areas around them
- For wooden cabinets, finish with an appropriate wood cleaner
- Countertops:
- Clear everything off the surfaces
- Clean using an appropriate cleaner for your countertop material (different solutions for granite, quartz, laminate, etc.)
- Pay special attention to seams and backsplash areas
- For stains on stone surfaces, use a poultice specifically designed for stone care
- Sink and taps:
- Scrub the sink with an appropriate cleaner (stainless steel, porcelain, or composite)
- For stainless steel, buff in the direction of the grain for extra shine
- Clean around the rim and drain
- Remove limescale from taps using lemon juice or a vinegar solution
- Polish taps after cleaning
- Clean the drain by pouring baking soda followed by vinegar, waiting 30 minutes, then flushing with hot water
Finishing Touches
- Sweep and mop the floor, moving appliances where possible to clean underneath
- Clean light fixtures and switch plates
- Wash windows and window treatments
- Wipe down bin inside and out
- Launder kitchen textiles like tea towels and oven mitts
Bathroom Deep Clean
Bathrooms require special attention to sanitise surfaces and address moisture-related issues like mould and limescale.
Fixtures
- Shower and bathtub:
- Remove all personal items
- Spray surfaces with bathroom cleaner, allowing it to work for the recommended time
- For shower doors, use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water to cut through soap scum
- Scrub grout lines with an old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water
- For stubborn mould on silicone sealant, apply a mould remover following product instructions
- Rinse thoroughly and dry all surfaces to prevent water spots
- Toilet:
- Apply toilet cleaner under the rim and leave to work
- Clean the exterior from top to bottom, paying special attention to the base and behind the toilet
- Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush
- Disinfect the flush handle, which is often overlooked
- Remove the toilet seat if necessary to clean both sides thoroughly
- Sink and vanity:
- Clear all items from the vanity
- Clean the sink basin, tap, and surrounding areas
- Address any limescale build-up on taps
- Wipe down vanity surfaces and handles
- Clean underneath the sink area and organise storage
Surfaces and Details
- Clean mirrors with a glass cleaner or vinegar solution
- Wash tile walls and floor, paying special attention to grout
- Replace or wash shower curtains and bath mats
- Clean extractor fan cover (remove, wash, and replace)
- Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces like light switches and door handles
- Dust and clean light fixtures
- Empty and clean bins
Bedroom Deep Clean
Creating a clean, dust-free sleeping environment can improve sleep quality and reduce allergens.
Bedding and Textiles
- Strip the bed completely, including mattress protectors
- Launder all bedding according to care instructions
- Vacuum the mattress thoroughly on both sides
- Spot clean any stains on the mattress
- Consider using a mattress freshener (baking soda sprinkled on, left for an hour, then vacuumed off)
- Rotate or flip the mattress if recommended by the manufacturer
- Wash or dry clean curtains and blinds
- Launder washable throw pillows and blankets
Furniture
- Move the bed to clean underneath
- Empty drawers and wardrobes, vacuum interiors, and wipe surfaces
- Dust headboards, including any fabric components
- Clean bedside tables, focusing on areas where drinks may have left rings
- Dust lamps, picture frames, and decorative items
- Use appropriate wood, glass, or fabric cleaners for different furniture materials
- Polish wooden furniture if appropriate
Finishing Touches
- Vacuum carpets or clean hard floors
- Dust light fixtures, ceiling fan blades, and air vents
- Clean windows, sills, and tracks
- Wipe down doors, handles, and light switches
- Consider a fabric refresher spray for chairs, headboards, or other upholstered items
Living Areas Deep Clean
Living rooms and common areas collect dust and typically contain a variety of surfaces that need special care.
Furniture and Upholstery
- Remove cushions from sofas and vacuum underneath
- Vacuum upholstery using appropriate attachments
- Spot clean stains following fabric care guidelines
- Dust and polish wooden furniture
- Clean glass table tops with a streak-free solution
- Move furniture to clean underneath when possible
- Sanitise remote controls and other frequently touched items
Entertainment and Electronics
- Dust televisions with a microfibre cloth (never spray liquids directly onto screens)
- Clean speaker surfaces, being careful with delicate components
- Organise and dust media storage areas
- Wipe down gaming consoles
- Tidy and label cables where possible
- Clean vents on electronic equipment to prevent overheating
Decorative Elements
- Dust and clean picture frames
- Wash or dust artificial plants
- Clean lamp bases and shades
- Dust bookshelves and organise books
- Clean vases, candle holders, and other decorative items
- Vacuum or clean soft furnishings like throws and cushions
Finishing Touches
- Vacuum carpets, using crevice tools for edges
- Clean hard floors with appropriate methods
- Wash windows and clean treatments (blinds, curtains)
- Dust ceiling corners, light fixtures, and ceiling fans
- Clean air vents and replace filters if needed
- Wipe down skirting boards
Often Forgotten Areas
A truly comprehensive deep clean includes these frequently overlooked spots:
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans - Dust accumulates heavily here
- Door frames and tops of doors - Use an extendable duster
- Switch plates and door handles - These collect oils from hands
- Baseboards/skirting boards - Dust these with a microfibre cloth or vacuum attachment
- Window tracks - Clean with an old toothbrush and vacuum
- Inside of bins - Wash with disinfectant
- Vents and radiators - Use a vacuum with brush attachment followed by wiping
- Under and behind furniture - Move pieces to access these dust-collecting areas
- Inside kitchen appliances - Don't forget toaster crumb trays, microwave turntables, etc.
- Washing machine and dishwasher - Run cleaning cycles and clean filters
Deep Cleaning Tips from the Professionals
Work Efficiently
- Use a caddy or basket to carry supplies between rooms
- Follow a systematic approach rather than jumping between tasks
- Tackle one room at a time for a sense of accomplishment
- Set a timer for focused cleaning periods with short breaks
Professional Techniques
- The S-pattern technique - When wiping surfaces, use an S-shaped motion to ensure you're not redepositing dirt
- Two-bucket method - One bucket with cleaning solution, one with clean rinse water
- Microfibre colour coding - Use different coloured cloths for different areas to prevent cross-contamination
- Pre-treating - Allow cleaning products sufficient contact time before wiping
Post-Clean Maintenance
After completing your spring deep clean, implement these habits to maintain results:
- Create a regular cleaning schedule with daily, weekly, and monthly tasks
- Address spills and messes immediately rather than letting them set
- Implement a "clean as you go" approach, especially in the kitchen
- Consider a shoes-off policy to reduce dirt tracked into the home
- Keep cleaning supplies easily accessible for quick touch-ups
When to Call the Professionals
While this guide covers a comprehensive DIY deep clean, some situations benefit from professional expertise:
- Time constraints making a full deep clean impractical
- Physical limitations that make certain cleaning tasks difficult
- Specialised surfaces requiring expert care
- Persistent issues like mould or deep carpet stains
- Post-renovation or construction cleaning
- End of tenancy cleaning where deposit returns depend on cleaning quality
At Mises Affid Cleaning Services, our professional deep cleaning service covers all of the above tasks and more, with the benefit of trained staff, professional equipment, and specialist products. Whether you tackle your spring clean yourself or call in the experts, the result will be a fresher, healthier home ready for the warmer months ahead.