Proper house cleaning is a lengthy and strenuous task, and not everyone has the time for it. Moreover, with workdays extending far beyond the regular nine-to-five norm, little time is left in which one can undertake house care, laundry, meal preparation, and so many other day-to-day tasks.
This is where your cleaning business comes in. It is important to remember that house cleaning is a far more extensive process than commercial cleaning. To provide the best possible service, here are some house cleaning checklists to help you fulfil all cleaning tasks
Standard Cleaning Tasks
Most cleaning businesses offer standard cleaning services, the purpose of which is to keep the house spick and span without much deep cleaning or tidying involved.
We have divided the house cleaning checklist into multiple parts so that no areas are left untouched.
Living Room Cleaning Checklist
People are generally quite particular about the cleaning standards of their living rooms, and rightfully so. Whether one has company over or simply wants to come home to a clean house, the living room makes the first impression.
Here is a list of things to keep in mind while cleaning the living room.
- Dry-sweep and mop floors with a wet mop extensively, removing any mud marks and stains on the tiles
- Vacuum all the doormats and rugs
- In the case of carpeting, a thorough vacuuming would get the job done
- In the case of carpeting, a thorough vacuuming would get the job done
- Upholstered furniture should also be vacuumed
- Dust baseboards, chair rails, doorknobs, shelves, and any other available surfaces before mopping and vacuuming the floors
- A microfibre cloth and cleaning spray should be used to wipe off marks and prints from all glass surfaces.
- Clean the windowpanes, if any, along with the window sills and dust blinds
- Also, clean the decorative pieces, for example, picture frames
Most professional cleaners do not include tidying up in the standard cleaning packages. However, when it comes to the living room, the major mess is naturally put in order during the cleaning process.
Bedroom Cleaning Checklist
Although not that different from the living room, the bedroom cleaning checklist is much more nuanced. Let’s see how.
- Dry-sweep and mop floor with a wet mop if the bedroom is uncarpeted
- Vacuum the doormat and rugs
- If carpeted, vacuum the floor
- Dust the bedside tables, the bed frame, the dressing table, and any other available surfaces
- Clean the mirror
- Vacuum all the upholstery
- Clean the window
Tidying up and changing the linens is not essentially a part of the standard packages. However, many customers avail this service as an add-on for the sake of convenience.
In case the customer has requested it:
- Remove the bed covers and clean up the bedding
- Change sheets and make sure to use fresh bed covers
- Fluff the pillows
Moreover, some customers prefer to hand over their own checklist, especially when it comes to bedrooms and bathrooms. The cleaning package is altered accordingly.
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
The bathroom cleaning checklist understandably deviates from regular cleaning. In addition to that, extra cleaning supplies are required to clean bathrooms properly.
Here is a list of what needs to be done in standard cleaning:
- Mop floors with a wet mop
- Also, use a good disinfectant floor cleaner
- Clean and disinfect all countertops and wet surfaces
- Use a grout cleaner for the toilet bowl and sink, let it rest for a few minutes, scrub it clean, and then wash it with warm water
- Clean the grease from the shower tiles
- Use a good all-purpose cleaner and a microfibre cloth to clean the shower glass, mirror, and any other shiny surface.
Some cleaning business owners who wish to expand the reach of their business also offer laundry services. However, these come with extra charges.
In case the customers request laundry services:
- Empty the laundry basket
- Sort the clothes by colour
- Wash them with detergent and then use a fabric softener
- Iron the clothes
- Fold them up neatly in the allotted space
Since bathrooms require more sanitization, the cleaning products you use must have disinfectant properties.
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
As with the bathroom cleaning products, the kitchen products should also have disinfectant properties to ensure proper sanitization.
Here is your standard kitchen cleaning checklist.
- Clean and disinfect the kitchen floors with a wet mop and disinfectant floor cleaners.
- Using an all-purpose cleaner, wipe all shiny services, cabinet fronts, and countertops clean
- Remove spots and stains from all glass surfaces.
- Use a grout cleaner to clean the sink and surrounding area
- Wash any kitchen towels you see with warm water
- Use a stove cleaner to clean the stove drip pans, burner grates, and control knobs
- Empty the bins and replace their linings
Some customers prefer not to hand over the dishes to the cleaning company, no matter how professional. However, still, it is better the service is offered, and in case the customer avails it:
- Clean the dishwasher
- Load the dishwasher with the dirty dishes
- Dry and arrange the dishes in the proper racks and the cabinets
Deep Cleaning Checklist
Standard cleaning tasks do not include extensive cleaning of all fixtures and such. In addition to that, house cleaning checklists differ depending on whether standard or deep cleaning is required.
A deep clean is carried out usually on special occasions or on a quarterly or half-yearly basis. Some people even prefer to do it from year to year. It includes cleaning under the furniture, around light fixtures and ceiling fans, and, as the name suggests, in all the regularly inaccessible places.
The house cleaning checklist, in this case, is a bit different. However, this list will tell you exactly what a deep clean entails.
- Hard floors should be lathered and scrubbed with disinfectant
- Make sure there is no mud or grease between the adjacent tiles
- Vacuum, wash and dry the carpets to get rid of all the dust, mud, and stains
- All doormats and rugs should be cleaned the same way
- Dust all the lamps, light fixtures, and ceiling fans
- Scrub all shelves, cabinet fronts, and any other hard surfaces with appropriate cleaners
- Clean inside the cabinets and get rid of all cobwebs and dust
- Dust the couch cushions and wash their covers
- Dust and vacuum any upholstered furniture
- Move the furniture and clean both the hard floor and carpeting beneath it
- Get rid of any webs and dust on the walls
- Wash the curtains if feasible; otherwise, vacuum them
However, it must be noted that before you start to deep clean carpets and curtains, the initial cleaning routine is the same as standard cleaning. Make sure everything is spick and span from the inside as well as the outside.
Holiday Cleaning Checklist
The cleaning job tends to become a bit more hectic during the holiday season. Everyone wants a professional cleaning done before the guests arrive, and some want it done once everyone leaves.
But exactly what does holiday cleaning mean? The holiday house cleaning checklist is a mix between standard cleaning and deep cleaning.
- Clean the floors and carpets as you would regularly
- Remove the carpets if instructed to prevent staining from spills
- Properly seal countertops and shelves after cleaning
- Clear away any excessive holiday decor lying around
- Clean the sofas and couches and cover them if required
- Thoroughly clean the kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator and microwave
However, it must be noted that before you start to deep clean carpets and curtains, the initial cleaning routine is the same as standard cleaning. Make sure everything is spick and span from the inside as well as the outside.
Building a Good Cleaning Schedule
Building the right schedule requires a game plan. But, more importantly, for business owners, it is important to figure out the frequency with which customers require a cleaning service and structure their cust deals and personal checklist accordingly.
People with big houses and bulky furniture usually do not get regular deep cleaning done. Neither do people with small, open-plan houses and minimal furniture. For each residence and set-up, deals could be structured that include regular standard cleaning with deep cleaning at regular intervals suited to the living conditions.
The Bottom Line
Keeping one’s home clean is not an easy job. This makes the home cleaning service high in demand, especially by working long hours and living alone.
Cleaners also have a duty to do their job with perfection and integrity. Homes require care and maintenance, and it is your job to provide it. We hope this checklist helps you keep all the things that need seeing to in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Have some questions about your cleaning business, see below for some commonly ask questions
The supplies you need include all varieties of chemical and physical cleaners, along with transportation services to make mobility easier. Moreover, uniforms for professional workers and adequate protective gear are also needed.
Cleaning is a smart business idea to peruse, owing to great demand and manageable starting costs. Very successful business owners even make up to $100,000 a year. However, it varies with the scale of the business.
Starting a business is not easy work. However, given the low capital investment and effort required in the field of cleaning, all you need to do is follow a few steps to get your business up and running.
