10 Tips for Cleaning Your Whole House in a Day

Updated: Feb. 22, 2024

Your home needs a good cleaning but you're unsure where to start. It is possible to clean your entire home in just one day, you just need to stay focused and complete tasks in a certain order. Here are 10 tips for cleaning your house in just one day.

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dishes
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Start with Dishes and Laundry

If you need to wash your curtains or bed linens, get them all in the washing machine so they can get cleaned while you work on the rest of the house. If you have dirty dishes in the sink, get those cleaned up and start the dishwasher while you tackle other rooms. Try these 13 laundry tips for hard-to-wash items.

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dust
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Clean from the Top Down

Now it’s time to start dusting. Start up high and work down. Clean ceiling fan blades, dust high shelves and then get the lower areas last. This will make it so the dirt and grime from above doesn’t get all over surfaces you’ve already cleaned. Go from one room to the next. These 39 cleaning tips will make your home shine.

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box
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Banish Clutter

While you work on dusting shelves and the tops of tables, now is the time to clear clutter. Put away items as you go and toss items you no longer need. Designate a box for items you can donate or plan to save for a garage sale. Here are a few apartment cleaning tips.

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scrub
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Tackle the Bathrooms

If you have more than one bathroom, it’s easier to clean them one after the other, instead of doing other rooms in between. Spray counters with disinfectant, the tub and the toilet with cleaner and wipe them all down. Clean the mirrors and wipe down the walls, if needed. These 13 tricks will help you clean your bathroom quickly.

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spray
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Clean the Kitchen

Clear off all the kitchen counters and wipe them down using a disinfectant. Don’t forget to clean the sink and wipe down cabinets and appliances. Here are 11 tips that will make your kitchen sparkle.

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fridge
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Clean Out the Fridge

Remove all contents of the refrigerator. Using hot, soapy water, wipe down all the shelves, drawers and handles. Pull out drawers and shelves if needed to better clean all the crevices. Clean a stinky fridge with these simple tips.

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vacuum
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Clean Furniture

Now it’s time to get out the vacuum. Using an upholstery attachment, vacuum all your upholstered furniture. For wood or wicker furniture, use a rag and just wipe them down. Check out these simple ways to clean your home fast.

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mop
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Tackle the Floors

Vacuum all carpeted areas of your home. Sweep where needed, including under furniture and in tight corners. Move furniture if needed to vacuum and clean behind. Mop the kitchen and bathroom, along with any other room that requires mopping. Try these tips for cleaning floors: Wood, tile, carpet and everything else.

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laundry
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Tidy the Laundry and Mudroom

Head to the laundry room and toss any old products or empty containers. Clean out the dryer’s lint trap if needed. Organize shelves and cupboards. If you have a mudroom laundry room, organize that area as well. Discover why deep cleaning leads to deep satisfaction.

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power washer
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Finish Outside

Tidy up the deck or patio. Wipe down furniture with hot and soapy water. Pick up any toys if needed and put them away in the garage. Power wash or hose off surfaces. Give the garage or shed a once over to see if there’s anything that needs to be tossed or put back in its place. Here are a few tips to help you spend less time cleaning.