The Importance of Deep Cleaning: When and Why You Should Consider It

You likely spend a fair amount of time vacuuming and mopping the floors, wiping down surfaces, washing dishes and trying to control that mountain of laundry. But general household cleaning chores only manage dirt on the surface.

Deep cleaning efforts can eliminate allergens and bacteria that lurk below the surface and can put your family’s health at risk. Deep cleaning focuses on all those neglected and hard-to-reach spots, like bathroom tile grout, soap scum on fixtures and the area behind appliances. On top of your regular cleaning routine, deep cleaning your home every three to six months can benefit your health, well-being and everyday comfort.

What Is a Deep Cleaning?

When comparing deep cleaning vs. standard cleaning, deep cleaning can be considered the next step to a clean home. Standard cleaning focuses on the basics, such as cleaning surfaces, vacuuming and mopping. The meticulous deep cleaning process can begin once you have tended to all the standard cleaning efforts.

Deep cleaning focuses on all the areas that regular cleaning chores miss. You should deep clean your house at least once per year, though you may want to do some tasks as frequently as once a month, especially if you have asthma or severe allergies.

Here’s a breakdown of deep cleaning chores for each room of your home.

The Bathroom

It’s no secret that bathrooms can harbor dangerous bacteria. Deep cleaning can help prevent gastrointestinal germs, enteric pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, dermatopathic fungi such as athlete’s foot and other residual fungi from making you sick.

While standard cleaning chores have you wiping bathroom surfaces and disinfecting the toilet, deep cleaning efforts focus on:

• Removing soap scum and limescale from faucets and fixtures.
• Cleaning shower doors, curtains and any mirrors.
• Disinfecting surfaces and scrubbing tile grout.
• Cleaning door frames and inside vanities.
• Cleaning and disinfecting the toilet base.

The Kitchen

Daily cooking can mean kitchens collect dirt and grime faster than any other area of a home. Besides maintaining an organized kitchen aesthetic, deep cleaning is essential for reducing dangerous germs, such as E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, shigella, hepatitis A and norovirus.

Standard cleaning should include washing dishes and mopping floors, while deep cleaning efforts include:

• Cleaning countertops.
• Cleaning appliance filters.
• Cleaning wall tiles or backsplash.
• Disinfecting knobs and light switches.
• Cleaning behind, beneath and inside appliances.
• Cleaning and disinfecting cabinets and tile grout.

General Living Spaces

Other parts of your home can also harbor dust, debris and bacteria. Deep cleaning can help catch any germs you may have brought from the kitchen or bathroom to other rooms, and remove bed bugs, fleas, dust mites, pet dander and other allergens from upholstered furniture, mattresses and carpeting.

The following deep cleaning practices can effectively eliminate these concerns.

• Cleaning inside window sills.
• Cleaning door frames and knobs.
• Wiping ceiling fans and light fixtures.
• Cleaning window blinds and curtains.
• Vacuuming and wet-vacuuming carpets.
• Dusting surfaces and decorative displays.
• Steam cleaning upholstery and mattresses.
• Cleaning and vacuuming upholstered furniture.

These meticulous tasks are the most effective way to eliminate germs and maintain a clean living environment.

The Advantages of Deep Cleaning Your Living Space

The importance of deep cleaning your home extends beyond maintaining a clean and tidy look — many advantages and health benefits are associated with more meticulous cleaning efforts.

Whether you are a homeowner or a tenant, you can expect these benefits from deep cleaning your house every few months.

• Reduce stress and fatigue: Deep cleaning eliminates clutter and mess that are known causes of everyday stress. Moreover, higher stress levels typically lead to fatigue.
• Relieve asthma and allergy symptoms: The impact of deep cleaning on reducing allergens and inflammation is substantial. If you suffer from asthma or allergies or have pets, deep cleaning your home can effectively remove allergens that can cause flare-ups and worsen your symptoms.
• Keep household pests away: Cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, ants and other pests are roommates you don’t want. Some of these pests can harm your health, and others can damage your property. Fortunately, deep cleaning helps keep them away.
• Keep fittings, fixtures and surfaces in good condition: Deep cleaning benefits your house by preserving the condition of surfaces, fittings and fixtures. Dirt and grime build-up can cause corrosion and other damage.

Deep Cleaning and Its Role in Health and Well-Being

The general condition of your living environment directly and significantly impacts your health and well-being.

A clean home reduces health hazards by preventing dust and allergens from circulating. Dust can contain dead skin cells, pollen, microplastics, pet dander, mold, viruses and bacteria. Breathing these daily can cause and worsen symptoms of asthma and allergies.

Keeping surfaces clean can also reduce health risks. Most people touch their faces frequently throughout the day, and cleaner surfaces can help prevent germs from transferring.

Routinely deep cleaning ensures that dust and germs don’t have a chance to colonize any area of your home. Indoor air quality will improve, reducing your risk of falling ill from common bathroom and kitchen bacteria.

Deep Cleaning Strategies and Solutions

Now that you have a better idea of the importance and benefits of deep cleaning your home, you might wonder if you should do it yourself or enlist a professional service.

Do-It-Yourself Deep Cleaning

If you have the time and the idea of breaking out your tiniest scrub brush and rolling up your sleeves appeals to you, learning how to deep clean your home can be worthwhile.

First, gather these essentials:

• A squeegee
• A spray bottle
• Rubber gloves
• A vacuum cleaner
• Cleaning products
• A broom and a mop
• Disinfectant products
• A plastic bucket or two
• Cleaning cloths and sponges
• A detail brush or an unused toothbrush

In addition to these essential supplies, you may want to rent or purchase a steam cleaner, carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner. This extra equipment makes cleaning and disinfecting carpets and upholstery easier, but you can still clean these items without a machine.

Once you have everything you need, work through each room of your home, paying close attention to every nook and cranny.

Enlisting the Experts: Rent Maids’ Professional Touch

Deep cleaning takes time and tons of effort. Fortunately, you can save time by enlisting the help of a professional service. With a professional service, you won’t need to invest in pricey cleaning equipment or worry about using it correctly. Rent Maids provides professional deep cleaning services in D.C. so that you can enjoy the benefits of deep cleaning your house without the stress of cleaning it yourself.

Contact Rent Maids to Deep Clean Your Home

Deep cleaning is essential to keeping a home clean and free of harmful germs. Even though you can do it yourself with the right cleaning supplies and equipment, Rent Maids will help you save more than just time. Book a one-time cleaning or schedule routine cleaning services to rid your schedule of chores altogether. Contact us today for residential deep cleaning services!