I have a confession to make: I’m 40 years old and I’m not good at cleaning my own home. Of course, I am a neat and orderly person. But really get into the weeds of it? I’m a bit at a loss. I’m not sure what cleaning products to use where, what to do with the ceiling fan to keep the dust from flying all over my face, or how to properly remove stains from the carpet.
There are several reasons for this. First, I just generally don’t like doing housework; I’d rather spend my time doing something more interesting. And since I’m typically a clean person, these messes don’t quickly pile up in a noticeable way. Second, I have a house cleaner. She’s better at cleaning than I am, and I’d rather have a professional do it so I can focus on other things.
That being said, we are trying to have a baby so I know I won’t always be able to afford a cleaner. That means I’m going to have to start figuring these things out — and that seems like a monumental task.
If you’re in a similar position of having to learn how to clean properly, you’re in luck. I spoke with a few experts to share a beginner’s guide to cleaning your home. Remember, however, that cleaning doesn’t look the same for everyone. All people start at different skill levels and with different knowledge. Some people have never learned because an adult in their life never taught them, or they have dealt with a mental illness that affects the cleanliness of their home. The reasons you don’t know how to clean are endless — and there’s no shame in that.
No matter where you are on your cleaning journey, this guide is the perfect place to start.
Dip your toes in by hitting up some virtual resources for cleaning inspiration. You can watch TikToks or Instagram Reels of people getting organized, like me. Delah Gomasi, CEO and director of MaidForYou, is turning to Reddit and YouTube.
“YouTube channels like ‘clean my space’ and subreddits like r/cleaningtips and/homemaking are forums I often use to try out the latest and greatest cleaning tips and tricks to add to our standard operating procedures,” she says.
And remember to start slow, says cleaning expert and CEO of Empathy First Media, Audrey Boyce. You don’t have to dive right into deep cleaning. Start with a small space and see how it goes, then expand to a week or a month. Also spend some time in the store, looking at the labels of different cleaning products. It’s the best way to learn which cleaner to use where.
Why you have to clear yourself first
Before you begin your deep cleansing journey, you’ll want to cleanse. Don’t worry – you just have to put things away and get rid of the things you don’t want to keep. And that simplicity makes a world of difference.
“When you have excess, it’s hard to create a ‘home’ for all the things in your house,” says Katie Barton, head of cleaning at Homedit. “Storing extra stuff means extra cleaning. Make it a routine to go through the house on cleaning day and get rid of things you don’t like, need or want.”
Removing it will also make the cleaning process easier in general. “With a lot of clutter, you’ll spend more time dealing with the mess than actually cleaning it,” says Boyce. Plus, it’ll help clear your mind and improve your mood, adds Aaron Christensen, cleaning expert and VP of growth at Homeaglow. And don’t wait to do it until your once-a-year spring or fall cleaning. By that point, it will be too overwhelming. Try to clean things up a little every day.
Spaces for instant gratification
When I first started decluttering my home, I learned a trick that keeps me going: use spaces for instant gratification. Start with a super easy place to clean, then make one more complicated, then another super simple and keep going. Boyce recommends starting with a small space like a laundry room, guest bathroom or closet because it will “motivate you to keep going and tackle bigger spaces.” For Christensen, the best place to start is a high-traffic area like a kitchen or bathroom, especially when it comes to cleaning and wiping down counters. Barton suggests the living room, as it tends not to have as many surfaces to clean. Look around your space and see which places are easiest to clean and work them into your schedule.
The best way to make sure you stick to cleaning regularly is to make it a habit or routine. Make it something natural, like brushing your teeth every morning, to make sure your home is always nice and tidy. It can also have mental health benefits.
“Regular cleaning always relieves the stress of heavy cleaning, and a clean space for me means a mind that is free from too many distractions,” says Gomasi.
Barton says that, at the very least, you’ll want to do some daily tasks, like taking out the trash and washing the dishes. Leave the weekends (or another day that works) for larger tasks such as dusting, washing sheets, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, sweeping and mopping. Then every month you do things like clean windows and baseboards and dust light fixtures and ceiling fans. There are also cleaning tasks that need to be done seasonally, such as cleaning or replacing the filters on your HVAC system.
What you will need for cleaning
Here are the supplies you’ll need and the steps to start cleaning.