I am not sure about you but while I am putting away my Christmas decor in early January I have the urge to go even further and deep clean the whole house. I get that urge again in the spring and fall. And while it can be overwhelming to think about, it doesn't have to be a difficult chore.
I have partnered with HomeRight to giveaway one of my favorite cleaning tools ever, the STEAM MACHINE. But before we get to the giveaway, I wanted to share some tips and a check list for deep cleaning your home.
TIPS:
*Just like the analogy about eating the elephant (eww, who came up with that anyway?), don't look at your home and think it all has to be done all at once. I always take one room at a time.
*I try to start at the top and work my way down. And yes, I scrub my ceilings. Luckily for me we have 8 foot ceilings in the whole house. We get fly specks and spider webs on them and in the kitchen it can even be a little greasy.
*Enlist some help! Sometimes I prefer to clean alone but now that my kids are getting older I have them do quite a bit. Figure out what jobs are appropriate for the age of each child and give them assignments. Ideally at our house we deep clean on a Saturday morning. One child is in charge of keeping my 3 year old happy, one child is with me in one room and the other child is with my husband in another room. Two rooms get done at once and the youngest is happy. We rotate kids on half hour basis.
*And I ALWAYS play music. I have found I get my kids to work longer if I have fun music playing. And let's be honest, I work longer too :)
Here are the cleaners I use at my house:
Vinegar, Goo Gone, Basic H, Thieves oil (mixed with water in a spray bottle), Magic Eraser, Baking Soda, Clorox wipes, Dawn, Lemons or lemon juice, Fish Foam, and Bleach
Now let me tell you a little story about myself.... I use to use bleach on everything. EVERYTHING. I was a bleach-aholic due to the fact that I was a HUGE germaphobe. Before I started blogging I spent a good chunk of everyday (the time I now use building my business) on cleaning. In my mind, unless I used bleach, the germs didn't die.
I have come along way. I credit having this blog as a big reason I have calmed the heck down. I have something else to focus my time on. I have also been introduced to other ways of cleaning that are better. Now bleach is still pictured because I still do use it on occasion. I use it with laundry, I put it down smelly drains, and a few other things. But I don't go through jugs the way I use to.
Alright, let's go room to room shall we?
All of the House:
These are things all if not most of your rooms will have in common.
*Air vents. Our air returns get marbles, Legos, crackers, and other small objects in them as well as dust. I remove the covers, take out the bigger stuff, then vacuum out the dust. Sometimes I even wipe them out. The heat vents also get vacuumed out. I stick the shop vac hose down as far as it will go.
*I wash the walls with either cleaning wipes or sudsy wet rag. I am always amazed at how much dust can accumulate on the walls. And if you have kids, smudges, food, and other...um...things can be there.
* Windows.... Confession: I have never washed the outside of my windows aside from hosing them off. But we do wash them on the inside. My boys fight over who gets to wash them because they all love using Fish Foam. If you have kids, you know how quickly windows get fingerprints and smudges. Don't forget the window sills and window tracks. The steam machine works great in the tracks. It is great for any crevice actually.
* Curtains, draperies, and blinds will need to be taken down and washed (or dry cleaned). I take my blinds down and either soak them in the tub or spray them off in the shower. Then I let them air dry before hanging them back up. I have the cheap plastic ones and when they start to yellow a little I add bleach to the water as they soak and it makes them white again.
* Don't forget your ceiling fans and light fixtures! I ache for those of you who have super high ceilings. Make sure and be careful if you use a ladder to reach them. Sometimes if you have really high ceiling you may need to hire it out.
* Back in the day when I was a major germaphobe I would religiously disinfect the remotes, door knobs, light switches, and phones daily. I usually only remember once a week now. But I know a lot of people forget them so I am throwing it out there. They are some of the most touched things in our home.
*I actually have "cleaning baseboards" on my little boy's chore chart. He is suppose to do it every day upstairs. So our baseboards are not super bad. But they do get scuffs that I clean using the magic eraser. And after weeks and weeks of my little guy wiping the dust, it builds in the corners. Do you know what I mean? Whenever there is a ledge that you wipe, where ever the ledge meets a corner, the dust gets stuck. I have recently found that the best way to get it clean is my steam machine.
The Kitchen:
If I said that I would rather poke my eye out rather than deep clean my kitchen would that be a touch too dramatic? Because it sure feels that way. And growing up my mom always told me to start with the job you hate the most, first. So the first room we will discuss is the kitchen.
*Clean under the fridge and oven/stove. Yep. That means you have to move them. Sometimes the kids and I guess what will be under there before I pull it out. There is almost always marbles, hot wheel cars, rubber bands, pencils, cereal, and crackers. Oh, and of course...dust bunnies!
*Clean the coils behind the fridge. I just use a vacuum attachment to suck off the dust.
*The kitchen cabinets need to be emptied and washed out. I like to use a damp rag and Dawn dish soap. Sometimes the insides of the cabinets can be a little greasy. Wipe the outsides as well. Mine are painted but if you don't have painted cabinets I recommend Minwax's Wood Cabinet Cleaner. It is fabulous! Replace worn shelf paper/liners. And clean the tops as well. I use contact paper on the tops of my cabinets so all I have to do is pull off the old paper and replace it. Works great!
*Wash down small appliances. Make sure they are unplugged and use a damp washcloth. Again, I use dish soap. The base of our blender usually wins for dirties small appliance but they all need a scrub.
*Clean inside the fridge. If there are lingering odors, use lemon juice and baking soda. I actually leave some baking soda in my fridge at all times to absorb any smells. Also check the expiration dates on everything especially condiments.
*Clean out your oven. You can see how I cleaned my oven door with the steam machine.
*Clean your microwave inside and out. I stick a wet rag in there and microwave it for one minute. I let it sit there a few more minutes and then wipe it out. The steam from the rag will soften dried food. If odor is a problem add lemon juice to the wet rag.
*If you have a garbage disposal, pour bleach or lemon peels down it to get rid of odor. Clean your sink really well. In most homes it is dirtier than the toilet.
*Clean your dishwasher. Mine sometimes gets stagnate water on the bottom and turns orange-ish. Jilee from One Good Thing has a good tutorial.
Bathroom:
Kitchen and bathrooms are kind of a toss up for grossest room in my opinion. The steam machine is my favorite bathroom cleaning tool. I also use vinegar(for the shower), fish foam (for the mirrors), and cleaning wipes.
*Soak your shower head in vinegar if the holes get clogged with mineral deposits. If yours is not the kind that detaches, then fill a baggie with vinegar and use a rubber band to keep it in place around the head. Soak overnight and simply turn on the rise away the vinegar.
*Use a steam machine with a brush attachment to scrub soap scum off shower stall doors. Also if your shower floor (or tub) has a textured surface, the steam machine with brush attachment will clean it well.
*The steam machine also does tile grout well. I use to use an old tooth brush.
*You need to clean the bathroom fan. Take off the cover and scrub it in the sink. Use a rag or duster to clean the inside and then replace the cover.
*The counters and cabinets get wiped with cleaning wipes at our house. Sometimes I spray thieves. I believe in the cleaning power of the thieves oil, I just have not gotten use to the smell. It is a personal preference thing. I know most people love it.
*The toilet..... The crappiest thing in the house to clean (pun intended). I really need to take a pumice stone to mine. I have heard that if you dump a 2 liter bottle of Coke in there it will eat away and stains or mineral build up. If any of you have tried it please let me know in the comments. The area where the seat attaches to the toilet bowl has always been a tricky spot for me. When it comes to cleaning I pretty much hate any crack or crevice. A friend told me she uses her steam machine on hers. So I tried it and was happy :) Not only does all sorts of stuff come out that has been hiding, but the steam sanitizes it too. I use wipes on the outside of the toilet.
Family Room:
* Move the couch and other furniture and clean under them.
* Take the time to condition any leather furniture and to clean any upholstery. The steam machine has an attachment for upholstery!
* Vacuum in between cushions and save any money found to go in your chocolate fund.
* Clean TV remotes and electronics. I usually use cleaning wipes.
Office:
* Clean your computer and don't forget your keyboard, and mouse. For a good explanation on how to get your keyboard clean, read this article from PC world.
* Organize your desk top and drawers.
* Get your filing cabinet in order. I usually have a tote full of things that need to be filed that I have collected over the past months. I sort it on the family room floor while watching a movie after my kids go to bed. Any job I can do while watching Downton Abbey is A-OK with me :)
Laundry Room & Utility Room:
* Clean your washing machine. I wipe the outside really well. I also wipe down the inside of the lid and where you pour the bleach. It gets super dirty (which seems weird since it is a machine that gets things clean) Jilee has another good post about how to clean both front loading and top loading machines.
* Clean behind and under the washer and dryer.
* While you are back there, vacuum out the dryer hose. It can be a fire hazard if lint gets built up.
* Clean the residue off of the lint trap with a tooth brush and soapy water.
* Clean or replace the furnace filters.
Bedrooms:
* Clean under the bed. I usually take the mattress and box spring off so I don't have to try and move the whole thing. Our room is so tiny there is not enough room to really move it. I prop the mattress and box springs up against the wall and vacuum my little heart out.
* Flip your mattress if needed. Ours is a pillow top so we don't flip it but we rotate it.
* Wash pillows and other bedding. I wash my pillows and bed spread almost as often as I wash my sheets.
* Organize your closets and donate clothing you no longer need.
* Move any other furniture and clean well under and behind.
Here is list to remind you of all the places to clean. You can pin it for reference later or print it and hang inside your cleaning supply closet.
Now for the giveaway!
If you read through my post you probably noticed that I use the steam machine a lot. I am always finding new uses for it too. It is a healthy way to sanitize and clean. And I get to give one away!
Please let me know of there are any issues with the Rafflecopter widget.
*You must be 18 years or older and a US resident to enter. The giveaway starts January 6th and runs until January 12th. The winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The winner is picked randomly through the Rafflecopter widget.
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Elizabeth G.
I'll clean my oven.
Holly F
My two sons' bathroom! The smell is horrible sometimes!
Kayla
I have boys also and the stench from the bathroom is awful!!
Sherry
Our bathrooms!!!!!!!!!!!
kathy
our kitchen
chrissy farnan
Ohh inspiration for cleaning. As I sit here with my coffee and the last day of the holiday vacation.... I'd clean the baseboards to prep for painting them. And the tile in the bathroom.... Fingers crossed
Laura B
I would use it in our kitchen. But then again I would use it in every room of the house!
Carole H
I absolutely loved your article, it actually made me want to clean. I have never owned a steam cleaner but it sounds wonderful. What a time saver! I would really like to get in the sliding glass door track and windows too! thanks
kathy
the kitchen!!!!
liz
My whole 75 y-o house needs this!
Marie Claire
I would use the steam cleaner on the tile back splash in our kitchen.
Sandi Allen
The bathrooms.
Thanks for the chance!
Jennifer
I guess I need help with crevices and grout.
Judy D
I will start with the bathrooms and then continue through the house.
Marci
My bathroom needs all sorts of help, I'd probably start in the shower... I was a custodian one year at college cleaning the dorms, and we used a steam machine ALL the time! I forgot how much I loved it until I read your post!
Kelly D
I would clean the tiles in my foyer.
dani e
Its perfect you posted this subject today. One of my resolutions this year is organizing my household chores. Thanks for the tip on the steam cleaning. have one for my floors but will definitely be adding this one to my wishlist.
-dani e
Dragana
the bathroom!!!!
Michelle
My tile bathroom floors! I know this machine is just what I need to clean them right up!
Dragana
I need that thing in my bathroom!
Janice
I would use it to clean some tile grout for sure!
KaySue
The first thing I would clean is my bathroom.
BETH CLARK
It is a toss up between the kitchen and the bathrooms.
Tami B
First thing? My whole house! Besides the sanitizing aspect, the pictures you posted of the baseboard before & after is quite convincing that everyone needs one of these machines.
jessica
by far, the bathroom is my least favorite place to clean. and the worst is when you finish cleaning, it's all sparkly, and then one of the kids come in a "dirty" it again. ugh! I need this steam machine for my bathroom :)
Lisa W.
I would clean my oven and my baseboards! They really need it!
Abigail
Our couches!!!!
Jennifer S
What an excellent walk-through of how to deep clean your house. I know it may sound silly, but having it broken down like that is really helpful to me. Thanks!
Stephanie
My shower floor! It is impossible to get clean!
katie greenlaw
The toilets. I have a 3 year old boy. 'Nuff said!
Lauren Sims
Hmmmm...I would clean my walls and baseboards first. I have an English Mastiff and lets say the droll ends up there! I'm cleaning the lower walls on a daily basis!
J LeBlanc
I would clean the grout in my shower! Thanks for a great giveaway :)
Gina
Great giveaway!!! I would start with my floors - especially in the kitchen & baths.
Cath T
I think you're right--the kitchen is in desperate need of a deep clean, and I dread it. Lots of nooks and crannies.
Terri
My teenage boys room!
Afton
I would start with the bathtubs and showers- it would be fantastic to be rid of the residue!
Chris
I really need to deep clean my kitchen!
Elise
The bathroom, hands down!
tammy b
the baseboards, and around the toilet in the bathrooms!
Becky Godby
I would clean my kitchen floors. I'm starting to wonder if the tile was not sealed properly when they laid the floor... anyways the grout is terrible and never seems to come clean.
Janaya E
I would clean our master bathroom...eek!
Deanna M
The first thing I'd steam clean would be my kitchen and bathroom floors.
Erin R
I would love to clean my oven first then every little crevace in my house! ;)
Linda Stegall
I've heard good things about steam cleaners and would love to win one! I'd start with the kitchen, but I think every room could use some cleaning with it!
Anita
The first thing I would clean would be my baseboards. Yours looked wonderful.
Teresa S
My baseboards!
Tonya
Id work on icky corners in the bathroom first.
Erin
I have always wanted a steam machine. We rent an older '70's" home and there is no venting in the bathrooms. I keep thinking a steam machine would get the tiles clean.
Julia @ It's Always Ruetten
I would definitely clean under the trash can in my kitchen. It's by my cat's water dish and there is some sort of funky water/mildew issue happening there that I haven't been able to get clean! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Erin
Round two of trying to post. lol! I think this would be great to use in my rented "70's" home. There is no venting in our bathroom and the tiles get a lot of mildew. This would be great to clean it.
Ashley W.
Oven is a good idea, but I think I'd use it on my kitchen cabinets first.
Lori
The kitchen floor!!
Jen Y
My carpet
Leslie Kiley
I would love it for my baseboards and then on from there! I can think of so many things that need that extra touch!
Samantha V.
I'd clean my kitchen floor....all the nooks and crannies
NaDell
Kitchen floors for sure!
Dede Jackson
We just moved into a new (to us) 1926 tudor home. I need to deep clean everything!!!!
Elah
These are great tips! I'll be saving them to work on over the next month or so. I can't believe the difference the steam cleaner makes in your photos! Thanks for sharing.
Natalie
I would clean my oven for sure! It's so gross it makes me embarrassed, but nothing seems to help!
Heart and Haven
I like to deep clean the house after I take down Christmas decorations too! Perhaps that is one reason all our Christmas décor is still up, lol ;-). (Although we were gone from the 25th through the 1st, I figured it wouldn't hurt to enjoy the décor for a couple more days.)
Stephanie L
I would clean my bathroom!! All those little areas and the grout! It needs it.
Alison
I would clean my toilets- really well, with the steamer. I used to have a mop-type steamer but I think I ruined it by putting cleaning solution in it. A big No No
Anna
I would clean my WALLS with 2 kids and 2 Dogs my off white walls look disgusting!
Gretchen Leke
Great checklist! I need to tackle a few of these this weekend!
Tiffany
I would clean the toilets first! It is by far my least favorite job....the kitchen would be next.
Kristi
Base Boards!!
Tiffany
Also the grout in the kitchen and bathrooms!
Stephanie
I would clean my bathrooms!
Heidi
Grout and baseboards for sure!
Michelle Hill
I would clean my blinds!!!! They are sooooo gross and I have not figured out how to REALLY clean them.
Jenny E.
I would definitely clean my bathroom! I have always wanted one of these!
Candy C
I would use it on the corners of the baseboards. Looks like it does a great job there; and that space really bugs me!
Jaonne Morgan
Kitchen, Bathrooms & White baseboards!
Becky Neal
I would love this machine so I could clean my NASTY WHITE BASEBOARDS!!!!!! and from there the list goes one!
Jason E Woods
First thing? The whole house!! ....OK the bathroom.
Daphne
Doors and baseboards!
Michele
My shower would be first, followed quickly by the bathroom floors. Then on to the rest of the tile in the house, which is most of the floors in my house.
Jenny
Love the checklist! I would use it on bathrooms, kitchen, baseboards, etc. ;)
Nicole W
The baseboards in my bathroom! Well, actually my whole bathroom. But not having to use a sponge and toothbrush to get them clean would be fabulous!
Melissa
My floors! I have nasty laminate floors that are "wanna be hardwood " complete with fake wood grain! It's impossible to clean! Fingers crossed!
Jamie
I would clean my sliding door's track!
Kristin Macfarlane
My house was born in 1978! Needless to say the base boards and all of its nooks and crannies (Charm) is filthy! I would love to steam clean the crud out of it to make it feel new and fresh!
Nanci
I would use the steam cleaner in all the rooms of my house, but the first place would be grout on the shower walls.
Jennifer Kennedy
I would clean the bathroom first. We are a family if six, three males, three females. The younger males miss a lot and create a big mess. Ugh
Patty
I would start in the bathrooms and then kitchen!
grammygoodwill
Oh, wow. If I were lucky enough to win, I'd probably start with the kitchen floor because it's the dirtiest. Then I'd move on to the baseboards. I'm amazed that you can clean them with that. Thanks for the chance to win. Happy new year, too.
Tawnya
The bathrooms for sure. Steam sanitizing the commodes sounds perfect.
Lori C.
I would use on my detailed base board and trim. Thanks for the chance!
Ashley douglas
My base boards!!
liu
It's funny I just got back from winter vacation and was deep cleaning the whole house and putting away the holiday decorations yesterday. Got a lot done, still needs some more work though. I'm afraid to see what's under the fridge since grape juice was spilled under there last year...
Thanks for the tips, will definitely use the microwave one!
liu
Forgot to say, the first thing I would clean with my steam machine are the toilets and floors!
Kelly F.
I would clean my bathrooms first.
Stacy
I would clean our doors and baseboards! I did not know you could even use a steam machine on them, thank you for mentioning it! WOW, great post and giveaway, please enter me into a chance to win one :)
Ashley Davis
I would clean everything! My home could use a good deep cleaning!
Stephanie
Thanks for the reminder and list - I've got a lot of work to do!!!
Jenny K
The bathroom!
Stephanie
Oops, forgot to mention what I will clean first - probably the bathroom… it's little, there's only one (so all 4 of us use it all the time) and it seems to have the corner of the market on dust bunnies!!!
Kate Beckett
The crevices around the toilet. The lip of the kitchen sink where it meets the counter and probably door knobs.
Michelle K.
That steam cleaner really seems to help.
Michelle K.
The steam cleaner really seems to help.
Kirsten Phillips
I would use it in the bathrooms and on the trim around the house!
Alicia P
I would clean my tile floors!
Stephanie
I love that it has an upholstery attachment! I think I could use this a lot!
Alayna
I would clean the seam between the bathroom floor and the tub. Then the kick plates under my lower kitchen cabinets.
rebecca
both bathrooms could use some clean steaming!
Angela Y
I would clean my bathroom first!
taysha r
I'd tackle my bathroom first
Diane @ Vintage Zest
Absolutely everywhere in the bathrooms!
Colebern
Wow! I do need to get on my new year cleaning. I would attack the bathrooms first and then the baby's room. It is the space that is the hardest to clean because she needs to be entertained elsewhere while I vacuum and dust.
Kathryn
OMG! I just did a deep-clean after putting my Christmas decorations as well! If I won the steam cleaner, the first thing I would clean would be the bathroom, then the inside of the oven door. And when it gets warmer, I'll see what I can clean outside! Love your site!
Jennifer
Would love to use this on my walls and baseboards. They certainly need some help!
Bree
The carpet in the dining room that my cat mistakes for a litter box!
Bree
The floor in my basement!
Loril
Without hesitation I would start with my baseboards
Kasey K
I would clean my tile floors.
Catherine A
What a difference! I am SO happy I found your blog. I've learned so much. I would go on a steam cleaning frenzy throughout the house. ;D
Cathy F
The baseboards are a must do!
Danita Courtney
OMG. Where to start? I think my most used bathroom could benefit the MOST from the steam cleaning machine! Yeay!
Amber Nielsen
First thing, I'd do the preschool bathroom!! I have a preschool in my home :)
Jillyn
Bathroom for sure!
Pamela H.
Four dogs and two cats---- boy, do my floors need a steam cleaner!
Rebecca Peterson
my base boards in my new house so I can paint them white.
Rachel
Love this printable! Thanks for the reference! I'd definitely start with the oven.
Carol Yemola
First thing I would clean are my bathroom shower doors!
Cactus
I am remodeling my whole house (firring out block walls so we can install central air), which means I will have a whole new house when we are done. I would love a steam cleaner to help keep everything "new"!!! I'm getting rid of all our carpeting and having wood and tile floors only.
Suzanne J Dean
Great tips & my steam machine just died :( Thanks for the timely giveaway and Happy New Year!
hugz,
Suzanne
sydney85
The first thing I would love to clean our my bathroom showers.
Sara
I would clean my baseboards!!!
Jodi
Oh my, I would tackle my bathroom & then my baseboards. I think it would fool my kids into helping too!!
rayraycartucci
My whole house is a disaster area because I have three dogs and a kid so every room is gross but I think the living room is in the worst shape.
Maddawgmarshall
My baseboards! I am a huge fanatic of clean baseboards!
Patty
I would definitely use it on my bathrooms !!!
Deb
I had no idea it had so many uses. I would probably try my bathroom tile floors and shower glass.
Carlene
I would use it everywhere
Tammy
I would clean my woodwork! It looks so bad right now and I realized that this would be the perfect tool for the job!
Ellora @ Creatively Southern
I used to have a steam machine and loved it!! The first thing I would clean would be the shower and then onto the baseboards! I can never seem to get either of those very clean no matter what cleaning tools and products I use.
Cathi Ogden
I would clean my bathroom. I find that I can never get it clean enough.
Kelsea Eaton
My kitchen floor.
Cas
I'd use it in our kitchen, I'd give anything to have a lovely clean kitchen all the time, but I hate cleaning in there!
Anne Marie
I wold clean my tile grout.
Andrea
My kitchen!
Nikki C
Well I wouldn't, but I'd be giving this to my 26 y/o daughter, along with your blog post about how to clean and disinfect a home, so that she might actually learn something. Scrubbing a baseboard, mopping a floor, or sanitizing a remote control would simply never occur to her, she would likely be appalled that anyone would consider such a thing. If nothing else, I'm printing the article and hanging it on her fridge.
Karen
Oven, for sure! Mine's naaasty!
Cindy A.
I would LOVE to win this! The bathroom would definitely be first on my list. Thank you so much for offering such a wonderful giveaway.
Jenifer
The first place I would start would be the bathrooms, especially my boys' bathroom!
Emily
I would clean the tile in our kitchen! We have a couple of little ones who are very messy eaters.
Heather S
My bathrooms! Top to bottom! :)
Melanie
Definitely my kitchen! It's an eat-in kitchen, plus I cook a lot.
Barrett Caldwell
The kitchen baseboards would be my first clean
Johanne
Wow, the possibilities are endless. I'd start with the shower walls.
Alice
The first thing i clean would be my washing machine. those little crevices are so hard to get into!
joan
My kitchen cupboards. All the little corners on the doors get me every time!
Diane Rose
My kitchen and bathroom tile floors.
Tanya
I would love to win one of these, with three kids under seven and a dog our vinyl floors and bathrooms could use a deep clean!!
xo, Tanya
Alica
Love the list and suggestions. I am definitely going to be using this list as I clean my home. Thanks
Janice
I would clean our kitchen cabinets! I have tried many things but whatever I do just doesn't cut through the years of grease and grime that a 40 year old kitchen builds up! This would help in the mean time while we save up for a new kitchen!
Kimberly Riner
My bathrooms!
Jeana O'donnell-Murphy
I would clean the bathroom first
Alisha Hodges
I would clean our kitchen first. The baseboards are dirty and the walls and cabinets get splattered in certain spots because my husband juices and it sprays a little sometimes. I can't seem to keep it clean in there.
beverly e
I'd head straight for my oven... ugh! My least favorite cleaning chore. Then outside to my gunky grill.
Avon S.
Tile floors for sure!
brenda
hi kitchen first but the whole house needs it. My hsb has been helpful following some spontaneous fractures but they just do not really get into the whole cleaning thing do they ??
Mags
I'd clean all my baseboard corners.
Rachel
My whole house needs this....but I would definitely start in the bathroom! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Melissa
I'd have to say the bathroom
Jackie
I would clean my baseboards or my windows.
SarahMascara
The toilet sounds like a great place to start!
Stephanie Gossett
I would clean my tile! Thank you so much for this chance! This would be a dream come true!
ninigossett at gmail dot com
Nancy
I used to clean the kitchen every night as a kid, and you could eat off the floor.That was my job. As an adult I was very good cleaning my apartments until I moved to FL.. However, reading your blog has taught me a lot and inspired me to be more vigilant.in my new apartment. I've just moved, the apartment gets very dusty, very quickly, and it's been difficult to keep on top of the whole place.. Reading your blog has made me want to get going immediately. A chance to win a steamer would surely help. Love your blog!!
Nancy
Just wrote the comment above about moving to FL into the dusty apartment. Just wanted to correct the error in my email address. Please note the change. This second post is the correct email address. The garbled letters are deliberate. Take care!! Thank you.
Laura @ The Turquoise Home
I would clean all of the tile in my house! The previous owner had dogs and they need some extra special attention, not just mopping!
Emily
I hope I can try the steam cleaner on the baseboards!
Nicole
Matter bath shower!
Marie Russell
Would really like to steam clean inside windows of our house and cars, if I were to win the steam cleaner. I wanted a steam cleaner since I first saw it in your blog this past year! Thank you for sharing info and pictures about what the steam cleaner can do.
Sharon Lynn
I would use the steamer to clean everything :-)
Nancy
I have 19 year old and 22 year old sons living at my house and I haven't gone in their rooms to clean in ages! You have inspired me to put on the armor and get in there! I also like the tip about using the steamer in the window tracks. That is a tough place to clean.
LH
I would clean everything. Love the oven idea!!
tsmith
I would start with the bathroom and go from there!
Connie Haack
I would like to try it on the shower door. That would be great if it works
Shannon
We just bought/moved into an older home that has tons of little nooks and crannies, so probably the entire house could use a really good deep clean ;)
Leslie R.
We enter our house via the front door or garage door, which are very close to each other. That makes my entry (and the front office) dusty and always in need of cleaning. The grout and sealers are always dirty.
Theres Just One Mommy
Carpet -- Dog, mud brought in on brand new carpet that never really got out, and then 2 small kids. Seriously needs clean!
Ramona L
I would clean all my baseboards - good stuff!!!
Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life
DEFINITELY my carpet, two dogs and two cats have really taken a toll on it!
Jamie @ Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
I would clean my kitchen chairs!
Ashleigh Hall
I'd clean my showers and bathtubs!
Abby
The bathroom! I can't ever seem to get the corners clean!
Elizabeth H
My kitchen would be first and then bathrooms! Thanks for the deep cleaning list. I am going to put it to work!
Lisa L
My children's bathroom.
Meggan
I have six kids, I would just start at one end of the house and work my way to the other side. :)
Virginia B
My hardwood floors!
Rebekah
Definitely the best and safest way to clean if anyone in the household is chronically ill...not to mention great for the environment! I would not only use it to clean, but to also sanitize anything and everything from germs floating around...
Rebekah
Definitely the best and safest way to clean if anyone in the household is chronically ill...I would use it not only to clean, but to also sanitize areas that might have germs lurking even if it is already clean!
Nicole I
This is awesome! Thanks for the opportunity to win! I can't believe the number it did on your floors in the corners- I was actually staring at mine a couple of days ago thinking about how to effectively tackle them, it has been driving me nuts. Then I saw yours and OH! So yeah, that is the first thing I'd be doing with it, but definitely not the last.
Chelsea @ Married Filing Jointly
I would clean my couch first!
julia vesilind
Great Tips. I never thought about some of these things.
Marie
Bathroom floors!
Adrienne
I would clean my old, mosaic-tiled bathroom floors - maybe 3 times.
patty
I would clean my kitchen floor tile grout.
Bethany
all of the little cracks and crevices in the wood work-our house is full of dusty corners I just cant get clean!
Kaci
I would clean my shower floor. My husband has a dirty job and we can't find anything to get all of the gunk off!
katie
Love this--we totally need this steam cleaner! I think we would do our grout first!
Jody
The bathrooms for sure! But the rest of the house would be fair game afterward ;)
Ilene
I'd clean my kitchen counter tops first. I have a steam mop that is great for the floors and have always wanted one portable enough to get those counters totally clean. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ilene
Jennifer H.
I would clean my floors. I, too, am a germaphobe. I wish I could say I was already recovering, but I'm in the middle of battling it with my two small children. ;) Thank you for the opportunity!
Solducky
My master bathroom!
brett
Oh man - i have been deep cleaning daily since our house is up for sale. This would do the trick on those baseboards for sure!
Maureen
I love all cleaning gadgets! This would be awesome to super sanitize things.
Carol H.
I would probably use it in the bathrooms and kitchen the most!
Sam M
The first thing I would clean would be the bathrooms.
allison
my bathroom!
Teri
I'd use it on the tile in my bathrooms Thanks for the giveaway!
kelly n
I love this list and so excited its a printable! I have been wanting a steam cleaner for so long.
Sara
I would love to have this to tackle both of my bathrooms!
Doris Henson
My bathroom would be the first room to come under fire with this baby!!! Thanks for the chance to win this!
Karen
If that thing does floors and carpets, that's where I'd start! I HATE cleaning floors. I wish that they'd magically clean themselves, especially in the winter with all that salt getting tracked in. I'd hate to think about how much dirt it would pull up, but then I know we'd be breathing easier too, so I guess it's worth the work!
Cathy
The bathroom floors for sure.
tiffany davis-shaw
i would clean carpet stains
Ashley Ponder Richards
I would mop my kitchen floor first.
Jill thomas
I was just asking my husband if he had ever come across an steamer/power washer for bathroom tiles. The first place I would use it is in our boys (three boys) bathroom. It never seems clean enough.
Kim walker
I would use it first in the kitchen on my tile floor.
Jennifer
What a great product! We were about to get rid of our couch, but it sounds like a good steam cleaning would do the trick!
Jo @ Let's Face the Music
I would clean the chairs and sofas that have been dirtied during our recent renovation. I would love to have a steam cleaner for the whole house. And, BTW, I left a similar comment on the wrong post so just ignore that. Jo @ Let's Face the Music
Mary Jenkins
Love your deep cleaning list. I needed cleaning inspiration today! I would start with the kitchen floor and do the whole apartment. Our security deposit was $1000 so I need to be thorough in cleaning if I want to get that back when we move!
sara
This would be perfect for the hard to clean baseboards!
Denise
The hinges on the toilet! Who designed these!
Dana
I would steam clean my kitchen!
Annaliza R
My baseboards! I hate crouching down and wiping them with a wet cloth.
Shannon Brey
I would clean my icky boy bathroom!
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures
The bathroom!
Irma c
My bathroom! I guess you always think you've cleaned it enough until you find out you can completely disinfect!
Nancy Brett
first thing !!! sure the bathroom really this will make it clean and shine
Angela Olsen
I would use it to clean out all of my windowsills!
Lucy Arnold
Oops! I just posted my comment on the wrong post so I will post again. lol Thank you for this post - I am going to print it and make a determined effort to use it. The steam machine sounds like a dream come true! Who wouldn't love it? I love your blog and look forward to what you will share in the coming year.
Tarah
The upstairs bathtub!
Heather
I would clean my toilets first! We live in a rental and even though its not that old... Who knows what is all over it! I would love to Deep clean all the cracks! Thank you!
Melissa
I'll clean my baseboards...great idea!
julia frank
for bedrooms especially under bed
Tasha
Your baseboards are impressive...that is the first thing I would clean.
Janet
The kitchen. I have a very limited time I can work, especially if it involves standing. I'm only good for about 10 minutes on my feet. So no deep cleaning really gets done. Think that would do the trick.
Janet
Vicki Rice
The baseboards! I hate cleaning them and they need it. But I have a whole list of other things to clean now that I read your list and ideas.
Alyssa
The shower first! Then the gross toilet hinges. Thank you for the giveaway!
Austyn
I would clean the bathrooms! They get so dirty!
Rebekah
I would love to clean my window sills with the steamer.
Jessica @ Gourley Girl & Guy
you had me at, "textured bathtub floors". :)
Merri Jo
Oh, how I would love to clean all my white 6 panel doors & baseboards with that fabulous steam machine!
Sandy
I just ordered one from Amazon! Can't wait to try it and use it throughout the whole house! The baseboards and the nooks and crannies are cupboards doors will be the first on my list. Thank you for all of the suggestions. Wondering how they will work on levelor (sp) doors? I hope great - mine are nasty and I have then everywhere in my house where there is a closet!
Thanks againg!
Olivia D Hamilton
BATHROOM!!! Specifically the toilet! YUCK!
Renee
I love your idea to use the steamer on baseboards, mine never seem to be clean enough to me and stuff always gets stuck in the corners.
I also love the shop vac down the ducts. I am obsessed with cleaning dust off the actual vents but never thought to take them off and shop vac down there!
Stephanie
I would work on my grout!
Sarah K
With 4 kids, a mechanic husband, a dog, and a cat in our smallish ranch house, that machine would really get a workout. I would love to have one!
roxy meto
I'll wait to this giveaway to end so if I win it I'll clean my oven
thanks!
Kitty
The first thing I'd tackle with that steam machine would be my baseboards. I love a clutter free-clean house...sounds like I need to get you on board to help me. ;)
Jennifer
I would love this for bathrooms!
jennifer.joiner@aol.com
T'onna
I would steam clean my bathroom.
Debra Lee
My oven would get some lovin!
ERIN
DEFINITELY THE OVERLOOKED BASEBOARDS!
Adrienne
I have a had steamer that I got with my floor one, I will have to give this a try. But the one you are giving away looks like it would work better. The doors and baseboards are my first start! Thanks for the information!
Gina F
The bathroom and then the kitchen sink! Can you do that?
Melanie
I would use this to clean the bathroom!
Laura Hinckley
First I would steam my baseboards so I can repaint and start on Spring Cleaning. Thanks for such a great giveaway. I'm very glad I stumbled upon your site.
Jackie P
Baseboards!
Jackie P
actually my wedding ring first and then the baseboards!
Jackie P
actually my wedding ring first, and then i'd start on the house!
Rebecca Parsons
I would clean my entryway first. With this terrible snow and crude brought in it needs a deep cleaning.
kesha
I would clean my shower
sarah jau
clean the bathroom
Maria
I was recently laid off and need this to clean my entire house, now that I have a little time!
Nicole robert
So it's time to clean the basement long time past from last time I clean it
this machine will be a big help to me to clean it so deep
Vicki Johnson Hansen
I would start with the bathrooms... all 3 of them! Having a fun new "toy" would making cleaning them more fun than a chore! Thank you for the giveaway!
Milly Skach
I'd love to replicate your oven cleaning!
femto
Thank you for amazing giveaway
hope to win it for my mom
thanks!
Shannon Leigh
My boy's bathroom... YUCK
Danielle
My bathroom! I need one if these steam cleaners for sure!
Danielle
Not sure my comment went through. I would clean my bathroom first!
Melissa
I would start in the bathroom!
Shannon
The couch. I've had a steam cleaner before but it did not have an upholstery attachment. That would be wonderful!
Jackie
After you've cleaned baseboards and they're dry, simply rub a fabric softener sheet on them to prevent dust from accumulating on them.
Pam
What an amazing cleaning tool. It has so many uses. I think I would actually enjoy cleaning my bathrooms!
Mindy
i would love to use this to clean all of our heating units!
Melissa
I would love this for my son's bathroom!
Taunya
The first thing I would clean with the steam machine would definitely be the baseboards in my house. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Stephanie
I would live to steam clean my whole house! Haha!
gayle gildehaus
the wood trim in all the rooms
kaye newman
I would clean my stove first. This thing sounds amazing!
tara
I'd do a top to bottom!!
lovely jasmin
I'll clean the main important places for me Bathroom , Bedroom , Kitchen
Thank you.
Emily
I would use it to clean tile grout and other cracks and crevices. Also I'm very curious about trying it on upholstery!
Laura Ari
I'd clean the bathroom grout
leah henderson
Bathroom for sure!
amanda
I probably would be pretty excited about cleaning the bathroom for once. ;-)
Nicole
With three kids and a cat just about every room in my house needs this!
Kat
My bathroom would be so clean!
Sarah S.
The oven; so it stops setting off the smoke detector every time I use it :)
Kristin
I would start with the doors upstairs! They are horribly dusty from the swamp cooler, and sooo hard to clean.
maureen
I would use it for the dog dish area, the cutting boards....heck I can use it everywhere..:)
Sara Mayo
I would clean my shower! I have so many needs for it!
Clara
Our Carpet would be one of the first.
Shannon Wilson
I tend to deep clean everytime I clean and I never get as much accomplished as I wish! The steam cleaner would be amazing to have!
maria smith
I love the feeling of accomplishment and calmness after I've finished a big deep cleaning in my home! It feels amazing!
maria smith
You get such a great deep cleaning with a good steam cleaner!
Maria
It's true, we also play music when we're doing our deep cleaning. Makes it more fun when we bust a move every once in a while!
Kristie
I am so excited to try this out tomorrow. :)
Mary Beth Alexander
Hi Stacy:
Your cleaning lists are great; but you don't do this EVERY WEEK DO YOU!!??? Like moving refrigerator out, etc. I would think that would be at most a monthly clean.
And flipping mattresses and washing pillows? I hatre to admit this but the last time I washed my pillows was when my four cats were infested with fleas!!
And I USED to take my blinds outwide and wash and rinse them off with a hose on a plastic table cloth or old shower curtain. But haven't done that in years; I'm 74 years old and working part time. Do NOT have the time or energy to do all that anymore!! I also used to wipe down my walls. I have popcorn ceiling in my home and really want to scrape them off soon; that is after I finish painting my bathroom, replacing a couple wood slats on my deck and replace flea infested carpet in my living room and adjacent room with laminate; clean and paint my air conditioining vent, etc., etc. Makes me tired just thinking about it! :o)
Mary Beth
Stacy
Yes, some of those big jobs are done less often :)