New seasons can be an exciting time as you think about new routines. One way to reset is to deep clean either to get ready for the Summer or Winter. It is a good time to mentally move some things around, purge and organize. The team at Best Clean KC has put together some checklists to help you tackle your next deep clean.

It can be overwhelming when you are juggling kids, work and social events, so we tried to keep it simple and give you some pointers if you are trying to get the clean done over a weekend or over the course of a few weeks. 

How Deep Cleaning Can Help

It’s always nice to come home to a fresh house and while a quick clean can get the job done a deep clean helps to ensure you are getting everything reset.

Deep cleaning helps you:

  • Remove allergens that have built up (dust mites, pet dander, mold)
  • Find and assess anything that might be damaged that would need repairs
  • Declutter and donate items 
  • Mentally reset a bit to reduce stress and know what you have

Getting Started

Here is how our team approaches a deep cleaning as a busy mom:

1. Choose Your Timeline

  • Weekend Warrior: Tackle it all in one intense weekend (with help!)
  • Two-Week Sprint: Do 2-3 rooms per weekend
  • Month-Long Marathon: One room per week for a month
  • Hybrid Approach: DIY the light tasks, hire pros for the heavy lifting

2. Get the Family Involved Even little ones can help with age-appropriate tasks.

3. Have the Right Supplies Ready Nothing derails momentum like running to the store mid-clean. Stock up first.

Deep-Clean Checklist

Kitchen 

Inside Appliances:

  • Deep clean oven (including racks and door)
  • Clean refrigerator coils and drain pan
  • Scrub refrigerator shelves and drawers
  • Clean freezer and defrost if needed
  • Descale coffee maker and clean all small appliances
  • Clean dishwasher filter and run cleaning cycle
  • Wipe down microwave interior and exterior

Surfaces & Storage:

  • Empty and wipe down all cabinets and drawers
  • Declutter pantry and check expiration dates
  • Clean and organize under the sink
  • Wipe down backsplash and remove grease buildup
  • Clean light fixtures and replace bulbs
  • Wash or replace kitchen rugs and mats

Living Areas

Surfaces & Furniture:

  • Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents
  • Vacuum or wipe down all walls and baseboards
  • Clean windows (inside and out) and window sills
  • Vacuum furniture including under cushions
  • Spot clean or steam clean upholstery
  • Polish wood furniture
  • Organize and dust bookshelves and decor

Floors & Carpets:

  • Move furniture and vacuum/mop underneath
  • Deep clean carpets and rugs (rent machine or hire out)
  • Clean or replace air vents and returns
  • Vacuum curtains or take down for washing

The Toy Situation:

  • Rotate out toys—donate what they’ve outgrown
  • Disinfect plastic toys and stuffed animals
  • Organize toy storage systems
  • Create a “library” system for puzzles and games

Bedrooms 

Bedding & Textiles:

  • Wash all bedding including comforters and mattress pads
  • Flip or rotate mattresses
  • Vacuum mattresses and treat for allergens
  • Wash pillows (or replace if over 2 years old)
  • Clean under beds (the scary part)
  • Vacuum and flip area rugs

Closets & Storage:

  • Switch out seasonal clothing
  • Donate clothes that don’t fit
  • Organize shoes and accessories
  • Vacuum closet floors and wipe shelves
  • Store winter items properly (clean first!)

Kids’ Rooms:

  • Declutter with their “help” (age-dependent)
  • Organize art supplies and school materials
  • Clean and rotate book collections
  • Check for writing on walls (just me?)

Bathrooms 

Deep Cleaning:

  • Scrub grout and tile with proper cleaner (we recommend hydrogen peroxide, dawn and comet)
  • Remove hard water stains from fixtures
  • Clean exhaust fans
  • Descale showerheads and faucets
  • Deep clean toilet (including base and behind)
  • Organize and purge medicine cabinet
  • Clean out bathroom drawers and cabinets
  • Wash shower curtains/liners or replace
  • Recaulk if needed (prevents mold!)

Entryway, Mudroom & Garage

Entryway/Mudroom:

  • Deep clean floors (all that tracked-in winter mess)
  • Organize coat closet—donate unused items
  • Clean/replace doormats
  • Wipe down frequently touched surfaces
  • Organize shoe storage
  • Clean out backpacks and sports bags

Garage:

  • Sweep and clear cobwebs
  • Organize tools and sports equipment
  • Donate unused items
  • Check garage door mechanics
  • Create zones for seasonal items

Essential Supplies for Your Seasonal Deep Clean

Spring Cleaning Arsenal:

  • All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant
  • Glass cleaner
  • Degreaser for kitchen
  • Mildew remover for bathrooms
  • Wood polish
  • Carpet cleaner or rental
  • Microfiber cloths (buy a pack!)
  • Scrub brushes of various sizes
  • Vacuum with attachments
  • Mop and bucket or steam mop

Fall Cleaning Must-Haves:

  • Everything from spring, plus:
  • Weatherstripping or caulk
  • Touch-up paint
  • Leaf blower or outdoor broom
  • Garage organization supplies
  • Storage bins for seasonal items
  • Label maker (life-changing!)

Eco-Friendly Options: Many moms are switching to natural cleaners. Vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, and essential oils can handle most cleaning tasks safely around kids and pets.

The Realistic Timeline: How to Actually Get This Done

Option 1: The Power Weekend (With Help!)

Friday Night:

  • Declutter and organize
  • Start laundry marathon
  • Prep cleaning supplies

Saturday:

  • Tag team with partner (if applicable)
  • Tackle 2-3 major rooms
  • Hire pros for carpets or windows

Sunday:

  • Finish remaining rooms
  • Put everything back in place
  • Order pizza and collapse

Option 2: The Two-Week Plan

Week 1, Weekend 1:

  • Kitchen and bathrooms
  • Laundry and bedding

Week 1, Weeknights:

  • 15-minute declutter sessions
  • One closet per night

Week 2, Weekend 2:

  • Living areas and bedrooms
  • Outdoor tasks and maintenance

Week 2, Weeknights:

  • Detail work and touch-ups
  • Final organization

Option 3: The Month-Long Marathon

  • Week 1: Kitchen and pantry
  • Week 2: Bathrooms
  • Week 3: Bedrooms and closets
  • Week 4: Living areas and outdoor spaces

Daily: Spend 30 minutes maintaining what you’ve cleaned

Option 4: The “I’m Hiring Help” Hybrid

You Do:

  • Decluttering and organizing
  • Laundry and bedding
  • Light cleaning and maintenance

Professionals Do:

  • Deep carpet and upholstery cleaning
  • Window washing (inside and out)
  • Tile and grout restoration
  • Oven and appliance deep cleaning
  • Power washing exterior
  • Duct cleaning

When to Ask for Help on Specific Tasks

Let’s talk about outsourcing without guilt. 

Tasks Worth Outsourcing:

1. Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Professional equipment gets deeper clean than rentals. This matters for allergens and longevity of your investment.

2. Window Washing Especially two-story homes or lots of windows. Why risk injury on a ladder when pros have the right equipment?

3. Tile & Grout Deep Cleaning The difference is dramatic. Professional steam cleaning and sealing protects your investment.

4. Oven & Appliance Deep Cleaning Those industrial products work better than anything you can buy, and they have the muscle for scrubbing.

5. Duct & Vent Cleaning Improved air quality for your family. Do this every 3-5 years, especially if you have allergies or pets.

6. Power Washing Exterior cleaning of siding, deck, driveway. Proper equipment prevents damage and gets it sparkling.

Time-Saving Hacks from Real Moms

“The Basket Method” Carry a basket room to room. Toss in anything that belongs elsewhere. Distribute at the end. Saves endless trips!

“Timer Trick” Set a timer for 15 minutes per room. You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish in focused bursts.

“The High-Low Rule” Clean top to bottom. Start with ceiling fans and shelves, end with floors. Dust and dirt fall down!

“Music Motivation” Create a cleaning playlist. Upbeat music makes everything faster and more fun.

“Reward System” Plan something fun for when you’re done. Wine with friends, favorite takeout, that new book. You deserve it!

“The Kids’ Challenge” “I bet you can’t pick up 20 things in 5 minutes!” Suddenly it’s a game, not a chore.

“One In, One Out” As you clean, commit to maintaining less clutter. One new toy means one gets donated.

Maintaining Your Fresh Start

You did all this work—let’s make it last!

Daily (5-10 minutes):

  • Make beds
  • One load of laundry
  • Wipe kitchen counters
  • Quick toy pickup before bed

Weekly (30-45 minutes):

  • Vacuum main areas
  • Clean bathrooms
  • Change sheets
  • Meal prep and pantry organization

Monthly (1-2 hours):

  • Deep clean one room
  • Declutter one area
  • Check smoke detectors
  • Review and maintain systems

Quarterly (Your next seasonal clean!):

  • Deep clean using these checklists
  • Rotate clothing
  • Assess what’s working
  • Plan for next season

The Bottom Line: Progress Over Perfection

Here’s what I want you to remember: Your home doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread. It needs to be clean enough to be healthy and organized enough to function for YOUR family.

Some seasons, you’ll crush the entire checklist in a weekend. Other seasons, you’ll do what you can and hire help for the rest. And you know what? Both are perfectly fine.

A seasonal deep clean isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about creating a fresh start. It’s about opening windows and breathing easier, both literally and figuratively. It’s about going into the new season feeling like you’ve got your home under control, even when everything else feels chaotic.

So download these checklists, pour yourself a coffee (or wine, no judgment on timing), and make a plan that works for YOUR life. Start small. Ask for help. Celebrate progress. And remember: you’re doing great, mama.

Download Your Free Deep Clean Checklist

Print these out, stick them on the fridge, and check off tasks as you go. There’s something deeply satisfying about physically crossing things off a list!