Step-By-Step Guide to Living Room Cleaning
The living room is usually the first room guests will see when arriving at your home, making it one of the highest priorities when it comes to cleaning.
Even if you are entertaining company, most families spend a large portion of their time in the living room, so keeping it clean and tidy is ideal for functionality and a relaxing home.
In this article, we will offer a complete living room checklist from the pros on the best way to clean your living space for guests and everyday life!
The Benefits of a Clean Living Room
It not only contributes to a pleasant and inviting space but is also good for our mental health. A tidy space promotes relaxation, while a cluttered living space can increase stress levels.
As one of the most used common areas in the home, you want your living area to be usable and free of tripping hazards or other obstacles.
When guests come to your home, even if they don’t pass the threshold of your front door, you want to present them with a good first impression by having a neat living room.
Tools Needed for Cleaning the Living Room
When it comes to cleaning, having the right tools can make the job much easier and more effective. Here is a checklist for keeping your living room clean and inviting:
1. Vacuum Cleaner:
Vacuuming is a good first step when cleaning your living room. It keeps the floors and carpets free of dust, dirt, and pet debris.
2. Duster:
A feather duster or microfiber duster is perfect for quickly removing dust from furniture, mantles, light fixtures, and ceiling fan blades. If your duster doesn’t do a good job of trapping dust, you may want to do this step first so your vacuum can pick up anything left behind.
3. Microfiber Cloths:
These soft and durable cloths are ideal for dusting and wiping surfaces like your coffee table. They are gentle on different types of furniture and won’t leave behind lint or scratches.
4. Glass Cleaner:
To keep your windows, picture frames, and glass surfaces sparkling clean, give them a once over with a glass cleaner or window cleaner (after dusting).
5. Furniture Polish:
To maintain the beauty and longevity of wooden furniture, use furniture or wood polish. This will help trap any lingering dust, restore shine to surfaces, and protect the wood from drying out.
6. Cleaning Solutions:
Depending on the type of flooring or upholstery you have, and any messes you are combatting, you may need specific cleaning solutions. For example, a mild detergent mixed with warm water can be used for spot-cleaning upholstery, while a specialized carpet cleaner may be required for deep-cleaning spills on plush carpets.
These essential cleaning supplies will allow you to tackle most of what you need for a sparkling living room. Below we go into more detail about the steps to take when tidying your home.
Related: Speed Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Neat and Tidy
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning the Living Room
Living and family rooms can vary wildly in shape, size, and contents. Luckily, cleaning them is pretty simple. The best strategy is to start with the big picture and narrow things down from there. Let me explain what that means:
Step 1: Objects and Clutter
The first step is removing anything that doesn’t belong and straightening your decor. If you have cups, dishes, clothes, blankets, or Amazon packages lying around, you can transform the room quickly just by taking those away. This is the quickest way to make a big impact in living rooms, especially if time is of the essence. While you’re at it, reset things like couch pillows, rugs, coffee tables, knick-knacks, and even the TV remote so everything is where it should be.
Step 2: Dusting and Polishing
The next objective is removing dust, dirt, and dander. The best practice is to start high and work toward the floor. This way, you aren’t knocking dust and debris onto the floor after sweeping or vacuuming. If you’re in a hurry, a quick vacuum can go a long way. If you have some time to spare, dust and wipe down surfaces like the mantle, window sills, tabletops, and other hard furniture surfaces. Then it is time to run the vacuum on the upholstery and the floor to pick up any loose dirt. If you have time, finish with polish and glass cleaner on hard surfaces, windows, and even the TV.
Step 3: Deep Cleaning
While this step usually isn’t necessary for your weekly cleaning regimen, there may be areas that you like to give a little extra attention. Kids or pets can knock things under furniture, coasters can become sticky, and plants can leak soil and water. For a truly sparkling living room, you’ll need to bust out cleaning solutions and tackle specific tasks like these. Store-bought cleaners or vinegar solutions coupled with a rag or microfiber cloth are usually sufficient for these small jobs and even most spills and stains.
Living Room Cleaning Hacks
There are some things you only learn from years of experience. Here are some expert tips to help you keep your living room sparkling clean.
Microfiber Cloth
Microfiber cloths are a game-changer when it comes to cleaning your living room. These specially designed cloths are made of synthetic fibers that are incredibly effective at trapping and removing dust and dirt.
When it comes to wiping surfaces and furniture, microfiber cloths are your best friend. Their non-abrasive nature also ensures that surfaces are safe from scratches and damage. For deeper cleaning, simply dampen the cloth with warm water and gently wipe down surfaces.
Plus, they are reusable and can be easily washed in the washing machine, saving you money on disposable cleaning products.
Furniture Polish
Polishing furniture may seem a bit extra for your little old living room, but the benefits of these products are worth the extra step. Not only will the polish help pick up dust, but it will protect your surfaces from attracting more dust in the future, buying you extra time between cleans.
Additionally, the right polish enhances the natural color and grain of the wood, bringing out its true beauty. It can breathe new life into old furniture by filling in scratches and adding a revitalizing sheen.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is a secret weapon for cleaning just about anything. Its natural acidity has the power to remove dirt, grime, and unwanted odors from various surfaces in your living room. It also disinfects and deodorizes, making it a contender even against store-bought products with its extreme versatility. As a bonus, it is generally eco-friendly and safe to use around pets!
To use white vinegar as a cleaning agent, simply dilute it with warm water in a 1:1 ratio and apply it to the desired surface using a soft cloth or a damp microfiber cloth. For tough stains or buildup, you can let the vinegar solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it away. Remember to always spot-test in an inconspicuous area before using white vinegar on delicate surfaces.
It even works on glass!
Upholstery Attachment
While most people keep their vacuum attachments safely stored away in some dark corner of their attic or basement, the brush or upholstery attachment can actually be a big help in providing a thorough cleaning!
Start by gently vacuuming the surface of the fabric, using the attachment to agitate and loosen any dirt or dust that may be present. Be sure to cover all areas, including the arms, backrest, and seat of the furniture. It is especially great at freeing up stubborn pet hair!
For tougher stains or spots where you use a cleaning solution, follow up with the upholstery attachment to vacuum away the excess moisture.
Get Your Living Room Deep Cleaned With Upstairs Downstairs
Now that you’ve gotten some expert cleaning tips, you can impress your guests and let the stress melt away in a peaceful living space.
If you could use some help maintaining a spotless living room, the pros at Upstairs Downstairs are here to help. Whether you want a weekly visit from our cleaning experts or a one-time deep clean before your next get-together, we’re only a call away!
Frequently Asked Questions For Living Room Cleaning
How often should you clean your living room?
In most cases, a weekly cleaning will keep your living room looking uncluttered and inviting. Beyond that, a quarterly cleaning is a good idea to make sure you aren’t missing any nooks and crannies in your usual routine. You may want to spend a little extra time cleaning if you are expecting company.
What rooms are most important to clean?
The three most important rooms to clean are the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. The first two need more attention as a result of hygiene and food prep, while the latter is important as it is generally the area of the home that receives the most traffic. It is also the first impression guests will have upon visiting your house.
How do you quickly clean the living room?
If you have limited time to clean a messy living room, the first step is removing anything that doesn’t belong. Dishes, mail, toys, etc., should be stored away so the area doesn’t look cluttered. Try to straighten up cushions, pillows, and tchotchkes while you’re at it. If you have additional time, a quick dusting and vacuuming can go a long way.
