Cleaning the Living Room Like a Pro: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning Essentials

Before you start making your living room look like a page from a magazine, gather your cleaning essentials. Having the right tools at hand makes all the difference:

• Multi-surface cleaner – for a streak-free shine on various surfaces.
• Window cleaner – perfect for glass surfaces and mirrors.
• Floor cleaner (tailored to your floor type) – for spotless floors.
• Microfibre cloths – the secret to dust-free surfaces.
• Vacuum – an essential for carpets and rugs.
• Mop (if needed) – for sparkling hard floors.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Method

1. Start with a Tidy-Up

   The first step to any cleaning mission is a good tidy-up. There might be a bit of clutter around the living room—wrappers, magazines, or the odd toy. Throw away anything that’s clearly trash. If you’re unsure, stack items neatly rather than tossing them out.

   Put everything back where it belongs. The TV remote, for example, should sit proudly on the coffee table, ready for its next use.

2. Dust and Wipe Down Surfaces

   Once the room is tidy, it’s time to dust and wipe down surfaces. Always start from the top and work your way down. Dust high surfaces first, like door frames, shelves, mantels, picture frames, mirrors, and light switches. This way, any dust that falls will land on areas you haven’t cleaned yet.

   After the higher surfaces are done, move on to tables, chairs, windowsills, and shelves at waist height. Finish with the lowest areas, like stools or coffee tables. Don’t forget those sneaky spots like fireplaces, radiators, TV stands, and behind the TV!

   If your living room has blinds, close them and dust with a feather duster or a microfibre cloth. Remember to open them once you’re done to let in some light.

   Some surfaces will need a little extra help from cleaning products. Use surface cleaner for the table and glass cleaner for coffee tables or mirrors. For electrical items, like TVs or light switches, just dust with a dry cloth—no need for liquids here!

   And remember, anything you stacked earlier should be lifted and cleaned underneath. We’re not cutting corners around here!

3. Clean and Tidy the Sofa

   Now let’s give the sofa some love. Start by removing the sofa cushions and any throws. You might find some surprises—coins, pens, or maybe even the odd snack. Pick up these larger items before getting into the deep clean.

   With a soft brush attachment, vacuum away any dirt, dust, and crumbs from the sofa. Make sure to cover all areas, including the back, armrests, beneath the cushions, and the cushions themselves. Once done, fluff up the cushions, neatly fold any throws, and put everything back in place. Your sofa will thank you!

4. Focus on the Floors

   Alright, time to tackle the floors. Grab your vacuum and start working methodically from left to right and back to front. If you’re not doing a deep clean, there’s no need to move large furniture, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be thorough. Vacuum under chairs and tables as much as possible without moving them.

   Don’t forget the skirting boards around the room! Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to get these areas clean without scratching them. And if you have any small rugs, make sure to vacuum over them and then lift them up to clean underneath. Dust loves to hide under rugs.

5. Mop (If Needed)

   If you have hard floors, you’ll want to mop after vacuuming. Fill a bucket with warm water and the appropriate floor cleaner for your floor type. Just like with vacuuming, work methodically, covering every inch, especially those corners. Start at the far end of the room and mop your way out to avoid walking over the wet floor.

   Remember to use a figure-eight motion while mopping to ensure no spots are missed. Once you’re done, dispose of the dirty water in a toilet or shower drain.