Where to start cleaning first?

Author: Keanu Schaefer  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Clean the 'wet areas' first Bathrooms and kitchens are known as 'wet areas'. These often take the most time to clean. That's why they should be first in the order you clean your house. Once you've done step 1 and 3, dust everything and then get down to work in your bathrooms and kitchen.

What is the correct order to clean a house?

Dusting first prevents particles from settling on freshly cleaned surfaces later. Vacuum and Sweep: Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Sweep and mop hard floors. Pay attention to corners, under furniture, and behind appliances. Wipe Surfaces: Clean and disinfect countertops, cabinets, appliances, and other surfaces.

When cleaning a house, where do you start first?

Always start with top and upstairs. Dust eventually goes down. Keep doing laundry first. Everything that creates dust needs to be done before dusting, vacuüming and mopping for the best result.

Where should I start when cleaning?

Start with High-Traffic Areas: Begin in the rooms that are used most frequently, such as the living room or kitchen. This will create a more immediate sense of cleanliness. Kitchen: Tackle the kitchen next, as it's often the messiest and can impact food safety. Clean countertops, appliances, and floors.

What is the 20/10 rule for cleaning?

What is the 20/10 cleaning rule? The 20/10 rule is simple: spend 20 minutes cleaning followed by 10 minutes relaxing. This method is great because it's easy to follow and remember.

Messy Home? Here's How To Get it Clean & Organized for Good!

What is the golden rule for cleaning?

The golden rule of housekeeping is simple: clean as you go.

What is the 80 20 rule in housework?

You can incorporate the 80/20 rule in your home by filling in the time between a 'big clean' by tidying 20 percent of your things more regularly. This keeps your home looking tidy on the surface and makes it feel less daunting when it comes to deep cleaning the other 80 percent of your home.

What is the hardest room to clean?

The kitchen is the home's heart for so many people. Unfortunately, it is also one of the hardest rooms to keep clean. With all those surfaces, appliances, and utensils, it's not surprising that the kitchen often takes the longest to tidy.

Should you dust or vacuum first?

The suction power of a vacuum cleaner can pick up crumbs, pet hair and other larger contaminants that you can't get rid of with dusting alone. Dusting first is generally advisable because it helps remove any loose dirt, debris and dust from the surfaces in your home before you start vacuuming.

Where do I start cleaning when overwhelmed by clutter and mess?

Here are some good places to get started: The floor - Sit and tidy or sort piles of mail or books, grab a broom and sweep up crumbs, or vacuum the living room rug.

Where should cleanliness begin?

Basic cleanliness starts from our own personal cleanliness and hygiene. To start with, we must wash hands regularly. Washing hands keeps germs and bacteria away. So, it is very important to wash hands before eating a meal.

What room order should I clean my house?

Recommended Order for Cleaning a House
  • Decluttering. Start by removing any clutter and putting items back in their designated places. ...
  • Dusting. ...
  • Cleaning High-Touch Surfaces. ...
  • Bathroom Cleaning. ...
  • Kitchen Cleaning. ...
  • Bedroom Cleaning. ...
  • Vacuuming and Sweeping. ...
  • Mopping.

How to deep clean a house quickly?

Deep clean living spaces
  1. Dust everything from top to bottom. ...
  2. Wash the windows, window sills and ledges.
  3. Dust and wash doors.
  4. Wash the walls and baseboards. ...
  5. Sweep, vacuum and mop. ...
  6. Vacuum everything: ...
  7. Shampoo rugs or carpets with a steam cleaner. ...
  8. Wash cushions and throw pillow covers.

Which rooms to clean first?

Clean Your Home In This Order
  • Clean The Bathroom First. The bathrooms are usually the hardest room to clean, and so they're a great place to start. ...
  • The Kitchen. The kitchen is the next hardest place to clean in the house and also one of the most important. ...
  • Entryways and Hallways. ...
  • The Living Room and Family Rooms. ...
  • Bedrooms.

What are the 5 basic cleaning steps in order?

What are the Six Stages of Cleaning?
  1. Pre-clean.
  2. Main clean.
  3. Rinse.
  4. Disinfection.
  5. Final Rinse.
  6. Drying.

What is the correct sequence for cleaning?

So, what is the correct order of cleaning? Generally, it's best to start with decluttering each room, followed by dusting surfaces from top to bottom. Next, clean windows and mirrors, then tackle the floors by vacuuming and mopping. Finish with the kitchen and bathrooms to ensure they're hygienically spotless.

What is the best order to clean a house?

Conclusion. Following a systematic order for cleaning your house can make the task more manageable and ensure a thorough job. By starting with decluttering and moving through dusting, disinfecting, vacuuming, mopping, and specific room cleaning, you create a clean and organized living space.

Is it better to dust with a wet or dry cloth?

Should you dust with a damp cloth? We at Castle Keepers find dusting with a plain, slightly damp microfiber cloth the best way to remove dust from the home, much superior to dusting with oils or sprays. “Damp dusting” is also much easier than dry dusting and more effective because it catches more dust.

What is one of the most common mistakes made with mopping floors?

The biggest and potentially most costly mopping mistake, according to cleaning experts, is using too much water on moisture-sensitive floors like hardwoods and laminates. "Excess water can warp your hardwoods and cause your laminates to bubble," says Melissa Homer, the chief cleaning officer for Microfiber Wholesale.

Where to start when cleaning?

Clean the 'wet areas' first

Bathrooms and kitchens are known as 'wet areas'. These often take the most time to clean. That's why they should be first in the order you clean your house. Once you've done step 1 and 3, dust everything and then get down to work in your bathrooms and kitchen.

Which bathroom is dirtier?

One study found women's bathrooms were dirtier than men's. Researchers attributed that to more children and heavier traffic in female bathrooms.

What happens if you never clean your room?

A cluttered room can lead to dust accumulation, allergies, and even pest infestations. It can also contribute to increased stress and anxiety, making it challenging to relax and focus. Moreover, neglecting room cleaning can have social implications and even impact your physical health.

What is the 20 rule of decluttering?

Then we tested our hypothesis: the 20/20 Rule. Anything we get rid of that we truly need, we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from our current location. Thus far, this hypothesis has become a theory that has held true 100% of the time.

How do you prioritize housework?

How do you prioritize cleaning tasks?
  1. Assess your home. Begin by taking stock of all the tasks in your home. ...
  2. Focus on health first. Areas that directly impact your health are always a priority. ...
  3. High-traffic & visible areas. ...
  4. Make decluttering a habit.

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