To feel seriously overwhelmed by the task in front of me?

[CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets]

My house needs a thorough deep clean. There's not much clutter. I got everyone to have a tidy before they left and now I need to clean. It's getting me down how dirty it is.

Where on earth do I begin? Bought a new mop and bucket (we haven't had a workable one for ages 🫣 and have just spot - cleaned)

The landlord is replacing our downstairs carpets soon and so I want to repaint through downstairs but I can't when it's this filthy.

Tips appreciated.

Hire a cleaner for a one off deep clean and then keep on top of it?

Not budgetable unfortunately 😔

Do one room at a time. Bathroom is a good place to start. You don’t need to do it all at once. A room a day, maybe?

You're just going to have to get stuck in!

My nan used to say go from top to bottom? Are we talking ceiling to floor here?

Concentrate on one room only, eg don't dust the entire house in one go.

Start at the top and work your way down, so upstairs before downstairs. Dust the ceilings, wipe down walls, dust furniture, wash down skirtings and doors, then the final thing is hoover. Once completed you move onto the next room. Any laundry should be ignored until you've done this side, ie the bedding, towels, curtains or cushion covers. Make sure the window is wide open when you do it as there is nothing better than fresh air after a good clean.

Yep. If you're doing painted walls sugar soap is the best thing to use.

Bathrooms not too bad, it get done almost daily (boys peeing everywhere 😔 it's getting better)

I'm thinking kitchen as this is the room that upsets me the most.

Help me break down the steps please.

I'm thinking;

1. Everything off the top of the cabinets.
2. Scrub down and put back
3. Cobwebs
4. Everything out the cabinets
5. Wipe and put back
6. Tiles, window, sink and surfaces
7. Machines scrub down and underneath (I want to move these but do I need to u plumb the washing machine or anything)
8. Washing up
9. Floors sweep and mop

10. Fridge chuck out and clean

@CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets

ceiling to floor as dust falls, no point cleaning the lower parts first, also upstairs then downstairs for pretty much the same resson

BUT

In your situation I'd go for the viability rule.

entrance way & downstairs loo (if you have them). Lounge, kitchen - the places people will see first.

one room at a time

Don't forget to take breaks and eat or you'll wear yourself out. Playing some upbeat music while you clean should give you a bit more energy.

Sugar soap?

Quite wasteful but get some wipes. Sugar soap wipes if really filthy. On room at a time.

Any tips on cleaning metal slatted blinds?

This stuff?

I asked ChatGPT to give instructions for throughly cleaning your kitchen, OP.

Here's what it said!

Tackling a kitchen that hasn't been cleaned in a while can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps will make the task much more achievable. Here's a professional step-by-step guide to help you thoroughly clean your kitchen.

Step 1: Preparation and Gathering Supplies

Before you start, gather all the necessary cleaning supplies:

• Trash bags
• Recycling bags/bins
• Dish soap
• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Degreaser
• Disinfectant spray
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Microfiber cloths/rags
• Sponges/scrub brushes
• A bucket
• Mop and floor cleaner
• Vacuum or broom and dustpan
• Rubber gloves

Step 2: Declutter the Counters and Surfaces

1. *Remove All Items:* Start by clearing off your countertops. Remove everything, including small appliances, dishes, and other items. Place them on a table or another counter.

1. *Sort Through Items:* As you remove items, sort them into three categories: Keep, Toss, Donate/Sell. This includes old or expired food, broken utensils, and things you no longer use.

1. *Dispose of Trash:* Immediately throw away any trash and recycling. If you have food waste, remove it from the kitchen to avoid any lingering odors.

1. *Put Away Non-Kitchen Items:* If you find items that don’t belong in the kitchen, put them in a box or basket to be relocated later.

Step 3: Clean the Sink and Dishes

1. *Wash All Dishes:* If there are dirty dishes, wash them now. If you have a dishwasher, load it and start the cycle. Hand wash any items that are too delicate or large.

1. *Clean the Sink:* Sprinkle baking soda in the sink and scrub with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly, then use a bit of dish soap to clean the faucet and handles. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.

1. *Disinfect the Sink:* After cleaning, spray the sink with a disinfectant and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

Step 4: Clean Cabinets, Drawers, and Shelves

1. *Empty Cabinets and Drawers:* Start with one section at a time. Empty out all items from your cabinets, drawers, and shelves.

1. *Wipe Down Interiors:* Use a damp cloth with an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the inside of each cabinet, drawer, and shelf. Pay extra attention to corners and any sticky spots.

1. *Organize and Replace Items:* As you return items to their places, consider reorganizing for better functionality. Discard anything expired or that you no longer need.

1. *Clean Exterior Surfaces:* Wipe down the exterior of cabinets and drawers, paying special attention to handles, where grime tends to build up.

Step 5: Clean Appliances

1. *Refrigerator:*

- *Empty It:* Remove all items from the fridge. - *Dispose of Old Food:* Check expiration dates and toss anything that’s expired or questionable. - *Wipe Down Shelves and Drawers:* Remove shelves and drawers if possible and wash them in the sink with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the interior with an all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. - Replace Items: Organize the items as you put them back.

1. *Oven/Stove:*

- *Clean the Oven:* Use an oven cleaner or a homemade paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the interior and let it sit for 20 minutes before scrubbing and wiping it clean. - *Clean the Stovetop:* If your stovetop has grates, remove and soak them in hot soapy water. Clean the surface with a degreaser, paying attention to any burnt-on spots. Wipe down with a clean cloth.

1. *Microwave:*

- *Wipe Down Inside:* Heat a bowl of water with a slice of lemon or a splash of vinegar for 3-5 minutes in the microwave. This will loosen grime. Wipe down the interior with a cloth. - *Clean the Exterior:* Wipe the outside with an all-purpose cleaner.

1. *Small Appliances:* Wipe down the exteriors of your toaster, coffee maker, and other small appliances with a damp cloth. Clean the interior if needed, like removing crumbs from the toaster.

Step 6: Clean Countertops and Backsplash

1. *Wipe Down Countertops:* Use a suitable cleaner for your countertop material (granite, laminate, etc.). Pay special attention to corners and edges.

1. *Clean the Backsplash:* Use a mild cleaner or degreaser to wipe down the backsplash, especially if it’s tiled or near the stove, where grease may accumulate.

Step 7: Clean the Floors

1. *Sweep/Vacuum:* Start by sweeping or vacuuming the entire floor to remove crumbs and debris. Don’t forget to get under appliances and cabinets.

1. *Mop:* Fill a bucket with warm water and a suitable floor cleaner. Mop the floor, starting from the farthest corner and working your way out of the kitchen. Allow it to dry completely.

Step 8: Final Touches

1. *Wipe Down Light Fixtures and Switches:* Dust and wipe down any light fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets with a damp cloth.

1. *Clean Windows and Glass:* Use a glass cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to clean any windows, glass doors, or mirrors in the kitchen.

1. *Take Out Trash:* Ensure all trash and recycling are removed from the kitchen.

1. *Replace Items:* Return small appliances and items to the countertops in an organized manner. Try to keep counters as clear as possible to maintain a tidy look.

Step 9: Step Back and Enjoy

Finally, take a moment to admire your hard work! Maintaining this cleanliness will be easier now that you’ve done the heavy lifting. Consider setting up a regular cleaning schedule to keep the kitchen in good shape.

Bonus Tips for Maintaining Cleanliness

• *Daily:* Wipe down counters, wash dishes, and clean the sink.
• *Weekly:* Clean appliances and mop the floor.
• *Monthly:* Deep clean cabinets, drawers, and the fridge.

By breaking the task into these steps, you'll be able to manage the process more easily and see progress as you go, making it less overwhelming and more rewarding.

How acceptable is it to throw out your oven and just buy a new one eventually? 😂

Flash fluffy duster on a handle thing. Other brands are available! Gets between the slats perfectly.

You can also get reusable microfibre versions.

Preferable to cleaning it

I decided I need to clean my whole house. I have a fatigue condition but also want it done...

And I'm still in bed cos I'm overwhelmed...

Start with the kitchen and do the most “visible” jobs first to motivate you. I’d go…

First, washing up - dry, put away and clean sink with something that smells nice.

Second - wipe counters, table etc.

Thirdly, empty bin

at this point it should look ok ish already so move on to…

Then, wipe down tops of cupboards.

Next, give counter tops another run over if needed.

Now, sweep and mop floor. I’ve seen people use a wet sweeping brush to give the floor a good scrub with hot water and cleaner of some sort before mopping as a soft mop is often not abrasive enough to really clean.

Listening to music should help and set a timer too. Work out a treat once you’ve done the kitchen.

Save the other jobs for another day and do one or two per day.

Yes or you can get it in powder form and mix with water which I prefer

@TeenLifeMum

yrs very wasteful and totally unnecessary.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

we live in the SE, so everything is expensive. But oven cleaning is still reasonably cheap & makes a huge difference to have it done properly.

You need ‘goblin tools’.

Get your boys to clean up after themselves. Every single time.