Welcome to Week 5 of the Deep Clean Challenge!
It may be called a den, but it doesn’t have to resemble a cave where bears reside. — Heather, reminding her kids about the importance of tidiness.
If you’re just joining us on this journey, here’s what we’ve accomplished together so far:
- Cleared the Clutter
- Cleaned the Kitchen
- Cleaned the Bedroom
- Scrubbed the Bathroom
Are you noticing some progress? We would love to hear your experiences in the comments!
How Does the Deep Clean Challenge Work?
The weekly challenge is unveiled on our Facebook page every Wednesday morning. This allows you ample time to strategize and gather any necessary tools for the upcoming project. By the time Saturday arrives, you should be all set to dive in. (If Saturday doesn’t fit your schedule, feel free to shift it to a day that works for you!)
Why Are We Focusing on the Living Room/Family Room This Week?
Having already tackled the two primary private spaces where we spend the majority of our time, as well as the kitchen — a public area that significantly influences our daily mood — it’s time to turn our attention to other common areas of the home.
What Will Be Cleaned in the Living Room/Family Room?
Our goal is to cover all the essential areas, but we won’t be addressing the chimney if you have a fireplace. Additionally, if your living space is more of a great room, mentally divide it to identify where your dining area is located. We’ll focus on the dining area in a future session. If you’ve removed a wall to create an open space, just imagine it’s back for the sake of this exercise.
What Is Our Goal in Cleaning the Living Room/Family Room?
We’re not aiming to impress with a white glove test; instead, we want to foster a space that feels inviting and enjoyable to be in. Our goal is to walk through the room without the discomfort of stepping on hidden Legos or shuffling aside last week’s dishes just to enjoy a show. To clarify, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in a good Netflix or Hulu binge; I’m currently waiting for the kids to sleep so I can finish Season 2 of The Great. We simply want to experience this joy without any guilt weighing us down. Clutter is morally neutral; we just want to ensure your living space brings you happiness. That’s the aim of our cleaning mission this week.
What Tools and Cleaning Supplies Do We Need?
Our list is quite similar to last week’s, with the addition of linen spray and allergy barriers:
- Garbage bags
- Bins or bus tubs
- Rubber gloves
- Rags
- Degreaser
- Glass cleaner
- Paper towels
- Vacuum cleaner
- Soft bristle attachment
- Stepladder
- Foxtail or soft bristle brush
- Broom and dustpan
- Leather cleaner, if applicable
- Furniture polish
Nice to Have/Get:
- Well-fitted KN-95 mask*
- Canned air
- Replacement lightbulbs, if any are burnt out
- Cord keepers/organizers
- A spare charger
- Maybe a spare sheet
How Do We Get Started with This Week’s Challenge?
Do you have everything you need? An accountability partner? Music, a podcast, or some other form of audio entertainment? Timers ready?
If yes, you’re all set to begin!
How Long Should Cleaning the Living/Family Room Take?
Ah, the age-old question! The answer is variable. Consider the size of your space, the amount of stuff you have, how much dust has accumulated, and whether you’re like Heather’s dad, who has a collection of tiny houses that require delicate dusting with a paintbrush. It may take longer than our suggested two-hour time frame, and that’s perfectly fine. You can continue working on it each week as it fits into your chore schedule. At the end of the challenge, you can also go through the process again!
Let’s Clean That Living Room!
Gather your supplies, and don’t forget to grab your mask if you’re part of the allergy crew. If the thought of tackling the room all at once feels daunting, consider breaking it down into sections, especially if you find it easier to manage. Your first task? Turn off the ceiling fan, if you have one. While it slows down, take a look for items that don’t belong in this space, such as:
- Dirty laundry
- Clean laundry
- Trash
- School items
- Dirty dishes
- Items from other rooms
- Shoes
- Work materials
Your mission is to gather these items and put them away, unless you know you tend to get sidetracked. In that case, collect them and set them just outside the room for later. You’ll deal with those items AFTER the living room is clean. Start by grabbing your broom to eliminate any cobwebs from the corners.
Clean the Ceiling Fan.
Dust off the fan blades. If you have valuable items directly beneath the fan, consider spreading a sheet on the floor to catch any falling dust. Don’t forget to clean the light fixture as well, and check the direction of the fan blades — during warm seasons, they should rotate counter-clockwise.
Clean the Overhead Light Fixture if You Don’t Have a Ceiling Fan.
If the glass covering is particularly grimy, you can soak it or run it through the dishwasher (just skip this if the glass is frosted).
Clean the Windows and Window Coverings.
Are you just vacuuming the curtains/drapes or will you be washing them or taking them to the cleaners? Both options are perfectly valid. If you’re vacuuming, use the soft bristle attachment and ensure it’s clean to avoid smudges on light-colored fabrics.
Clean Any Shelves, Mantles, Media Cabinets, and Elevated Surfaces.
How you dust and polish will depend on the materials used. Some laminated furniture may simply require a damp rag, while others may need a thorough dusting and polishing to maintain their shine.
Don’t Forget to Dust Your Television and Speakers.
If you have a can of air, now is the time to use it. Look for areas where dust has collected on electronic equipment, especially near vents, and use the canned air to blow it away from (not into) the vents. While you’re tending to the electronics, consider if you have a designated area for charging devices. Could it use some organization?
Clean All Chairs and Sofas.
Grab your vacuum for a deep clean. Remove any detachable parts and give the entire piece a thorough vacuuming, unless it’s leather. For leather items, just vacuum the non-leather parts and use an appropriate cleaner on the leather surfaces. You might be surprised by how much change you find — we’ve certainly discovered much less since moving away from cash!
Clean the Walls.
Your cleaning method will depend on the type of paint. For matte, flat, or eggshell finishes, avoid washing them and instead use a barely damp rag with a little diluted vinegar. Semi-gloss walls are more forgiving, and you can typically use your favorite diluted degreaser. Remember our motto: Always read the label, never mix chemicals without research, test in an inconspicuous area, and clean up the evidence.
Wash the Windows.
If it’s been a while, you’ll likely notice a significant difference in how much brighter the sunlight feels in your space. We’ve started from the top and are just about to reach the floor, but now we arrive at the least favorite task for many—cleaning the baseboards. Grab a rag and some gloves. If your baseboards are white, I’ve found that diluted powdered Tide works wonders. Tide contains brighteners that make whites whiter, which is perfect for your baseboards.
While you’re going around the room, save yourself some effort by dragging the vacuum alongside you (and using it). Attach the crevice tool to tackle that pesky bit of dust that collects between the carpet and baseboard or along the edges where the quarter round meets the floor. This will make your next-to-last step much easier.
Vacuum or Sweep and Mop.
This is your thorough, “company-is-coming” level of cleaning. Once you finish this step, it’s time to put away all your tools and ensure your curtains are rehung if you took them down. Reassemble the light fixture, and you can finally call it a day.
Congratulations! You’ve done an amazing job!
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