Whether you refer to it as the living room, family room, great room, or den, today we are diving into the task of cleaning this central space in our homes. Over the years, the layout of homes has evolved significantly. If you’ve ever tuned into a home renovation show, you’ll hear plans to tear down walls to create an expansive and open atmosphere. However, after spending a year at home with six children, I can’t help but wish for more doors on the main floor!
For today’s cleaning mission, we’ll focus on the room that likely features a TV or fireplace, and possibly even your dining room table if you have an open floor plan. We’ll define our cleaning zone, setting aside the dining area for another day.
As in previous weeks, we will employ the top-to-bottom, left-to-right, and dry-to-wet method. Remember, don’t feel pressured to accomplish everything in one go. The mess didn’t accumulate instantaneously, and you shouldn’t feel compelled to clear it all out in one day. If there are others in your home, enlist their help! Take frequent breaks, and don’t forget to enhance the atmosphere with your favorite podcast, music, or an engaging audiobook. Let’s get started!
Gather Your Cleaning Tools:
- A vacuum equipped with a soft bristle attachment and an edge tool, especially if you have carpet.
- Window cleaner along with paper towels or newspaper for streak-free shine.
- A microfiber cloth, perfect for cleaning electronic screens without leaving scratches.
- Wood furniture polish and an applicator cloth, if applicable.
- A sturdy stepladder or chair to reach high places safely.
- A screwdriver (either standard or Phillips head, depending on your needs). I prefer those that allow you to flip the tip out for small tasks; they’re not ideal for larger jobs, though.
- Floor cleaner suitable for your tile or hardwood surfaces.
- Diluted degreaser for tougher grime.
- If you suffer from allergies, grab one of the masks we’ve been using everywhere. We’re about to stir up some dust, and you’ll thank yourself later for being proactive (and yes, wear it!).
Starting at the Top:
Just as we did in the bedroom last week, let’s kick off our cleaning with the ceiling fan, if you have one. Start by turning it off at the switch, and then remove any globes for a thorough cleaning. If they’re particularly dirty, consider giving them a spin in the dishwasher for a sparkling result. Next, clean the fan blades carefully. While your stepladder or chair is still handy, tackle any cobwebs that might be hiding in the corners of the room. Dust the tops of bookshelves, window frames, or even curtains if you’re not planning to wash them just yet. A soft bristle attachment on your vacuum can be particularly useful for these tasks. If you plan to wash your curtains, this is the perfect moment to take them down.
Continuing our downward journey, vacuum any blinds, raising them fully to clean in between the slats. If you have bookshelves, dust off your books and knick-knacks, returning only the items you truly cherish. If you have a fireplace, don’t forget to dust the mantle, and if your TV is wall-mounted, wipe it down with care.
Halfway Down:
Now we’re venturing into the mid-level sections of the room, where the real differences will emerge based on who resides in your home. If you have young children, you’ll likely spend some time with a magic eraser tackling marks on the walls. If your household is child-free, take pleasure in organizing your media collection (kudos if you’ve transitioned entirely to streaming!). For households with teenagers, enlist their help in sorting and organizing their gaming cords and collections.
Next, it’s time to wash the windows. Remove cushions from any furniture and give the undersides a thorough vacuum to eliminate the crumbs left behind by the “No Mom, I never eat in the living room” brigade. For leather furniture, apply a cleaner and conditioner. If your furniture is upholstered or made of microsuede, give it a comprehensive vacuuming. If you share your space, send someone outside to beat the dust out of the pillows before they receive a vacuum treatment. Clear off any end or coffee tables and recycle outdated magazines. If you’ve been holding onto an entire magazine for just one recipe, snap a picture of it and then let it go.
If there’s a toy box in the room, go through it with determination. Good luck, my friend—I understand the challenges here! You might find it easier if you send your spouse and kids out for a bit of fresh air. Finally, dust and polish any wooden furniture to restore its shine.
Finally at Floor Level:
It’s time to move the furniture you can manage away from the walls—better yet, recruit someone else to do this for you. Take a moment to appreciate all the forgotten items that have found their way behind and underneath these pieces of furniture, and clean up the surprise messes. Now for the ever-popular task of tackling the baseboards! Depending on your cleaning preferences and whether your room has carpeting, you can alternate between methods. If there’s just a light layer of dust and your room is carpeted, use the bristle attachment and crevice tool to clean both the carpet edges and baseboards simultaneously. For particularly dirty baseboards, a rag dampened with degreaser will work wonders.
Thoroughly vacuum the room if it’s carpeted, or sweep and mop with the appropriate cleaner if it has hard flooring. Once you’ve completed these tasks, rehang any curtains you took down. Finally, replace the furniture (or enlist someone else to do it) and take a moment to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. Congratulations on your hard work!
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