Welcome back to The Deep Clean Challenge! This week, we’re focusing on a crucial area of your home: the entryway. Whether you use a front door, side door, or back door, this space sets the tone for how you feel when you walk in. It’s less about impressing guests and more about creating a warm and inviting feeling for yourself. If you’re new to the challenge, here’s a quick recap of what we’ve accomplished so far:
- Cleared out clutter
- Deep cleaned the kitchen
- Freshened up the bedroom
- Sanitized the bathroom
- Revitalized the living/family room
- Organized the dining area
Why Clean the Entryway?
An inviting and functional entryway can make all the difference in your home experience. Coming home to a clean and organized space can lift your spirits and set a positive tone for the rest of your day.
What Will We Clean in the Entryway?
This week, we’ll be focusing on:
- The interior and exterior of the door
- Windows and any window coverings
- Furniture located near the entryway
- Light fixtures
- Doormats
- The flooring
Tools Needed for Cleaning the Entryway
- A vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle attachment and a crevice tool (if you have carpeting)
- Window cleaner and paper towels or old newspaper
- Wood furniture polish and a clean applicator (like a cloth) or paste wax
- A sturdy stepladder or chair
- A screwdriver (if you need to clean the light fixture)
- Diluted degreaser
- A mask, especially if you have allergies
- Broom, mop, dustpan, and a foxtail duster
How to Begin This Week’s Challenge
Before Saturday rolls around, take a moment to really assess your entryway. Is there a spot that tends to become cluttered? Consider what items are accumulating there: mail, keys, school bags, work items, pet leashes, or even dog waste bags. Think about whether a simple purchase could help streamline this area—perhaps a stylish bowl for your keys, a hook for bags or purses, a mail sorter, or a small trash/recycling bin to manage junk mail immediately. Setting up your space to facilitate better habits can lead to long-term success in keeping your entryway tidy and functional.
How Long Should This Cleaning Take?
Are you facing significant organizing tasks? Is mud or dirt a recurring issue? Typically, cleaning the entryway is less time-consuming compared to other areas in your home, but it can quickly become overwhelming if you let it. Remember, the Deep Clean Challenge isn’t about spending an entire day cleaning. Set a timer, set realistic expectations, and if necessary, tackle the task in multiple sessions.
Let’s Dive into Cleaning the Entryway
Have you reached out to your friend or accountability partner? Got your favorite music or podcasts lined up? Timer set? Great! Let’s get started!
As always, we’ll approach this task using the top-to-bottom, left-to-right, dry-to-wet method. If you have allergies, make sure to wear your mask.
Start by removing any cobwebs. Do you have a light fixture? Let’s make sure that gets cleaned as well. Take a look for any misplaced items that need to be returned to their rightful homes. If you bought any hooks or organizational tools to help maintain cleanliness, now is the perfect time to put them up.
Next, clean any windows and window coverings. Dust off surfaces and check for smudges. Pay special attention to switch plates, baseboards, and any scuff marks at waist and shoulder height. Now, let’s get down low—take any doormats or runners outside and give them a good shake. Clean the baseboards thoroughly. If you have carpeting, use the vacuum’s crevice tool to clean along the edges.
Now, it’s time to focus on the flooring. Sweep and mop hard surfaces; if it’s carpeted, vacuum thoroughly. Finally, place the rugs back in their proper positions.
But wait, we’re not done yet! Open the door and step outside. Don’t worry, we’re not here to socialize.
Look Up!
Check for any cobwebs again. Grab your rag and degreaser to wipe away any smudges. Give your doormat a good shake and vacuum it if you’re in an apartment with interior entrances. Finish by sweeping the entryway area to ensure it’s spotless.
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