Audrey
20% of Americans only deep clean their homes every six months, if ever, according to one national survey released. While your regular cleaning routine may involve sweeping or mopping the floors, wiping down the kitchen counters, and tidying-up, however, there are several nooks and crannies in a home that shouldn’t be ignored for too long. From the health effects that can lurk in a dirty home to how you can go about carrying out a deep clean in an effective way, here are just a few things to keep in mind before jumping in.
The health impacts of cleaning
For many, deep cleaning the entire house may be reserved as an annual event due to the immense amount of time and physical effort it takes. However, properly cleaning the home on a regular basis can bring a variety of benefits to the table. Additionally, after a major renovation or construction project, post construction cleaning is essential to ensure that all debris, dust and construction materials are removed. Forbes Health notes that the mental health benefits of cleaning can include a sense of order/control and improved focus. Regulated emotions is another benefit worth highlighting, as the act of cleaning can offer “a calming effect during overwhelming situations,” according to the article. Peggy Loo, Ph.D., licensed psychologist and director at Manhattan Therapy Collective stating, “Deep cleaning can be a great constructive physical outlet for frustration.”
Mymove.com notes that a clean home “leaves fewer places for germs and bacteria to hide,” further going on to point out that in carpeting, bedding and upholstery, dust and allergens can build up over time. Dusting is just one task that is often overlooked, especially in forgotten nooks and crannies like the space above the fridge, high shelves, etc.. According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, exposure to dust inside homes can have a variety of adverse health outcomes, including asthma and allergic reactions. In addition to dusting, neglecting a deep clean can potentially result in the growth of mold (particularly in areas of the home that aren’t well-ventilated, like the bathroom or basement). Regarding the health effects involved, Healthline notes that symptoms of mold exposure can include wheezing, headache, eye irritation, sore throat, and coughing — to name just a few.
From decluttering to creating a checklist
When looking to deep clean your home, decluttering is a fantastic place to start. By taking on this task first, you can eliminate the stress of having unnecessary items around that get in the way (not to mention it will make cleaning later on less of a hassle). The Spruce notes that focusing on one room or even a zone within a room at a time can help in productively breaking down the enormous task, while putting things into piles/boxes will help to categorize (keep, throw away, donate, etc.). Apartment Therapy offers additional tips for successful decluttering, citing the mantra coined by Emily Ley — when sorting, ask yourself if it’s “the best, the favorite, or necessary.” In doing so, you’ll be able to more easily determine which items are worth keeping, and what can be pared down.
After decluttering, Better Homes & Gardens highlights a few key points worth adding to your checklist. For instance, it’s recommended to give some attention to areas like the windows (including cleaning the sills and tracks), removing dust from surfaces, and deep cleaning the floors. Decluttering closets and cabinets, freshening up mattresses (with the help of baking soda), and vacuuming furniture are just a few things that can go overlooked in a standard clean. Of course, tasks will vary by room — in the bathroom, the site notes that washing the shower curtain and cleaning the shower doors, and decluttering vanities are just a few aspects to keep in mind. In the kitchen, giving your attention to the appliances (stove, dishwasher, etc.) is a must.
It’s okay to ask for help
Deep cleaning an entire house is a major undertaking for anyone, let alone individuals who have just moved, became a parent, taken on a new job, or otherwise have busy schedules. Due to the fact that deep cleaning a home involves covering a lot of ground — not to mention the amount of time and physical effort it takes, leaving a deep clean for another time can become all too easy. For individuals who experience mental health issues like depression, finding the motivation to keep up with tasks like deep cleaning can be even more challenging. “Living with depression can make it feel really, really challenging to do a lot of things, [and] keeping a living space clean may be just one of those,” notes Gaby Teresa, associate marriage and family therapist at Kindman & Co. in Los Angeles.
Whether you’ve just relocated to a new city like Austin, Chicago, or L.A. or you’re simply in need of some help, enlisting the help of a professional cleaning service can present the ideal solution when looking to achieve a deep clean throughout your home. Through a reputable service, choosing the type of cleaning you need — from organizing, move in/out cleaning, and even deep cleaning will allow you to tailor the experience based on what your home needs. Deep cleaning services typically encompass a variety of tasks — including areas of the home that tend to get neglected with standard cleanings (under the bed, etc.), while more tedious tasks may be added on for an additional cost like cleaning out the fridge, inside the oven, and inside cabinets/drawers. With that in mind, you can ensure that your home will be spotless in a timely manner while alleviating the stress that comes with such a large task.
Deep cleaning can feel like a mammoth task, especially when considering the time it takes to cover an entire house. However, by managing to do so regularly — whether on your own or with the help of a professional cleaning service — there’s no question that the results can be well worth it, particularly when it comes to your health.
