Deep cleaning the house before Tet: a room-by-room checklist you can finish in 2 weeks

Quick answer: start your deep clean about 2–3 weeks before Tet and split it by room, a little each day. Work top to bottom, inside to outside: ceilings, lights, curtains and windows first; fabrics and bedding in the middle; floors last. Do the jobs that need drying time (curtains, rugs, duvets) early, before the damp weather that often comes close to Tet.

Suggested two-week schedule

When	Main jobs
Week 1, early	Declutter; sort old items to give away, donate or throw out
Week 1, weekend	Wash curtains, rugs and bedding (you need sunny days to dry them)
Week 2, early	Kitchen: cooker hood, cupboards, hob; bathroom, toilet, drains
Week 2, midweek	Windows, doors, cupboards; clean the washing machine drum
Week 2, weekend	Mop all floors, put things back, freshen curtains and fabric sofas with fabric spray

Living room

• Dust cobwebs, lights and ceiling fans (do this first).
• Wash the curtains. See: How to wash curtains at home
• Wash rugs and doormats. See: How to wash rugs at home
• Clean windows, glass doors and mirrors. See: How to clean glass without streaks
• Vacuum the sofa; wash cushion covers if they come off.

Kitchen

• Wipe the cooker hood, the wall behind the hob and the hob itself (the greasiest areas).
• Clear out the fridge, throw away anything past its date, wipe the shelves.
• Wipe cupboards and handles; wash trays, baskets and chopping boards thoroughly.
• Soak burnt, greasy pots and pans in warm water, then wash. See: Choosing a dishwashing liquid
• Clear the sink drain if water runs away slowly.

Bedrooms

• Wash duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases and mattress covers. See: Washing bedding in the washing machine and Washing fleece and faux-fur blankets
• Tidy the wardrobe and deal with musty smells. See: Removing musty smells from wardrobes and stored clothes
• Air pillows and mattresses (if possible) on a sunny day.

Bathroom and toilet

• Scrub the toilet, basin, taps and mirror.
• Unblock floor drains and the toilet if water drains slowly. See: Blocked toilet: how to clear it
• Wash bath mats and towels. See: Stiff, smelly towels

Washing machine

• Clean the drum, wipe the door seal, wash the detergent drawer. See: How to clean a washing machine drum
• Do this before washing curtains and bedding so clean laundry doesn’t pick up smells.

Balcony and yard

• Sweep, scrub off moss, wipe railings and washing lines.
• Rearrange plant pots, clear out what you don’t use.

Floors last

Mop when everything else is done so you don’t have to do it twice. Clean according to the floor type and dilute floor cleaner correctly so floors don’t feel sticky. See: Cleaning wooden floors the right way and Sticky floors after mopping

What to have ready

• Laundry liquid and fabric softener for curtains, rugs and bedding: see SPY laundry products.
• Floor cleaner: SPY Floor Cleaner.
• Glass cleaner: Eddy Glass Cleaner.
• Washing machine drum cleaner: SPY Drum Cleaner Powder.
• Drain cleaner powder: SPY Drain Cleaner.
• Fabric spray for curtains and sofas afterwards: SPY Fabric Spray.
• Gloves, face mask, microfibre cloths, brushes, large rubbish bags.

Wear gloves when using cleaning products, keep windows open, and never mix different cleaning products together.