Deep cleaning is easier to manage when you stop treating the whole home as one enormous job. A London flat can have just as many edges, crowded cupboards and surfaces as a larger house. This guide starts with an order, then moves through each room so you can decide what to do yourself and what to discuss with a cleaner. It is a planning checklist, not a promise that every task belongs in a standard appointment. Check the care instructions for each material and agree specialist work before the visit.
Set the scope before opening a cupboard
Walk through the property with a notebook. Mark the rooms that need attention, the surfaces that require special care and anything you cannot safely reach. Separate ordinary dirt from damage, staining, leaks or recurring mould. Those problems may need a different response. Decide whether you are cleaning an occupied home, preparing for guests or getting ready to move. The answer changes which tasks matter most. If you are booking deep cleaning in London, describe the condition of each room and ask which detailed tasks are included. Mention ovens, carpets and exterior windows separately rather than assuming they form part of the visit.
Gather supplies and protect the finishes
Have clean microfibre cloths, a vacuum with suitable attachments, a soft brush, a bucket and the products approved for your surfaces ready. Read labels and follow the manufacturer’s directions, especially for stone, treated timber, coated metal and appliance interiors. Test a product in an inconspicuous place when the care guidance allows it. Never mix cleaning chemicals. Keep products in their original containers and away from children and pets. Open windows or use the room’s ventilation where appropriate. Move small objects before wiping, but leave heavy furniture and fixed appliances in place unless moving them has been agreed and can be done safely. Work from higher areas towards the floor.
Kitchen: clear, degrease, then finish
Start by removing loose items from the worktops and sorting food that is out of date. Dust the tops of accessible cabinets and light fittings before cleaning lower surfaces. Wipe cupboard fronts, handles and splashbacks with a method suitable for their finish. Give the hob, extractor exterior and nearby tiles extra attention where cooking residue gathers. Empty only the cupboards you intend to clean inside; putting food back into a damp cupboard creates another problem. Clean the sink and taps, then dry them with a separate cloth. Follow appliance manuals before touching seals, filters or removable parts. Inside-oven work is a distinct task, so discuss professional oven cleaning if baked-on residue needs specialist attention.
Kitchen checklist
- Clear and wipe accessible worktops, splashbacks and cabinet fronts.
- Check handles, switches and the edges around the bin area.
- Clean the sink, tap base and visible draining board.
- Vacuum crumbs from accessible corners before washing the floor.
Bathroom: work around moisture
Remove toiletries and dry-dust shelves, vents and accessible light fittings before wet cleaning. Wash the basin, bath and shower surfaces with products suited to their materials. Treat taps, shower screens and tiles according to the manufacturer’s guidance; an acidic limescale remover may damage some stone and plated finishes. Pay attention to the base of fittings, the outside of the toilet, door handles and the floor around the pedestal. Rinse where the label directs and dry surfaces to make remaining marks easier to see. Check grout and sealant for gaps or deterioration. Cleaning cannot repair failed sealant or a leak. If damp patches or mould keep returning, investigate the source instead of repeatedly covering the mark.
Bedrooms: dust without spreading it
Strip the bed if linen changing is on your list. Dust accessible shelves, window ledges, bedside tables, picture frames and skirting boards, taking care around fragile objects. Vacuum the mattress surface only if its care instructions permit it and use the appropriate attachment. A mattress with a significant stain, odour or other concern may need assessment; room cleaning is not the same as specialist mattress cleaning. Move lightweight furniture only when safe, then vacuum the exposed floor and return each piece to its position. Leave delicate electronics and personal papers for the owner to handle. Finish with mirrors and reachable interior glass, checking for any special coating first.
Living room: follow the edges
In a lived-in sitting room, large surfaces often look clean while the details gather dust. Lift cushions and remove crumbs with a suitable vacuum attachment. Dust the backs and undersides of accessible furniture, shelves and skirting boards. Clean remote controls and frequently handled switches in line with the device or surface instructions; avoid spraying liquid directly onto electronics. Treat lampshades and upholstery according to their care labels, rather than assuming they can be washed. If a carpet has a stain, note where it is and what caused it if known. Rubbing an unknown stain with a strong product can make later treatment harder. Vacuum slowly, including accessible edges.
Hallways and stairs: start at the top
Hallways collect outdoor grit, especially when several people share a small entrance. Put away shoes and bags so the floor is clear. Dust the top of accessible door frames, the banister and wall corners before wiping lower touch points. Check the front door, handles, letterbox surround and light switches. On stairs, work from the upper landing down so loose dust does not fall onto an area you have finished. Use a stable position and do not stretch over a staircase to reach a high fitting. Vacuum the edges and corners with the correct attachment, then clean hard flooring using the method recommended for its finish.
Windows and soft furnishings need their own decisions
Clean reachable interior glass, frames and sills only when you can work safely from the room. Avoid standing on furniture or leaning out of an opening. Exterior glazing, difficult access and specialist glass coatings require a separate plan. Curtains, rugs and upholstered furniture also vary widely: a label may rule out a product that works well elsewhere. Check each item before attempting spot cleaning. Vacuuming loose dust is often a useful first step, but moisture or scrubbing can damage delicate fibres. Record any stains, loose seams or existing wear before a professional visit.
Floors: leave them until the rooms are done
Vacuum or sweep after higher surfaces have been cleaned. Use a suitable tool for the floor: a soft head for finishes that scratch, an attachment for edges and a careful approach to loose rugs. Pick up grit before mopping so it does not drag across the surface. Use only the amount of water and product allowed by the flooring guidance. Timber, laminate, stone and vinyl do not share one universal method. Give the floor enough time to dry before replacing mats or walking through in outdoor shoes. If a carpet needs more than routine vacuuming, describe its material and condition when asking about carpet cleaning.
Finish with a practical walk-through
Return to the room list rather than judging the result from the doorway. Check the areas that prompted the deep clean: the hob edge, shower screen, skirting behind a chair or dust on a high shelf. Put supplies away, rinse reusable cloths as directed and allow damp items to dry before storage. Note anything that could not be completed because of access, time or material restrictions. If you have booked a cleaner, compare the finished work with the agreed scope while the details are fresh. A useful deep clean leaves a clear record of what was done and what still needs attention.