Complete Deep Cleaning Checklist for Every Room in Your Home

Complete Deep Cleaning Checklist for Every Room in Your Home

You know that feeling when you wipe down a surface in Kuala Lumpur, and two hours later, there’s already a fine layer of dust on it? Between the construction haze, the city traffic, and our constant 80% humidity, keeping a Malaysian home truly clean is a challenge that goes beyond a quick sweep.

From what we see in the homes we service, deep cleaning isn’t just about making things look shiny—it’s about protecting your property from the specific issues we face here, like mold growth on bathroom ceilings or the grease that gets extra sticky in our tropical heat. A standard weekly clean handles the surface mess, but it often misses the hidden buildup that attracts pests like cockroaches and ants.

We have refined this checklist based on hundreds of jobs across Selangor and KL. It breaks down exactly what needs to be done to reset your home’s hygiene, room by room.

Kitchen Deep Cleaning Checklist

The combination of high heat, oil-heavy Asian cooking, and humidity makes the kitchen the hardest room to maintain. Grease here doesn’t just sit on surfaces; it oxidizes and hardens, becoming a magnet for bacteria and pests.

Appliances:

• Deep Clean the Range Hood: This is the most critical task. Remove the metal filters and soak them in boiling water mixed with an alkaline degreaser (baking soda works, but a commercial degreaser is faster) for 20 minutes before scrubbing.
• Oven Interior: Remove racks and apply a paste of baking soda and water or a specialized oven cleaner. Let it sit for at least an hour to break down carbonized food.
• Refrigerator Coils and Top: Dust the top of the fridge where heat vents out. If accessible, vacuum the coils at the back to improve energy efficiency.
• Empty and Sanitize the Fridge: Take out all shelves and drawers. Wash them with warm soapy water, not hot water, to prevent the cold glass from cracking.
• Dishwasher Filter: Remove and rinse the filter at the bottom of the unit. A clogged filter is the number one reason for bad odors.
• Microwave & Small Appliances: Steam the microwave by heating a bowl of water with lemon slices for 3 minutes, then wipe clean. Shake out crumbs from the toaster.

Cabinets and Pantry:

• Check for Weevils: In our climate, rice and flour weevils proliferate quickly. Empty the pantry and inspect all dry goods. Discard anything with signs of movement or webbing.
• Wipe Cabinet Tops: These areas collect a thick layer of oily dust. You may need a scraper or a stiff brush to remove the initial layer before wiping.
• Clean Interiors: Vacuum crumbs from shelf corners before wiping down with a damp cloth.
• Wipe Containers: Sticky sauce bottles (like soy sauce or oil) leave rings on shelves. Wipe the bottoms of all jars before putting them back.

Surfaces:

• Degrease Backsplash: Scrub the grout lines between tiles. Grease often turns white grout yellow here.
• Sanitize Sink & Drain: Pour boiling water down the drain to melt accumulated grease. Scrub the sink basin with a mild abrasive to remove coffee or tea stains.
• Countertop Deep Clean: Move everything off the counters. Clean the corners where the backsplash meets the counter, as crumbs often wedge there.

Floors and Walls:

• Pull Out Appliances: If possible, carefully pull the fridge and stove forward. You will likely find a significant amount of dust and lost items underneath.
• Scrub Baseboards: Grease droplets fall and settle on the baseboards near the stove. Wipe these with a degreaser, not just water.

Pro Tip: If you see small, black, pepper-like specks in your cabinet hinges or drawer corners, those are likely cockroach droppings. Vacuum them up immediately and clean the area with disinfectant to remove the scent trails that attract others.

Bathroom Deep Cleaning Checklist

In Malaysia, the enemy in the bathroom is “pink mold” (Serratia marcescens) and black mold, which thrive in our humid, windowless apartment bathrooms.

Toilet:

• Disinfect the Tank: Open the tank lid and check for mold or mineral buildup inside. A dirty tank can lead to premature rubber seal failure.
• Remove the Seat: If you can, unscrew the toilet seat to clean the grime that hides around the mounting bolts.
• Siphon Jets: Use a small mirror to look under the rim. Scrub the small holes (siphon jets) where mineral deposits often block water flow.

Shower/Tub:

• Treat Grout Lines: Apply a mold remover or a bleach pen to discolored grout. Let it sit for 15 minutes to penetrate the porous surface before scrubbing.
• Descale Showerhead: If water sprays unevenly, tie a plastic bag filled with white vinegar around the showerhead and leave it overnight to dissolve calcium deposits.
• Clear the Trap: Remove the drain cover and pull out hair and soap scum. This physical removal is more effective than chemical drain cleaners.
• Glass Doors: Remove soap scum with a mix of vinegar and dish soap. Use a squeegee to keep it clear in the future.

Sink and Vanity:

• Clean the Overflow Hole: The small safety hole in the sink often collects black sludge. Use a pipe cleaner or bottle brush to scrub it out.
• Organize and Purge: Check toiletries for expiry dates. Humidity degrades makeup and creams faster than you might think.
• Wipe Light Fixtures: Dust on bathroom lights can dim the room significantly. Wipe them down carefully when cool.

General:

• Ventilation Fan: This is crucial for mold prevention. Remove the cover and vacuum the fan blades. If this fan is clogged, humidity stays in the room.
• Wash Bath Mats: Wash these on a hot cycle to kill bacteria and fungal spores.
• Scrub Floor Corners: Mops often push dirt into corners. Use a stiff brush to hand-scrub the perimeter of the floor.

Bedroom Deep Cleaning Checklist

Bedrooms are the primary collection point for dust mites, which feed on dead skin cells. Since many Malaysians sleep with air conditioning, the temperature fluctuation can also cause condensation and hidden mold behind furniture.

Bed and Bedding:

• Vacuum the Mattress: Strip the bed and vacuum the entire mattress surface using an upholstery attachment. This removes dust mite allergens.
• Rotate the Mattress: Rotate it 180 degrees to ensure even wear.
• Wash Pillows: most fiber-fill pillows can be machine washed (check the label). Tumble dry them thoroughly to ensure no moisture remains.

Closet/Wardrobe:

• Vacuum Inside Closets: Dust bunnies accumulate in the dark corners of wardrobes. Remove shoes and bags to vacuum the floor.
• Check Leather Items: Inspect leather bags and shoes for white mold, which is common in humid closets. Wipe them with a leather conditioner if needed.
• Wipe Hanger Rods: Dust on rods can transfer onto clean clothes.

Furniture & General:

• Clean Behind Furniture: Move nightstands and dressers. The wall behind them often has a thick layer of dust.
• Ceiling Fan Blades: Use a pillowcase to slide over each blade and pull the dust off. This keeps the dust inside the case instead of falling on your bed.
• Clean Window Tracks: Vacuum the tracks and use an old toothbrush to scrub out caked-on mud or black dust from city pollution.
• Air Conditioner: Open the front panel and wash the mesh filters. Vacuum the dust from the intake vents on top of the unit.

Living Room Deep Cleaning Checklist

This is a high-traffic zone where fabric upholstery absorbs sweat and spills.

Furniture:

• Vacuum Upholstery: Remove all cushions and vacuum the frame of the sofa. Use the crevice tool to get deep into the sides.
• Launder Covers: If your sofa covers are removable, wash them. If not, spot clean stains with an appropriate upholstery cleaner (check the code: W for water-based, S for solvent-based).
• Clean Underneath: Dust under the sofa is a major allergen trap. Move the sofa to clean the floor properly.

Entertainment & Decor:

• TV Venting: Vacuum the vents on the back of your TV and gaming consoles. Overheating caused by dust is a common cause of electronics failure.
• Cable Management: Untangle cables and wipe them down. Dust clings to rubber cables.
• Sanitize Remotes: These are high-touch items. Wipe them with disinfectant alcohol.
• Plant Care: Wipe the leaves of indoor plants. Dust blocks sunlight and reduces their ability to filter air. Check the saucers for standing water to prevent dengue mosquitoes.

General:

• Wash Curtains: Heavy drapes hold a massive amount of dust. Wash them or have them dry cleaned.
• Clean Window Glass: Clean the inside of windows. You’ll be surprised how much haze and traffic film sticks to the glass.
• Rug Care: Vacuum area rugs from both sides. The back of the rug holds just as much dust as the front.

Whole-House Tasks

Air Quality:

• AC Filters: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) recommends cleaning AC filters every 3 months. A clogged filter increases electricity usage by forcing the unit to work harder.
• Ceiling Vents: If you have central air or cassette units, wipe the exterior vents. If you see mold spots on the vent covers, call a professional, as it may indicate mold in the ductwork.

Doors and Windows:

• Wipe Door Frames: Dust settles on the top edge of door frames.
• Sanitize Handles: Wipe all doorknobs and light switches with disinfectant.

Floors:

• Parquet Floor Caution: If you have parquet floors (common in older Malaysian homes), never use a soaking wet mop. Water causes the wood blocks to swell and pop out. Use a barely damp microfiber mop.
• Grout Scrub: For tiled floors, use a grout brush to lift dirt that mopping leaves behind.

Time Estimates by Room

Room	Estimated Time (DIY)	Why It Takes This Long
Kitchen	2-3 hours	Degreasing takes time; products need to sit and soak.
Bathroom	1-1.5 hours per bath	Scrubbing grout and tiles is physically demanding.
Bedroom	1-2 hours per room	Sorting closets and detailed dusting adds up.
Living Room	1.5-2 hours	Moving heavy furniture and vacuuming upholstery is slow work.
Whole House	2-3 hours	Windows, floors, and fans across the whole unit.

Total for an average 3-bedroom home: 8-12 hours

Tips for Effective Deep Cleaning

Control the Humidity Open windows to ventilate while using chemicals, but close them if it’s about to rain. If you have an air conditioner with a “Dry” mode, run it after cleaning to help carpets and upholstery dry faster.

The “Top to Bottom” Rule Always start with the ceiling fans and cornice. If you clean the floor first, you’ll just knock dust onto it later. Gravity is your friend here.

Let Products Do the Work We see many people scrubbing immediately after spraying. Spray your bathroom cleaner or kitchen degreaser and walk away for 10 minutes. This chemical reaction breaks down the bond between the dirt and the surface, meaning you have to scrub less.

Safety First Never mix cleaning products. Mixing bleach (often used for mold) with vinegar or ammonia-based window cleaners creates toxic fumes. Stick to one product per surface.

When to Call Professionals

Deep cleaning is exhausting work. You might want to consider bringing in a team if:

• Post-Renovation: Fine construction dust settles everywhere and requires industrial HEPA vacuums to remove completely.
• Mold Issues: If you find mold covering an area larger than 1 meter, professional remediation is safer for your health.
• Time Constraints: Spending your entire weekend scrubbing isn’t for everyone.
• Move-In/Move-Out: Ensuring a property is pristine for the next tenant or for your own family often requires a higher standard of sanitation.

At 22 Cleaning, we use industrial-grade equipment and specialized eco-friendly solutions to tackle these exact challenges. Our team knows exactly where Malaysian homes hide dirt and how to remove it safely. Contact us to book a professional deep cleaning session.