Deep Clean Fridays at Our House

Every other Friday at my house is known as Deep Clean Friday.  I actually look forward to this day because I have the day off so I’m not scrambling to clean when I have a bunch of other things to do.  After Daddy goes to work, James and I usually lounge around and eat breakfast, I drink my coffee, we play or go to the park, and when he goes down for his 10:30 nap, I start my cleaning.  In full disclosure, I have help.  James’ babysitter comes for a few hours and we clean together, chatting away and taking turns watching James and playing with him while he “helps”.  She has become a good friend of mine and it makes the process go so much quicker with her help.  Also, I usually make us a Starbuck’s run in the afternoon- she’s a Venti caramel frappaccino, I’m a tall iced mocha:)  Is it more fun to clean while drinking Starbucks? I think so!

Floors- every room gets swept and mopped or vacuumed, including the stairs.

Bathrooms- sinks, counters, shower, toilets, and mirrors are cleaned.  Bath mats are laundered.
Bedrooms- the sheets are laundered, all surface areas are dusted.
James’s Room- crib sheet and changing pad are changed.  Toys are put away.
Offices- dusted.  
Kitchen- sinks, counters, stove top, and microwave are cleaned.  The cabinets are wiped down.  Miscellaneous piles of stuff that accumulate on the counters during the week are taken to where they belong.  The highchair gets sprayed down outside and the splat mat is washed.
Dining Room/Breakfast Room- tables are dusted.
Living Room- end tables and media cabinet are wiped clean, the sofa is vacuumed and all the toys/pacifiers are fished out from under the sofa.
Mudroom- The bench seat is cleared of clutter, and the mirror is wiped clean.
Laundry- During the week, I usually do a load or two (typically of James’ clothes and dirty bibs/washcloths) but the big laundry day is Friday.  
Replenish- I restock the diapers, wipes, toiletries, and soap dispensers.   
Once a Month Chores – wipe down the baseboards, blinds, windows, dust ceiling fans, vents, wipe the insides of drawers and cabinets.  
I have my routine down pretty well, and always start by opening all the blinds and letting the sunshine in.  Then I change the sheets on our bed, James’ crib, and the changing table.  I sort all the laundry by color, James’ clothes, towels, and sheets.  I continue the laundry process while getting started on the other rooms in the house and am usually putting the last load of clean laundry away around 4:00 p.m.
I love to add a small votive of fresh flowers to the nightstand after the room is all clean and fresh sheets are on the bed.  
Counters, sinks, shower and tub are wiped clean.
Fresh towels are put out.

The living room sofa and rug gets vacuumed and the sofa cushions and pillows get a good fluffing.  Also, the living room throw blankets get laundered.  We have the Dyson “Animal” and it’s a great vacuum. 

The hardwood floors are the last thing to be cleaned.  The rugs are shaken out and I sweep the floors with a wide broom, then spray with floor cleaner and use a soft cloth mop that I got from Bed, Bath, & Beyond- the one James is holding below (I told you he likes to help! and p.s. that star rug is for Jimmy’s office).   I’ve been considering getting the Eureka Steam cleaner I saw on JustAGirl, but I need to research whether its good for bamboo floors.  Our floors get so dirty so quickly, but are really pretty when they’re clean.

It feels so good to have a clean house to kick off the weekend!  And I hope you have a great weekend!
Saturday I’ll announce the winner of A Blissful Nest GIVEAWAY!

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

60 Comments

  1. Gosh you have a wonderful home and a beautiful baby!
    I love your cleaning routine and wish I could be so disciplined. I like how you do a deep clean every other week – I think I get overwhelmed because I feel I have to do it every week.
    Thanks for sharing your routine, hopefully it will motivate me!

  2. I clean the same way and on Fridays too! I would totally recommend the Shark Steam Pocket Mop. I don't know how I lived without it for cleaning my hardwood and tile surfaces. It cleans without chemicals (sanitizes with steam).

  3. I'm sitting here right now procrastinating on getting started on my cleaning and you just inspired me! Thanks for posting this. I'm off to clean now! And I love your idea of adding fresh flowers…I have some peonies that just bloomed in my garden and I'm going to cut some and put in a vase as my reward for cleaning!

  4. I love this deep clean plan! I'm home now for the summer and needed to find a cleaning routine otherwise I put it off. Also, I have the Haan. It's a floor sanitizer that is totally a green product and works on all types of flooring. It is AMAZING! Easy to use, floors dry instantly, and it doesn't use any nasty chemicals. Check it out!

  5. Love this post. Crazy, but I sort of love to clean. Wanted to ask a question about cleaning your wood floors. We have distressed walnut floors recently installed and I bought a Shark steam cleaner. It works too good! It's taking the varnish off the floors! Uh oh. But now I'm stumped on what to use. How do you like the mop little James has? Does it clean well and what cleaner do you use? Would love to know.
    p.s. Your home is in my inspiration file. Especially love your kitchen and curtains. I've been a bit obsessed trying to find a similar fabric!

  6. I have a "Saturday Morning Cleaning Party". I crank the music and just go to town. I can get the whole place done in about an hour and a half!

  7. Hi! I just started reading your blog a few weeks ago, and I adore it! Like you, I also do a "deep clean" every other week. Do you have any routine set for "maintenance" between the deep cleans?

  8. I have the same bamboo floors. I have the shark steam mop which I love for my tile floors but not good to use on bamboo. The equipment says it is safe to use on all types of flooring but my husband who owns a flooring company highly discourages using steam cleaners on hardwood or bamboo.

  9. Thank you for this inspiration! Now I actually want to clean this evening when I get home from work.

  10. We are very fortunate to have a cleaner who comes every other week on a Friday. I love those Fridays when she is here. I agree it's so nice to start the weekend with a clean and nice smelling house. have a great weekend!

  11. I love a clean house…so much more fun to relax in! I can't imagine cleaning and trying to keep a little one entertained though. Must be a tough job 🙂 It's just the two of us still.

  12. ok so the before pics of your room being "so called" dirty- ummm look mighty clean to me girl!! You should see my house before the cleaning starts-oh and the laundry with 3 kids! its not pretty!
    Love your little helper-thats so sweet!

    p.s.- I just got two new clients b/c of your post yesterday!!! Thank you!!!!!!

  13. I spy some gorgeous ikat pillows! Where did you find them?? I suppose I need to get a deep clean schedule in place now that I'll have 3 kids at home…..

  14. Loved this! I love reading about how you stay organized. it's very motivational for a disorganized/procrastinator person like me! Do you have dogs? I recall seeing a German Shepherd in a pic before.

  15. So awesome starting the weekend that way! James is so cute as your little helper. Happy weekend, friend!

  16. Talk about motivation! A bit off topic but can you tell me what you do to clean your couches. I have microfiber couches too and was wondering if you recommend anything. Thanks!

  17. Hello!!! Beautiful home! Where did you find your curtains (or did you them made) for your living area and dining space? We have a grey office and they would look so beautiful in there!
    Thank you!!
    Stacey

  18. The Ikat pillows on our sofa are from Crate & Barrel.

    To clean our sofa, I just spot clean it with warm liquid dish soap and water with a washcloth! It cleans really well!

  19. Hi Megan! I adore your blog and am always so inspired when I read your posts. I have a busy home. I am a teacher and I have an organizing business called Start Living Simple here in Austin. I have two active boys and we are thinking about replacing our carpet with bamboo flooring. Do you like your bamboo? Do you think it is pretty durable? I would love to get your opinion. We are trying to decide what to do! Hope you have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for the inspiration! Beth

  20. Your house is the bomb dot com! I loooove it! I'm always ooohing and aahhhhing at your digs! You seem like you have a good routine going. I need to find a routine! Btw, I love, love, love your curtains in the living room! Where did you get those?

  21. Your Friday routine is so motivating. I think I wouldn't mind cleaning as much if I had a set day to get it done. My day changes based on what I have going on but picking (and sticking to) a set day may work.

    Thanks for the motivation.

  22. We clean in a similar way. However, we have a separate laundry day (Sunday afternoons)…gets us ready for the school week. Although, now that it's summer break I am thinking Friday's would be awesome. Just as soon as I do all this laundry today for our various trips! LOL Love the pillows on your sofa. And yes, cleaning with a Starbucks nearby is sooo much better.

  23. What a lovely home! It's always a refreshing feeling after a clean-up. Have a beautiful weekend, Kellie xx

  24. Love your blog!!! I've been struggling with the whole "deep cleaning routine" now that I have an incredibly busy 12 month old. This is a great map to try to follow! Thanks for sharing your routine. Your home is beautiful 🙂

  25. You're making me feel GUILTY. Why do you have to be such a tidy woman, huh??!

  26. Hi,
    I've recently subscribed to your blog, you have a wonderful eye for beatiful things!

    I actually have the same sectional as you do (PB) and I am hoping that you can tell me what size pillows you are using? They look PERFECT. I have 20×20 on mine, and they don't look right.

    Thank you so much 🙂

  27. I wish I was that organized when it comes to cleaning. I used to be, but I've gotten out of my routine. This is really inspiring me to get back on the cleaning horse 🙂 I just had bamboo floors installed and I've heard that the steam mops aren't very good for them. I use a microfiber mop on them. What kind of cleaner are using on them now? I haven't found one that I love yet.

  28. Loving your pillows on your couch! I need to do better about doing a deep cleaning on our housekeeper's off-week. Thanks for posting such a helpful routine!

  29. Love your deep clean routine. I am trying to find the best way to keep up on cleaning when having a toddler. I will give yours a try.
    Incidentally, would you be interested in trying a sample of Shaklee's non-toxic concentrate for your next deep clean and blog about it?

    Thanks,
    Heather @ greenwaylifeandhome.blogspot.com

  30. This is SUCH a great idea, but I'm really just thrilled to have found a picture of your living room with the new drapes and pillows. I ADORE it! Seriously. I'm pinning it and will probably use it as some SERIOUS inspiration for my room. Do you still have the backs of the media cabinet painted blue?

  31. I think it's great that you have the time to clean like that. I always found myself to be very clean and organized, but after reading this, apparently I am not even close;) I am a new mom and I have a very stressful career-medicine….So I try to not get caught up in the "unimportant"things in life anymore. I like to spend as much time as possible with my precious baby! So it's okay if some of my house things don't get done 🙂

  32. This is fantastic!! I'm definitely going to start doing this with my house! I have a pretty little apartment, so it's easier to tell when everything gets dirty. I'm so glad I found it! Bookmarking and saving for later 🙂

  33. Love this post! And love your house! It's so light and fresh! Thanks for the info…I need a schedule for deep cleaning and this helped. Waiting for stupid summer to be over so we can open more blinds!

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