Mastering Living Room Cleanliness: Your Comprehensive Guide Checklist

Who decided spring cleaning is just for springtime? If you’ve been craving a mid-winter refresh, it’s never too early to get a head start on your seasonal deep clean.

Plus, if you hosted any holiday get-togethers or family from out of town, your home might need a bit of a reset—especially the living room, which gets some extra action during the wintertime.

Keep reading for the ultimate living room cleaning checkli

Who decreed that spring cleaning is reserved solely for springtime? If you’ve been yearning for a mid-winter refresh, there’s no need to wait—start your seasonal deep clean now.

Moreover, if you’ve recently hosted holiday gatherings or had family visiting from out of town, your home may be due for a reset, particularly the living room, which tends to see extra activity during the winter months.

Continue reading for the ultimate living room cleaning checklist!

The Ultimate Living Room Cleaning Checklist

Clean Upholstery

Let’s begin with one of the more high-traffic areas of your living room: the sofa. Depending on your type of couch, you have a few options.

For sofas with removable cushion covers, star

Let’s kick things off with one of the busiest spots in your living room: the sofa. Depending on the type of couch you have, there are a few approaches you can take.

If your sofa has removable cushion covers, begin by checking the care label for specific instructions (here’s how to decode laundry symbols). If machine washing is permitted, start by vacuuming any excess debris, then remove the covers and run them through a gentle cycle.

Pro Tip: If you want to streamline the process, consider taking them all to a laundromat. You’ll save a significant amount of time. Need help finding one? Check out our tips on locating a reputable laundromat in your area, or simply search ‘Whiteice Laundry’ to find us.

When it comes to drying, always opt for air drying to avoid any risk of shrinking!

For sofas with non-removable covers, you can still achieve a thorough clean with a DIY cleaning spray. Begin by vacuuming the surfaces, then head to the kitchen to whip up your spray:

t by reading the care label for specific instructions (here’s how to decipher laundry symbols). If you have the green light to machine wash, simply vacuum up any extra debris, remove the covers, and run them through a gentle cycle.

As for drying, always opt for air drying over machine drying. You don’t want to risk any shrinking!

For sofas where you can’t remove the covers, you can still get a good clean with a DIY cleaning spray. Start by vacuuming the surfaces, then head to the kitchen to make your spray:

• For fabric upholstery: combine ¼ cup of vinegar, ¾ cup of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of dish or Castile soap.

• For synthetic upholstery: blend ½ cup of vinegar, 1 cup of warm water, and ½ tablespoon of dish or Castile soap.

• For leather upholstery: mix ½ olive oil and ⅓ cup of vinegar.

Wash Walls

Many people tend to overlook their walls during deep cleaning, but like any other surface in your home, they require regular disinfection.

Don’t worry, you likely already have everything you need for this task! Simply follow these steps:

• Prepare the living room by dusting the walls and laying down drop cloths or towels to protect the floor.

• Fill a bucket with clean water

• Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap.

• Use a fresh sponge or microfiber cloth to wash the walls with the soap solution, starting from the top and working your way down

• After washing, use another fresh sponge or cloth to rinse the walls with clean water

While it may seem tedious, tackling this chore can greatly contribute to achieving that refreshing, spring-clean ambiance throughout your living space.

Freshen Up Area Rugs

Area rugs are magnets for dirt, spills, dander, and various other debris that finds its way into your living room. While we’ve addressed specific issues like cleaning wine stains, what about a general deep clean?

Begin by reading the care label, as it will provide valuable instructions specific to your rug. For most woven area rugs, you can follow these steps:

1. Vacuum the rug twice: once on the top surface, then flip it upside down and vacuum the underside

2. If possible, take the rug outside and gently hose it down to remove loose dirt and debris.

3. Apply a carpet shampoo suitable for your rug type, following the instructions on the care label.

4. Use a sturdy brush to scrub the rug, focusing on any particularly dirty or stained areas.

5. Rinse the rug thoroughly with the hose until the water runs clear, ensuring all shampoo residue is removed.

6. Hang the rug up to dry in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or in a spacious room

If handling this task yourself feels overwhelming or you prefer professional assistance, consider Whiteice’s dry cleaning services. Click here to learn more!

Wash Throw Pillow and Covers

With the rug and sofa taken care of, it’s time to focus on smaller details like throw pillows. When was the last time you showed them some tender loving care?

Similar to upholstery, you can clean throw pillow covers by tossing them in the wash (after checking the care label, of course).

But that’s not all you can clean. You can wash the pillow itself too! In fact, many pillows are easier to wash than you might expect. Down, feather, and polyester pillows are typically machine washable, depending on the guidance provided on the care label.

Clean Windows—Both Sides!

After enduring a stormy fall and winter, your windows likely aren’t the cleanest. This next step is straightforward: in addition to cleaning the inside of your living room windows, venture outdoors to clean the exterior side as well.

Launder Curtains and Drapes

Curtains are often overlooked on cleaning checklists, yet like sofas and rugs, they can accumulate a significant amount of debris.

Before proceeding, always check the care label. Even if curtains are labeled as machine or hand-washable, it’s crucial to conduct a spot test beforehand. Curtains and drapes play a vital role in decor, and it’s essential to know in advance if the color will be affected.

Here’s how to conduct a spot test:

1. Mix warm water and gentle detergent in a small bowl.

2. Locate a small, inconspicuous corner of your curtains

3. Submerge that corner in the bowl for a few minutes.

Watch closely for any signs of color bleeding as the fabric soaks. Once it’s dry again, carefully inspect the test area to ensure there’s been no color change or fading.

Disinfect Surfaces, Including Hidden Ones!

You probably dust and disinfect living room surfaces regularly. However, while you’re in the spring cleaning mindset, consider taking things a step further by cleaning:

• The insides of drawers and cabinets

• The tops of ceiling fans and tall furniture

• Picture frames, both on the wall and on side tables

• Electronics such as wires, screens, speakers, and remotes

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