The holidays are right around the corner, prompting many people to look at the state of their houses. A recent survey revealed that 51% of people said cleaning their homes for the upcoming holidays stressed them out “beyond belief.” 

One of the primary entertaining spaces in the home is the living room. After all, your family and guests spend much of their time here chatting, opening gifts, or watching TV. 

We’re here to provide you with a few living room cleaning tips that will make your life much easier. Read on to discover how to make that area of your home sparkling clean. 

1. Remove the Clutter

The first step is to remove all the clutter in the living room that doesn’t belong. One of the best ways to clean your house more efficiently is to grab a basket or bag and remove all items that aren’t supposed to be there and then place them in their appropriate room. For instance, take all the toys and return them to the kids’ rooms. 

If your loving room looks too cluttered with knick-knacks, plants, and DVDs, consider investing in storage solutions. Multi-purpose furniture works great in the living room. You can store blankets in an ottoman that also acts as a table or footrest, for instance. 

A media cabinet hides all of your DVDs, books, magazines, etc. Installing a shelf adds more vertical storage, allowing you to display pictures, plants, and decor in a less cluttered way. 

2. Wash Blankets and Pillow Covers

Washing the blankets, rugs, and pillow covers is a task that many homeowners tend to forget. However, if you’re expecting company, it’s a good idea to wash these. Be sure to follow care instructions, as some may require hand-washing and air drying. 

While you’re at it, now might be a good time to re-stuff any saggy pillows. A quick fix can revive the look of an old couch and make it more inviting. 

3. Dust and Wipe Down Surfaces

Dust tends to accumulate on bookshelves, behind the TV, and on electronics in the living room. It’s good to get into the habit of regularly dusting all surfaces in the area. 

Don’t forget to dust the following: 

  • Blinds
  • Baseboards
  • Lamps and lampshades
  • TV stands and end tables
  • Bookshelves
  • Shelving
  • Ceiling fans
  • Air conditioning vents
  • Photographs and wall art
  • Corners and walls

After dusting, wipe down all the surfaces. Use an appropriate cleaner, such as an all-purpose spray. Make sure to disinfect the remotes, light switches, and high-touch areas. 

Remove the curtains if you have them, and wash them according to the care instructions. 

It’s tough to perform a deep cleaning yourself, especially when it comes to spotting everywhere you need to dust. It pays to invest in a professional cleaner that can help you out, especially as we approach the holiday season! 

4. Vacuum Furniture and Floors

Always vacuum after you dust to prevent extra work. Vacuum your couch, chairs, and any furniture in the room.

Be sure to remove the couch cushions and get underneath too! A handheld vacuum or handheld attachment is ideal for collecting pet fur, crumbs, and other small debris that accumulate in small spaces. 

Vacuum the floors, under the couch, and behind the furniture as well. If you have a soft-bristle vacuum attachment, you can clean along vents, baseboards, walls, ceilings, furniture, and other hard-to-reach areas. 

Now is a good time to look for any stains on your furniture as well and clean them. Most stains can be cleaned with mild dish soap, water, and a soft cloth. However, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure you’re not doing any damage. 

If you have leather upholstery, be sure to use a cleaner specifically designed for it.

It’s a good idea to get carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months or so. Carpet fibers collect dust mites, pet dander, dirt, mildew, mold, pollen, and more. Dirty carpets can also cause allergies. 

5. Wipe the Windows

Wash windows both inside and out. A squeegee provides a professional, streak-free clean. If you’re having trouble reaching the top of your windows, you might want to get an extendable window squeegee. 

For a truly deep clean, get the areas between the windows as well, including the sliding tracks. This area tends to collect dust, dirt, and other debris. Cleaning the tracks also makes it easier to open and close windows. 

A mixture of warm water and chlorine bleach or white vinegar and water removes mold from your windowsills and tracks. 

6. Clean and Polish Wood Furniture

Clean and polish your wood furniture to give it an attractive shine. Deep-cleaning wood can remove film, dust, and stains. 

After dusting, use a wood-safe cleaner on the surface. A soft microfiber cloth cleans without scratching. Never saturate the wood, as this can damage it. 

If you have difficult stains and marks, a little baking soda and water mixture can help. 

Finally, restore the look of your wood furniture with polish. Adding polish can reduce the amount of dust that collects and prevent scratching. Plus, it gives your furniture an attractive look. 

Save These Living Room Cleaning Tips

Keeping your home in top shape doesn’t need to be a chore if you follow these living room cleaning tips. The best part is that you can follow them year-round and add them to your routine cleaning schedule. 

Of course, we don’t always have time to deep clean our homes, especially when you consider work, kids, and other responsibilities. There’s no need to stress, even with the holidays fast approaching. Here at Detail Cleaning, we offer one-time or recurring services to help keep your house spotless. 

To get an instant online quote and book a service, contact us today.