Why Deep Cleaning Always Starts With Decluttering
Deep cleaning is often thought of as scrubbing, polishing, and wiping down surfaces. But from a professional organizer’s perspective, true deep cleaning starts before the cleaning even begins.
When excess items are left in place, cleaning becomes a game of working around clutter rather than restoring the home. That’s why decluttering is an essential first step. It allows every surface, cabinet, and corner to actually be cleaned properly.
Over the years, I’ve seen the same overlooked areas come up again and again when clients prepare for a deep clean.
Countertop Appliances and Kitchen Gadgets
Coffee makers, toasters, air fryers, and mixers tend to collect grease, dust, and crumbs underneath and behind them. During weekly cleaning, these items are often wiped around instead of moved.
When it’s time to deep clean, take a moment to reassess what truly needs to live on the counter.
Appliances used only occasionally should be relocated to a cabinet or pantry.
Daily-use items should be lifted so surfaces underneath and behind them can be thoroughly cleaned.
Clearing counters not only makes deep cleaning more effective, it also restores visual calm in the kitchen.
Excess Products Under the Sink
Under-sink cabinets are one of the most neglected areas in the home. They often contain half-used cleaners, duplicates, expired products, and sometimes even hidden leaks or buildup.
This area is surprisingly quick to reset:
Remove everything
Discard expired or unused products
Consolidate duplicates
Wipe the cabinet interior and door fronts
Clean the bottoms of containers before returning them
Only keep what you actually use. Many items can be relocated to a utility room or garage. In about 15–20 minutes, the cabinet becomes cleaner, safer, and far more efficient.
Bathroom Products in Showers and Tubs
Shampoos, conditioners, razors, and bath accessories trap moisture underneath them, which contributes to mildew and soap residue over time.
For a proper deep clean:
Remove everything from the shower or tub
Toss expired or unused products
Consolidate duplicates
Wipe down surfaces and the bottoms of containers
Allow the space to dry completely
Return only daily essentials. Less product in the shower makes cleaning easier and keeps bathrooms feeling fresh longer.
Paper Piles and Mail
Stacks of mail, paperwork, books, and magazines tend to migrate around the home during cleaning, but rarely disappear.
Deep cleaning is the perfect opportunity to reset paper:
File important documents
Recycle or donate outdated books and magazines
Shred and discard junk mail immediately
One of my favorite strategies is keeping a shredder and recycling bin near the door where mail enters the home. When paper never makes it past the entry point, clutter doesn’t have a chance to build.
Clothing on Chairs or Floors
Clothing draped over chairs or left on the floor prevents proper vacuuming and dusting and quickly makes a space feel unfinished.
Before deep cleaning:
Decide whether items need to be washed, dry-cleaned, repaired, donated, or put away
Return clothing to closets or drawers where it belongs
Clearing these temporary piles allows floors and furniture to be fully cleaned and visually reset.
Additional Expert Tips for a More Effective Deep Clean
Deep cleaning always starts with decluttering. Cleaning around excess items wastes time and energy.
Think in zones, not rooms. Clear one area completely before cleaning it to avoid overwhelm.
If it hasn’t been used in a year, it doesn’t need to be in the way. Deep cleaning often reveals what no longer belongs in your current lifestyle.
When decluttering and cleaning work together, the results last longer and the home feels noticeably calmer.
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➝ Read “The 17 Questions Luxury Pro Organizer Encourages Clients to Ask Themselves When Decluttering Any Space”
