Last updated on April 15th, 2018
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS GRAND OLD HOUSE, I realized — to my horror — I’d have to clean it. Consequently I hired a maid developed a weekly routine that lets me thoroughly clean 12 rooms on two floors in only a few hours of time. Here are my tips for cleaning the “master” bedroom:
You might remember this bedroom from my (virtual) house tour. The room is sparsely furnished, and definitely uncluttered. The lack of clutter makes the room not only visually-restful, but a breeze to clean.
1. Make the Bed. This will take you all of 60 seconds if your bed is simply-dressed. A bed with 8,000 pillows will take longer to arrange.
2. Dust the Walls. These are easy to clean with a dry, micro-fiber dust-mop. I use a mop with an extension handle in order to accommodate my walls’ height — 11 feet.
Ever noticed how cobwebs gather where a wall meets the ceiling? The dust-mop will remove these in a flash. I start at the corner nearest the door, and work clock-wise ’round the room.
After dealing with the ceiling, I drag the mop down the walls, and all around the picture frames and mirror. Again, this is quick work. It’s also great exercise.
3. Clean the Mirror. This really needs to sparkle.
Hopefully the mirror in your bedroom is attached to a door. Mine is above the mantel, and, as you can see, I have to stand on a ladder to reach it.
The only glass cleaner I use is the one I make myself. It’s composed of 45% water, 45% rubbing alcohol, and 10% ammonia. The formula works extremely well, leaving both mirrors and windows sparkling clean. I like it better than Windex or vinegar.
Spray the mirror with the cleaner, and then let it sit for a few seconds to break down the grime.
And please forgive the blurry pictures. Standing on a ladder while cleaning a mirror and also taking pictures is a skill I haven’t yet mastered.)
Next, using a squeegee, make a horizontal swipe across the top of the mirror. This will eliminate most drips and drops.
Then swipe vertically, until you reach the bottom of the glass.
In between swipes, wipe the squeegee’s rubber blade on a piece of damp terry cloth. If done correctly, there will be no smudges or streaks on the mirror, and you won’t need paper towels or newspaper to produce the shine you want.
Use the damp terry cloth to wipe up any solution which has settled at the bottom of the mirror.
A polished mirror is a beautiful thing, even when it’s reflecting an old, paint-spattered step-ladder.
4. Clean the fire-surround. (Skip down to the next step if you don’t have a fireplace in your bedroom.) I swipe the marble surround with a dry micro-fiber cloth. Only when the marble is truly dirty, say, in winter, after I’ve lit a fire, does it require cleaning with a water-dampened cloth. Never use chemicals on marble — they can stain the surface.
And here’s a tip: Use a razor blade to effortlessly remove paint spatters from windows, mirrors, and marble. I always have a box of “safety” razors in my cleaning-bucket.
5. Dust the Furniture. I quickly dust the two dressers, the pair of night tables, and the bed-posts with a micro-fiber cloth.
Tip #1: To bring out the sheen in antique furniture, sprinkle a few drops of lemon oil on your dusting cloth. Lemon oil, in my experience, is harmless to antique wood. Should build-up occur, simply remove the oil with mineral spirits.
Tip #2: For the sake of easy cleaning, limit the decorative items you place on your dressers and night tables. I have only one item — currently a teapot from England — on the ancient mahogany dresser you see pictured above. Dressers and tables that are overflowing with knick-knacks, family pictures, or stray socks are time-consuming to clean.
Tip #3: If your spouse is in the habit of leaving loose change on your immaculate dresser-top, just scoop the loot into a little box you’ve placed in the top dresser drawer. Who says cleaning doesn’t pay?
When you dust, make a thorough job of it. Wipe not only the top and front of a piece, but its sides and legs, too.
6. Dust lamp bases and shades. Here again, a micro-fiber cloth is your friend. If your lamps have fabric shades, you can dust them with your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment.
7. Vacuum the Floor. Be sure to vacuum under the bed, too. (Under-bed storage is a no-no for me.)
8. Vacuum Curtains, Blinds, and Soft Furnishings. I use the upholstery attachment to dust my sofa and window hangings.
9. Mop the Floor. I pour a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part vinegar into the nifty bottle that’s attached to my Rubbermaid mop. The formula works wonders on the 187-year-old wood floors in this room.
10. Swab the Light Switch and Door-Knob. Finally, before you exit the room, clean the light switch and door-knob. The glass-cleaning solution will not only remove greasy fingerprints, but germs, too.
Got any bedroom-cleaning tips of your own? By all means share them in the comments field below. And here’s another topic for conversation: When it comes to housekeeping, is your spouse a help…or a hindrance?
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Brenda Johnson says
Love your tips Kevin! In my house any “found money” becomes MINE! Cleaning staff is so underpaid! 🙂 that goes for money from laundry too!
Cary says
Delightful post. Makes me feel like my bedroom is now clean! Kevin, I’m with Brenda. In a room as immaculate as yours, I’d just scoop any stray coins into my pocket, hahaha.
Heidi Haas says
My son always thought it was a laugh riot to leave coins around all over the place & drive me crazy. Then he went off to college and as a parting gift left a few pennies on the bed.. I cried my eyes out! LOL
Tracy says
My tip is so simple, but I’m amazed at how many people don’t do it. Multiples! I keep a small trim painting bucket (8″) under the sinks or tucked away nearby in each bathroom. That way, I can clean each bathroom in 10 minutes when I’m in that part of the house, without having to go and get supplies from some central location. I also have multiple vacuum cleaners and mops tucked away on different levels of the house that allow me to whip one out and clean without a lot of dragging around. Buying multiples of various cleaning supplies and equipment (I have several kitchen/bath cleaning buckets in various locations; a bucket with supplies just for removing stains, (I am the stain removal queen!); and another bucket with beeswax/lemon oil furniture polish, silver polish and the right cloths, hardware polish, various types of suitable rags, to clean the main rooms, etc.)
This way, I can clean most of the house while on phone calls, listening to the news, or some other spontaneous event, without having to think about it much, gather things, schlepp equipment, etc. Works for me!
constantine says
Hi Kevin,
I have been using 70% alcohol (70 % rubbing alcohol) to clean my mirrors and bathroom fixtures. This bathroom has marble counters and floors so it is important to keep chemicals off of it. A spray bottle of alcohol is quick and easy and everything dries fast! I simply towel off the mirror with terry cloth and it is clean and clear. Also, 70% alcohol is a great germicidal so it serves a dual purpose on all the bathroom surfaces. Be careful with the overspray from your glass cleaning solution onto that beautiful mantle below, the ammonia in could damage it.
Fortunately for me, my other half does the vast majority of the house cleaning. Although I have never been ‘allowed’ to use it, our Rainbow vacuum cleaner is amazing in what it picks up each week. I was a skeptic at first but now I don’t think I will ever not have one (good thing they last a lifetime). The best part is dumping all the dirt into the toilet and having it leave the house!
Cheers!
Esmerelda33 says
Please move on to other rooms as well – I need all the encouragement I can get!
Mary Ellen says
Kevin.
Just curious…..are your wooden floors finished ? I have a fairly good sized unfinished wood floor in my foyer and am not sure what I can use on it. Any suggestions ?
DS Pinkston says
Thanks very much for the tips …with visuals! I appreciate your listing the ingredients in your cleaning solutions, also. Do you have any posts on cleaning other rooms of the house? I would love to see more …especially one for the kitchen!
Annie B says
As for spouses, I am so lucky. He vacuums better than me, folds clothes nicer than me and is generally extremely neat. He also has about the same cleaning/straightening threshold for the house as me…things start to bug us at about the same time. Your tips are great…think I’ll try your glass cleaner.
Robin says
Love the tips and am totally jealous of your fireplace. My spouse takes the trash out and empties the litter box. I did the rest for years until the kids were big enough to help. It’s pretty quick with the three of us working efficiently together. I use a feather duster for the surfaces with photos and once a month or so do a better dust off with a cloth. I love a clean room!
myrtle says
I wonder if that would work on laminated floors. Your tips are awesome and the tea pot is beautiful… Simple is often the best when it comes to decor but I think flowers here and there would compliment the sparseness… Real flowers…. We have a dog and four cats by the time I get the energy to really clean my house our dog decides to poop on the floor and I get to feeling that it doesn’t matter what I do an immaculate house with so many animals is impossible…My idea of cleaning is o.k. make sure you get very big trashbags because you know you have way too much junk… This is what I tell myself. A few weeks ago I bought some coffee at an Asian market that contained vitamins. I felt so good I cleaned out and organized my sons closet, then I cleaned the fridge when I got through the house looked a lot better but it just didn’t last. I will try again. Thanks for the inspiration…
Gloria Duy says
My tip is for what used to be the corner of horrors in my bedroom: my master bedroom closet. Now once a year I turn all the hangers backwards. When I wear and wash something I put it back the right way. At the end of the year anything on a backwards hanger goes to charity. I will admit that I used to be a clothes hoarder. Whenever I tried to clean the closet I would spend hours deciding what to get rid of. After 4 years of doing this my closet finally is something I would be proud to show. And I don’t wear the same outfits every week!
My spouse helps now that he is retired and I still work. He makes the bed wonky but he does it!
myrtle says
Gloria
My son has Downs’ sydrome and loves clothes I think he would make a good model. But he is always trying stuff on so his closet and room were a mess for the pcs workers and I didn’t want them to get discouraged. I think he thinks we’re insulting him when we ask him to help so what I did was limit what was in the closet. Five of everything is now the limit more or less and now his closet looks good and I think it reduces the load of the pcs workers and for me.
Lovey says
Geat hints & helps! Thanks. I use alcohol for almost all of my daily ‘wipe downs’, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Gets us out in the yard so much faster! Freedom!
Zola says
Good Idea’s—Thanks for the Cleaning Formulas
Chris A. says
I regularly do the corners and along the ceiling line. But I never thought of dusting the walls on a weekly basis. I’m going to get a mop like that and start dusting my walls. Thanks for all the tips! I love your blog and all your great ideas!
mike says
“Whenever I’m tempted to clean house, I simply sweep the room with a glance.”
Phyllis Diller
jessica says
love the micro fiber dust mop for walls and ceiling. will definitely purchase one,
Gretchen says
Kevin,, Your weekly wonders are an integral part of my life and I sincerely thank you for sharing your talents and know-how.
This week I cleaned the windows inside & out and since this is a solo job, those danged little spots and streaks that I miss are a challenge to eliminate. When you’re inside looking out those spots are obvious but nearly impossible to find when you’re outside. This year when I was inside checking for spots, I took a dry erase marker and circled the offending grime which made it infinitely easier to locate when I was on the outside. Once the spot is dealt with, the dry erase marks are not match to a paper towel. Speaking of window cleaners, your formula calls for ammonia. Question, please, plain, non-sudsy kind only? I’ve used the vinegar water for cleaner with unimpressive results and am very eager to feed it to the azaleas and try your magic mix.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Gretchen – Regarding dry-erase marker: What a great idea!
Regarding ammonia for the glass-cleaning formula: In the past, I’ve used the sudsy version. These days I tend to use only the clear version.
Steve says
Hi Kevin, Could you share with us where you got your micro-fiber mop? Thanks
sarah says
Thank you for identifying Rubbermaid mop,Kevin. I was curious about that. Also neat to know cleaning solutions. My new (old) house has big windows. I’m going to try your mirror solution on those trusting that it works well for windows.
Rebecca C says
I buy 70% alcohol + hydrogen peroxide at the “membership store” (Sam’s) and keep a set in each bath. It only takes minutes to squirt on one or the other and wipe down the counter, fixtures, then toilet every other day or even every day as time/energy permits. The bathroom is always clean and “sanitized.” The hydrogen peroxide is also great for blood removal (I get nicks from the razor) on most fabrics.
Lana says
Love it! Now please tell us how you keep mold, mildew and soap scum out of your bathrooms!
Morgan says
Hi Kevin, great tips as always, thanks! Do you plan to publish a room by room cleaning guide and an overview of your method for the whole house? If you’ve done so in the past, I missed it.
gina rayl says
My must have cleaning item is a clean, dry paint brush. It is the best thing ever for getting dust out of the corners of baseboards and window trim, I also use it to dust my fabric lampshades-especially the pleated ones.
Linda B says
Yes, where did you get that micro-fiber mop?
Found this post very helpful!
Give us more!
Nancy Jalaty says
Hi! Can you teach us how to neatly fold the fitted sheet after washing? Mine look horrible!
NorseArcher says
Note to self: de-clutter! Not sure if it is necessary on mirrors as they have less grime, but I use hot/warm water, vinegar and **corn starch** w squeegie every spring to clean my windows. Works a charm!
Jeri Smith says
This soooo timely and helpful — in a couple of days I’ll be moving into a 1929 farmhouse that has a LOT of cosmetic changes that will be necessary, that will generate untold amounts of cleaning. Also, as my furniture – much of it my mother’s and grandmother’s – arrives, I can systematically clean it in a safe fashion that will both clean and protect.
Thank you!!
BTW, any advice for cleaning a cast-iron wood-burning fireplace insert? It is black, sooty and a bit mess. I’m a little nervous to tackle it without having any idea what will damage it.
thanks again –
Sarah says
Oh, Kevin. You almost make me want to go clean my room 😉
Almost.
xxoo
Ellen M. Wood says
Hi, Kevin:
LOVE your ideas – both recipe(s) & house cleaning, but I’ve two questions: 1) for those of us watching calories and/or fat intake, could you please include low-cal and/or low-fat recipes in future?? (2) recommendations, please, for cleaning laminated flooring. Many thanks in advance, ellen in santa cruz, ca.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Ellen – Lots of low-fat recipes on this site. But it’s the high-fat dishes that are always the most popular!
Laminated floors: The aforementioned vinegar/water solution works well for these. A product called “Quik Shine” (available in hardware stores and certain supermarkets) will give the floors a lustrous glow.
Margaret says
Be sure to sanitize your door knobs with that alcohol. That’s where many germs are exchanged. I had never thought to do that until it was pointed out to me.
Kate says
Don’t forget the back of your dressers and any paintings or pictures you have hanging. I find a lot of dust and sometimes cobwebs in these places.n I am going to try the glass cleaner combination you suggested, I have been using 1part vinegar to 4parts water for years but could definitely use more sparkle! Great info as usual – thank you!
barb green says
How do you get rid of the pin head black bugs out of the drain in the shower? They hope and fly and stay in the shower when it is dry…Have tried vinegar and baking soda but so far no help. They are so tiny less than the size of a pin point but because everything is white I see them. Not many as I kill them as soon as I see them but they return the moment the shower is dry…help and thank you
Moppy says
Constantine: Dumping vacuum dirt down the toilet? I’m not sure this is a good idea, we should be trying to keep our water safe. Most vacuum dirt is compostable.
ayla dumont says
vacum cleaner dirt down the toilet? ouch, you are gonna drink that same water after it is run through the cleaning process, please find a better place to put that.
Diane says
When I don’t feel like pulling out the giant vacuum, I use a sticky roller on the lampshades.
Dennis R says
Good work…I expect your house & gardens to be “Spic & Span” and “Standing Tall”
when I come visit next Saturday! (I may be coming up with a ‘ New Surprise Visitor’)
Penster47 says
LOL I can’t believe those women are worried about dumping the dirty water from your sweeper down the toilet. Yeah, that is SOOOOO much dirtier than what usually goes down a toilet!!!
Naomi Shelton says
Kevin, I love your “cleaning primer”! Personally, I think it is SO much more fun to watch someone else clean than to do it myself. But, alas, my cleaning lady has gone on permanent vacation! Just teasing; I don’t have one and I am very fickle about doing it myself. I think I will have to start, tho’, in order to use that microfiber mop on my walls. That is a GREAT IDEA!
Barb L. says
I came to your site for the gardening, and got excited about cooking. Now you are having us clean too! And you make it look so easy.
I have physical limitations and so it is a struggle to keep order in my big old house. Cobwebs in the corners? Once a year at best! My husband didn’t ever “feel like” helping with housecleaning. (He is no longer my husband.)
My best tip for a disorderly bedroom: close the door. Thanks for some great tips!
Diane says
I love cleaning mirrors with squegee. If getting all these tips done in my own place. I’d be truly happy!
Liz S. says
Discovered your website today while searching for solutions to black spots on roses. Your gardening section is great! I can’t wait to peruse the other sections. Your sense of humor (“hired a maid” lined out) will keep me coming back. Thank you!
Melissa Horton says
It sure was fun cleaning your room! I have stuff to get rid of, YIKES! It happens so quickly.
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Maribeth Turner says
I just loooooooove you!!! You are priceless! I’ve been meaning to clean my house for weeks now (okay longer than that probably). I am a real procrastinator and a little disorder does NOT bother me the way it would most people unfortunately. I must get rid of those cobwebs in my bedroom for starters and then do the rest of the house. How do you get rid of mold and MILDEW in the bathroom? Please show us how you clean your entire house – namely the BATHROOM & KITCHEN. I now feel I can start somewhere and tackle a few dust elephants!!! I love your sense of humor, you are the BEST!!!!!! XOXOXOX :^D
Pamnela says
Am I the only one STILL laughing at Penster47’s comment?
Linda A says
Isn’t it amazing, all this response you’ve gotten on the subject of cleaning! Probably we all need some inspiration (more plainly, a “kick in the butt”) to get going with this – at least I do, particularly at this time of year.
Thanks, Kevin. Maybe I’ll start in the bedroom.
mary m says
hi Kevin.. love your tips…I use a dry swiffer on a long handle to dust walls, work a charm, but might look for your type of mop..
‘wish i could get rid of my ‘stuff’ so it’s easier to dust and clean, unfortunately my stuff is disguised as ‘treasures’ i have picked up on travels round the world over a life-time, so each has a memory and a story and creates personality and interest in my otherwise ordinary home, so i guess i will keep it all for now.. but in my next life i hope i will be able to let it all go!
my tips: 1) never spray cleaner directly on mirrors or picture frames as some might accidentally seep into the frames and damage them.. instead spray onto your cloth first..
2) my absolutely favourite cleaning tool is an old soft toothbrush.. not much you can’t clean with it.. (better in the kitchen and bathroom).. look forward to your tips on those, Kevin
Deborah Goodman says
With the exception of my daughter I’m pretty much on my own. She keeps the laundry and dishes done up and I end up doing the rest. The kids are responsible for their own rooms.
For those wanting help with bathroom gunk I use 1/3 cup lemon juice in a spray bottle then fill the remaining up about half way with white vinegar and top off with some Dawn dish soap. I use the power formula. Leave just a little space at the top so you can give the cleaner a good shake. Spray this on your gunky gross tub ,shower or whatever. Let it sit while you do some other cleaning be it in the bathroom or else where. About 15-20 minutes. Then with a scrubby sponge you can just about wipe off the crud with very little if any scrubbing. It makes stuff look like new again. Since I found this recipe for cleaner I don’t use anything else.
Sheri Rice says
aI laughed at your comment about the loose change. My mom used to call any coins she found cleaning “sweeper money” and the tradition was whatever you found while doing the hard work of cleaning you got to keep! In the 1970s when we all still had pockets full of nickels and dimes, she often found quite a bit. Seems like with debit cards we don’t have quite as many coins floating around. BTW my husband keeps an old jar in his office for his loose change and when it’s full he cashes it in. Sometimes we’re surprised how much is in there – so it does add up. Maybe enough to… hire a maid? 😉
Ardelle says
Thanks for the house cleaning tips-
Today I am mourning the passing of my dear Corgi, Sophie: At a fine age of 14 years, 3 months, after enjoying the friendship of many wonderful people and other fun doggies, I am tired and it’s time to go. It’s been a great life. ‘Mom’ took me everywhere and cared deeply for me – Exploring mountains, rivers, lakes and forests with my ‘Mom’ and her family and friends has kept me very busy – the sights and sounds were fantastic! Of course, all the treats so generously given to me were a highlight – Thank you! Love to everyone! Sophie – January 13, 2004 – April 12, 2018
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Ardelle – So sorry for your loss. I’m still mourning the passing of Lily the Beagle!
Jane Swarz says
That Loose Change…. Put it in a can for a Not For Profit Organization…..They need it more than you do…!!!!
Julie Woos says
So Kevin, with 12 rooms you must clean two rooms per day with a day off to enjoy the place you’ve worked so hard on over the years? What chores do you recommend delegating to a spouse who is “cleaning challenged”?
Jacqueline Guest says
Thanks for the cleaning formula. I have loads of windows and am always trying new recipes for cleaners. I live in a log cabin in the high in the Rocky Mountain foothills surrounded by pine trees which means I like as much light to come in as possible.
Janet says
I used to use your window cleaning formula until I tried this one recommended by some window cleaners. It is so simple and leaves the windows streak free guaranteed. Add a little dish detergent (original Joy recommended) to some water in a bowl. Wipe your window with a sponge dipped in the bowl. Dry with paper towel or cotton cloth.
Julia Owings says
Wonderful timing as I was just getting ready to search your site for your cleaning solution for windows…. would love to see the “cleaning bucket” with list of tools and maybe your routine for cleaning. Taking on a 3300 sq ft house and I alone do the cleaning (Hubby takes out trash with reminders).
You are amazing.
Blessed Be
Gardann says
I read so many useful tips on your blog that I now keep a notepad and pen near by so that I can jot them down.
I, also, started to read your posts for gardening tips then moved on to cooking, now the cleaning.
I now, ‘winter sow’, have a ‘varied menu’ and am working on a ‘clean house’!
Thank you!
Ps. We love Charleston also.
Sandy Martinez says
Hey Kevin,
My spouse, whom I love dearly, is a “Pig Pen”!! I feel it’s my lesson in letting go……
God help me!!
And thanks for the cool cleaning hacks….
Joyce Fowler says
I like the Fly Lady’s cleaning tools and her system has helped me keep a cleaner house. Like your tips on the cleaner’s Kevin and always enjoy reading your blogs, the recipes, and the comments from everyone. Thanks.
Anne in Vermont zone 4/5 says
Now I know how your build could handle all that southern dining! Exactly how many hours per room?
T Mayer says
Great inpiration, Kevin. I think I would do the walls 1x month, tho.
Just a word of caution using spray to clean glass over matted prints – DO NOT let the cleaning solution trickle below the frame lest it wick up into the matting — a lesson I learned the hard way.
Pat J. says
You do this every week! Mon dieu!
Christine says
Great tips Kevin! I clean my entire house without any chemical products. Water and vinegar for wood floors.
Baking soda for sinks, tubs, toilets. Tea tree oil with water in spray bottle to control mold and mildew. Pumice stone occasionally. And I could not live without my long handle swiffer! Strong coffee and dance music blasting are a must!
Sasha says
This is beautiful. Tidiness is not my thing, but I could certainly use this. Thank you
Eric Spence says
i am asking how to clean my bedroom very quick because i own the master bedroom in my house