Is Your Living Room Ready for Guests? Here’s How to Deep Clean It!

Ah, the living room. It is where you gather guests, serve tea and have a jolly good time. Is it any wonder why you should keep it tidy, then?

You have carpets, curtains, and soft fabrics which collect all kinds of impurities on a daily basis. While you don’t see it, you can definitely smell or sense it. You certainly don’t need that extra dirt, though and neither do your guests.

So, don’t fret.

This guide will show you how to clean living room spaces, with a step-by-step plan that leaves it fresh and ready for guests. First things first…

Step 1: Get rid of the clutter

Clutter makes a room feel chaotic. Toys, newspapers, cups, and other stray items quickly steal the fresh look of the room, even if, ironically, it’s spotless.

So, pick up everything that does not belong in the living room. Use a “put-away basket” to collect items that belong in other rooms. This way you won’t walk back and forth. You will save time. Only after this, can you get a better sense of the room and plan the rest of your cleaning.

Consider this step the foundation for cleaning a living room properly. A clear room makes dusting, vacuuming, and polishing much easier. A dirty room… quite the opposite.

Step 2: Dust from the top and work your way to the bottom

Remember this easy, but essential rule: Always dust from the top to the bottom. If you start low, dust from above will fall and undo your work.

So, begin with ceiling corners and light fittings. Then, move on to picture frames and shelves and wipe down skirting boards last.

Use a damp microfibre cloth on flat surfaces. It traps the dust instead of pushing it around.

Step 3: Cleaning the windows

Windows set the mood of the whole room. You’d be surprised how much better a room feels and looks when the natural sunlight goes unobstructed through the glass.

Mind you, before you start to clean, know that paper towels can leave lint. Instead, go for microfibre cloths and lint-free cotton cloths. These, with their fine fibres, grab dirt and dust instead of just pushing it around. They also polish the glass as you wipe.

Use a streak-free glass cleaner for your windows. If you notice stubborn stains like limescale, fingerprints, grease, or even pet nose smudges, go for a mix of vinegar and water. Spray, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe away. Easy peasy.

Do not forget the window sills and frames either. Dust ,cobwebs and marks build up there fast. While a damp cloth works for most surfaces, a gentle cleaner works better for painted or varnished wood.

Step 4: Wash curtains or dry clean them if they are delicate

Dust, pollen, pet hair, even cooking smells settle into the curtains. You can likely guess what that means for your kitchen, but let’s stay on how to clean the living room and the curtains you have there.

Step 5: Clean the living room furniture

Start with the cleaning of the sofa and chairs. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. It will pull dust, crumbs, and pet hair from crevices. Then, check if the label allows machine washing. If it says it’s allowed, then take off the cushion covers and wash them. If the fabric doesn’t allow machine washing or any washing for that matter, use a fabric refresher spray.

Many people ask how to clean dining room seat cushions. Spot-clean with mild soap and lukewarm water. Afterwards, blot with a clean cloth. Let them dry fully before use so no mould would develop.

Once the soft furnishings are fresh, move on to the table. Wipe your wooden coffee table with a soft cloth. Then, polish with a gentle cleaner that won’t strip the finish. If you are wondering how to clean dining room table surfaces made of glass, marble, or stone, use a cleaner designed for that specific material. It won’t scratch or dull the surface. Actually it will keep the shine.

Do not stop there, though. A lot of dust and fluff hides behind and under big furniture. Slide the pieces just a little, and give the space a quick vacuum or wipe. It will make a huge difference.

Step 6: Disinfect carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs act like sponges. They trap dust, dirt, and germs. As you can guess, floor coverings need a more detailed cleaning from time to time.

Start with a thorough vacuum. Take the time to move furniture so you can reach the hidden spots where crumbs and dust build up.

The next step in cleaning a living room carpet is to tackle stains straight away. Use a carpet spot cleaner and apply it directly to the spill. Blot gently with a clean cloth. Never rub. This can push the stain deeper into the fibres.

Rugs need the same attention. When learning how to clean a living room rug, always stick to mild cleaners and careful blotting. This protects the texture of the rug and lifts the stain with no damage.

Over time, both carpets and rugs can start to look dull even after regular vacuuming. That’s when steam cleaning makes the biggest difference. The hot steam doesn’t just refresh the appearance. It also kills bacteria and loosens the dirt buried deep in the pile.

Step 7: Mop the floor

Sweep or vacuum to remove loose dirt from the floor surface. Do not skip this step. If you do, the mop will just spread grit around and even scratch the surface. And speaking of different surfaces:

Take your time and work in sections. Rinse the mop often so you won’t push dirty water across the room. When done, let the floor dry fully before you move furniture or walk on it.

Step 8: Disinfect remote controls and frequently touched areas

Remote controls, door handles ,and light switches collect the most germs as high-touch points in your living room. Wipe them regularly with a disinfectant cloth.

Families with kids often face crayon marks or food stains on walls. Even though they can be warm memories, the marks and stains need to go. Wipe off crayon with a small amount of baking soda on a damp cloth. For food stains, try a gentle all-purpose cleaner. Always test a small area first.

This step also works on tiles. If you wonder how to clean living room tiles or walls, a mild cleaner and soft cloth usually do the job.

How often should a living room be cleaned?

A living room should be tidied every day or two. Do a weekly clean with vacuuming and wiping surfaces. Wash fabrics and dust surfaces once a month. Every few months, do a deep clean for carpets, curtains, and behind furniture.

As for how long it would take to clean the living room, it could be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes for a quick tidy. A weekly clean takes 30 to 45 minutes. A deep clean, on the other hand, takes 1 to 2 hours. It depends on how messy your living room is to begin with.

How to keep the living room clean (maintenance routines)

With these routines, you can see how long it would take to clean your living room and still keep it looking neat.

Daily tasks (15-minute clean)

Spend just 15 minutes a day to keep the room tidy. This involves:

This is the easiest way to clean a messy living room fast and prevent dirt from accumulating.

Monthly tasks

Deep cleaning every three months

Every three months, do a full deep clean living room session. We’ve already covered that in the steps above, but will summarise quickly once again…