Professional House Cleaning Checklist for an Awesome Service

Achieve a spotless home with our professional house cleaning checklist! Follow essential steps for professional, trustworthy residential cleaning results.

Jeel PatelJeel Patel
||9 min read
Professional House Cleaning Checklist for an Awesome Service

Key Takeaways

  • 01Using a professional cleaning checklist ensures quality service and maintains consistency across all jobs
  • 02Organize your cleaning approach by room (living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom) for maximum efficiency
  • 03Different services require different checklists - regular, deep cleaning, move-in/out, and pressure washing
  • 04Essential supplies include all-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, vacuum, mop, and scrub brushes
  • 05Follow up with clients after service to build trust and gather feedback for continuous improvement

We are glad that you are serious enough to find a checklist so as to provide the best house-cleaning services. Using a checklist can benefit you in many ways such as:

  • Ensure quality service
  • Maintain consistency
  • Brand yourself as a professional

So, here we will provide you with a professional house cleaning checklist classified into various types of services and rooms. But before that, let's check off cleaning preparation, including providing a house cleaning invoice example to maintain clear communication with clients.

Table of Content

  1. Essential Cleaning Supplies and Tools
  2. Cleaning Checklist by Room
  3. Cleaning Checklist by Services
  4. Post-cleaning Satisfaction Tips
  5. FAQs
  6. Conclusion

Essential Cleaning Supplies and Tools

Here are the necessary cleaning tools and supplies that you must have before you roll on your sleeves for any cleaning project:

Essential Cleaning Supplies

  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Glass cleaner
  • Floor cleaner
  • Furniture polish
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Scrub brushes
  • Rubber gloves
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Mop and bucket
  • Broom and dustpan

Cleaning Checklist by Room

Here is a detailed house cleaning checklist for you to follow for various rooms of a house:

Living room cleaning checklist

  • Dust all surfaces, including furniture, lamps, picture frames, and knick-knacks.
  • Vacuum or sweep the floor.
  • Clean any mirrors or glass surfaces.
  • Fluff and arrange pillows and cushions.
  • Clean any upholstered furniture or carpets as needed.
  • Remove any clutter, including toys, magazines, and books.

Kitchen cleaning checklist

  • Clean and disinfect countertops, sinks, and faucets.
  • Wipe down cabinets and drawers, inside and out.
  • Clean the stovetop, oven, and microwave.
  • Clean the refrigerator, including shelves and drawers.
  • Clean the dishwasher and any other appliances.
  • Sweep or vacuum and mop floors as needed.

Pro Tip

Always clean the kitchen from top to bottom - start with cabinets and work your way down to floors. This prevents you from re-cleaning surfaces that collect dust from above.

Bedroom cleaning checklist

  • Dust all surfaces, including furniture, lamps, picture frames, and knick-knacks.
  • Vacuum or sweep the floor.
  • Change the bedding and wash sheets and pillowcases.
  • Fluff and arrange pillows and cushions.
  • Clean any mirrors or glass surfaces.
  • Clean any upholstery or carpets as needed.
  • Remove any clutter, including clothes, shoes, and personal items.
  • Clean window screens.

Bathroom cleaning checklist

  • Clean and disinfect the toilet, sink, and shower/tub.
  • Wipe down any cabinets and drawers, inside and out.
  • Clean any mirrors or glass surfaces.
  • Sweep or vacuum the bathroom floors and mop as needed.
  • Clean any rugs or bathmats.
  • Replace towels and washcloths.

Watch Out

Always use appropriate disinfectants in bathrooms and allow them to sit for the recommended time (usually 3-5 minutes) before wiping to ensure proper sanitization and germ elimination.

Window cleaning checklist

  • Remove and clean all window screens.
  • Dust or vacuum the window sills and tracks.
  • Use a solution of water and window cleaning solution to clean the windows, either by hand or with a squeegee.
  • Dry the windows with a clean, lint-free cloth or paper towel.
  • Use a specialized window cleaner or a vinegar solution to clean any stubborn stains or spots.
  • Check the windows for streaks or smudges, and re-clean as necessary.
  • Use a small brush or toothbrush to clean any hard-to-reach areas or crevices.
  • Clean any window coverings, such as blinds or curtains, as needed.

Cleaning Checklist by Services

Regular cleaning checklist

  • Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and countertops.
  • Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
  • Mop hard floors.
  • Clean and sanitize bathrooms, including the toilet, sink, and shower/tub.
  • Clean and sanitize the kitchen, including the sink, stove, and countertops.
  • Clean mirrors and windows.
  • Take out the trash and recycle.

Deep cleaning checklist

Surface and Fixture Cleaning

Clean and dust all surfaces, including the baseboards and moldings. Clean and polish all fixtures, including light fixtures, switch plates, and door handles.

Carpet and Upholstery

Vacuum and deep clean all carpets and upholstery, removing embedded dirt and stains that regular vacuuming misses.

Bathroom Deep Clean

Scrub and disinfect all bathrooms, including the toilet, sink, and shower/tub. Pay special attention to grout lines and hard-to-reach areas.

Kitchen Deep Clean

Clean and disinfect the kitchen, including the appliances, cabinets, and countertops. Clean inside the oven, refrigerator, and behind appliances.

Windows and Treatments

Clean and disinfect all windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces. Dust and clean all blinds and window treatments.

Floor Deep Clean

Deep clean and sanitize all hard floors, including tile and hardwood. This includes scrubbing, stripping old wax if needed, and re-finishing.

Move-in/Move-out cleaning checklist

  • Dust and clean all surfaces, including the baseboards and moldings.
  • Clean and polish all fixtures, including light fixtures, switch plates, and door handles.
  • Vacuum and deep clean all carpets and upholstery.
  • Scrub and disinfect all bathrooms, including the toilet, sink, and shower/tub.
  • Clean and disinfect the kitchen, including the appliances, cabinets, and countertops.
  • Clean and disinfect all windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces.
  • Dust and clean all blinds and window treatments.
  • Deep clean and sanitize all hard floors, including tile and hardwood.
  • Remove any marks or scuffs on walls and surfaces.
  • Clean out all cabinets, drawers, and closets.

Move-In/Move-Out Tip

This service requires the most comprehensive cleaning. Document before and after photos to showcase your work quality and protect yourself from disputes.

Pressure washing cleaning checklist

  • Remove any debris or loose dirt from the surface to be cleaned.
  • Set up the pressure washer and ensure proper water supply and detergent use.
  • Spray the cleaning solution onto the surface, starting from the top and working your way down.
  • Use the pressure washer to blast away dirt and grime, starting from the top and working your way down.
  • Rinse the surface with clean water, again starting from the top and working your way down.
  • Allow the surface to air dry, or dry with a clean towel or cloth.

Recommended: If you are just starting out your business, check out our suggested cleaning business names.

Post-cleaning Satisfaction Tips

1. Follow up with your client

You can call or email them to ask if they are happy with your cleaning service. And even what you could have done better to improve the experience.

Following up with your client after the cleaning service is a great way to show that you care about their satisfaction.

2. Address any issues immediately

If your client has any issues with your service, address them immediately. Because any issues immediately handled can lift your brand image as a responsive one.

So take their concerns seriously and work with them to find a solution that meets their needs.

3. Provide a feedback form

Many a time your clients may hesitate in giving you an upfront review of your work. Thus, providing a feedback form is also a handy way to collect feedback from your clients.

This will allow you to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes to improve the quality of your service.

4. Keep in touch

Keeping in touch with your clients on a regular basis can help to build a strong relationship. You can send them emails or newsletters with cleaning tips, promotions, and other helpful information.

5. Send a professional invoice

Sending a professional invoice can help you come up as a reliable and transparent business to work with.

So start creating them no matter at what stage of business you are in. It is easier than you might think.

Create Professional Invoices with InvoiceOwl

It is your complete invoicing solution which makes creating and sending branded invoices as smooth as a breeze. Get paid faster and look professional with every invoice.

Start Your FREE Trial

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can customize a professional house cleaning checklist to fit your specific needs. You can add or remove tasks based on your priorities and adjust the frequency of cleaning tasks based on your schedule.

Here are some of the services you can provide with your cleaning business:

  • Carpet cleaning services
  • Laundry cleaning services
  • Deep cleaning services
  • House cleaning services
  • Upholstery cleaning services

For a more detailed list, check out our blog post on "types of cleaning services."

Regular cleaning should be done weekly or bi-weekly to maintain cleanliness. Deep cleaning is typically recommended every 3-6 months, or when moving in/out of a property. The frequency depends on household size, pets, and client preferences.

Regular cleaning focuses on surface-level tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and bathroom sanitization. Deep cleaning is more thorough and includes cleaning baseboards, fixtures, inside appliances, grout lines, and other areas that don't require weekly attention.

Conclusion

Now there is only one thing left that you must check off to make this blog worth your read - to actually use these checklists to provide a great house cleaning service. So whenever you go for your next cleaning project, determine the task and pick the appropriate checklist.

Related Resources

10 Best Apps for Cleaning Business in 2026
10 Best Apps for Cleaning Business in 2026

Discover the 10 best apps for cleaning businesses in 2026 to streamline operations, improve productivity, and maximize efficiency. Upgrade your business today!

Read more
8 Carpet Cleaning Marketing Ideas
8 Carpet Cleaning Marketing Ideas

From social media advertising to local SEO, here are eight creative carpet cleaning marketing ideas to build brand awareness, generate leads and increase sales.

Read more
7 Best House Cleaning Ads Examples to Attract More Customers
7 Best House Cleaning Ads Examples to Attract More Customers

Looking for cleaning ad inspiration? Check out these 7 must-see house cleaning ads for 2026 and get inspired to create your own effective ad campaign.

Read more
9 Cleaning Business Ideas to Bring More Profit
9 Cleaning Business Ideas to Bring More Profit

Discover 9 effective Cleaning Business Ideas to boost your revenue and grow your business. Implement these strategies and see the profits roll in.

Read more
Carpet Cleaning Invoice Template
Carpet Cleaning Invoice Template

Carpet cleaning invoice template

Read more
Cleaning Invoice Template
Cleaning Invoice Template

cleaning invoice template

Read more
House Cleaning Invoice Template
House Cleaning Invoice Template

House Cleaning Invoice Template

Read more
Pressure Washing Invoice Template
Pressure Washing Invoice Template

Pressure Washing Invoice Template

Read more
10 Best Apps for Cleaning Business in 2026
10 Best Apps for Cleaning Business in 2026

Discover the 10 best apps for cleaning businesses in 2026 to streamline operations, improve productivity, and maximize efficiency. Upgrade your business today!

Read more
8 Carpet Cleaning Marketing Ideas
8 Carpet Cleaning Marketing Ideas

From social media advertising to local SEO, here are eight creative carpet cleaning marketing ideas to build brand awareness, generate leads and increase sales.

Read more
7 Best House Cleaning Ads Examples to Attract More Customers
7 Best House Cleaning Ads Examples to Attract More Customers

Looking for cleaning ad inspiration? Check out these 7 must-see house cleaning ads for 2026 and get inspired to create your own effective ad campaign.

Read more
9 Cleaning Business Ideas to Bring More Profit
9 Cleaning Business Ideas to Bring More Profit

Discover 9 effective Cleaning Business Ideas to boost your revenue and grow your business. Implement these strategies and see the profits roll in.

Read more
Carpet Cleaning Invoice Template
Carpet Cleaning Invoice Template

Carpet cleaning invoice template

Read more
Cleaning Invoice Template
Cleaning Invoice Template

cleaning invoice template

Read more
House Cleaning Invoice Template
House Cleaning Invoice Template

House Cleaning Invoice Template

Read more
Pressure Washing Invoice Template
Pressure Washing Invoice Template

Pressure Washing Invoice Template

Read more
10 Best Apps for Cleaning Business in 2026
10 Best Apps for Cleaning Business in 2026

Discover the 10 best apps for cleaning businesses in 2026 to streamline operations, improve productivity, and maximize efficiency. Upgrade your business today!

Read more
8 Carpet Cleaning Marketing Ideas
8 Carpet Cleaning Marketing Ideas

From social media advertising to local SEO, here are eight creative carpet cleaning marketing ideas to build brand awareness, generate leads and increase sales.

Read more
7 Best House Cleaning Ads Examples to Attract More Customers
7 Best House Cleaning Ads Examples to Attract More Customers

Looking for cleaning ad inspiration? Check out these 7 must-see house cleaning ads for 2026 and get inspired to create your own effective ad campaign.

Read more
9 Cleaning Business Ideas to Bring More Profit
9 Cleaning Business Ideas to Bring More Profit

Discover 9 effective Cleaning Business Ideas to boost your revenue and grow your business. Implement these strategies and see the profits roll in.

Read more
Carpet Cleaning Invoice Template
Carpet Cleaning Invoice Template

Carpet cleaning invoice template

Read more
Cleaning Invoice Template
Cleaning Invoice Template

cleaning invoice template

Read more
House Cleaning Invoice Template
House Cleaning Invoice Template

House Cleaning Invoice Template

Read more
Pressure Washing Invoice Template
Pressure Washing Invoice Template

Pressure Washing Invoice Template

Read more

Written by

Jeel Patel

Founder & CEO at InvoiceOwl

Jeel Patel is the founder of InvoiceOwl, a highly-rated estimating and invoicing software designed to streamline contractor businesses' invoicing and estimating workflows. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Toronto, where he developed strong analytical capabilities and business acumen.

More about Jeel

Ready to streamline your invoicing?

Join thousands of contractors who trust InvoiceOwl for professional estimates and invoices.

Start Free Trial