How To Deep Clean An Apartment After A Long Holiday Out

Today was a day of  deep cleaning and unpacking after a long holiday away from our apartment.  I really didn’t know where to begin so I quickly planned things in my head and took a mental note of the steps for this blog post.  Because the Christmas season just ended, we will be putting away holiday decor too.  We came home to beds with the same bed sheets that were on them since  we left 3 weeks ago.  Mold on the bath tub and mat.  Some mold on the tiles and an empty refrigerator.  Arriving at 8 pm meant we had to vacuum the room and change the sheets we would sleep in for that night.  I like to vacuum the mattress as well because I am allergic to dust and dust mites.  A cooped up room also means mold may have set in because we live in front of the water.  Here is how we got things done:

The night we arrived

1. Vacuumed the masters room, pillows and mattress.
2. Changed the sheets.
3. Quickly wiped the bathroom counter and cleaned the toilet with disinfectant wipes.
4. Run 1 load of laundry.
5. Soaked the bath tub and bath mat in water with bleach over night after we bathed.
6. Run the air purifier and dehumidifier.

The following morning

1. Unpack all 4 large suitcases.
2. Run more laundry and fold load from last night.
3. Deep clean both bathrooms.
4. Vacuum kids room and change bed sheets.  Wipe all surfaces.
5. Vacuum playroom and put all new toys from Christmas into appropriate toy bins.  Wipe books and toys with organic cleanser spray.
6. Go grocery chopping for the week.
7. Vacuum entire living and dining room including sofa, rug and curtains

Bathroom Deep Cleaning tips:

1.  The best most effective way to get rid of mold is to use bleach.  I only use it when things are absolutely dirty.  Vinegar is what I use on a daily basis aside from organic cleansers that I use for surfaces. 
2.  Soak the tub in bleach and water overnight to loosen mold and scum before scrubbing.
3.  Line mold on tub corners and creases or tile surfaces with disinfectant wipes.  Keep them overnight. 
4.  Use organic cleansers for bathroom counters and shelves.
5.  Clean and soak the toilet brush with water and bleach after using. 
6.  Change towels and bathroom mat after a long holiday away from home. 
7.  Soak tooth brushes in boiling water with vinegar to disinfect. 

Tomorrow we get down to removing the Christmas decor, carefully putting them back in the big plastic bins we have for storage. 

Tips For Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen:

1.  Clean your refrigerator with a solution of vinegar and baking soda before you stock it with new food. 
2.  Clean counters and cabinet surfaces with organic cleanser.
3.  Scrub kitchen sink with soap and baking soda. 
4.  Run the dish washer in clean mode before using if it has a foul damp smell to get rid of bacteria. 
5.  Mop the kitchen flour with soap.

I love it when a home has just been thoroughly cleaned.  New sheets, fresh towels and just the thought that it has been vacuumed means I get to sleep better.  If you want to see what our apartment looks like, head over to my Instagram.  I posted a photo there.  Do you have tips on how to clean effectively?  What does your house feel like after a long vacation away?   I’d love to learn more tips so feel free to message me or comment below! 

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