Be kind to yourself
Homes get neglected for all sorts of reasons: depression, chronic illness, caring for someone, long working hours, bereavement or simply a run of difficult months. There's no shame in it, and you don't need to fix it in one go. Set a small, specific target for each session – 'clear the kitchen worktops' rather than 'clean the kitchen' – and stop when it's done.
If the problem is serious clutter that makes rooms unusable, or if you're worried about someone else, our guide to hoarder house cleaning covers specialist help.
Start with rubbish
Take a roll of bin bags and go room by room collecting obvious rubbish: packaging, food waste, old papers, empty bottles. Don't sort or clean yet. Getting rubbish out of the house is the quickest visible improvement and makes everything else easier. Book an extra collection or a skip if needed.
Then dishes and laundry
Next, gather every dirty dish into the kitchen and run the dishwasher or wash them in batches. Gather laundry into baskets and start washing. These two jobs free up the kitchen and bedrooms and give you clean things to use as you go.
The order that works
Once the rubbish, dishes and laundry are moving, clean in this order:
- Kitchen: clear and clean worktops, the sink, hob and the fridge (throw out anything old)
- Bathroom: toilet, basin, bath or shower – see how to clean a toilet
- Bedroom: clean bedding, clear the floor, dust surfaces
- Living areas: declutter surfaces, dust, vacuum
- Floors throughout: vacuum then mop
- Detail jobs last: oven, inside cupboards, skirting boards, windows
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Safety first
Wear rubber gloves throughout. If there's mould, food that has gone very bad, pest droppings or anything unhygienic, wear a mask and keep windows open. Don't mix products – bleach with limescale remover or vinegar produces toxic gas; see products you should never mix.
Signs of pests (droppings, gnawed packaging, insects) need pest control before or alongside cleaning – see cleaning to prevent pests. Extensive mould needs dealing with carefully – see removing mould from walls and ceilings.
Products that make it easier
For heavy grime you don't need anything exotic: a degreaser for the kitchen, a limescale remover for the bathroom (if you're in a hard-water area), a cream cleaner, a toilet cleaner, washing-up liquid and plenty of cloths. Let products sit for their recommended time – soaking does most of the work. Our cleaning supplies list covers the essentials.
When to bring in professionals
A professional deep clean can transform a neglected home in a day, and it's often the most realistic option if you're short of energy or time. Reputable cleaners see neglected homes every week and won't judge. It helps to clear rubbish and personal items first, then let the team handle the kitchen, bathrooms, floors and detail work. Photos when you request quotes help the company send the right team – see how long a deep clean takes.
Afterwards, a fortnightly regular cleaner can help keep things from building up again, and our guide to how often to clean your house has simple routines.
