The Ultimate Living Room Cleaning Guide
Updated: Oct. 27, 2023
Use this living room cleaning guide to keep the whole space fresh, dust-free and ready for lounging.
The living room is our go-to space for relaxing and socializing with friends and family—but first, let’s make sure it’s clean! And we’re ready to go beyond clearing clutter and fluffing pillows. This extensive living room cleaning guide will help you freshen up every inch from top to bottom.
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How to Clean Your Living Room Each Week
Living Room Cleaning Tips
Like the kitchen, the living room is a magnet for family clutter. So before you even pick up a dust cloth, grab a basket and clear out all the items that don’t belong. Then, organize your cleaning tasks from top to bottom. Start with dusting ceiling fixtures and window blinds, and leave the rug and flooring for last.
When you’re finished, it’s time to light a new scented candle and relax.
Living Room Cleaning Tools
Cleaning the living room involves a lot of dusting and vacuuming, and the right cleaning products will make all the difference. Here are our favorite tools to get the job done:
- Horse Hair Vacuum Attachment: Say goodbye to dust!
- Pillow Case: This is a secret weapon for cleaning ceiling fans.
- Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths have great scrubbing power—and are lint-free.
- Magic Erasers: Even stubborn wall marks are no match for these.
- Pre-Moistened Electronic Wipes: Use wipes like this for a smudge-free TV screen.
- Bissell Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum: This vac works great on both hard and soft floors.
- White Vinegar: You’ll be using vinegar in several cleaning mixtures. It’s effective yet gentle on all living room surfaces.
How to Clean Blinds
- If there is a lot of dust buildup on your blinds, vacuum first. Close the blinds completely, and drag a horse hair vacuum attachment across the entire length. Then close the blinds the opposite way and repeat.
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bucket or other container.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the blinds with the mixture. You can also put your hand inside a sock, or use this clever tool.
How to Clean a Ceiling Fan
- The best way to clean a dusty ceiling fan is with an old pillowcase. Standing on a ladder, wipe each fan blade by gently dragging it inside the pillowcase. All the dust will be caught in the pillowcase, avoiding a mess on the floor.
- Wipe the remaining dust or grime with a microfiber cloth dipped in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water.
- If there is a light fixture attached to the fan, wipe it with the vinegar and water mixture, then do a final polish with Windex.
How to Clean Walls and Wall Decor
- Use a Magic Eraser to get rid of any scuff marks on the wall.
- Wipe down all the walls and baseboards with a microfiber cloth and a mixture of vinegar and water (we also like the Go Clean Co wall-cleaning recipe: 1 gallon of hot water and 1 teaspoon of powdered Tide).
- Use the same cloth and mixture to gently wipe the tops of picture frames and other wall decor where dust likes to settle.
How to Clean Upholstered Furniture
- Remove all the couch and chair cushions and vacuum. Remove any items that have fallen under the cushions (there will be a treasure trove if you have kids!). Then vacuum up the remaining crumbs and debris with a vacuum attachment.
- In a spray bottle mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Mist the mixture on all the cushions (both sides!) and armrests, then wipe with a microfiber cloth.
- Let the cushions dry, then replace them on the couch.
- For leather furniture, use a mixture of 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. (You can also add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.)
How to Dust Furniture
- Remove all items like lamps and decorative accessories from your end tables, coffee table and any other hard surfaced furniture.
- Use a damp microfiber cloth (microfiber traps dust rather than just moving it around) and wipe down all the furniture.
- Use the same cloth to wipe down lamps and accessories before returning them to the tables.
- To remove a water stain, apply a white, non-gel toothpaste to a soft cloth and rub it in a circular motion. Then, wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- If you prefer using a furniture polish for extra shine, try Murphy Oil.
How to Clean TV and Media Equipment
- Make sure your devices are turned off and cool before you start cleaning.
- Wipe away dust and loose dirt with a dry microfiber cloth. (Don’t forget the back of the TV, which gets super dusty.)
- Spot-clean smudges with moist wipes designed for electronics.
How to Clean the Living Room Floor
- Vacuum both your hard and soft floors (sweeping just moves the dust around). We like the Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum; it works on all floor surfaces and is great for pet hair.
- For a carpet or rug deodorizer, mix 2 cups of baking soda with 10 drops of essential oil like lemon or lavender. Sprinkle the mixture on the carpet, then vacuum it up.
- Tackle any stains with this miracle carpet cleaner or mix a DIY carpet cleaner with 2 to 3 teaspoons of mild dish soap and 1 gallon of warm water.
- Mop hard floors (check out our favorite mops) with a mixture 1 gallon of hot water, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 drop of dish soap. Squeeze your mop thoroughly before starting; your mop should be damp but not wet.
Daily Living Room Cleaning Tasks
Now that you’ve thoroughly cleaned your living room, here’s how to keep it clean. These daily tasks will keep your space tidy and ready for guests even if your next weekly cleaning is a few days away.
- Clear away clutter at the end of every day. Put everything that doesn’t belong in one big basket, then walk around the house with your basket to put items in their rightful spot.
- Fluff pillows and fold throw blankets.
- Straighten sofa cushions.
- Locate the TV remote and any gaming remotes, and put them back where they belong.
How to Deep-Clean Your Living Room
These deep cleaning tasks only need to be done once every couple of months, but your living room will thank you!
- Remove curtains and launder.
- Remove throw pillow covers and couch cushion covers, if they’re removable, and wash in the washing machine.
- Clean windows both inside and out. Check out these tips from the pros.
- Thoroughly shampoo your carpet and rugs with a rented carpet cleaner. Or buy a highly-rated carpet cleaner if you want to invest in your own.
- Dust the ceiling using a vacuum extension, or reach the area by securing a microfiber cloth over the bristles of a broom.
Living Room Cleaning Checklist
Originally Published: May 05, 2022
