How to: Clean the common areas of your house | Dyson Community
Skip to main content

Did you know with the right tools, accessories, and vacuum cleaner, it’s possible to keep your home looking spotless?

To help you tick all the boxes during your next dedicated deep clean, here’s Dyson’s step-by-step guide to cleaning common, high-traffic areas of the household, such as the staircase, hallway and living room, including tips on removing household dust and cleaning different floor types. 

  1. How to: Remove household dust
  2. How to: Clean your staircase
  3. How to: Clean your hallway
  4. How to: Clean your living room
  5. How to: Clean carpets, remove stains and which accessories to use
  6. How to: Clean hardwood floors, remove stains and which accessories to use

Each of these article not only feature the step-by-step guide, but highlight three top preparation tips and a list tools you’ll need to get started. 

Read the full article on cleaning the common areas of your home by clicking on our ‘How to clean the common areas of your house’ link.

If you’d like to share your own tips on cleaning, feel free to add these below. Any other tips you’d like to share, please post them in our ‘Tips and tricks’ section on the Community homepage.

Here are some tips on how to clean the common areas of your house:

  1. Set a schedule. Decide how often you want to clean the common areas of your house. Once a week is a good starting point, but you may need to clean more often if you have a lot of traffic or pets.
  2. Make a checklist. This will help you stay on track and make sure you don't forget anything. Include tasks like vacuuming, dusting, mopping, cleaning the bathroom, and taking out the trash.
  3. Gather your supplies. This includes things like a vacuum cleaner, mop, broom, dustpan, cleaning cloths, and cleaning products.
  4. Start at the top and work your way down. This will help prevent dust from falling back down on surfaces you've already cleaned.
  5. Focus on the high-traffic areas. These are the areas that get the most dirty, so they need to be cleaned more often.
  6. Don't forget the small details. Things like light fixtures, doorknobs, and baseboards can easily get overlooked, but they make a big difference in the overall appearance of the room.
  7. Take breaks. Cleaning can be tiring, so take breaks as needed. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.
  8. Reward yourself. Once you're finished cleaning, take some time to relax and enjoy your clean home.

Here is a more detailed checklist of common areas to clean and how often you should clean them:

  • Living room: Vacuum and dust weekly. Mop or sweep as needed.
  • Kitchen: Wipe down counters and appliances daily. Sweep or vacuum the floor daily. Mop the floor weekly. Clean the stovetop and oven monthly.
  • Bathroom: Clean the sink, toilet, and bathtub daily. Wipe down the mirror and vanity weekly. Mop the floor weekly.
  • Hallways: Vacuum and dust weekly.
  • Entryway: Wipe down the floor and doormat daily. Vacuum and dust weekly.
  • Laundry room: Clean the washer and dryer monthly. Sweep or vacuum the floor weekly.
  • Basements: Vacuum and dust monthly. Mop the floor as needed.
  • Garages: Sweep or vacuum the floor weekly. Clean the shelves and workbench monthly.

These are just general guidelines, so you may need to adjust them based on your individual needs and preferences. For example, if you have pets, you may need to clean more often. And if you have a lot of traffic in your home, you may need to clean the common areas more often.

The most important thing is to find a cleaning routine that works for you and stick to it. With a little effort, you can keep your common areas clean and inviting.


Certainly, keeping the common areas of your house clean and organized is essential for maintaining a comfortable and pleasant living environment. Here are some tips to help you effectively clean and maintain these spaces:

  1. Establish a Cleaning Schedule:

    • Create a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning schedule that designates specific days for cleaning each common area. This helps prevent tasks from piling up and ensures a consistent cleaning routine.
  2. Declutter Regularly:

    • Keep surfaces clutter-free by regularly removing items that don't belong in the common areas. Designate a specific place for items to avoid random clutter accumulation.
  3. Gather Supplies:

    • Before you start cleaning, gather all the necessary cleaning supplies, including cleaning solutions, microfiber cloths, sponges, mops, and vacuum cleaners.
  4. Dust and Wipe Surfaces:

    • Dust all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and electronics, with a microfiber cloth or duster. Wipe down surfaces using appropriate cleaning solutions to remove dirt and grime.
  5. Vacuum and Sweep:

    • Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture regularly to remove dust and debris. Sweep and mop hard floors to keep them clean and shiny.
  6. Clean Windows and Mirrors:

    • Clean windows and mirrors with a glass cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar. Use a lint-free cloth or newspaper to avoid streaks.
  7. Disinfect High-Touch Areas:

    • Regularly disinfect high-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and handles. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
  8. Empty Trash Bins:

    • Empty trash bins in the common areas as needed to prevent unpleasant odors and overflow. Line the bins with garbage bags for easy disposal.
  9. Tidy Up Seating Areas:

    • Fluff cushions and pillows on sofas and chairs. Fold blankets and neatly arrange decorative items to maintain a welcoming appearance.
  10. Organize Media and Electronics:

    • Keep cables organized and hidden using cable organizers or clips. Arrange books, magazines, and media items neatly on shelves or in designated storage.
  11. Maintain Entryways:

    • Keep entryways clean by placing doormats both inside and outside to prevent dirt from being tracked in. Provide a designated space for shoes, coats, and bags.
  12. Rotate Decor:

    • Consider rotating decorative items and artwork to keep the common areas feeling fresh and updated.
  13. Collaborative Effort:

    • If you share your living space with family members or roommates, divide cleaning tasks among yourselves to ensure everyone contributes to maintaining the cleanliness of the common areas.
  14. Regular Deep Cleaning:

    • Schedule deep cleaning sessions periodically to tackle tasks that may not be part of your routine cleaning. This could include cleaning upholstery, washing curtains, and more.
  15. Enjoy the Space:

    • Once your common areas are clean and organized, take some time to relax and enjoy the tidy environment you've created.

Remember, consistency is key to maintaining clean common areas. By incorporating these tips into your cleaning routine, you can ensure that your living spaces remain inviting, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone.


That’s an excellent list of advice. I’d like to add: don’t forget to regularly clean and replace air filters, as this helps maintain good air quality in your home. Also, consider deep cleaning tasks like washing curtains and shampooing carpets every few months to keep your home feeling fresh.


Reply