10 Crucial Cleaning Tasks for Your September Deep Clean

September remains one of the hottest and wettest months in South Florida. While the kids have returned to school, it’s still a relatively quiet period before the busy holiday season begins—complete with family visits, gatherings, and celebrations. Many of our clients plan deep cleaning right before these events, but it’s much easier, less stressful, and more cost-effective to schedule a thorough cleaning during quieter times.

One of the most common questions we get is: “What makes deep cleaning different from maintenance cleaning?” A deep cleaning covers tasks that go beyond the usual upkeep, like cleaning behind furniture or deep scrubbing grout. You can always choose to tackle these jobs yourself, but if you’d like our help, we can include one or two of these tasks as part of your regular maintenance cleaning for a small additional charge.

In this post, we’ll share our expert tips on how we approach each task during deep cleaning, so whether you want to handle it yourself or hire a professional cleaning company like Clean Couture, you’ll know exactly what it takes to keep your home in top shape.

1. Air Vents and Filters

• Why it’s important: In Miami’s humid weather, dust and mold can build up faster in air vents, compromising indoor air quality. Air vent cleaning is essential to prevent this buildup and ensure proper ventilation. We recommend following the air filter manufacturer’s recommendations on how frequently to change them and setting calendar reminders. However, during hotter and wetter months, you may need to change filters more frequently.

• How We Clean It: Our air vent cleaning process includes vacuuming the vent with a special attachment, wiping down the vents with microfiber cloths dampened with a specialized solution, and replacing air filters to ensure maximum airflow and reduce allergens.

2. Ceiling Fans

• Why it’s important: With fans running almost year-round, dust accumulates easily on the blades, leading to poor air circulation. Regular ceiling fan cleaning is essential to keep air flowing properly and prevent dust buildup. We recommend cleaning ceiling fans on a monthly basis to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

• How We Clean It: Our ceiling fan cleaning process involves using extendable microfiber dusters to thoroughly clean fan blades, removing both visible dust and hidden particles. Most of our deep cleaning kits include this duster, which we highly recommend and use ourselves: Check it out here.

3. Windows and Window Tracks

• Why it’s important: Miami’s frequent rain and high humidity can lead to mold growth in window tracks, along with salt buildup, especially near the coast. Regular window cleaning is essential to prevent these issues and maintain clear, clean windows.

• How We Clean It: Our window cleaning process uses eco-friendly solutions, with a focus on scrubbing window tracks to eliminate mold, dirt, and grime. One of our preferred cleaning solutions is Dr. Bronner’s Sal-Suds, which is versatile enough to be used throughout your home for various types of cleanings.

4. Baseboards and Moldings

• Why it’s important: Dust and moisture can accumulate on baseboards, leading to mold and unsightly grime, especially in humid conditions. Regular baseboard cleaning is crucial for preventing mold growth and keeping your home looking fresh.

• How We Clean It: Our team performs thorough baseboard cleaning by wiping down baseboards and moldings with a mild cleaning solution and microfiber cloths to effectively remove dirt and prevent mold.

5. Tile and Grout Cleaning

• Why it’s important: Humidity in Miami can lead to grime buildup in tile grout, particularly in high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Regular tile and grout cleaning is essential for maintaining a hygienic and aesthetically pleasing environment.

• How We Clean It: We use a specialized grout cleaner and a stiff brush to scrub grout lines, removing tough stains and restoring their original appearance. For a deeper clean, we may also use our professional-grade steamer to sanitize tile-covered spaces thoroughly.

6. Mattress and Upholstery Cleaning

• Why it’s important: Sweat and humidity can create a breeding ground for dust mites and allergens in mattresses and upholstered furniture. Regular mattress cleaning is crucial for reducing allergens and maintaining a healthy sleeping environment.

• How We Clean It: We vacuum mattresses thoroughly and use a professional upholstery cleaner to eliminate dust mites and allergens, ensuring the fabric is refreshed and hygienic. We also recommend using a breathable yet waterproof mattress protector to help keep your clean mattress fresh for a longer time.

7. Behind and Under Beds & Large Furniture

• Why it’s important: Dust, debris, and allergens can accumulate behind and under large pieces of furniture, contributing to poor air quality and hidden dirt. We recommend including this task in your cleaning routine at least every 2-3 months. Given the humidity in Miami, neglecting this area can also contribute to mold growth.

• How We Clean It: We carefully move large furniture pieces to vacuum and clean underneath and behind them, removing dust and hidden debris. Afterward, we use an appropriate surface cleaner to sanitize the area. This thorough approach is one reason why deep cleanings are typically performed by a team of at least two cleaning technicians.

8. Refrigerator Coils & Behind Large Appliances

• Why it’s important: Dust buildup on refrigerator coils reduces efficiency, causing the fridge to work harder, especially in Miami’s hot climate. Additionally, dirt and grime behind large appliances can lead to mold growth and pest infestations.

• How We Clean It: We pull out the refrigerator to vacuum the coils, improving energy efficiency and extending the appliance’s lifespan. We also use a heavy-duty degreaser to remove any heavy dirt and grime buildup from behind the appliance.

9. Closets and Wardrobes

• Why it’s important: Miami’s humid conditions can lead to mold and mildew in closets and wardrobes, particularly affecting shoes, bags, and other clothing items.

• How We Clean It: We focus on closet and wardrobe organizing by decluttering spaces, wiping down shelves, and adding moisture absorbers to prevent mold growth and maintain freshness. We recommend using moisture absorbers regularly; our clients have been very pleased with this product, which effectively collects excess moisture and protects valuable clothing and accessories. You can see the product we recommend here: Check it out.

10. Doors and Door Frames

• Why it’s important: We touch most doors daily, which can lead to buildup and bacteria growth. Additionally, door frames often protrude and collect dust, which can harbor mold and bacteria. Regular door cleaning is crucial for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.

How We Clean It: We perform door cleaning by wiping down door frames and handles with microfiber cloths dampened in a cleaning solution and disinfectants to effectively remove dirt and prevent germ buildup.