Maintaining a neat and tidy space is important, but not just for aesthetic reasons. Keeping a clean home is also good because it helps improve our quality of life. According to a study published by researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, people who live in cluttered spaces are more likely to feel stressed out. So not only is cleaning good for your home, it’s good for your health.

However, deep cleaning an entire house is not an easy task. Just the thought of having to scrub baseboards, dust ceiling fans, or declutter overflowing closets can be downright terrifying.

But fortunately, there’s little reason to panic. In fact, deep cleaning your home can be a lot easier than you think. All you need is a good game plan and a few cleaning supplies to turn clutter into cleanliness. To learn how to thoroughly clean your space, here are eight tips for deep cleaning your home.

Make a plan.

Before you dive into deep cleaning, you have to create a plan of action to avoid overwhelming yourself. Start by selecting which rooms to tackle first. Then break it down further by writing down the tasks you need to complete in each room. By doing this, you can stay on top of the process to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.

Focus on high-traffic areas.

Areas with heavy foot traffic such as entryways, bathrooms, hallways, and the kitchen tend to accumulate a lot of dust and debris because they’re used so often. Starting the process by deep cleaning these areas first can make the rest of the process a whole lot easier.

Start from the top.

When deep cleaning your space, you should always start from the top and work your way down. This helps prevent dust, grime, and other types of debris from falling onto areas that you’ve already cleaned.

Never miss a spot.

There are many areas in the home that we forget to clean, like the inside of cabinets, under the bed, or behind appliances. But by forgetting to clean them, we allow dirt to build up in our homes, which can have a negative impact on our quality of life. To avoid this, tidy up the neglected areas in your home to give your space a fresher, more clean feel.

Don’t forget to disinfect.

To properly deep clean your home, you’ll need to do more than put things away. Deep cleaning also involves disinfecting your space from bacteria and viruses, which is especially important if you live with other people. For a clean and healthy environment, use a disinfecting product to thoroughly clean frequently used surfaces such as remote controls, doorknobs, and faucet handles.

Scrub walls and baseboards.

If your home has started to look dull and lifeless, deep cleaning your walls and baseboards can work to brighten things up. All you need is an all-purpose cleaner and a scrubbing brush to break down grime around the trim, corners, and walls of your home for a sparkling clean space.

Wash windows and mirrors.

If your windows or mirrors need revamping, you could clean them using a glass cleaner to remove dirt, streaks, and film. Or, if you want to DIY it, try applying a mixture of vinegar and water to your windows so more natural light can shine through.

Donate clutter.

After deep cleaning your home, you’re likely to have a lot of stuff to throw away. But instead of tossing out your old shoes or used appliances, why not gift them to someone in need? There are many places that accept donations such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Some places even let you trade in your used electronics for cash.