Have you ever walked into someone’s home and marvelled at how clean and polished everything looked?
It often feels like a mystery—especially when your own place seems to gather dust the moment you put the vacuum away.
But behind every sparkling home, there are often a few clever routines that make all the difference.
It turns out, professional cleaners don’t just rely on elbow grease. They follow a set of consistent habits that keep their own homes clean with surprisingly little stress.
We gathered top tips from Sandy Willis, a seasoned Molly Maid owner, along with a few expert insights to help you simplify your next deep clean.
Let’s take a closer look at what the pros do—so you can steal their secrets for yourself.
1. They mix big cleans with bite-sized tasks
Professional cleaners know that deep cleaning doesn’t have to mean locking yourself away for an entire weekend with a mop and bucket.
Instead, they take a hybrid approach—setting aside time every few months for a major clean, while managing smaller tasks regularly.
Willis swears by this method. ‘I dedicate one weekend every three or four months to deep cleaning, but I also do a little bit each week—like dusting or vacuuming one room at a time,’ she says.
This way, nothing ever gets too out of hand, and you’re never overwhelmed by the size of the job.
Try it yourself: mark a ‘deep clean day’ on your calendar each season, then create a short weekly list to maintain everything in between.
You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to stay on top of things.
2. They clean by zones, not just rooms
Instead of tackling the whole house at once, professionals break their homes into zones.
This might mean focusing on the kitchen one week and bathrooms the next—or doing all the windows one day and all the floors another.
Willis says this zoning strategy ‘prevents burnout and ensures each area gets the attention it deserves’.
She usually spends a couple of hours each week on one zone, and over two weeks, the entire home gets a thorough going-over.
Why not map out your own zones? It’s far less daunting to focus on an ‘entryway zone’ than attempt the whole house in one go.
3. They prioritise health—not just looks
It’s easy to focus on what you can see, but the real pros know the dirtiest spots are often out of sight.
Willis always targets high-impact areas: carpets, upholstery, high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and light switches, and those easy-to-miss places behind appliances or along skirting boards.
‘People often forget about these areas, but they can harbour a lot of dust and allergens,’ she says.
Regularly cleaning these spots can make a big difference to your air quality and general wellbeing.
Make a list of your home’s overlooked areas and aim to tackle one or two each deep clean. Your lungs (and your guests) will thank you.
4. They set achievable goals—and reward themselves
Even professionals admit that deep cleaning can feel like a slog.
The trick? Set small, achievable goals and give yourself a reward when you complete them.
Willis recommends focusing on one task or room at a time and then treating yourself—a cuppa, a short walk or just admiring the end result.
Listening to music or a podcast can also lift your mood while you clean. Turn your chores into a mini event, and you might even start to enjoy them (well, almost).
5. They use the right tools for the job
One of the big secrets of the pros? Their tools.
Willis brings her on-the-job know-how home, using professional-grade products and equipment that help her clean faster and better.
While you may not have industrial-strength gear, investing in a few high-quality basics—like a microfibre mop, HEPA vacuum or proper scrubbing brushes—can make a big difference.
And don’t underestimate the right product. Sometimes, the right spray or solution can cut your effort in half.
The bottom line: Progress over perfection
Ready to give your home a professional-level clean? Remember—it’s not about perfection.
Even cleaning professionals don’t get it all done in one day, and that’s perfectly okay. Start small, build good habits and you’ll notice the difference over time.
What’s your go-to cleaning trick or routine? Do you have a secret hack that works wonders—or a cleaning disaster story to share?
Tell us in the comments below—we’d love to hear your tips and experiences!
Also read: Try the 60-second rule that transformed cleaning for one woman
