A Realistic Guide to Cleaning Your House

Keeping your whole house or apartment clean is a chore, but following a schedule can keep it from feeling overwhelming. When you break up tidying tasks into manageable chunks, it makes upkeep less stressful and means you won’t waste a whole day on a thorough clean. Here’s how to keep your home sparkling clean throughout the year, little by little.

Quick Cleaning Chores to Do Every Day

A few minutes in each room daily can lessen dust bunnies and keep dishes from stacking up. These to-do’s take just a few minutes but add up to a cleaner living space with less stress.

• Make the bed as soon as you wake up

• Clean the dryer lint trap with every load of laundry

• Run the dishwasher and wash any remaining dishes in the sink

• Clear kitchens and bathroom countertops and sinks; spritz with a disinfectant spray and wipe clean

• Sweep the day’s crumbs in the kitchen and dining room, or run a robotic floor vacuum

• Clear and wipe the dining table, breakfast bar, or wherever meals are eaten

• Take a few moments to quickly tidy the living room, den, and office of mail and paperwork, toys, and out-of-place items

Cleaning Chores to Tackle Weekly

One way to accomplish these weekly cleaning tasks without feeling overwhelmed is to assign a weekday to each room. For example, handling kitchen duties on Mondays and bathroom cleaning on Tuesdays. Then, tackle these once-a-week chores as part of your regular upkeep routine.

• Wipe splatters away from the interior of your microwave

• Clear the refrigerator of old leftovers and expired foods

• Take out the trash and recycling

•Vacuum carpeted areas and mop elsewhere

• Vacuum crevices and between cushions in furniture

• Dust hutches, sideboards, mantels, and televisions

• Disinfect toilets and clean the wall behind them

• Unclog bathroom drains

• Clean bathroom and decorative mirrors 

• Change bedsheets and pillowcases

• Replace your kitchen sponge

Home Tasks to Take Care of Monthly

Some areas of your home get by just fine with less attention. Add these jobs to your to-do list every 30 days to keep your home clean on a deeper level.

• Sanitize your coffee maker by running diluted vinegarWipe kitchen cabinets and vacuum the tops to prevent sticky dust buildup

• Clean your dishwasher

• Deep clean other kitchen appliances, including the refrigerator, oven, stove top, and range hood

• Wipe out and disinfect trash cans

• Launder duvet covers, quilts, and blankets

• Wash bathroom rugs to avoid musty smells and cut back on germs

• Scrub the bathtub and shower, and wash shower curtains and liners

• Wipe ceiling fan blades to collect accumulated dust

• Clean your fireplace to remove built-up ashes and debris

Areas to Clean Every Six Months

• A few home maintenance tasks need to be addressed twice a year — primarily chores that keep your furniture and upholstered items in tip-top shape. 

• Wash pillows (those you sleep on and decorative ones)

• Clean your washing machine to prevent detergent buildup

• Launder furniture slipcovers and cushion covers

• Condition leather furniture to keep it supple and crack-free

• Launder machine-safe curtains (those that can’t be washed should be vacuumed)

• Wipe dust from blinds

• Clean gutters in the spring and fall

Less Common Tasks That Should Be Done Annually

Some cleaning needs roll around just once a year. Avoid accidentally forgetting these maintenance jobs by jotting down a reminder in your planner or by adding a notification to your phone’s calendar. Then, get to work.

• Sort through the pantry and freezer for expired or freezer-burned foods that should be tossed

• Move large appliances, including the stove and refrigerator, for a deep clean of the floor and wall behind them

• Schedule professional cleaning for rugs and upholstered furniture, including couches, recliners, and dining room chairs

• Arrange for carpet cleaning

• Clean and inspect your dryer vent to prevent dangerous lint buildup

• Wipe down the ironing board and clean the iron

• Wash duvets and dry thoroughly

• Hire professional chimney cleaning for homes with fireplaces

• Pressure wash your home’s driveway, deck, and exterior

On occasion, other tasks specific to your home may spring up. Use these guidelines to easily add them into your cleaning routine, where they best fit your home needs.

If you have trouble making housekeeping a habit, consider downloading a cleaning routine app. These apps can customize a task list based on your home’s needs and display reminders on your phone for the day’s cleaning tasks. Many cleaning apps also allow you to add other family members and track their cleaning contributions, keeping everyone accountable for maintaining your home’s sparkling appearance.

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