Share
Sometimes, not even sprouting mould could make you want to clean your home. It might be the least favourite task of your adult life, but it is so important that you clean your home regularly, and that you do it properly too. To do so as conscientiously (and quickly) as possible, we’ve put together the most efficient cleaning schedule that will guarantee a spotless home without too much time and effort. Although there aren’t any shortcuts when it comes to a proper clean, if you stick to this schedule and get everything cleaned to the best of your ability, you’ll be living in that immaculate home you always dreamed of in no time. Don’t be afraid to get the rest of the family involved in the cleaning, either – there are quite a few tasks that need to be kept in check here, so make sure everyone’s earning their keep!
Why Regularly Cleaning Your House Is Important
Properly cleaning your house should be a top priority, and the best way to do this is by setting up a cleaning schedule. Not only does a well-kept home reduce bacteria growth and illness, but it can also help you sleep, reduce stress, improve the quality of the air you breathe and make it easier for you to find things when you’re in a rush. In addition, a clean home is always a much more welcome greeting whenever you come back to it after a long day, so start helping yourself sooner rather than later, and let us help you get that cleaning schedule down.
What You’ll Need
Before you get started, it’s best to have everything you’re going to need to hand at all times. You’re not going to need all of these things for each task, but having them handy for the chores that require them will save you so much time and stress. Make sure you have:
- Disposable rags or towels
- One bucket of freshwater
- One empty bucket to fill with dirty water
- Dish soap
- Disinfectant spray
- Degreaser
- Rubber gloves
- Abrasive pads
- Scrubbing brush
Got everything? Then let’s get stuck in!
The Easy Checklist
Daily Chores
The more things your family uses, the more they will require cleaning, and some of these things are used so much that they call for a daily wipe down. Neglecting certain daily chores can be detrimental, often leading to household pests and making your family more susceptible to germs, so try to stay on top of these as much as possible. Don’t worry, though; these tasks don’t require a proper deep clean every day – just a quick wipe down with an anti-bac wipe or warm water will do the trick.
- Open the windows to air out the house and stop dust rising when cleaning
- Wipe dining table
- Wash dirty dishes
- Wipe kitchen surfaces
- Wash out kettle/coffee pot
- Disinfect kitchen sink
- Wipe recent oven spills
- Sanitize kitchen sponges
- Rotate dishcloths and tea towels
- Empty bins
- Make beds
- Change hand washing towels
- Disinfect bathroom taps and sink
- Disinfect toilet seat and handle
- Wash shower walls
- Clean pet bowls
- Empty litterboxes
Twice Weekly Chores
You don’t need to do some chores as much as once a day, but it will greatly benefit your home if you complete them more than once a week. If your house or family is only small, you should be okay doing these tasks weekly as the items won’t get as much use, but a busy household will require more regular cleaning.
- Change bath towels
- Dust mop/sweep hard floors
- Vacuum entry mats
- Mop commonly used areas, like the kitchen floor
- Wipe down dining chairs
Weekly Chores
Giving surfaces a quick wipe is good to keep your home clean on a day to day basis, but they will require a more thorough cleaning at least once a week to control pests and reduce bacteria. When giving things a deep clean, remove everything from the surface, use good quality cleaning products and scrub thoroughly to ensure the most hygienic results – this also means you can skive a week here and there if it’s clean enough!
For weekly cleans, it can be best to handle one room each day. Not only will this help you set up a schedule, but it will also mean you can keep track of what you have done each week.
- Clean kitchen counters
- Wipe kitchen cupboard doors
- Get rid of expired food
- Wipe kitchen appliances
- Clean the microwave
- Clean dishwasher filter
- Wipe out bathroom and kitchen bins
- Sanitize bathroom surfaces
- Clean mirrors
- Dust furniture
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- Wash sheets and pillowcases
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floors
- Wipe light switches and doorknobs
- Wipe stair rails and bannisters
- Sweep front porch, patio and deck
- Clean makeup brushes
- Clean toothbrushes
Monthly Chores
Try and get these chores done at least once a month to keep bacteria away. However, if you have pets or someone in your household with allergies, it may be better to do these every week to reduce the accumulation of hairs or allergy flare-ups.
- Clean skirting boards
- Wash rugs and bath mats
- Dust blinds and window screens
- Wipe windowsills and door
- Vacuum and wipe air vents
- Clean washing machine and dryer
- Clean refrigerator and freezer
- Descale coffee maker
- Clean inside the dishwasher
- Vacuum mattresses
- Wash duvet covers
- Sweep garage floor
- Clean drains
- Wash inside windows
- Wash shower curtain
- Scrub out shower
- Dust ceiling fans
- Clean computer keyboards and monitors
- Replace toothbrush heads
- Sanitize litterboxes
- Wash pet bedding
- Clean vacuum cleaner
- Wash mattress covers
Seasonal Chores
You should take care of these tasks every 3-4 months, and completing them when the seasons begin to change will make it easier for you to stay on schedule. You can always spread them over a few weeks, though.
- Scrub oven
- Clean dishwasher
- Clean out dryer vent
- Wash duvets and throws
- Wash pillows
- Clean range hood
- Dust ceilings and walls
- Clean lampshades
- Vacuum under big furniture
- Wash curtains and decorative pillows
- Clean outdoor furniture
- Wash windows
- Clean lamp and overhead light shades
- Steam clean or shampoo carpets
- Vacuum bathroom fans
- Clean ice trays
- Scrub refrigerator coils
- Clean behind appliances
- Deep clean pantry
- Clean garage
- Wash BBQ grills
- Rotate mattresses
- Clean showerheads
Bi-Annual Chores
Keeping these jobs in check around twice a year will help you see if any problems are developing so you can catch them early. If you wash your walls, for example, you’ll be able to see signs of foundation or humidity issues, like cracking or peeling paint. Keeping your eye on these will help prevent serious problems before they develop.
- Clean gutters
- Have heating or air conditioning serviced
- Deep clean cupboards and wardrobes
- Wash furniture covers
- Deep clean bookcases and dust books
- Wash walls
Yearly Chores
It’s a nice and easy list of chores you need to do once a year, but a list that you should never skip. These yearly cleaning tasks are another collection of essentials that can help prevent serious issues further down the line, so make sure these are completed properly.
If you have a fireplace, never skip the chimney inspection – there could be more than Father Christmas stuck up there! Damage to the chimney can put your home at serious risk because chimneys release chemicals, toxic gases and temperatures produced by the fire, so cleaning the fireplace and making sure your chimney is okay should be a top priority at least once a year.
- Clean the fireplace
- Have the chimney inspected
- Steam clean or shampoo upholstered furniture
- Check furniture upholstery and get reupholstered if necessary
- Clean water heater
Cleaning your home might seem like a never-ending bore, but it’s a necessary evil that will make you feel proud every time you walk past a scrubbed surface – not to mention all the compliments you’ll get from guests! Staying on top of this cleaning schedule will guarantee a spotless home, and breaking them down into easily doable steps that you and your family can follow means they’ll be over and done with before you know it. Good luck!
Any cleaning schedule tips of your own? Let us know in the comments below!
Office and marketing manager for Sloane & Sons Stylish Chairs, who sell a range of high-quality tub chairs, accent chairs and more.
