The secret to a consistently tidy home lies in regular cleaning. Waiting too long can turn a simple chore into an overwhelming task. This guide breaks down the cleaning routine room by room. Learn what needs daily attention, what’s best tackled weekly, and even deep cleaning strategies for a clean and healthy home without the weekend drudgery.
Kitchen
Keeping your kitchen germ-free requires daily wiping of counters and cleaning dirty dishes. Weekly deep cleaning should include tackling the fridge (throwing out expired food, wiping shelves), the microwave (cleaning spills with vinegar), and the backsplash (with soapy water). Depending on usage frequency, ovens, and dishwashers can be cleaned with vinegar or baking soda.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are germ magnets. Daily cleaning should target the sink, especially with little ones around. Toilets need regular cleaning to combat waste and hard water stains. Don’t forget to wash bath towels and mats twice weekly, as they harbor bacteria. Weekly deep cleaning should include mirrors, toilets, sinks, showers/tubs, and floors. Declutter your medicine cabinet monthly by discarding expired items and reorganizing them for easy access. Remember to empty trash and clean showerheads as needed based on water hardness.
Living Room
Living rooms experience less foot traffic than the kitchen and bathroom, so they require less frequent cleaning. Weekly living room cleaning tackles dust, carpets, and windows. Use a microfiber cloth or duster on furniture and electronics, reaching for lampshades and frames.
Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery, paying attention to edges and pet hair. Use a commercial glass cleaner or a simple vinegar solution to wipe down sills and frames for windows and mirrors. Finally, declutter regularly by putting things away, organizing small items, and using storage solutions.
Bedroom
Weekly cleaning is ideal for bedrooms. This keeps mess under control and minimizes deep cleaning time. Vacuum and freshen your mattress every week to combat allergens and dust mites. Declutter by putting away clean laundry and using a hamper for dirty clothes. Remove anything that doesn’t belong on your nightstands and return it to its proper place. Daily tasks like these make the weekly deep clean a breeze.
Foyer Or Entryway
To maintain functionality, regularly declutter your entryway or foyer. Empty the console or table drawers and surfaces. Designate a spot for keys and must-have items. Declutter the hall closet like any other—shoes, jackets, and accessories.
Finally, return any items strayed from different rooms into your entryway. This keeps your entryway welcoming and functional.
Laundry Room
Keep your laundry room sparkling with weekly wipe-downs of surfaces and washer/dryer exteriors. To clean the washing machine, use vinegar spray inside, focusing on the door gasket. Run a hot cycle with vinegar and another hot cycle with baking soda. Leave the door open to dry out the washing machine completely.
Pantry
Your pantry deserves a refresh, too. Ideally, do a deep clean every three months. Monthly, do a quick sweep or wipe-down to banish crumbs and cobwebs. Quarterly, take everything out, toss expired items, and wipe down shelves. Wash any containers that need it. This way, you’ll maintain a clean and organized pantry that’s a joy to use.
Wardrobes
Wardrobe care requires a two-tiered approach. Give your wardrobe a quick refresh every week by wiping down shelves and vacuuming the floor to remove dust and pet hair. Do a deep clean every three months by removing everything, decluttering unused items, and wiping down shelves thoroughly. This is also a great time to rotate seasonal clothing and freshen garments that haven’t been worn in a while.
Garage
Your garage accumulates dust, dirt, and clutter over time. Maintain a basic level of tidiness with a quick sweep or organizing session every month. Aim for a more thorough cleaning 3-4 times a year. Remove everything, sort through belongings, and discard or donate unused items. Clean surfaces, sweep the floor and address cobwebs. This is also a good time to check for pests and signs of moisture.
Patio
Sweep away leaves and debris often to prevent build-up. Depending on usage, a deeper clean is recommended 1-2 times per season. Choose your weapon: a hose for light dirt or a pressure washer for tougher grime (be sure to check material compatibility first!). Make a cleaning solution of warm water with dish soap or vinegar, scrub the patio with a stiff brush, and rinse thoroughly. Address any stubborn stains with baking soda or a store-bought patio cleaner. This routine will keep your outdoor space fresh and inviting all year round.
Backyard
Don’t let your backyard become a wilderness! Keep it tidy with regular maintenance. Pick up fallen leaves, branches, and debris to prevent clutter. Depending on your climate, a seasonal deep clean (2-3 times a year) is critical. Tame overgrown plants, mow edges, and clear gutters.
Houseplants
Give your leafy friends some love. Monthly cleaning with a damp rag removes dust from leaves, which helps them breathe and stay healthy. Remember to wipe down the pots while you’re at it.
Curtains
Freshen up your curtains during spring cleaning. Dust builds up over time, and laundering will brighten them. Wash curtains twice a year, ideally alongside window cleaning for a sparkling duo. Wash curtains in high-dust areas like bathrooms or kitchens more often to tackle mildew, grease, and splatters.
Light fixtures and Fans
Keep your light fixtures sparkling and ceiling fans dust-free. Weekly, use a vacuum attachment or damp microfiber cloth to wipe down light fixtures for improved light quality. To deep clean ceiling fans every other month, lay down a sheet to catch dust, then wipe each blade with a damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.