How Often Should You Clean Everything in Your House? Tips, Tasks, & Routines
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When you clean, no one notices or cares, quite frankly. However, if you don’t, everyone notices. It is an endless, thankless job. So why do we do it?
We clean to keep our environment free from dust, dirt, germs, and bacteria. We also clean to prevent or eliminate the conditions that will attract ants, cockroaches, or rodents into our homes. Aesthetics also play a part in our desire to keep our homes clean and tidy. There is a comfortable feel to a home that is fresh and clean but lived in.
What is considered clean to some may not be to others. To keep our homes fresh and free from germs, let’s explore what items need to be cleaned and how often we should clean them.
A Glance at Daily Cleaning Tasks
- Make the beds
- Load dirty dishes in the dishwasher or wash them by hand
- Wipe down the tabletop and counters.
- Laundry (if needed)
- Clean and empty coffee maker
- Vacuum or sweep kitchen floors
- Wipe down surfaces in the bathroom
- Squeegee shower walls
- Sanitize bathroom and kitchen sinks
There are times when life gets in the way, and you may not get to all the tasks every day. Performing these routine tasks daily will prevent sickness from bacteria and germs, however.
Here are some tips for cleaning every day. To help prevent dirt buildup and future scrubbing, you should perform these tasks daily.
- Wash Dishes: Don’t fret about rinsing your dishes before loading them in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent has enzymes that remove stuck-on food particles.
- Clean the Keurig or Coffee Maker: Put all dishwasher-safe parts in the dishwashing machine or hand wash the removable parts. Wipe the machine down to remove any drips or spills.
- Sanitize Sinks: Clean the sink with a sponge or magic eraser. Fill the sink with warm soapy water and a tablespoon of bleach. Let the mixture for five minutes, swish it around, drain it, and rinse.
A Glance at Weekly Cleaning Tasks
- Steam or mop bathroom and kitchen floors
- Vacuum furniture and floors
- Scrub bathroom surfaces
- Dust furniture
- Change bedsheets
- Dispose of spoiled and outdated food
- Wipe down appliances
- Clean microwave
- Sanitize sponges
Weekly cleaning tasks can be time consuming and overwhelming. Juggling the responsibilities of work and home can be tiring at times.
Here are some ways that may help you to get these things done on a weekly basis.
Break the weekly cleaning chores up. Wash your sheets every Tuesday and vacuum every Thursday. You can also focus extra attention on one room each day if that makes it easier for you.
- Scrubbing Bathroom Surfaces: With your favorite bathroom cleaners, clean the glass, tub, tile, and grout.
- Sanitize Sponges: Soak your sponges in one gallon of water with 3/4ths of a cup of bleach for five minutes and rinse. Job done.
- Clean Inside of Microwave: Mix several tablespoons of vinegar with one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Run the microwave on high power for a few minutes. The window of the microwave should be steamy. After the bowl cools, about five minutes, open the door and wipe down the inside of the oven.
A Glance at Monthly Cleaning Tasks
- Dust blinds
- Clean and dust light fixtures
- Vacuum woodwork and vents
- Clean vacuum, dishwasher, washer, and dryer
Fortunately, your monthly cleaning tasks can be broken down into different days of the month. If there are other adults and children in your home, make it a family project. When the job is done, everyone goes for ice cream or donuts.
- Clean the Vacuum: It is important to replace the bag in your vacuum when it is three-quarters full. Clean or replace the filter if it is torn and dirty. Remove any threads or hairs that are wrapped around the roller brush. Just snip them with a seam ripper or scissors.
- Clean the Dishwasher: To descale your dishwasher, place two cups of vinegar on the top rack of the machine and run the normal cycle without heat dry or detergent.
- Clean Washing Machine: Run the washer on the normal cycle with hot water and a special washing machine cleaner. New models have a special cycle to perform this task.
A Glance at Three to Six Month Cleaning Tasks
- Clean range hood
- Clean inside of refrigerator
- Vacuum mattress
- Wash pillows and comforters
- Wash shower curtain
- Clean behind and under furniture
- Descale coffee maker
- Clean inside of oven
- Clean out freezer
- Freshen garbage disposal and drains
- Wash the car
Have you ever dropped something and had to go under the sofa or bed to get it? You see the dust bunnies and think. When was the last time I vacuumed under there? Time passes quickly, and these cleaning jobs can sneak up on you.
- Cleaning the Oven: Wipe up any food or crumbs. Turn the knob to the self-cleaning function and remove any grease or grime. Wipe down the racks with warm soapy water and a sponge.
- Wash Pillows: You should wash your fiberfill and down pillows two at a time. Wash them in warm water on the gentle cycle. Do an extra rinse and spin in cold water. They can be dried on low heat with some rubber dryer balls.
- Wash Shower Curtain Liner: Wash your fabric or plastic shower curtain liner with a few towels.
A Glance at Yearly Cleaning Tasks
- Deep clean carpeting and upholstery
- Wash or dry clean drapes and curtains
- Clean windows
- Clean dryer vents
- Clean out gutters
- Clean chimney and fireplace
Fortunately, deep cleaning comes once a year.
- Clean Windows: To prevent streaking, clean your windows on a cloudy, dry day. Clean any dirt and dust from the window. Finish off by cleaning the window with window cleaner and a microfiber or window cleaning cloth. Be sure to wipe down the window panes.
- Cleaner Dryer Vents and Around Dryer: Vacuum in and around the dryer to remove any dust, dirt, and lint to prevent house fires.
- Deep Clean Carpets: To remove embedded dirt and stains in your carpet, rent or buy a carpet cleaner. If your budget allows, have them cleaned professionally.
Conclusion
Keeping a home clean and tidy takes commitment. It should not take over your life, however. The daily tasks in one home will differ from another. While most homes require regular cleaning of countertops and sinks, you have some wiggle room with vacuuming, dusting, and organizing. You need to feel comfortable in your space. And only you will know what and how often cleaning tasks need to be done.
See also: What Is a Descaling Solution? (Different Types & FAQs)
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Angelov, Shutterstock
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