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This is the ultimate cleaning schedule for all your household chores, from daily and weekly chores to deep cleans that need to be done every few months.
If you're a clean freak or the type of person who only gets ready before major holidays (or falls somewhere in between), you can follow a cleaning schedule. Our cleaning checklist, which includes a schedule forcocinaIt's inbathroom, tells you what to do and when, so nothing gets so dirty it takes hours to clean up or goes unrepaired.
“If you spend at least 20 minutes a day, you'll keep the chaos at bay,” says Vera Peterson, president of home cleaning company Molly Maid.
For your other home cleaning concerns, check out ourlaundry guide,stain removal solutions,spring cleaning tipsand advice onorganizing your closets.
Before you start cleaning
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Step 1. Gather yourCleaning products.
Peterson recommends creating two to three cleaning caddies, each of which is specially created for a specific area of the house (bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.) and includes everything you need to get started.
Step 2. Clear the way of clutter.
In general, the less stuff you have, the less stuff you'll have to store, dust, clean, and maintain. Stack papers and books in neat piles and group similar items on a shelf or in a corner.
Step 3. Group tasks by task when doing a monthly or deep clean.
When doing a monthly or deep cleaning throughout the house, it can be faster to group similar tasks, like cleaning mirrors or vacuuming, than to go room by room. With the tools you already have on hand, you can finish them quickly.
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Daily cleaning schedule
Your daily cleaning schedule focuses on tasks that you need to do frequently, like making the bed and doing the dishes. The good news is that these tasks are quick and make an immediate difference. Here are more tips for daily cleaning:
- Instead of breaking down your vacuum on a daily basis, invest in a programmable one.robot vacuum cleanerand you don't even have to think about cleaning the floor.
- Fingerprints on the faucet and toothpaste stains in the sink are almost inevitable. Store wet wipes under the vanity for a quick cleanup.
- When you finish washing the dishes for dinner, spray the kitchen sink withsodium bicarbonateand rub with a slightly damp sponge.
- After each shower, wipe down glass or tile walls to prevent water marks and mold.
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weekly cleaning schedule
The weekly cleaning schedule tasks take a little longer than the daily ones. The payoff is that the extra attention to these areas now means they'll be easier to clean than if you put the chore off for a few more weeks. Here are some things to consider when doing your weekly cleaning:
- If you don't use your microwave regularly, you can clean it every two weeks.
- When mopping, start in the farthest corner of the room and work your way up to the entryway. Rinse the mop after completing each four foot by four foot area to keep the water fresh.
- To clean the mirrors, using glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth (or newspaper), wipe the mirror in a wide "S" shape, working from edge to edge, top to bottom.
- Don't forget to dust doors, window frames, and light fixtures (turn them off first). When dusting, move a microfiber cloth from left to right and top to bottom for best results. High-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, and TV remote controls collect dirt and bacteria. Spray or wipe the surface with an all-purpose cleaner, followed by a disinfectant. Let sit for the recommended amount of time according to directions, then rinse or surface wipe to remove residue.
- While vacuuming, quickly sweep the drapes and any upholstered furniture.
- Dirty cleaning tools just spread the dirt around. Remember to wash microfiber cloths,disinfect your spongesand clean the vacuum handle and base and clean the filter.
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monthly cleaning schedule
Monthly cleaning schedule tackles larger tasks that require more timemimore equipment Think of it as an investment in your appliances and home, and you'll know it's time and effort well invested. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- To clean the backsplash, mix one cup of baking soda, one cup of hydrogen peroxide, and a degreasing detergent such asDawn. The combination breaks down the grease buildup that's common in most kitchen areas, Peterson says.
- Like youdegrease the exhaustIt depends if it is removable or not. Soak a removable hood in hot, soapy water. If not, wipe it in place with a soft, damp, soapy cloth.
- As you clean out your refrigerator, throw away any old or expired food and clean out the shelves and drawers.
- You can clean even the dirtiest bathroom grout lines with extra effort and our secret cleaning mix: Mix one cup of baking soda with one cup of hydrogen peroxide and scrub with a toothbrush.
- mattressesneed love too. To refresh yours, sprinkle it with baking soda, let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum it up.
- Forclean baseboardswithout bending over, pass a broom with a microfiber towel tied to the bristles (or use thefooter friendto get the job done.) To dust ceiling fans, turn them off and use afregona extensibleto clean the blades and remove accumulated dust and dirt.
- For streak-free windows, spray them with window cleaner and wipe them down with newspaper. Or for hard-to-reach places, use a telescopic squeegee. Finish by removing debris from the window track with acrevice brush.
then readhow to clean your sofaproperly.
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deep cleaning program
Every three to six months, roll up your sleeves (and ask for help, if needed) to complete your house deep cleaning checklist. These chores are bigger projects, sure, but they help keep your home looking its best. Keep these points in mind when preparing for a deep clean:
- You'll be amazed at the amount of crumbs you have under the stove and the cobwebs hiding behind the fridge. Take out each appliance to sweep and clean up behind them. Vacuum refrigerator coils to improve energy efficiency.
- After emptying the kitchen drawers, clean them out and wash all the organizers well.
- Forclean window screens, remove them from the window, then loosen any dirt by lightly scrubbing them with a very soft-bristled brush dampened with an all-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Rinse with an external hose.
- Clean out and organize your closet and dresser drawers.
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Fuente:
- Vera Peterson, President sinceEmployed Molly