Here’s Your Ultimate House Cleaning Schedule (2024)

Start out cleaning a room a day. For each day of the week, choose which rooms to tackle.

“For example, on Monday clean the kitchen, Tuesday pick a few bedrooms, Wednesday clean the living room, Thursday clean a bathroom and Friday clean a room that you haven’t covered yet to break it up,” says Peterson. “This will allow you to make a schedule to make the tasks seem less overwhelming.”

Another task to consider implementing daily is composting. Composting is a natural way to recycle organic matter, like food scraps and leaves, into fertilizer to nourish plants and soil.

“Composting is a simple task that will go a long way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. You can easily start composting with a few household materials,” says Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador for Republic Services.

He says you can use your compost in your yard or garden or even share it with friends and family for their gardens.

“You’ll want to store food scraps in a place that makes it convenient to collect while you’re cooking or cleaning your kitchen,” says Walters.

Just make sure your scrap bucket has a tight seal to reduce odors.

Daily Cleaning Tasks to Check Off

• Load and unload the dishwasher
• Make the beds
• Wipe down countertops and stove
• Squeegee the shower
• Place vegetable scraps and coffee grounds in compost
• Return items to their place like magazines, mail, pillows, toys, etc

Tips for Daily Cleaning

Daily cleaning doesn’t have to be long and laborious. Here are some tips for quickly tidying up with no fuss at all:

• Spray and go: Make it a habit to spray countertops, sinks and stovetops and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean.
• Squeegee away: After each shower or use, pick up your squeegee and use it on the shower door and walls to give a smoother appearance and do away with water spots.
• Make loading the dishwasher a family affair: When the whole family pitches in, the task of doing the dishes is easier. Have family members rinse their plates, bowls, cups and utensils and load them in the dishwasher after each use.
• Compost like crazy: Avoid throwing things down the garbage disposal and instead collect any vegetable or fruit scraps and coffee grounds in your scrap bucket.

There are some tasks that can be done each week that can lessen the house cleaning load too. Since most people spend their time in their kitchens between breakfast, lunch and dinner, Peterson says it’s important to dedicate a little extra love to your kitchen.

“We recommend dedicating the kitchen to a weekly basis. Every Sunday, wipe down the counters, mop the floor, do a fridge cleanout to get rid of any old or expired food and be sure to wipe down inside and outside of the microwave along with your dishwasher,” says Peterson.

Any weekly cleaning schedule should also include recycling. “Households can quickly accumulate a lot of plastic, paper, and aluminum throughout the week, as new packages arrive, drink cans are finished and items are removed from plastic packaging,” says Walters.

Things to be recycled include:

• Cardboard
• Paper
• Aluminum cans
• Plastic bottles
• Jugs

And make sure that items are empty, clean and dry before placing them in the recycling receptacle.

“Once your recyclables are properly designated and prepped for proper disposal, simply add them loose to your curbside recycling bin for the weekly pickup. Never bag your recyclables!” says Walters.

Weekly Cleaning Tasks to Check Off

• Wash and change towels and sheets
• Sanitize sponges
• Clean toilets and sinks
• Wipe down mirrors
• Sweep, mop or vacuum floors
• Clean out the fridge
• Clean the microwave inside and out
• Wipe down cabinets and appliances
• Empty trash cans

Tips for Weekly Cleaning

By now you’re a regular pro and can handle weekly cleaning tasks like nobody’s business. Here are a few tips to keep your stride:

• Tackle the toilets: Place the toilet cleaner in the toilet and let it soak for several minutes. While it soaks, spray the exterior of the toilet and start scrubbing.
• Sanitize the sponge: You can either replace your sponge weekly or sanitize your sponge for a few minutes by letting it soak in 3/4 cup of bleach with one gallon of water.
• Make mirrors gleam: Keep your mirrors sparkling by spraying glass cleaning spray onto a microfiber cloth and wiping in an “S” pattern, beginning at the top.
• Keep floors spic and span: Sweep or vacuum to gather all dust and other particles. Use a mop or damp cloth with a floor cleaner and wipe the floors clean. If you have a carpeted house, weekly vacuuming can keep dust and allergens away.

Monthly cleanings are reserved for those items in your home that are sometimes forgotten about or overlooked.

“Every month, take time to declutter and organize your garage, wash curtains and wipe down blinds and dust any ceiling fans and air vents throughout the home,” says Peterson. “Sometimes these cleaning tasks can be easily forgotten but they are just as important to maintain a happy and healthy home.”

Monthly Cleaning Tasks to Check Off

• Clean out the garage
• Dust blinds
• Wash curtains
• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents
• Clean oven
• Clean your showers and tubs
• Make your interior windows shine
• Wipe and disinfect door knobs and light switches

Tips for Monthly Cleaning

The one month mark is a good time to re-evaluate things you’ve cleaned and things you may have missed.

• Dust, dust and dust: Dust can really build up and by a month in, it’s time to tackle hard-to-reach places. A little dusting goes a long way, so make sure to dust ceiling fans and air vents. You can use coffee filters or old pillowcases to dust too!
• Use vinegar to clean: Vinegar is the best tool in your belt to tackle stubborn mildew, bacteria, grease and grime. For example, vinegar and a little baking soda on a scrub brush can work wonders on your tub drain, tile bathroom surfaces and oven.
• Wash inside windows on a cloudy day: Start by washing your windows with water mixed with liquid dish soap. Once you’ve given your windows a good wipe, spray the windows with a mixture of one part white vinegar to two parts water and dry with paper towels. And remember to clean your windows on a cool, cloudy day when soapy water can’t dry on your windows.

There are some cleaning tasks that must be done annually to keep your home clean and running smoothly.

“Molly Maid recommends hiring a cleaning service to do a deep clean every year for those hard-to-reach spots inside and outside of your home,” says Peterson.

Many of these cleaning tasks may require hiring professional services to do the job since most homeowners do not have the equipment needed to do them.

“The best way to avoid many of your arduous cleaning tasks, however, is with regular upkeep,” says Peterson.

Yearly Cleaning Tasks to Check Off

• Clean your chimney or fireplace
• Clear out your gutters
• Deep clean your carpet or upholstery
• Pressure wash your exterior windows
• Remove oil and stains from driveway
• Clean out pantry

Tips for Yearly Cleaning

Annual cleaning tasks should never be put off and many can add to your home’s curb appeal.

• Run your home through the wash: Pressure washing the exterior of your home can make it look almost brand new. While this task can be done by a homeowner it’s better to hire a professional since the high water pressure has been known to take off siding or break a window.
• Clear out critters: Rodents, birds, squirrels and raccoons like to hide in chimneys to keep warm but they can cause damage to your home and the health of your family. Leave it to a professional chimney sweeper to clean out your chimney and for wildlife control professionals to remove critters.
• Clean your driveway: Stains like oil, paint and tire marks can mark up your driveway. Sprinkle a thick layer of kitty litter or sawdust on stains and leave it for 12 to 24 hours and then scrub and wash away. For stubborn stains, trisodium phosphate cleaners or TSP should do the job.