Your toilet: once a week
A dirty bathroom is one thing that guests will not overlook, and it can make your house feel like a worse place to be for you as well. With that said, cleaning the bathroom doesn’t have to be as intensive a task as you might think. Cleaning the bowl can be a once-a-week job, as long as you’re alcohol-wiping down the seat daily.
Your mattresses: once a month
Most people understand that they need to wash their sheets regularly to get rid of dead skin, dust, dirt, and oils. When it comes to mattresses, however, there may be far more people in the dark regarding how often they should be cleaning their mattresses. You should be vacuuming your mattress once a month and deep cleaning them every six months.
Your oven: every three months
Forget about spring cleaning, every season you should be tackling your oven. Dirty ovens are both a fire risk and can ruin the dishes you’ve been slaving away on. Every three months or so should allow you to keep a build-up of dirt and grease at bay, but if you’re an amateur chef then it may be a good idea to do it a little more frequently.
Your plants: once a month
It may sound strange but dusting your plants can actually ensure they remain healthy and grow. House plants with wide, flat leaves can collect dust just like your picture frames and collectibles, so once a month wipe down the leaves carefully with a damp cloth. Take this time to wipe the pots as well and check the soil’s health.
Your sheets: every two weeks
How often you should clean and change your sheets is a question that has plagued the internet for years. However, while the finer details are down to you and your lifestyle, experts say that once a fortnight is a good guideline. Any longer than that and sweat, bacteria, dead skin, and dirt are likely to build up and impede your sleep hygiene and quality.
Your towels: every three uses
Contrary to the opinion of legions of teen boys, just because towels are used to dry off your body after you’ve already gotten clean, doesn’t mean they’re not getting dirty themselves. However, you do not need to turn them rough by washing them every time you use them. Washing towels after every three uses, without fabric softener to ensure their continued absorption, is your best bet.
Your shower head: monthly
Just because your shower is mostly covered in condensation and water doesn’t mean it cleans itself. You should deep clean your shower head at least once a month to get rid of mineral deposits like limescale. Limescale not only slows down water flow and reduces water pressure, but it can also harbour health-threatening bacteria!
Your jeans: every five wears
When it comes to washing jeans, public opinion runs the gamut. Some people insist they must be washed after every wear, while others say they should be washed as sparingly as possible to avoid ruining the denim, and frozen or aired in between. Splitting the difference: cold washing every five uses, at least in the absence of stains and smells, should work for most people.
Your pillows: every three months
Obviously, your pillowcases should be washed every two weeks, but what about the pillows themselves? While you don’t need to worry about cleaning them often, you should put time aside every three months to wash and rinse them in the washing machine, on a gentle cycle with an extra rinse and spin. Don’t forget rubber dryer balls, as they’re essential to prevent fabric pilling.
Your carpets: once a year
If you have lots of carpets in your home, you probably know that just regular vacuuming and the occasional shampoo aren’t enough to prevent ground in dirt and stubborn stains. To prevent your carpets from growing dull and grubby over time, it’s worth renting a specialist carpet deep cleaner once a year, to refresh your carpets and ensure their longevity.
Your kitchen floor: daily
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. You cook there, congregate there, and even store your food there so you want it to be a clean space. The floor is likely to gather dust, crumbs, and any scraps from your counters so cleaning it daily with a quick sweep is so important. Any grease or spills can be tackled by a mop to avoid slips and falls.
Your bathroom floor: daily
The humidity of your bathroom can make it a breeding ground for mold and mildew. The only way to tackle it efficiently is to ensure proper airflow and keep it clean. Prevent the formation of unwanted mold by mopping your bathroom floor once a day. Prop your window open and it should dry quickly too!
Your door handles: once a week
Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus SPP, Escherichia Coli, and Klebsiella SPP are all bacteria found on household door handles. They can cause serious food poisoning, illness, and even lead to death. Therefore, you should be ensuring that your door handles are cleaned at least once a week if not more to avoid them becoming a breeding ground.
Your sink drain: every few days
The last thing you want in your home is a clogged pipe or a problem with your drain. Plumbers are expensive and if possible you’ll want to avoid making that call, so tackle your sink drains every few days with chemical drain cleaners, boiling water, or even a homemade vinegar solution. Prevention is a far better tactic than dealing with mess afterward.
Your cleaning rags: once a week
Cleaning rags come into contact with more dirt, grime, and bacteria than almost anything else, and yet cleaning them is often an afterthought. Technically, your cleaning rags should not be reused once they’ve been soiled, but washing them every day is way too much work. To make it easier, keep ten or so on hand and wash them all at the end of the week.
Your light bulbs: every year
When it comes to deep cleaning your home, you might not consider your light bulbs. But ensuring that they’re dusted and cleaned means you’re reducing the risk of fire, and brightening up your home! The cleaner the bulb, the brighter it is, so tackle the grime that builds up over time and light up your life.
Your curtains: twice a year
Every three to six months you should be removing your fabric curtains and ensuring you’re cleaning them. Curtains will hold onto all of the odors and dust in your home – especially if you smoke or have pets. Keep your home clean and prevent mold from forming by removing your curtains and cleaning them at least twice a year.
Your keyboards: monthly
Look at your computer keyboard. Your hands may be hovering over one at this exact second. Filthy, isn’t it? Full of crumbs and dust. You don’t want to put this in hot water; you’re better off using a small brush (brushes are now made specifically for this purpose) and swiping it in the crevices. You could also use a cleaning gel. Do this monthly.
Your surface areas: at least once a day
Your coffee tables, bedside tables, shelves, and cabinets can all gather dirt and dust just from everyday use. Even if you use coasters, spills can happen and clutter can accumulate. If you just take five minutes out of your day every day to gather up anything lying on your surface area and give them a quick wipe down, your home will look infinitely more put together.
Your bathroom sink: every two or three days
Just think of how often you use your bathroom sink. You wash your hands in it, brush your teeth with it, wash your face with it all just in one morning. So stains, splashes, and spills are all normal consequences of use. Wiping down your bathroom sink with a cleaning solution every two or three days will keep it sparkling.
Your clutter: once a week
Tackling clutter is the number one step to making your home look tidy, and tidy homes mean inviting homes. Make dealing with clutter part of your Sunday reset routine and take half an hour to put everything back in its rightful place to avoid piles forming and dust gathering in areas you don’t want.
Your light switches: once a week
Consider how often your touch your light switches. Do you wash your hands before and after every time? If your answer is no (like the majority of the population) then you should really consider cleaning down your light switches once a week. Just take a dampened cloth or a cleaning liquid and carefully wipe them down to eliminate germs and dirt.
Your toothbrush: monthly
We clean our teeth with toothbrushes every day, exposing them to paste and water, but they still need a separate clean every month. There are a few ways to do this, but the most popular is to rinse the thing in anti-bacterial mouthwash for around an hour. Do not put your toothbrush in the dishwasher or wash it with any kind of soap.
Your TV remotes: once a week
TV remotes can get gross with how often they’re touched and lost down the sides of sofas, but it can be a simple fix. Just like you’d clean down your tables and wipe the dust off your TV, you should consider your TV remote a part of your weekly cleaning to-do list. All they need is a quick wipe-down.
Your shower and tub: once a week
While cleaning your toilet and your sink more frequently is key to tackling bacteria, your shower and tub may not be as high up your priority list. But a weekly deep clean of your bathroom is key to ensure you prevent the growth of mold and mildew as well as create a relaxing environment you’ll love to chill in. Tackle your bath and shower once a week.
Your fridge: every few weeks
Finding spoiled food in the back of your fridge is never a fun experience. You want to ensure that everything inside is fresh, so ensuring that you take stock of its contents every few weeks and cleaning down shelves and inside walls or doors is so important. It will keep it smelling great, and make you more motivated to grab something healthy.
Your baseboards: every three months
Baseboards are not necessarily a part of your home you notice every day and therefore it’s less important for you to deep clean them too frequently. However, dust and grime can accumulate over time and so if you’d like a Pinterest-worthy home then you should plan in time seasonally to wipe them down with a damp cloth and soapy water.
Your closet: twice a year
The idea of a summer wardrobe and a winter wardrobe might seem like the stuff of fantasy (who has that much storage space or that many clothes?) but the concept of clearing out and cleaning your wardrobe twice a year is maybe one you should be adopting. Take all items out and use it as a chance to reorganize and get rid of ill-fitting clothes.
Your bookcases: twice a year
This mighty task may seem daunting but cleaning your bookshelves twice a year is key to ensuring that the air quality of your home is high. Taking everything off the shelves, wiping them down with a damp cloth, cleaning spray, and drying fully before placing all items back on will keep it looking tidy and dust free so you can show off your collection.
Your washing machine: once a month
Your washing machine might be responsible for keeping your clothes clean, but it also needs regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in working order. At least once a month, you should run your washing machine’s cleaning cycle or, if you have an older model with no such thing, you should add a specialty washing machine cleaner and run a normal hot water cycle.
Your cellphone screen: once a day
You touch your phone every single day. It goes in your bag, in your pocket, even on the bathroom side. Germs and bacteria can spread fast from everyday items so ensuring that you use an antibacterial wipe or a UV phone sterilizer box once a day is a smart plan. Slot it into your nighttime routine and it won’t even be a hassle.
Your dining chairs: every two weeks
Wiping down the table once you’ve eaten dinner is often a part of the clearing routine. It might even be a chore for one of the kids. How often, however, do people remember to wipe down their dining table seats? They can end up with splatters of food, greasy fingerprints, and germs from daily use.
Your mirrors: once a week
While you’ll want to keep your mirrors clean for the sake of your stunning Insta stories, not everyone remembers to tackle these household additions while they’re cleaning. Glass and mirror cleaners are available at most stores and a simple clean only takes 30 seconds but will brighten up your home instantly, making it look much more glamorous.
Your kitchen trash can: once a month
If you’re not cleaning out your kitchen trash can then you might find that you’re noticing a bad smell. It’s the one place in your home that holds rubbish and food scraps, so it makes sense that they are a breeding ground for mold and germs. Removing all debris and cleaning out the interior with disinfectant at least once a month should be a priority.
Your walls: twice a year
Mould can grow anywhere (even in paint), so cleaning your walls regularly is going to help keep your home and your health in great condition. It may be a big task, but cleaning your walls down will also help your paint look brighter, meaning you can go longer without investing in a new paint job as well.
Your toaster: weekly
Your toaster needs cleaning regularly – once a week, if you’re using it daily. Empty the crumb trays, unplug and give them a good scrub with a sponge or wipe. Toasters luckily aren’t the dirtiest objects in your kitchen, given that they only ever have dry bread in them, so most of the cleaning is aesthetic. Do this every month if you aren’t a huge toast fan.
Your bath mat: monthly
Most bathroom mats can be washed in a washing machine, but certain rugs are made with materials that cannot be exposed to intense temperatures, so be on the safe side here. The alternative option is to soak your rug in moderately hot soapy water for an hour. You should do this every month to avoid any bad odours in your bathroom.
Your bedframe: every three weeks
It’s not just your duvets and sheets that you need to clean when it comes to your bed, but the bed itself. Your bed frame gathers more muck than you might think. It’s easy to clean, however. Simply wiping down a metal bed frame with a dry or damp cloth will do the trick. If your bed frame is made of wood, simply use a multi-purpose polish. Do this every three weeks.
Your umbrella: monthly
Umbrellas are routinely exposed to rain, sun, dirt, pollutants, bird poo – you name it. It’s important to clean yours every other time you use it. Use soapy water to hose down a dirty umbrella. Don’t worry if the umbrella doesn’t look dirty; chances are, it probably will be. Leave it unwashed and it may start to stink your house out.
Your dustpan: monthly
Here’s another cleaning object that needs to be cleaned. The dustpan is a hotbed of gunk and debris, and therefore needs a deep clean every month. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water and submerge the dustpan. Scrub the life out of it with a brush or cloth, removing every speck of dirt you can see. Leave it to air dry and then store it away!
Your mop: monthly
Mops can smell gross if you don’t ever clean them. Like any other cleaning utensil, they gather a whole manner of dirt and germs, and unless you want to transfer that dirt and germs to your floor, you should look into properly cleaning your mop. Place yours into a bucket of hot water and bleach for a while, rinse thoroughly, and then leave to dry. Do this monthly.
Your reusable water bottle: weekly
You might think cleaning a water bottle is futile given that they only ever hold water and are usually in regular use, but they can still get dirty. Every week, fill your reusable bottle with hot soapy water, screw the cap on, give it a decent shake, let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse it out multiple times. If you have a bottle brush (yes that’s a thing), don’t hesitate to swirl it around.
Your hairbrush: monthly
What’s the matter with brushing freshly washed hair? Quite a lot. This accumulation of hair and dust over long periods can lead to one icky hairbrush. Depending on how often you brush your hair, and how prone your hair is to being tugged out, clean your hairbrush monthly by pulling out the excess hair and washing it with hot soapy water.
Your blinds: every other week
You get blinds and you think: that’s it! No more faff! No more mess! The truth is, these things collect a whole lotta dust. You can use a blind buster or a soft microfiber cloth to tidy them up or take them down and soak them in a tub of soapy water. They can also be vacuumed. We would recommend doing this every two weeks.
Your makeup brushes: once a week
You wouldn’t want to touch your face with dirty cloths or pieces of tech. So why would you let dirty brushes touch your face? Dirty makeup brushes can cause fungal infections and staph infections so the safest approach is the wash your beauty accessories and tools once a week with a proper brush cleanser.
Your windowsill: monthly
Windowsills gather a lot of dirt with the passage of time, but shouldn’t be cleaned as often as you may think. If you live in a climate where you’re only able to open your windows for a few months a year, your windowsills will only require two yearly cleans. You can do this with a simple multi-purpose polish or with a cloth and warm water.
Your cutlery drawer: monthly
There’s a lot of gunk in your cutlery drawer. Seriously, go look right now. You’ll see a host of random debris which may look harmless but could contain bacteria – and you don’t want bacteria over the things you’re going to routinely stick in your mouth. Take this out and soak in hot soapy water for a few minutes every month.
Your lampshades: every three months
Set your vacuum on any fabric lampshade in your house just like you would any fluffy surface. Alternatively, if you have glass shades, don’t hesitate to throw them in the dishwasher. Simply unscrew the shade, pop them in the top rock and let something else do all the hard work! Just don’t put the lightbulb in the dishwasher, people.
Your laundry basket: weekly
A laundry basket only ever holds dirty clothes. These clothes may well deposit dirt into the basket and attract more germs than one would ever want. Plastic baskets can be washed with a wipe or cloth, while wicker baskets can be cleaned with a washable insert. Do this weekly, or however often you do a cycle.
Your keys: monthly
Yup. Keys. Your keys are filthy, so give them a good wash to ensure you’re not exposing yourself to any nasty germs. A Q-tip can go a long way when it comes to this, or even a wooden toothpick to get inside all the nooks and crannies. Ultimately, though, you’re going to want to blast this under some warm water to truly rid it of all germs.
Your purse: monthly
Purses and wallets get filled with different items throughout the day, most of which will have dirt and germs all over them. Put them all together and that’s a lot of gunk on your hands. Literally. Get into the habit of emptying your purse regularly and washing it with a damp cloth. This will avoid any nasty build-ups.
Your outdoor lights: monthly
Outdoor lights are constantly exposed to the outside world, and the less you clean them, the more layers of grime that will build up. Not only is this just messy and unhygienic, but it can have an effect on how well your lights work, so get a damp cloth and wipe these bad boys down every month to be on the safe side.
Your toilet brush: weekly
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Toilet brushes are used to clean dirt – often the worst dirt imaginable. Stick some Pine-Sol in the bottom of your brush container to disinfect your toilet brush. It also deodorises your bathroom, leaving it smelling minty fresh! A soak in hot soapy water won’t be enough here, we’re afraid.
Your microwave: once a week
No matter how careful you are in the kitchen, you’re bound to have a baked bean explosion or soup spill in the microwave every once in a while. To minimize stains and smells, it’s worth cleaning the inside of your microwave once a week. The good news is, simply microwaving a cup of white vinegar will do half of the work for you.
Your ceiling fan: every three months
Perhaps because of the height, or perhaps because it moves regularly, but many people don’t consider the amount of dust that can accumulate on your ceiling fan blades. Just like doorframes should be wiped down every few months, you should be heading up on your step ladder and dusting your ceiling fans to keep your home clean and dust free.
Your range hood filter: yearly
A range hood filter is the vent that hangs above your hobs in the kitchen. They collect grease over time, so remove them monthly and place them in a sink full of hot water and dishwashing liquid. Soak it for ten to 15 minutes, scrub the remaining grease off with a brush and then rinse clean. Dry the filters with a towel!
Your garbage disposal: once a week
A smelly garbage disposal is one of the worst things you can be greeted with when you come home. Cleaning this kitchen tool once a week can help avoid that and keep it working perfectly. Homemade solutions like baking soda and white vinegar followed by hot water while you run the machine can tackle dirt and grime.
Your vent: weekly
The little vents dotted about your house that keep your house at comfortable temperatures throughout the whole year will be full of dust and assorted filth. That’s not something you want to breathe in every day if you can possibly help it. Turn off the heat, unscrew the air duct covers, remove the grates and give it a good brush once a week.
Your pet’s food bowl: twice a day
You wouldn’t eat off of a dirty dish, so why should your pet have to? Your dog’s bowl is low to the ground and comes into contact with its paws and tongue, which results in a lot of bacteria. That’s why experts suggest rinsing your pet’s bowl with hot, soapy water after each and every meal, especially if they eat wet food.
Your coffee maker: once a day
Most people make their coffee first thing in the morning, when it’s fair to say that they’re probably not at their most awake. As a result, coffee makers aren’t getting the diligent cleaning they deserve. Most machines advise that the removable elements are cleaned every night before reuse, with the body being wiped down once or twice a week.
Your freezer ice trays: every few months
When it’s hot in the summer and your refrigerator doesn’t have a built-in ice dispenser, ice cube trays are a saving grace. But next time you’re going to instantly refill your empty tray perhaps stop and give it a good wash and scrub. Silicone trays can be baked or soaked in a solution to get rid of bad smells too.
Your dishwasher: once a month
Just because your dishwasher cleans other things doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be cleaned itself. Getting rid of any debris or old food from the machine that wasn’t rinsed before is key, as is running a hot water cycle with a cleaning product or a homemade solution of distilled water and baking powder.
Your barbecue grills: every three months
If you barbecue frequently, do make sure to give the grills a thorough wash once a week. Not only is this hygienic, but it will help it cook better and last longer as a result. Detach the grills or grates and soak them in hot soapy water for an hour, then scrub off all the burnt charrs. Luckily, this is an incredibly satisfying item to wash, so you’ve no excuse!
Your pantry: every season
Grime in your pantry isn’t just gross. It can attract bugs and pests too – which you do not want with your food. Taking stock of the items you have to get rid of any out-of-date products will keep you healthy, and emptying out your cupboards and shelves to wipe them clean will help defend your snacks from vermin.
Your fireplace: yearly
A fireplace looks fairly clean, but it needs more than just a mantelpiece dusting. Anytime the ash pile is larger than one inch, you should get to cleaning it. Don’t get rid of it all, however, as having some ash is good insulation for your fire; just keep an eye on how high it’s getting. Following this, your fireplace will burn bright and safely!
Your chimney: yearly
The NFPA and Spisto recommend getting your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year by a certified professional. Don’t freak out – nobody’s asking you to go up or down your own chimney. Even if your chimney doesn’t seem too big or complex, you should get it swept yearly to be on the safe side. A healthy chimney means a healthy house!
Your garage floor: yearly
Though you’re hardly ever going to impress someone with the condition of a garage, you should still clean the floor once a year. Dirt and grime can build up like nobody’s business, what with all the likely oil and grease leaks from your car. You can either use a pressure washer to clean this or use a mop with some hot water and detergent.
Your bannisters: monthly
Experts suggest a monthly polish of your handrails and bannisters. After dusting the bannisters with a soft microfibre cloth to get rid of the loose dust and dirt, dab the cloth in two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice solution and then wipe along the wood. Think of all the sweaty hands gripping that bannister! Do this monthly.
Your decking: yearly
Your outdoor decking is exposed to the elements day in, day out, so you’ll want to check in on it once a year. An annual, thorough cleaning can breathe new life into your deck, preserving the integrity of the wood and helping prevent expensive repairs. There are many tools you can use for this, including a pressure washer.
Your bar cart: monthly
Bar carts are becoming more and more popular these days, which means more and more people will be wondering how to clean them. Thankfully, it couldn’t be simpler. A light dusting and polish should be all you need to keep your bar cart in glistening condition. If you spill a drink over it (perfectly reasonable), a gentle cloth and some warm-ish soapy water will suffice.
