Last Updated on January 5, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
Keeping your home clean all year round can be a daunting task. It is something that’s always on the list but never seems to get done completely. No matter how clean you maintain your home, there are bound to be areas that need cleaning more often. However, this challenging task can be doable with a little bit of organization and planning.
Create a maintenance checklist as your cleaning plan. It’d be best to schedule a specific time of the week to clean each area of your home. This idea would help you maintain a steady pace and consistency in your cleaning. So, what should you entail in your checklist? This handy guide will help you stay on top of the tasks you need to do.
1. Clean Your Air Ducts And Vents
Your air ducts and vents might be one of the dirtiest areas in your house. A duct is where dust, pet dander, and allergens like mites and lint accumulate. These particles may cause allergies such as itchy eyes, sneezing, rashes, runny nose, and more.
Air duct cleaning is necessary to keep the air quality in your home healthy and clean. It’s recommended that you get your ducts cleaned at least once a year. Doing so will ensure your heat, ventilation, and air condition system (HVAC) will operate at its optimal level because it can heat or cool your home to ideal temperatures.
While this is a tedious task, you may want to hire professional cleaning services to get the job done right. Ensure you choose a company that has extensive experience in cleaning air ducts and vents and has the proper equipment to do so.
Related: How To Clean A Window Air Conditioner Without Removing It
2. Dusting And Polishing Of Furniture
Dust is the number one dirty culprit in your room. It’s everywhere and can accumulate quickly. You can see them mostly in difficult places to reach, like bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, and even under the sofa and bed.
To prevent dust from building up and causing allergies, you need to clean your furniture weekly. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the more significant pieces of dirt and dust bunnies. Use a dry cloth for smaller particles.
Never forget to clean the back of your furniture because that’s where lint and hair accumulate. When polishing furniture, use wax polish or furniture oil for wood surfaces. Every wood product will undoubtedly develop a natural sheen with time. However, you can expedite that process by polishing it once every month.
3. Declutter Your Bedroom
The bedroom is one of the essential rooms in your home. It’s where you sleep and relax, so it must be orderly and tidy. To keep maximize your space and keep your room organized, keep anything you don’t use or need anymore in a storage room or box.
When decluttering, make sure to sort your items into three piles: keep it, throw it out, and maybe pile. Junk the stuff that isn’t useful anymore, like old books or magazines, and clothes. You can also clean your room every week with these few tips:
- Remove all the trash from your room
- Wash your curtains, pillowcase, and linens once a week to keep mold and mildew at bay
- Put dirty garments inside a laundry basket or hamper for easy access when you do laundry next time
- Consider installing a wall organizer to keep small items from being scattered around the room
4. Clean Your Home’s Coverings
If you don’t clean your window covering at least once a month, the dust particles might accumulate, giving off an unpleasant appearance in your home. Dust can also damage the fabric and cause it to wear off faster.
The cleaning process is easy; you need to remove your curtains, blinds, or drapes from the rods or hooks.
Wash your curtains and drapes in a gentle cycle, and only use mild detergent as they might be delicate and easily torn. For your blinds, gently wipe them down with a damp cloth or water until it’s clean. And dry them with a clean cloth to prevent streaking.
Before putting coverings back in their place, wipe down each window frame and surface with a disinfectant first. Ensure to spray the edges with a window cleaner for a more thorough cleaning. This process will prevent mold and mildew from growing on your window by keeping them dry and clean.
5. Deep Clean Your Bathroom
The bathroom is where you take a bath and get rid of dirt and grime from outside from your body, so you must give it some extra attention. It’d be best if you deep clean your bathroom at least once a month or when you see it getting grimy and dirty.
Typically, your bathroom needs more than just dusting. For example, you must clean the toilet bowl and scrub it with an abrasive cleaner using a toilet brush at least once every week. It’d be best if you also wiped down your walls, tub, sink, and cabinets with disinfectant wipes to keep them free of fungus.
If you’re dealing with stubborn stains on your sink or toilet, use baking soda or vinegar. These are natural cleaners that can break down stains and won’t cause damage to your bathroom fixtures. There’s nothing better than a sparkling bathroom that smells fresh and is free from germs.
6. Do Not Forget Your Basement
You may often ignore this area, but the basement also needs extra care. Since it’s on a lower floor, the air around your basement is humid and warm, making it a perfect environment for mold growth. This scenario is especially true when you have a basement leak.
It needs caution when cleaning your basement since you may have to deal with massive dirt. With this in mind, there are some things you must do to make sure your basement is clean and dry. You can install a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to minimize the moisture content in the air.
Furthermore, it’s advisable to clean your basement once a month. Since it’s not an easy task, you may need the help of a professional to do the job safely and efficiently.
7. Maintenance For Your Appliances And Electricity
Many households rely on their appliances to keep things running smoothly. It’s crucial to clean them once to avoid getting damaged from dirt.
Typically, cleaning your appliances every month or when you see them getting dirty is an excellent idea. For instance, you can give your refrigerator a good wipe down with warm water and mild soap, but the outside only needs the occasional wipe.
Aside from cleaning appliances, you have to keep your home’s electricity in good shape as well. Dust can conduct electricity, so check your outlets and cords regularly for dirt or debris. You may consider the help of an electrician to do the heavy cleaning.
8. Scrub Your Flooring
Keeping your floors spotless is vital because it prevents scums and germs from accumulating. That means not just sweeping but scrubbing the flooring with an all-purpose cleaner.
Cleaning your floor doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. All you need to do is sweep first to remove loose particles, scrub the floor, and then mop the floor with a soapy solution to break down grime.
Once you’re done mopping your floors, you should leave them to dry for a few minutes. This approach allows germs and fungi from outside to die off before they come into contact with the air inside your home. Don’t forget to mop or vacuum the stairs because quickly gather hairballs and dander.
Moreover, if you have a carpet, you should vacuum it once a week to eliminate dust and remove any allergens. You may also change your carpet every six years or when it gets torn.
Conclusion
Staying on top of your home’s maintenance tasks doesn’t have to be complex or time-consuming. Setting up a good checklist can save you from unnecessary headaches caused by large amounts of clutter and dust. Having a clean home is not only practical but also very rewarding in the long run.