Household Chores Timetable

House-cleaning Timetable. What are the rules? It's a common question. The answer, however, is not exactly definitive.

In truth, there are no hard and fast `rules' as to how often your bathroom, kitchen and bedroom really need to be cleaned. Which is actually understandable.

Who else knows your busiest rooms in the house but you?

General housecleaning timetable guidelines? Absolutely.

Here are the average daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal and yearly chores - and when to tackle them.

1. Daily Duty.

In the kitchen:

-- Wash dishes

-- Disinfect countertops

-- Damp-mop any spills

-- Rinse out sink after use

-- Put dishes in dishwasher (or hand wash after use)

-- Wipe kitchen table, chairs, counters, cook top or range

-- Wipe down interior of microwave

-- Sweep or vacuum kitchen floor

In the bedroom:

-- Make bed

In the bathroom:

-- Squeegee shower (or sponge tub)

-- Wipe down counter tops

-- Hang up towels.

2. Weekly Once Over.

Throughout the house:

-- Sort, wash and fold laundry

-- vacuum carpets

-- Dust furniture, shelves and lamp shades

-- Wash out kitchen trash container and surrounding area

-- Wipe leather furniture with a soft cloth

-- Clean windows

-- Clean miniblinds and window coverings

-- Clean lights and light fixtures

-- Scoop and clean out the cat's litter box

-- Shake area rugs, depending on size

Kitchen:

-- Mop floors and dry- or damp-mop wood floors

-- Clean telephones, computer and TV screens, video-game controllers and remote controls

-- Do a surface cleaning of the refrigerator

Bedroom:

-- Change bed linens

-- Empty garbage can

-- Organize closets

Bathroom:

-- Disinfect toilet

-- Clean shower or tub

-- Mop floors

-- Wipe chrome fixtures and mirrors clean and polish them

-- Put out fresh towels and soap

3. Monthly Timetable.

Throughout the house:

-- Vacuum furniture and curtains

-- Sweep and tidy up the garage

-- Wipe down walls

Kitchen

-- Check expiration dates on foods in the fridge; discard as needed

Bathroom:

-- Wash shower curtain

Bedroom:

-- Organize closets and clothes.

4. Seasonally.

Throughout the house:

-- Take indoor plants outside for a gentle washing

-- Sweep the patio and porches

-- Wipe down patio table and chairs

-- Clean the fireplace and tools

-- Wash exterior windows

-- Clean the dryer exhaust vent

Bedroom:

-- Turn and vacuum mattresses.

5. Yearly.

-- Deep clean carpets and upholstery

-- Scrub or strip and wax floors

-- Wash and polish wood furniture

-- Change furnace filters

-- Dust and vacuum corners and crevices from high point to low

-- Remove dust ruffles from beds to wash or dry-clean

-- Checking washing machine hoses. Replace if they're older than two years

-- Vacuum heating vents and ducts

-- Clean out the medicine cabinet and toss expired medications

-- Reseal wood floors