Housecleaning Timetable

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Housecleaning Timetable. What are the rules? It's a common question, but the answer is: There are no hard and fast `rules' as to how often your bathroom, kitchen and bedroom really need to be cleaned. General guidelines? Absolutely.

With that in mind, here's my list of 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 handwash after use)

-- Wipe kitchen table, chairs, counters, cooktop 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 countertops

-- 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

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

Get it all together easily with the Cleaning Supply Organizer.

Home Maintenance Timetable

Bathroom Cleaning Basics

July Home Checklist

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