July House Cleaning Checklist

July house cleaning checklist: Some tasks only need to be done once or twice a year. The problem is that we forget to do them once or twice a year.

Or else we tend to save it all for spring cleaning, which makes spring cleaning such a daunting chore that it doesn’t occur, either.

I’ve found the best plan is to break down annual and seasonal tasks by month and tackle them daily or weekly. Nothing gets too backed up, and things eventually get done.

I’ve also found that concentrating on one room or area each month is more rewarding because you can see the results.

Here’s the July house cleaning checklist that works best for me.

The best way to entice your out-of-school kids to help clean the garage is to promise them a garage sale. They can sell anything they don't want to keep. 

And they can spend the proceeds any way they like. This can help jumpstart the rest of the July house cleaning checklist:

Help the kids organize the remaining toys into easy-to-find categories and places. Put all the Lego stuff together in one bin; all the American Girl dolls and accessories in another. 

Board games get a special place, too. Now when the kids want to play, they only need to haul out one box.

Clean mirrors, prints, artwork, photographs, shelves … anything that hangs on the wall. These tips for making glass, windows,and lighting fixtures sparkling clean can help.

Does Puff always plop on the chenille sofa? Yeah, we could tell. Remove excess fluff with a quick surface vacuuming, or try running a damp sponge across the sofa surface to collect errant fur that you can then rinse away. 

You can also use a lint roller pet hair remover for a quick, no-muss, no-fuss solution.

Enlist your youngest child to clean the walls and baseboards. Just stick a white sock on her hand and send her on her way. She is the closest to the floor, after all.

Clean outdoor lighting fixtures. Replace dim bulbs.

How long has it been since you took a little bleach to the hamster's cage Team up with the kids and help them clean pet cages, beds, bedding, dishes, litter boxes, etc.

Better yet, consider a self-cleaning litter box. Your house should look cleaner. And smell better, too.

Summer air conditioning puts additional strain on our energy bill, so save power in other areas.

• Vacuum under and behind the refrigerator to make it run more efficiently.

• Set the water heater at 120 F. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.

• Remind the kids to keep the doors closed. (See more ways to save energy and cold cash here.)

Clean the refrigerator and get rid of old condiments, dressings, etc. Nothing lasts forever – not even mustard. Really. (Check out the Food Shelf Life Guide if you're unsure about other items in your fridge.)

The July house cleaning checklist is complete. Now, relax and savor the pleasures of July!