The “How often should I clean that?” Guide
Keeping your home clean can be a daunting task. There’s so much to do, and how do you know how often things need to be cleaned? Do you really need to scrub your countertops daily? What about the bathroom? How often should you change your sheets or your towels? Follow this handy guide for your rundown of what gets cleaned and when.
Kitchen
Daily
Wipe down and disinfect your sink and countertops daily to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria, like e-coli and salmonella. Wash your dishes daily to avoid bacteria growth and attracting pests. And don’t forget to clean your coffee maker if it gets a lot of use. Wash removable parts (like the reservoir of a Kureig) with warm, soapy water or place in the dishwasher to remove potential mold buildup.
Weekly
Your sponge can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so make sure to thoroughly rinse it and let it air dry after each use. Once a week you can place it in a pot of boiling water to disinfect, or replace it with a new one. Swap out and wash kitchen towels with hot water weekly to kill bacteria. Replace towels immediately if you use them to wipe up spills from raw meat or other contaminants. Finally, wipe down the inside of your microwave with disinfectant, and toss those expired leftovers hiding in the back of your fridge to prevent odors.
Monthly and More
Clean your dishwasher once a month with white vinegar and/or baking soda; to remove buildup that can prevent your dishes from getting clean. Every 3-6 months, run the cleaning cycle on the oven to get rid of burnt-on food and residue; this will also help your oven run more efficiently. If your oven doesn’t have an automatic cleaning cycle, spray it down with some oven cleaner, let it dry and then wipe it out. Wipe down and disinfect the inside of your refrigerator every 3-6 months and clean out the inside of your freezer while you’re at it.
Bathroom
Daily
When you wash your hands after using the bathroom, fecal matter can linger on bathroom surfaces. Wipe down and disinfect the bathroom sink and counter every day to keep bacteria from growing.
Weekly
Change your bath towels after every few uses, at least once a week to prevent bacteria, fungi, mold or mildew from growing in the fibers. You should also disinfect your toilet and shower or bathtub and wipe down the mirrors to keep your bathroom looking spotless. Toss bath rugs in the washing machine once a week and let air dry completely.
Monthly and More
Wash and disinfect your shower curtain liner approximately every other month; most can be thrown in the washing machine. You could also use warm water and baking soda on the liner if yours isn’t washing machine-friendly. Your tile grout is susceptible to soap buildup that can cause mildew, so scrub your grout once a month with a solution of ten parts water to one part bleach, then rinse. And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three month; when the bristles get worn, the brush isn’t as efficient.
Bedrooms
Daily
Get into the habit of making your bed every morning. It’s a great way to start the day off right.
Weekly
Strip your bed sheets weekly, or at least biweekly. Dust, dirt and oils from your skin can build up on the sheets over time and contribute to acne, dandruff, or other skin conditions. Wash your sheets in hot water (around 140℉) to kill any bacteria that could be lingering on the fabric, and tumble dry on high heat.
Monthly and More
Wash your pillows and comforters, quilts or duvets every 3-6 months. Most pillows and pillow covers can be thrown in the washing machine, but be sure to check the washing instructions on the tag. If your washing machine is too small to fit your comforter or duvet, you can bring it to a laundromat or have it professionally cleaned. You should also vacuum your mattress every six months to prevent buildup of dead skin cells or dust mites and prolong the life of your mattress.
Living Areas & Miscellaneous
Daily
Your smartphone contains thousands of germs and we handle our device constantly; wipe it down every day with an alcohol wipe or electronics cleaner to help keep you healthy. Make sure you clean the phone case, too. And even just the basic act of going through your home and picking up any clutter on the floors or surfaces (dirty laundry, knicknacks, etc) at the end of each day can help keep your home looking spotless.
Weekly
Vacuum or mop floors once a week, more frequently if the area has especially high foot traffic or if you have pets. Doorknobs to high-traffic rooms, like the bathroom or kitchen, should be disinfected weekly, or more often if there is an illness in the house. You can wipe down light switches with a disinfectant wipe. You should also wipe down other electronics once a week to ward off bacteria and viruses. Don’t let your TV remote be the thing that gets you sick! Just make sure to unplug electronics or remove their batteries before cleaning.
Monthly and More
Dust or vacuum air vents, lighting fixtures and ceiling fans every 2-6 months to keep your home free of allergens. Wipe down window blinds approximately every three months with warm, soapy water to remove grime. Also, clean your washing machine every 3-4 months; put in one cup of bleach or use a specialty cleaner and run a hot water cycle without clothing to prevent mold and mildew. For curtains, upholstery, windows, gutters and the fireplace you can go a year between cleanings.
Keeping up with whole-home cleanliness can seem overwhelming. Try not to stress about getting all your daily and weekly chores done all at once; you can spread them out over the course of the day or week to make your list more manageable. You can also delegate to other members of the household to help break up the work. Getting into a cleaning routine is the easiest way to keep your entire home clean and tidy. However, there’s no shame in calling in the experts if you’re behind or need a hand! Contact us to explore our services and get a free quote, today!
