Housekeeping is more than just having a neat house. It is about cleaning in a way that keeps your home sanitary and healthy. However, you do not want to spend all day, every day making sure your home is clean, right? Sometimes you want a day off.
Well, most tasks do not need to be completed daily. Others while are best done daily, can be done throughout the day at small intervals. There are others that you will get away with leaving for a day, but will want to do them every other day.
Moreover, do not forget the tasks that you can get your kids involved in. Give them age-appropriate cleaning duties daily so that they can earn their pocket money.
Still not sure where to start? Need a full guide to help you with housekeeping to stay on top of everything? We have you covered with this all in one guide to housekeeping.
The List of Chores by Room
Let’s start with a complete list of housekeeping tasks that you need to do. This will help you create a plan of attack for your home on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
General Tasks
Not all can be arranged per room, so you will need to put these tasks in a general category. They usually cover more than one room at a time:
- Window cleaning
- Tool cleaning
- Floor cleaning
- Curtain/blind cleaning
- Lampshade cleaning
- Fan cleaning
- Paperwork management
- Dusting
- Cleaning mirrors
The Living Room
The living room is one of the rooms that you will spend more of your time in. These are the tasks you will need to consider.
- Upholstery/couch cleaning
- TV cleaning
- Stand and shelving cleaning
The Kitchen
Most of the tasks in the kitchen will need to be completed daily, but some can be saved weekly or even monthly. These are the tasks you will need to remember.
- Washing up
- Countertop cleaning
- Cupboard cleaning and arrangement
- Oven and stove cleaning
- Kitchen sink cleaning
- Microwave cleaning
- Appliance cleaning
- Dishwasher cleaning
The Bathroom
This is the room that most of us hate cleaning with a passion. Nobody wants to spend time on the toilet, right? Well, there is more than just cleaning the toilet.
- Toilet cleaning
- Bath and sink cleaning
- Product arrangement
The Bedrooms
While you spend around eight hours of the day in your bedroom, it is one of the rooms mostly overlooked. Sure, you change the sheets, but do you remember about all the rest of the tasks for the room?
- Sheet changing
- Pillow and duvet cleaning
- Mattress cleaning
- Handling the laundry (including putting it away!)
The Office/Workspace
If you have an office, you will have another room to think about. Not all of us have an office, but we do have a computer space. Do not overlook these necessary housekeeping tasks.
- Computer cleaning
- Desk cleaning
- Computer chair cleaning
- Desk organization
The Laundry Room
Finally, it is all about the laundry room. You will be able to leave most of these tasks monthly, but make sure you do them!
- Washer and dryer cleaning
- Ironing board cleaning
- Linen closet organization
How Often to Do the Tasks
Now that you have a list of all the chores in your home, you will need to set out a plan of the things do to daily, weekly, and monthly. This is a basic breakdown before we go into the details of how to do it all!
Daily tasks:
- Vacuuming/sweeping the floors
- Dusting the surfaces
- Washing up
- Countertop cleaning
- Paperwork organization
- Desk organization
- Desk cleaning
- Basic keyboard and computer cleaning
- Bathroom item arrangement
Weekly tasks:
- Floor deep clean
- Mirror cleaning
- Shelf-cleaning
- Couch cleaning
- TV cleaning
- Microwave and stove cleaning
- Total bathroom cleaning
- Desk and chair deep clean
- Keyboard deep clean
- Ironing board cleaning
- Laundry organization and management
- Sheet changing
Monthly tasks:
- Curtain/blind cleaning
- Lampshade cleaning
- Fan cleaning
- Window cleaning
- Tool cleaning
- Pillow and duvet cleaning
- Mattress cleaning
- Oven cleaning
- Dishwasher cleaning
- Appliances cleaning
- Washer and dryer cleaning
The Ultimate Guide to Housekeeping
Now that you have your list of tasks, it is time to get started on them. Before you do anything, make a list of everything you are going to do on the day. You can have a whiteboard on one of your walls, so you can scrub off the items as you go.
It is worth having a folder for your daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Have a list of each of the tasks you need to do daily, weekly, and monthly. For the daily ones, have tick boxes to make sure you stick to your list every day. For the weekly and monthly tasks make a note of the last dates, you do them. That way you do not have to do them on the same day each month or week (in case you are away). You can double check the last time you did them and make sure you stick to a rough weekly or monthly guide.
Work on each task one at a time. By trying to manage more than one, you will not get through the tasks fully or efficiently.
Find age-appropriate tasks for your children. For example, young children can do the dusting for you. They’ll also be able to help put clothes into the washing machine or aid with the desk organization. As they get older, they will be able to do the sink and bath cleaning. They can help with the TV cleaning, vacuuming and sweeping of the floors, cleaning of the mirrors and windows, and much more. When you have more hands-on deck, you will be able to get more done daily.
The Tasks That Can Be Completed as You Go
Some of the tasks can be completed as you go through your day. Countertop cleaning and washing up are two that you will want to get done as you go through your day. Do not leave a pile of plates to get done at the end of the day. Wash your plates and cutlery as soon as you have eaten. Have a sink of hot water to put your pots and pans into soak while you eat and wash them as soon as you have finished!
Clean the work surfaces while you wait for your meals to cook. You can also get through some of the washing up at this point.
Similarly, most paperwork and desk organization can be done throughout the day. When you get the mail, grab your filing system and put items away rather than just throwing everything on the coffee table for managing at a later time. Have a filing system for your bills, so you know the ones that still need to be paid and the ones that have already been paid but require keeping taxes. This file should also have your rental/mortgage agreement, any loan documents, bank statements, pay stubs, and other paperwork.
As for your desk, organize it at the start or end of each day. It will only take 10 minutes or so, and you will be able to get on with tasks immediately the next morning. You will be far more productive with an organized desk since you will be able to find everything.
If you do not have children to help, most dusting and cleaning can be done throughout the day. As you walk around the home, have a duster at the ready for the shelves. Spend the few minutes you wait for the kettle to boil to handle the windows or get rid of the marks on the TV. Alternatively, you can use this time to do a sweep or vacuum of the floors.
Staying on top of these smaller tasks will make your weekly and monthly cleaning schedules much easier.
Doing things as you will help you break your tasks up throughout the day. You will get through far more without even realizing. Your packed day is not interrupted, and you feel like you have accomplished far more!
Using the Right Tools for the Job
Stock up on all the right tools for each cleaning job. When you have run out, do not forget to put it on the list to buy for your next grocery shop. If you are running low and will likely run out before the end of the next week, put it on the list the week earlier. Bulk buying most cleaning products is worthwhile since they will not go off!
Do not use harsh materials on your upholstery, woodwork, and delicate fabrics. Most can be cleaned with soapy water. This is certainly the case for the blinds, furniture, desk, shelves, and dining table.
Spot clean when things are spilled to avoid staining. This will make the weekly cleaning process much easier and quicker.
When it comes to the grout in your bathroom and the taps/plugs, you will want something tougher. Get a hard toothbrush just for cleaning and scrub into the gaps. Do this on a weekly basis to make sure your bathroom constantly sparkles. You will also prevent mold growth throughout the week and get rid of any limescale building.
You can use steel wool for your oven. If you want to avoid chemicals, opt for some baking soda and vinegar. This natural mixture of the heat from the oven will help to dislodge most of the grime and dirt, so you can wipe it clean with steel wool or cloth. The mixture can also be used in the washing machine and dishwasher. Run them without any clothes or items in, so you avoid staining or accidentally bleaching your items.
Your countertops will only need some soapy water to clean. You can also use diluted vinegar for tougher sections. Diluted vinegar is good for cleaning chopping boards thoroughly.
A little polish will go a long way for your wooden fixtures, but it will build up over time. Use a damp cloth regularly to get rid of the residue left behind from the polish.
Best Way of Cleaning Your Lighting and Fixtures
You do not want to use water on your electronics! The lighting fixtures can be wiped down with a duster on a weekly basis. The same applies to your fans.
Get a microfiber cloth for monthly cleans on the lighting fixtures. This will help to pick up the smaller sections that tend to be missed on a weekly basis. The microfiber cloths are also good for cleaning your TV, computer, and other electronics. They will not leave streaks behind, so you get to enjoy your screens more.
Tackling the Floors Fully
The carpets are easy to deal with on a daily basis. Vacuum at the end of the day, especially when it comes to the high traffic areas. This will help to get rid of the dirt and dust buildup throughout the day, so they do not attach deep to the fibers. Treat spillages immediately, whether food or drink, by vacuuming or blotting.
On a six-monthly basis, invest in a steam cleaner. This will help to pull out all the dirt and shampoo the carpet. It will look almost like new. If you are renting, this will help make sure you get your full deposit back.
As for hardwood floors and tiles, sweep up daily. You will be surprised at the amount of dirt and dust that can collect throughout the day. However, on a weekly basis, you will want to consider mopping them fully.
You do not need to use bleach. In fact, you want to avoid acid-based cleaners. Opt for pH neutral options to avoid damaging and wearing away the flooring. Mild dish soap with warm water is perfect for mopping tiles and wood. With tiles, you will need to reseal every couple of years to help continue repelling stains.
Make sure your mops have a microfiber head. This will help to get everything from within the grouting and gaps.
Housekeeping Does Not Have to Be a Chore
You can take the hard work of many housekeeping routines. Make a to-do list that you can follow moth daily, weekly and monthly. Do things as you go through the day and work on tasks one at a time. Do not worry about the things that you still need to complete. It is all about the tasks that you have achieved.
By getting through tasks like this, your home will look and feel clean without causing stress. Everyone will want to know your secrets.
