In addition to creating a well-organized home, cleaning is an essential task that helps maintain a pleasant and hygienic living space. The frequency of cleaning depends on specific tasks and the area involved. Here are some simple guidelines to simplify the cleaning process. While one person may think they clean often enough, it may actually be necessary to clean more frequently based on personal perception. On the other hand, someone might feel they don’t clean enough, even though it’s not necessarily true. The approximate guidelines for cleanliness and frequency of cleaning also depend on lifestyle, the number of people living in the space, and other factors.
Kitchen – After cooking, wipe down surfaces, put dishes in the dishwasher, and remove any used ingredients. After meals, clear the table and place the dishes in the dishwasher. Clean the sink once a day, preferably in the evening before bedtime, and mop the floor once or twice a week. Wipe down the refrigerator when it’s less full, before going grocery shopping, and thoroughly clean it with each change of season, approximately four times a year.
Bathroom – Bathrooms tend to get dirty quickly and require daily cleaning. After use, wash the sink and bathtub. Wipe down the toilet bowl with antibacterial wipes at least once a day. Once a week, clean the entire bathroom, including the floor, using appropriate cleaning products.
Bedroom – The bedroom requires less effort compared to other areas of the home. Vacuum the floors once a week, tidy up closets, change the bedding, and dust surfaces. Make the bed every morning and pick up toys or other items if it’s a child’s room.
Living Room – The state of your home largely depends on the living room since it’s often the only area visitors see. If you live alone, the living room may remain untouched for days, but if there are multiple occupants or pets, daily cleaning is necessary. Generally, vacuum the floors three times a week. Return books, cups, and other items to their designated places daily. Dust surfaces one to three times a week, depending on the location and the number of household members. Vacuum furniture once a month and clean curtains according to the seasons. Deep-clean carpets once a year.
Other Activities – It is recommended to do a thorough cleaning once a year. Clean behind and underneath every piece of furniture, wipe down chandeliers and lamps, touch up wall stains, empty all cabinets, and wipe down shelves, among other tasks.
Establishing a cleaning routine and performing weekly and monthly activities will result in a tidier home. However, it’s important not to overlook annual cleaning tasks. Neglecting thorough cleaning, such as under the bed or behind cabinets, will result in dust accumulating throughout the home, making daily maintenance more challenging. However, not every cleaning session needs to be a deep clean, as it can be time-consuming and may demotivate individuals if basic tasks take up too much time or if there isn’t enough time available for them.
Therefore, it’s helpful to have a plan or an idea of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to expedite and simplify everyday cleaning activities.
An essential aspect of maintaining an orderly home is returning items to their designated places as much as possible and not skipping daily chores. If daily tasks are skipped for just a few days, the home may start to look untidy and require more time and effort to clean up. In such cases, it’s necessary to allocate more time to get things back in order and then continue with the cleaning routine to streamline the process and maintain a tidy home. Once a routine and habit are established, maintaining an orderly home becomes easier.
