As winter begins to fade and the world transitions into spring, homeowners everywhere start turning their thoughts to the yearly task of spring cleaning. While spring is a popular time to clean out overstuffed closets and organize junk drawers, certain parts of the house that should be addressed periodically throughout the year. The question, however, is when to clean what. Here’s your guide to keeping your home clean:
Weekly
There are a number of areas of the home that need frequent attention. In the bathroom, make sure that the toilet, shower liner, bathtub, and shower walls get a weekly wipe down. Sheets and pillowcases should be put in the laundry at the end of the week, and all floor surfaces should be cleaned, including vacuuming, sweeping, and shaking out mats or rugs. Also be sure to dust all light fixtures and flat surfaces each week, as a buildup of dust can cause allergic reactions.
Monthly
Each month, your home’s interior windows and window treatments should be assessed and cleaned as well as the grout in your showers and backsplashes. Take this time also to wipe out the insides of your medicine cabinet and to keep watch for any expired medications that need to be thrown away. Then, wipe down and sanitize trash cans and recycling bins and be sure to flush your drains with a simple solution of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water.
Wash heavier bedding, such as blankets and comforters, once every few months.
Quarterly
While sheets need the weekly treatment, other bedding items such as pillows, duvets, and blankets can go a few months between cleanings. The same applies to your refrigerator, oven, and microwave, which should be deep-cleaned at the end of each season. Shower heads should be given a soak to remove any build up, and baseboards and moldings around the house should also be wiped down. If the weather permits, try and clean the outsides of your windows as well.
Annually
Finally, some cleaning jobs should be done each year in your home. You might follow the spring cleaning trend and tackle them all at once, but as some of the tasks tend to be time-consuming, it might be a good idea to spread them throughout the year. These annual jobs include deep-cleaning carpet with a carpet cleaner, emptying and wiping down all cabinets, vacuuming and flipping mattresses, and washing all wall surfaces. It’s also a good idea to go through closets, the attic, and basement storage and decide what to keep, donate, or toss.