1. Handy Kitchen Tips that You cannot Miss : Solutions for all your Problems
    Dismiss Notice

Home Cleaning Routine

Discussion in 'Home Decoration & Improvement' started by jillcastle, Dec 4, 2018.

  1. jillcastle

    jillcastle Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    476
    Likes Received:
    532
    Trophy Points:
    173
    Gender:
    Female
    We recently moved from apartment to house. I have started alloting 30 mins a day for cleaning but I am confused how often everything needs to be cleaned. Can we share simple cleaning routing we follow to maintain our home? I have installed an app in my phone and created all these various tasks and how frequent they need to be done. So everyday I check my app for Today's tasks and do it. Its easier for me this way. Currently I follow the below schedule:

    Everyday:
    Sweep living area

    Weekly once:
    Vacuum carpeted rooms
    Sweep garage
    Wipe kitchen caibnets/sink
    Clean MW oven
    Wash trash can
    Toilet bowl

    Every 2 weeks:
    Wash bathtubs/bath sinks/shower room

    Monthly once:
    Wipe bathroom cabinets
    Wash bathroom and kitchen mats
    Wash bedding - Should this be done weekly once?
    Dust fans
    Dust blinds

    Every 3 months:
    Wipe down blinds
    Fridge
    Wipe doors/stairs
    Light fixtures
    Shower curtains

    As and when needed:
    Wipe/Vacuum furnitures/electronics
    Wipe oven

    Once a year:
    Deep cleaning

    How often should I clean the below?
    Washer and Dryer
    Dishwasher
    Pillows

    What else am I missing? Am I cleaning something too often or less? I am a working mom and the above schedule is the best I am able to do with a toddler. I dont plan on hiring help for as long as possible. Pls share your routine and any tips to make it more effective.
     
    Rihana and shravs3 like this.
    Loading...

  2. Minie34

    Minie34 Bronze IL'ite

    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    48
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Gender:
    Female
    I can share my cleaning routine. We live in India but we don't have maid as me n my husband like to clean ourselves. My husband helps me in everything.

    Vacuuming n moping rooms every day. We don't use broom except cleaning cobwebs. For mops we use the new type mop with wringing. We use scotch brite. It's very good n takes very less physical strength.

    We clean the bathroom everyday. Floor with normal washing detergent n toilet with spray toilet cleaner. Harpic type cleaning once a week on weekends.

    Kitchen every time I cook. I don't need to cook everyday as we r only 2 ppl. I clean the slab n basin before n after cooking both. I have a dishwasher so no issues with cleaning utensils.

    Bedsheet change every 2 weeks. I wash pillows, mattress protector, comforter every thing.

    Curtains changing n sofa vacuuming once a month.

    Fridge once in 2-3 months.

    Dusting on weekends.
     
  3. shravs3

    shravs3 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,207
    Likes Received:
    5,845
    Trophy Points:
    425
    Gender:
    Female
    How do you clean bathtubs. It’s such a pain for me :worried:. Need some tips.
     
  4. jillcastle

    jillcastle Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    476
    Likes Received:
    532
    Trophy Points:
    173
    Gender:
    Female
    Minie34 and shravs3 like this.
  5. shravs3

    shravs3 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,207
    Likes Received:
    5,845
    Trophy Points:
    425
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks a lot :blush:. Will try them soon !
     
  6. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    12,481
    Likes Received:
    30,224
    Trophy Points:
    540
    Gender:
    Female
    I have been thinking of this thread each time I clean the house over the past 2 months. And keep forgetting to post response when I log in. In fact, I got a little inspired to be more regular in daily house cleaning.

    Some random thoughts:
    Tiles or wood? Invest now itself in an option other than the good old broom. I've found the Dyson cordless to be very useful and worth the price for daily quick cleaning. Thought a lot before buying it as it is the third functioning vacuum, but glad I bought it. Assigned it to birthday/anniversary/mother's day gift. : ) Wish I had bought one earlier. Also wish I had bought a slightly older model and saved some money.

    I edited quoted post and put items all on one line so easy to read as it compresses quoted post after 5 lines. Carpeted rooms: once a week is good except if there tends to be too much visible hair on the carpet on day 5 itself.

    Garage: Entire garage weekly? That is a lot of work. I've seen my neighbors maintain clean garage. Their garage looks cleaner than my interior floor sometimes. I would settle for cleaning the area near the entrance to house often, and the rest of the garage like once in 2 months. Also depends on how much dust, leaves and sand comes in with the cars.

    Wash trash can: Again, too much work IMO. Use good liners, and avoid filling it to the brim. I wash it only when something leaks or underside of lid gets yucky. Family takes care of airing it every other night. They put a binder clip under lip so it gets propped open.

    Toilet bowl: I think weekly is what most aim for. I remember cleaning toddler's toilet bowl more often. Sometimes, I kept Clorox wipes handy to wipe down the seat and under seat.
    Bath sinks: aim for weekly if used daily for brushing teeth etc. The lesser used bathtubs get washed only once a month or even rarer.

    Wiping bathroom cabinets is a good idea. This should include the draws and door under the sink. I didn't do this and humidity has caused dust/grime to settle in.
    Bathroom and kitchen mats: Bathroom mats - only when needed or if I want it to feel fluffy again. But then, great care is taken to not dirty them except for stepping on them after shower.
    Dust fans: Once in 2 months is enough.
    Dust blinds: I think once in 2 months is enough. Check amazon for some really amazing contraptions. I used soft cloth and water/vinegar for years. Recently found neat thingies, like one that simultaneously cleans both sides of a blind's slat. Oh, don't forget to clean the track where the window slides. It is often ignored. In 3 years there will be enough deposit of grime and twigs to use for a preschool science project. : ) Get something like this: Amazon.com: YuCool Window or Sliding Door Track Cleaning Brush, Window Blind Duster, 2-in-1 Windowsill Sweeper, 2PCS Random Color Hand-held Groove Gap, Shipping by FBA Total 5PCS: Home & Kitchen
    Wash bedding how often: This deserves a thread by itself. Has long been a discussion among my friends on how often to wash bath towels and bedding. Interesting how much husband and wife can disagree on this.

    Wiping down blinds: Combine dusting and wiping down to one task. Wiping without dusting not good.
    Fridge: Quick clean every month, and detailed every 3 months.
    Doors: again, I didn't do this. And they got yuck. Don't forget the top rim of the door.
    Light fixtures: I do once in five years. Every 6 months should be more than enough.

    Good idea. We got it done only few times. And timed it to be after a family flu episode or after (not before) a biggish party.

    Washer and Dryer: Read manufacturer recommendation. Do clean the lint trap/filter regularly. Immerse in mild soap water once in few months. Clean it gently. Replacement filter is not available or costs a lot.

    Pillows: I read many interesting ways of cleaning them like putting shoes or tennis balls in dryer with them. To be honest, it was a surprise to learn that pillows can be/should be washed. I feel it is easier to get new pillows though not eco-friendly. No hair oil used, and thick quilt material pillowcases are used, so it helps.

    You are doing quite good. Not hiring help -- if that works for you, go for it. Do keep in mind that time devoted to cleaning does take away from time that could be spent with child. Maybe do it yourself as long as you can and hire regular cleaners when needed. Last spring I started this thread:Hiring House Cleaners In America

    Thanks for the thread. It has brought a little bit of regularity into my cleaning. Plus also into how I supervise and keep track of other willy-nilly cleaners in my household. I actually printed out and put up a calendar behind the bathroom door like they have in public bathrooms and the cleaner initials each time it is cleaned. : )
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2019
    Amica, Amulet, shravs3 and 1 other person like this.
  7. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    12,481
    Likes Received:
    30,224
    Trophy Points:
    540
    Gender:
    Female
    OK so I discovered this miracle just couple of years ago. It is very handy for less used or never used bathtubs. Also for bathroom sinks and the outer body of the commode (the nooks and crevices under flush tank where dust collects and which are narrow to reach for long).

    I used bleach and other cleaners for a long time before using the bubbles thing. I noticed that bleach and water was better for the part where the steel rim meets white part of sink or bathtub. I now try to alternate. When I have time, I use Comet bleach and water. When less time, I use the bubbles and just wipe with a moist cloth towel or paper towel. Of course, not on floor of bathtub/shower as it can get slippery if water is not used after spraying bubbles thing.

    =====
    Your list is comprehensive from the cleaning pov. There are some slightly different tasks to do with house maintenance. Like water heater, furnace, chimney, rain gutters, cooking range's hood, heater ducts, annual maintenance of flooring inside house, sometimes annual maintenance of any fancy tiles in backyard. You could search for a list applicable to the area and climate you live in.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2019
  8. shravs3

    shravs3 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,207
    Likes Received:
    5,845
    Trophy Points:
    425
    Gender:
    Female
    @Rihana thanks for very detailed post

    I swear on it
     
  9. jillcastle

    jillcastle Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    476
    Likes Received:
    532
    Trophy Points:
    173
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks a lot @Rihana for sharing your tips. I wasnt being regular in my cleaning last month, but your reply kind of gave me the push to start doing stuff I had been procrastinating for a while.
     
  10. Amica

    Amica IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,037
    Likes Received:
    8,379
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    @jillcastle, thanks for making me think about cleaning.

    I go through the rooms sequentially, cleaning one room from floor to ceiling at a time. By the time the last room is done, it's time to start over with the first. :rolleyes:

    @Rihana thanks for your post. I'm going to adopt your routine. :thumbsup:

    How often do you clean attics and basements?
    .
     

Share This Page