The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist (+Tips)
Roll up your sleeves: It's time to clean house!
Whether you're working with professionals, on your own, or together with your whole household, it's a great idea to use a house cleaning checklist to prepare for the job.
In this article, you'll find two complete house cleaning checklists to guide your house cleaning projects year-round. Each checklist contains the same tasks, organized differently:
1.Schedule: In the first checklist, tasks are organized into daily, weekly, monthly, deep cleaning and seasonal schedules. This checklist is helpful if you want to create a regular cleaning schedule in your household and are looking for a guide to help you get started.
2. Room-by room: In the second checklist, tasks are organized by room (and then by frequnecy), so you can quickly get an overview of what you're doing and when. This checklist is helpful when preparing your home for guests, or if you're hiring a professional cleaner and would like to give them specific tasks.
Why Keep a Regular Cleaning Schedule?
There are so many good reasons to schedule house cleaning into your calendar on a regular basis. While it can be tempting to laser focus on what needs to be done when tidying up, the “when” is just as (if not more) important. In time-management terms, scheduling your cleaning tasks into time slots is known as time blocking - and it can totally transform how you get things done around the house. Getting your household on a scheduled cleaning routine can:
Prevent mess from building up when you get busy
Help you manage your time more effectively
Allow you to adjust your cleaning standards regularly according to your priorities
Set consistent expectations for household participation
Make it easer for you to delegate the responsibility to others
Tips to Keep Your Cleaning Projects On Track
Check your mental load before beginning: If cleaning the house is adding to that already impossibly long list of responsibilities you’re juggling, you might be carrying a heavy mental load. If and when you can, prioritize caring for your health and wellbeing above cleaning your home. Take a walk, call a friend - or call your therapist, if necessary! And own that messy house.
Organize messy spaces before deep cleaning sessions: spring cleaning isn't the only good time to tidy up. Any time you plan to give your home a deep clean is a good time to take a second look at the junk drawers of your home (wherever mess accumulates), and create a system that allows you to easily store and find your items. When everything is in its place, it's a breeze to access all of the surfaces and furniture for a deep clean.
Schedule regular de-cluttering sessions: We've all been there: midway through your cleaning session, you get completely side-tracked by sorting through that box of family memorabilia or the entire contents of your kitchen cabinets. Instead of decluttering as you clean, schedule a seasonal de-cluttering session with your household with the sole purpose of sorting out un-used, un-needed, or expired items.
Consider scheduling blocks of time to clean: Short on time? Welcome to the club 😂 Even if you have plenty of time on your hands, though, it's a great idea to use the checklists below in combination with a time management technique like time blocking. This approach will help you consider how much time you're willing to give to the task before getting started, rather than obsessing over finishing the list.
Prioritize your cleaning checklist from essentials to "nice to have": For the same reason as mentioned above, it's likely that a number of responsibilities are competing for your time. Don't let the checklist own you! Print whichever version aligns with your needs most closely, and then re-arrange it with tasks that are most essential at the top, and those that are least essential at the bottom.
Keep essential cleaning supplies in stock: To make cleaning up a breeze - and maybe even (gasp) fun, keep everything you need to do the job on hand. To get started, all you really need are gloves, all-purpose cleaner, vinegar, microfiber cloths, paper towels, sponges, scrubbers, a duster, and a good vacuum.
Use the room-by-room checklist as a guide if working with a professional cleaner: If you're hiring a professional cleaner to work in your home, use the room-by-room checklist as a starting point to set expectations for the job. Everyone has different standards and preferences, so it's helpful to guide your cleaner using a shared checklist that ensure the job is done well.
House Cleaning Checklists by Schedule
Daily Tasks
General
Make the bed
Turn off lights
Pick up clothes, clutter, and loose items around the house
Clean dryer vent
Clean up the kitchen after meals
Kitchen
Wipe down kitchen counters
Organize food in the fridge
Load and unload dishes from the dishwasher
Hand-wash and dry dirty dishes
Take out the garbage
Empty recycling bins
Living Room
Vacuum sofas
Pick up clothes
Tidy up pillows and blankets
Dining Room
Sweep or vacuum after meals
Bathroom
Wipe down the toilet seat
Squeegee water from shower walls
Bedroom
Make the bed
Pick up and sort dirty clothes
Open all curtains/blinds
Garden
Water plants
Tidy up common areas
Weekly Cleaning Checklist
General
Wash household laundry (rags and towels)
Wash bedsheets
Iron laundry
Clean surfaces
Vacuum all rooms
Mop floors
Disinfect door handles and high-bacteria areas
Kitchen
Freeze down leftovers
Spot clean the kitchen floor
Dining Room
Dust light fixtures and surfaces
Wipe the table and legs down
Wipe down dining chairs
Bathroom
Replace dirty bath mats and hand towels with clean ones
Wipe down sinks and bathroom surfaces
Empty bathroom garbage
Change the toilet roll
Clean mirrors and windows
Garden
Mow the lawn
Pull weeds
Fertilize plants
Garage
Sweep floors
Clear all work surfaces after use
Check for spills and leaks, and wipe up after messes
Car
Keep the interior tidy
Wash the exterior of the car
Fill up the gas tank
Monthly Checklist
General
Dust picture frames
Dust and wipe down ceiling fans
Dust all surfaces and clear spiderwebs from corners
Clean baseboards
Clean windows
Garage
Check for pests and set traps if needed
Car
Vacuum seats, trunk and dash area
Deep Cleaning
General
Deep clean carpets
Vacuum all upholstery
Dust picture frames
Kitchen
Clean out the fridge
Scrub grime from the kitchen sink
Scrub the inside of the microwave
Change filters, salts, and detergents in the dishwasher and run self-clean
Descale the kettle, coffee machine, and taps
Deep clean the inside of the oven
Replace/clean filters for cooktop ventilation
Living Room
Dust all surfaces
Change cushion covers
Treat stains and spots
Deep clean rugs
Dining Room
Polish or wax wood furniture
Wipe down window coverings
Bathroom
Wash shower curtain and shower curtain liner
Deep clean sinks
Deep clean toilets
Scrub soap scum off baths/showers
Polish chrome and stainless steel appliances
Remove hair from drains
Refill hand wash
Clean out bathroom cupboards
Bedroom
Change bed sheets
Clean out closets
Turn the mattress
Air out the room
Wipe down/dust all surfaces
Vacuum
Garden
Wash outdoor furniture cushions
Cover and secure furniture against storms
Pressure wash the patio
Mulch garden beds
Move transplants
Plant starts and seedlings
Deadhead plants
Clean out storage areas
Maintain outdoor furniture
Garage
Clean light fixtures
Wash windows and doors
Organize items and label storage
Car
Vacuum seats, trunk and dash area
Wipe down the dash and surfaces
Seasonal Cleaning Checklist
General
Call the chimney sweep to maintain fireplaces
Clean air vents
Kitchen
Clean out kitchen cabinets and throw out expired food items
Garden
Wash outdoor furniture cushions
Cover and secure furniture against storms
Pressure wash the patio
Rake leaves and remove yard waste
Mulch garden beds
Move transplants
Plant starts and seedlings
Deadhead plants
Clean out storage areas
Maintain outdoor furniture
Garage
Remove debris from gutters and drains
Replace weather-stripping to seal entry points from leaks and pests
Fuel, maintain or store seasonal tools
Car
Change tires
Replace window washing fluid
Replace windshield wipers
Room-by-Room House Cleaning Checklists
General Cleaning Checklist
Daily
Make the bed
Turn off lights
Pick up clothes, clutter and loose items
Clean dryer vent
Clean up the kitchen after meals
Weekly
Wash household laundry (rags and towels)
Wash bedsheets
Iron laundry
Clean surfaces
Vacuum all rooms
Mop floors
Disinfect door handles and high-bacteria areas
Monthly
Dust and wipe down ceiling fans
Dust all surfaces and clear spiderwebs from corners
Clean baseboards
Clean windows
Deep Clean
Deep clean carpets
Seasonally
Clean air vents
Kitchen
Daily
Organize food in the fridge
Load and unload dishes from the dishwasher
Hand-wash and dry dirty dishes
Take out the garbage
Empty recycling bins
Weekly
Wipe down kitchen counters
Freeze down leftovers
Spot clean the kitchen floor
Deep Clean
Scrub grime from the kitchen sink
Clean out the fridge
Scrub the inside of the microwave
Change filters, salts, and detergents in the dishwasher and run self-clean
Descale the kettle, coffee machine, and taps
Deep clean the inside of the oven
Replace/clean filters for cooktop ventilation
Seasonally
Clean out the kitchen cabinets and throw away expired food items
Living Room
Daily
Vacuum sofas
Pick up clothes
Tidy up pillows and blankets
Deep Clean
Dust all surfaces
Change cushion covers
Treat stains and spots
Deep clean rugs
Dining Room
Daily
Sweep or vacuum after meals
Weekly
Dust light fixtures and surfaces
Wipe the table and legs down
Wipe down dining chairs
Deep Clean
Polish or wax wood furniture
Wipe down all window coverings
Bathroom
Daily
Wipe down the toilet seat
Squeegee water from shower walls
Weekly
Wipe down sinks and bathroom surfaces
Empty bathroom garbage
Change the toilet roll
Clean mirrors and windows
Replace dirty bath mats and hand towels with clean ones
Deep Clean
Wash shower curtain and shower curtain liner
Deep clean sinks
Deep clean toilets
Scrub soap scum off baths/showers
Polish chrome and stainless steel appliances
Remove hair from drains
Refill hand wash
Clean out bathroom cupboards
Bedroom
Daily
Make the bed
Pick up and sort dirty clothes
Open all curtains/blinds
Deep Clean
Change bed sheets
Clean out closets
Turn the mattress
Air out the room
Wipe down/dust all surfaces
Vacuum
Garden
Daily
Water plants
Tidy up common areas
Weekly/Monthly
Mow the lawn
Pull weeds
Fertilize plants
Seasonally
Wash outdoor furniture cushions
Cover and secure furniture against storms
Pressure wash the patio
Rake leaves and remove yard waste
Mulch garden beds
Move transplants
Plant starts and seedlings
Deadhead plants
Clean out storage areas
Maintain outdoor furniture
Garage
Weekly
Sweep floors
Clear all work surfaces after use
Check for spills and leaks, and wipe up after messes
Monthly
Check for pests and set traps if needed
Deep Clean
Clean light fixtures
Wash windows and doors
Organize items and label storage
Seasonally
Replace weather-stripping to seal entry points from leaks and pests
Remove debris from gutters and drains
Fuel, maintain or store seasonal tools
Car
Weekly
Keep the interior tidy
Wash the exterior of the car
Fill up the gas tank
Deep Clean
Vacuum seats, trunk and dash area
Wipe down the dash and surfaces
Seasonally
Change tires
Replace window washing fluid
Replace windshield wipers