The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist (+Tips)

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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.

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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. 

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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.

[define: "mental load"]
  • 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