How to Keep Your Home Clean and Your Mind Clear
A clean space just makes you feel better. You know how in movies when a character is having a hard time in life their coffee table is littered with old takeout and half finished glasses, there’s trash all over and the character hasn’t showered and is wearing dirty PJs?
The same concept is true of our day to day. If we have clutter all over and our space is dirty, we don’t feel as good as we could. A clean space is a starting point for good mental health.
Plus, as someone who can’t stand the feeling of grimy floors or a cluttered space, I realized that I needed an efficient cleaning system that would keep my home in top shape without consuming all of my time. Over the past few weeks, I’ve developed a cleaning schedule that ensures my home stays clean and organized without spending every waking hour scrubbing and tidying up.
This guide will walk you through a structured cleaning routine with daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly tasks, helping you maintain a spotless home and a peaceful mind.
Daily Cleaning Tasks: Keeping the Basics in Check
Daily cleaning tasks are essential for maintaining a baseline level of cleanliness in your home. By tackling small tasks each day, you prevent dirt and clutter from piling up and creating a disaster to clean later on.
- Make Your Bed
Start your day with a small yet impactful task: making your bed. Admiral William H. McRaven said, “If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.” This simple act sets a positive tone for the day and gives you a sense of accomplishment right from the start. Plus, a tidy bed instantly makes your bedroom look cleaner. - Wipe Kitchen Counters
Kitchen counters seem to attract dirt and crumbs like a magnet. Wiping them down daily ensures that you’re not waking up to a grimy kitchen. A quick wipe with a mild cleaner at the end of the day leaves your kitchen spotless and ready for the next morning. - Tackle the Dishes
Whether you do dishes immediately after each meal or prefer to handle them all at once in the evening, keeping up with this task is crucial. Dirty dishes left overnight can attract pests and create an unpleasant odor. I like to do my dishes at the end of the day, ensuring I wake up to a clean kitchen. - Vacuum High-Traffic Areas
If you have pets, you know how quickly fur can accumulate on the floors. To keep things manageable, focus on vacuuming the high-traffic areas of your home daily (or every other day). This includes the living room, kitchen, and any other space where your pets spend a lot of time. A quick daily vacuum keeps your floors fur-free and your feet happy.
Weekly Cleaning Tasks: Deepening the Clean
Weekly tasks are designed to tackle areas that don’t need daily attention but still require regular upkeep. These tasks keep your home looking fresh and prevent dirt from building up over time.
- Run the Dishwasher
Depending on the size of your household, you may need to run the dishwasher more or less frequently. For a household of two, I find that running the dishwasher once a week is sufficient. I usually run it on Monday nights and unload it on Tuesday mornings while my coffee brews. This routine keeps my kitchenware clean without taking up too much time. - Clean the Bathrooms
Bathrooms can quickly become dirty if neglected. Every Tuesday, I spray vinegar on the tub, counters, and toilet, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe everything down. This method allows the cleaner to do most of the work, making the bathroom shine with minimal effort. - Take Out Trash and Recycling
Trash and recycling can easily become an eyesore and a source of unpleasant smells. My trash and recycling pickup is on Thursday mornings, so I make it a habit to take out everything on Wednesday night. This routine ensures that my home stays fresh and clutter-free. - Do the Laundry
Laundry can quickly pile up if not kept in check. I find that doing laundry once a week is sufficient for my household. Every Thursday, I tackle the laundry in two loads: lights and darks. By breaking it up throughout the day, I can fold and put away clothes without feeling like laundry is taking over my life. - Swiffer the Floors
A quick Swiffer session can make a significant difference in how clean your home feels. I like to Swiffer the floors on Fridays so that I can enjoy a spotless space over the weekend. This task is quick and easy, and it immediately freshens up the look of your home.
Monthly Cleaning Tasks: Taking Care of the Details
Monthly cleaning tasks focus on areas that don’t need weekly attention but can benefit from a deeper clean. These tasks keep your home running smoothly and ensure that everything is functioning as it should.
- Clean the Coffee Pot
If you’re a coffee lover like me, your coffee pot is probably one of the most-used appliances in your home. To keep it running smoothly, I clean my Ninja Coffee Maker with a mixture of white vinegar and water on the first of every month. This routine prevents the buildup of hard water deposits and ensures that my coffee maker works efficiently. - Clean the Vacuum Filter
Your vacuum cleaner works hard to keep your floors clean, so it’s essential to take care of it. Once a month, I remove the filter, wash it with dish soap, and let it air dry. A clean filter ensures that your vacuum performs at its best and keeps your floors spotless. - Replace Air Filters
Air filters can quickly become clogged with dust, pet hair, and other particles. Replacing them monthly improves your home’s air quality and helps your HVAC system run more efficiently. This task is quick and easy, but it makes a significant difference in your home’s cleanliness and comfort. - Steam Clean Carpets
Carpets can harbor dirt, dust, and allergens, so it’s essential to give them a deep clean once a month. I recommend using a mixture of 25% vinegar and 75% water for steam cleaning. Unlike soap, vinegar doesn’t attract dirt, so your carpets stay cleaner for longer.
Quarterly Cleaning Tasks: Seasonal Deep Cleaning
Quarterly tasks are designed to address areas that need attention on a seasonal basis. These tasks ensure that your home remains in top condition and prevent the need for extensive deep cleaning later on.
- Clean the Windows
Over time, windows can accumulate dirt, dust, and smudges. Cleaning them quarterly allows more natural light to enter your home and improves your view. Use a streak-free window cleaner and a microfiber cloth to achieve sparkling results. - Dust Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans
Dust and grime can build up on light fixtures and ceiling fans, affecting their appearance and functionality. Every three months, take the time to dust these areas thoroughly. This task improves the overall cleanliness of your home and helps your fixtures last longer. - Organize Closets and Drawers
Clutter can accumulate in closets and drawers over time, making it challenging to find what you need. Quarterly, go through your closets and drawers, decluttering and reorganizing as needed. This task keeps your storage spaces functional and prevents the accumulation of unnecessary items. - Deep Clean the Kitchen Appliances
Your kitchen appliances, such as the oven, refrigerator, and microwave, work hard to keep your food fresh and delicious. Give them a deep clean every three months to remove any built-up grease, grime, or food particles. This task ensures that your appliances continue to function efficiently and keeps your kitchen sanitary.
The Importance of a Clean Home
A clean home is more than just a pleasant place to live; it’s essential for your mental and emotional well-being. When your home is clean and organized, it’s easier to focus on your tasks, relax, and enjoy your space. On the other hand, a cluttered and dirty home can create stress and make it difficult to be productive or even relax.
By following this cleaning schedule, you can maintain a clean and organized home without feeling overwhelmed. The key is consistency—small, regular tasks prevent the need for time-consuming deep cleans and keep your home in tip-top shape.
Final Tip: Put Things Away
One last piece of advice for maintaining a tidy home: always put things away when you’re done using them. Whether it’s a dish, a book, or a piece of clothing, taking the extra minute to put things back in their place makes a world of difference. This habit reduces clutter and makes it easier to keep your home clean in the long run.
By implementing this cleaning schedule, you’ll find that keeping your home clean and organized is not only achievable but also manageable. Your space will reflect your peace of mind, and you’ll be able to enjoy a tidy, stress-free environment every day.
Best,
B
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