Weekly Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

§ Wipe ALL surfaces (sink, countertops, ventilation hood, refrigerator, appliances, cupboard doors)

§ Wipe the inside of the oven, microwave, and toaster oven

§ Flush drain with boiling water

§ Throw away old food in refrigerator, cupboards, and pantry

§ Dust light fixtures

§ Wipe inside and outside of trash bins

§ Vacuum/Sweep and mop floor

Dining Room

§ Dust (furniture, light fixtures, and electronics)

§ Vacuum upholstery and vacuum/sweep/mop floor

Living Room

§ Dust (furniture, light fixtures, and electronics)

§ Vacuum upholstery and vacuum/sweep/mop floor

Home Office

§ Empty trash bins

§ Vacuum/Sweep Floor

§ Dust furniture, light fixtures, and electronics

§ Dust tops and spines of books and binders

Entryways, Stairs, and Hallways

§ Wipe mirrors

§ Dust (staircase banisters, furniture, and light fixtures)

§ Wash machine-washable rugs and runners

§ Vacuum/Mop stairs, landings and hallway floors

Bedrooms

§ Change and wash sheets and pillowcases

§ Dust (furniture and light fixtures)

§ Empty trash bins

§ Vacuum/Sweep/Mop floors

Bathrooms

§ Clean toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks

§ Wipe Mirrors

§ Wash bath mats, towels and washcloths

§ Dust (light fixtures)

§ Empty trash and wipe inside and out

§ Vacuum/Sweep and mop floors

Throughout the House

§ Wipe hand prints from windows and glass doors

§ Vacuum vents

Cleaning Routine: 6 Things to do Everyday

1. Make the Beds

Making the bed makes the room seem much more clean and in order. Martha Stewart says it will promote more cleaning up.

2. Manage Clutter

Whenever you leave a room, take a quick look around for anything that isn't where it should be. Pick it up and put it where it belongs.

3. Sort the Mail

Immediately through away junk mail that might pile up in the kitchen or the desk. Have a tickler file (a small file folder or bins) with four categories to sort the mail: needs attention, bills, catalogs, filing.

4. Clean as you Cook

Instead of filing the sick with pots and dishes, wash them or put them in the dishwasher as you prepare the meal.

5. Wipe up Spills While They're Fresh

Whether it's tomato sauce on the cooktop or makeup on the bathroom counter, almost anything is faster and easier to remove if you attend to it immediately.

6. Sweep the Kitchen Floors

Every evening once you've finished washing up after dinner, sweep the floor. This will keep though-to-clean dirt and grime from building up, which will make the weekly mopping much quicker.