As we continue to maintain our homes, the key is maintaining our homes through out the year instead of a full deep cleaning once or twice a year.
Adjust the outdoors to fit your home.
Not all the things listed need to be done this round. Some may be done daily, weekly, monthly, every 3 or 6 months or yearly. Look at each area with fresh eyes to see what should be done this round.
Kitchen
- Clean as you cook - daily
- Wipe up spills while fresh in kitchen - daily
- Sweep kitchen floor - daily
- Ceiling and corners - quarterly
- Ceiling light - quarterly
- Walls - quarterly
- Doors and hardware – weekly (finger prints), quarterly
- Door and floor trim - quarterly
- Light switch - weekly
- Dust lights - weekly
- Dust pictures - weekly
- Dust decorations – weekly
- Wash decorations – quarterly if needed
- Cold/hot air vents - quarterly
- Window – quarterly if needed
- Window treatments - annual
- Dust furniture - weekly
- Closet/pantry -quarterly
- Floor – weekly
- Throw rugs – weekly if needed
- Drawers, cupboards, and shelves – quarterly if needed
- Expiration dates
- Discard foods and beverages past their prime - weekly.
- Flush drain with boiling water - weekly
- Wipe surfaces, including sink, countertops, the outside of the ventilation hood, refrigerator, and cupboard doors - weekly.
- Wipe the inside of the oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and toaster oven - weekly
- Wipe the inside and outside of trash and recycling bins weekly
- Discard food in the freezer that’s past its prime - monthly.
- Wash ventilation hood filters - monthly.
- Clean hanging pot rack and polish copper - quarterly.
- Clean ovens -quarterly.
- Organize pantry, discarding expired food -quarterly.
- Replace baking soda in refrigerator and freezer - quarterly.
- Remove contents of cabinets and clean interiors - quarterly.
- Wipe kitchen ceiling - quarterly.
- Wipe the inside of the refrigerator - quarterly.
- Repairs – either repair or put on a list for the future
- Buy – replacements or something new if needed
- Declutter – living room (next focus area) and post accomplishments in Harriet’s declutter thread. This is a great opportunity and will make maintaining the living room easier.
Remember not all the things listed need to be done this round. Some may be done daily, weekly, monthly, every 3 or 6 months or yearly. Use the list as a guide.