More people are taking pride in cleaning and organizing their homes than ever before. Thanks to the popularity of “cleanfluencers,” or social media stars known for cleaning their homes, the act of cleaning and tidying has become a source of comfort and happiness for many people rather than just being a daily chore. Indeed, with the help of modern technology, cleaning has become a more pleasurable activity in recent years, and apart from the annual spring cleaning, tidying enthusiasts have also found a way to create an effective cleaning schedule to keep their homes spic and span throughout the year. If you need a more efficient system to keep your house looking its best, here’s a guide to creating a simple cleaning schedule that works for you.
Clean the floor on Monday
Mondays are a great day to do a thorough clean of your floors. Focus on high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms and make sure to vacuum, sweep, or mop these areas to get rid of grime and dirt. While you’re at it, get rid of germs by disinfecting your floors with a natural cleaning solution. To make a DIY floor cleaner, mix half a cup of pure white vinegar with water and a drop of liquid soap, then pour into a spray bottle. Spritz a little of the solution onto your floors, then mop with a microfiber mop.
Wipe down surfaces on Tuesday
Tuesdays is when you should wipe down surfaces to clear them of dust, food crumbs, and spills. Use microfiber cloth instead of cotton or disinfectant wipes to clean up — not only is it an eco-friendly way to clean your home, but it also works better for dry or damp cleaning. Start at the living room and wipe down all the windows, furniture, and appliances, then move on to the kitchen and do the same. Save the bedrooms for last.
Declutter on Wednesday
Wednesdays should be spent decluttering your home, so prepare to tackle your junk drawers, desks, and any other area where random things tend to accumulate. This may take a bit of time and effort, so spread out the task throughout the day, and have a garbage bag within reach for easy disposal. Get rid of junk mail, old newspapers and magazines, expired or spoiled food in the pantry and fridge, and old clothes that are beyond repair. Go through your handbag, too. You’re sure to find old receipts and other things that you don’t need in there. As tidying expert Marie Kondo says, you should only keep things that spark joy, so be ruthless and throw out items that you don’t need.
Launder on Thursday
Thursday is a good day to do the laundry. Toss dirty clothes in the washer, and plan on laundering other items too such as the shower curtain, bedsheets, and towels. As for your curtains, hold off on washing them as they don’t need to be laundered as frequently as your other items. However, remember to wash them at least once every three months to keep them looking and smelling fresh.
Clean your outdoor spaces on Friday
If you have a garden, a garage, a porch, or a den, plan on devoting your Fridays to cleaning these outdoor spaces. Clear these areas of dirt and debris, and make sure to keep these spaces organized as much as you can. You may also want to inspect the exterior of your home and make a note of any repairs that need to be made so you can do them over the weekend or have a professional work on them.
Once you’ve done all of these things, you can rest easy on the weekends knowing that your home is clean and clutter-free. Try following this schedule to keep your house looking its best throughout the year.