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Posts from the ‘deep cleaning’ Category

Jan 11

Cleaning Schedules

Do you have a cleaning schedule?

Scheduling your housekeeping needs can help keep your home in order by reminding you and your housemates of daily tasks.

The image above shows my cleaning schedule.  Of course I do other things like dishes, wiping surfaces, and taking out the trash whenever necessary and don’t need to be reminded of them.

Everyone’s list will look different depending on your household needs. You can download a template of the schedule below and edit it to fit your needs. Be sure to post it somewhere you can view it easily every day! I put mine on the inside of my kitchen cabinet like this:

» Download Cleaning Template

Some items you may want on your list are:

  • Laundry
  • Sweeping/Mopping Kitchen
  • Bathrooms
  • Vacuuming
  • Trash Collection
  • Washing Linens
  • Dusting
  • Meal Planning
  • Lawn Care
  • Bill Pay
  • Clean Desk
  • Project Item – I have project item listed in my schedule twice a week. This is for tasks such as decluttering, cleaning garage, making a repair, or any other projects or chores that will inevitably come up.

Mar 20

Deep Clean: Bathroom

Step 1: Clear out the stuff. Empty all drawers, cabinets and shelves and place the items outside the room. Take down shower curtain and wash or purchase new one.

Step 2: Start at the top. Use your vacuum or a damp towel on a broomstick to dust ceiling. Don’t forget the light fixture and exhaust fan. Next, wash any window(s). If you have blinds or window treatments wash those too or replace. After that, grab a rag and bucket of water with your choice of diluted cleaner and start scrubbing the walls. Dust towel bars. (This may also be a great time to paint since your walls are clean!)

Step 3: Scrub shower area, tub, and faucet. Make them sparkle!

Step 4: Clean toilet.

Step 5: Clean sink, mirror, and counters. Wash inside drawers and outside of vanity too!

Step 6: Flooring. Mop thoroughly with your choice of cleaner.   

Step 7: Time to rebuild. Now that you have a sparkling clean bathroom it’s time to bring back your toiletries. If it does not belong in this room leave it out! This is a great time to declutter and evaluate what you really need in your bathroom. Hang clean or new shower curtain.

For more tips on cleaning bathrooms, check out Apartment Therapy’s bit called How To Get the Bathroom Spic and Span.

Mar 17

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Deep Clean: Living Room

Step 1: Start with a clean slate. First vacuum and dust all of your furniture, spot clean if necessary. Next, clear it out of the room! Remove everything if possible including furniture, books, electronics, plants, etc… The emptier the better! Next, take down window treatments and throw them in the wash (check labels and be careful about shrinkage) or hang outdoors to air out.

Step 2: Start at the top. Use your vacuum or a damp towel on a broomstick to dust ceiling and walls. If you have blinds dust those too or purchase new ones to replace. New blinds are relatively inexpensive and can make your room sparkle. Next, wash windows and sills. After that, grab a rag and bucket of water with your choice of diluted cleaner and start scrubbing the walls. (This may also be a great time to paint since your walls are clean and everything is moved out!)

Step 3: Flooring. Thoroughly vacuum any area rugs or carpet. Roll up area rugs and place outdoors to air out or in another room.

If you have hardwood, tiles, or other hard surface flooring, cleanse it thoroughly with your choice of cleaner.

For carpet: steam clean. If you do not own a steamer you can rent one at your local hardware store. Some grocery stores have them too!

Make sure your floor is completely dry before moving to step 4.

Step 4: Time to rebuild. Now that you have a sparkling clean room it’s time to rebuild. First, hang your window treatments. Now bring your furniture back in. Study your room and work out a floor plan that suits you. Look online or in books for tips on furniture placement. Leave out furniture that does not fit in well or you do not love.

Next, bring back any accessories you want in your room. If it does not belong in this room leave it out! This is a great time to declutter and evaluate what you want in the room. If necessary, make a pile of things to donate or throw out.

Step 5: Drop off your donation items. Take your items to your local Goodwill or other appropriate place.