RazzWorks

It’s that time of year again when many of us like to do a big cleaning of our homes and property. But what if we didn’t have to do it all at once? I’ve put together this list of tasks and the frequency in which they may be done. Read it over and then decide for yourself where each task belongs. By breaking up the tasks and making them smaller, then spreading them out over each day, week, month and season we may never have to do ‘spring cleaning’ ever again! Just follow a timetable and keep it up doing a little at a time.

Modify these tasks and their frequency to fit you and your lifestyle. No list is the definitive list of how things ‘should’ be done, it’s merely a suggestion to get you started. You can apply the same principles to anywhere you need to clean, your office, car, houseboat, camper. It works anywhere just make a list of all the jobs that need to be done and break them up as I have here. Ready? Here we go –

Some things just need to be done every day. We make messes and they need to be cleaned up. Our kitchen needs to be wiped down, dishes washed, garbage out and floors swept. Beds are made every day and the bathroom and kitchen need to be sanitized. If you have a large family you might even need to do a load of laundry every day. I know I did years ago with 4 kids and a working man in the house.

DAILY

• Wipe and sanitize kitchen counters and table
• Wipe sink
• Sweep floors
• Take out garbage
• Make bed(s)
• Wash dishes
• Sanitize kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Clean coffee maker

Other tasks around the house only need to be done about once per week. And this is just a guideline. If you’re ok with your floors and don’t feel like mopping or vacuuming then let it go for another week. It’s really up to you.

WEEKLY

• wipe down kitchen appliances
• clean bathroom fixtures (tub, sink, toilet, toothbrush holder, etc.)
• clean mirrors
• dust
• change beds
• laundry
• vacuum
• mop floors

My floors don’t get done nearly as often as I’d like but that’s because I can’t physically do them myself. I have family that will help now and then but I hate asking and they are busy young families so can’t drop everything and run to me when I want my floors cleaned. I take what help I can get when I can get it. Otherwise, we wear shoes in the house anyway so it really doesn’t matter.

These next few tasks can be done as needed though if you put them on a schedule of once per week you’d be sure they are getting done often enough.

• Sanitize – doorknobs, light switches and lamps
• Clean inside your microwave, toaster oven and/or air fryer
• Sanitize your cleaning sponges in a cup of vinegar
• Check your refrigerator for expired food and toss it

Now this next bunch of tasks don’t need to be done as often so putting them on a monthly list is fine. If you make a mess, like something overflowing in your oven, you may want to deal with that right away but generally once per month (or less) will do.

MONTHLY

• Clean inside oven
• Wipe down kitchen and bathroom cupboards
• Scrub the grout
• Vacuum baseboards and heating/cooling vents
• Disinfect garbage cans
• Dust and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Clean blinds
• Wipe down dishwasher, laundry machines and vacuum

There are other jobs that really don’t need to be done too often and may be seasonal in nature. Maybe they get done every season or maybe just once per year at the beginning or end of a season.

SEASONALLY (every 3 months):

• Clean kitchen range hood
• Wash shower curtain liner
• Clean under and behind furniture
• Wash pillows
• Vacuum mattresses
• Descale coffeemaker and/or teakettle
• Clean and check pantry for expired items
• Air out rooms and drapes
• Wash throw pillows and blankets
• Sort through closets to clean/donate/repair items
• Clean and check fridge and freezer for expired items
• Wash comforters and duvets
• Wash windows
• Wash patio/deck surfaces and furniture

The last list is tasks that only need to be completed once per year. You can choose to do any of these or the above tasks more often or less but the idea is to have a list and follow it (more or less).

ANNUALLY:

• Clean fireplace & chimney
• Shampoo carpet and upholstery
• Vaccuum around the dryer and vents
• Wash curtains and drapes
• Clear out gutters

Conclusion:
This time of year (spring) is a traditional time to do deep cleaning or as many call it Spring Cleaning. We also like to get outside and tidy up the yard making it ready to enjoy many outdoor days and evenings as the weather warms up.

As with any list of to-do’s, you need to make it your own. If something I’ve listed under weekly you prefer to leave for monthly then by all means change it. This is not a definitive list either. You may have jobs you need to do around your house and property that aren’t on this list at all. Fit them in where you feel they belong and try it out. You can change and refine the list as much as you like until it is a good fit for you and your lifestyle.

In the end we just want to spend less time cleaning and more time relaxing and enjoying life. Do you do spring cleaning? What would you add to or change about these lists? Drop it in the comments.