Home Cleaning Cleaning Checklists The Ultimate Cleaning Checklist Which ones can you assign to your kids? By Erica Finamore Erica Finamore Erica Finamore is Real Simple's home director, sharing her knowledge on decorating, organizing, cleaning and DIYing. She has over 10 years' experience and favors statement sofas, gallery walls and organizing books in rainbow order. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 03, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Daily Cleaning Tasks Weekly Cleaning Tasks Monthly Cleaning Tasks Tasks to Do Every Three to Six Months Tasks to Do Every Six to 12 Months Annual Cleaning Tasks Let's face it: Very few people actually like cleaning. Sure, we like a clean house, but who wouldn't happily shun scrubbing a toilet or vacuuming the stairs (though there are plenty of models of vacuums to tackle that easily) to hang out with friends or disappear into a good book? There's a reason why robot vacuums were invented. You can even level up your hands-free game with a self-emptying vacuum. For everything else, there are ways to make cleaning less of a chore—even tackling the inside of your oven. By setting household jobs on a regular schedule—put your washer and dryer set to good use—you can keep your home clean without spending all your time with a sponge. This cleaning checklist includes all of the essential chores to address (and yes, some involve using a vacuum cleaner), according to the pros. Follow the house cleaning schedule loosely or to a T—either way, you’ll be pleased with the progress and you'll enjoy a cleaner home every day. 12 Cleaning Secrets Only the Pros Know Daily Cleaning Tasks Make your bed Wipe down bathroom counters after getting washed up morning and night Empty/load the dishwasher Take out kitchen trash (you can skip a day to two if it's not full and doesn't contain food waste) Do a nighttime sweep to put toys, loose papers, and other stray objects in their place Wipe down kitchen counters, table, and sink The Ultimate Cleaning Routines for Early Birds and Night Owls Weekly Cleaning Tasks Dust all hard surfaces Vacuum and/or mop floors Wipe down appliances Wipe down and disinfect countertops Wipe down mirrors Scrub and disinfect the kitchen sink Scrub and disinfect toilets Clean and scrub showers and tubs Change and launder sheets and towels Toss any food that has expired Getty Images Monthly Cleaning Tasks Vacuum upholstery Wipe out and disinfect wastebaskets Wipe down and disinfect doorknobs, light switches, and TV remotes Dust ceiling fans and vents Dust moldings Scrub stovetop, including burner grates Wipe down kitchen cabinets Clean and deodorize the microwave (heat a mug of water with a lemon wedge, then wipe down) 10 Ways to Clean Smarter Not Harder Tasks to Do Every Three to Six Months Launder or hand-wash curtains Vacuum mattress (every three months) and flip or rotate 180 degrees (every six months) Clean and condition leather and wood furniture Clean blinds Vacuum drapes and fabric shades Dust lampshades Wipe down baseboards Shake out rugs Scrub grout Wash windows inside and out Clean and degrease the stove hood Polish stainless steel appliances Clean refrigerator and freezer interiors Clean and descale coffee maker Tasks to Do Every Six to 12 Months Clean oven interior (use DIY or commercial oven cleaner) Wash or dry clean slipcovers Wash or dry clean pillows Wash or dry clean comforters Empty and clean cabinet and pantry shelves Vacuum or dust refrigerator condenser coil Wash and dry stove hood filter Annual Cleaning Tasks Have rugs professionally cleaned Pull out large appliances and furniture to clean behind and underneath Wipe down walls Wash window screens Clean dryer duct Have upholstery and drapes professionally cleaned (every two years) Have gutters professionally cleaned Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit