I’ve previously written about Martha Stewart’s Six Things to Do Every Day Checklist, but sometimes (OK, at least once a week) you need to put in just a little more effort.
Here’s my whittled-down (for practicality’s sake), ever-so-slightly altered version of Martha’s Weekly Cleaning Checklist:
Bathrooms:
- Change and launder bath mats, towels, and washcloths
- Clean toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks (I also spray the shower area with Tilex to prevent mold)
- Empty trash bins and wipe down outside and inside
- Wipe down mirrors
Bedrooms:
- Change and launder sheets and pillowcases
- Discard magazines that you’re done reading and reorganize bedside table area
- Empty trash bins
Dining Room:
- Change and launder tablecloth and cloth napkins, if you use them
- Wipe down table and chairs
Home Office:
- Sort through in-box; pay bills and file paperwork
- Empty trash bin
Kitchen:
- Discard old food, beverages, and takeout containers
- Flush drain with boiling water
- Wipe down all surfaces, including refrigerator, sink, and cupboard doors
- Wipe inside of oven, microwave and toaster oven
- Wipe down inside and outside of trash bins
Living Room:
- Sort through magazines and catalogs; discard those you’re done with and store the rest
- Fluff and rotate sofa cushions
Throughout Home:
- Dust all surfaces, including light fixtures and tops of books (don’t forget to dust on top of and behind your wall hangings)
- Vacuum and mop floors (I have wooden floors and use no-rinse floor cleaner, which simplifies the process greatly)
- Vacuum vents
- Wipe down all glass surfaces
Do I do all this on a weekly basis? Nope. But I aspire to.
