To make cleaning as effortless as possible, frequently cleaning specific areas of the house is the best bet. Cleaning tasks can be seperated into as many catagories as you like, but I generally seperate them into 3 or 4, for simplicity.
The frequency at which you clean certain areas of the house will depend on several factors. And this differs from room to room. For example, a busy kitchen that is used to cook several times a day will likely require more attention than say a bedroom or study room.
Daily & few times weekly
Weekly & few times monthly
Monthly & few times yearly
Yearly
The frequency at which you clean certain areas of the house will depend on several factors. And this differs from room to room. As a general rule, the main areas of the house that require daily cleaning will be the kitchen, bathroom, and main lviing room, again, depending on the usage. If someone lives alone and doesnt cook much, the kitchen wont require as much cleaning as a busy kitchen used to cook for 4 children and 2 adults every day. This leads us into the main room of the house, known by many as the heart of the home, the kitchen.
Kitchen
Daily (or few times weekly)
- Dirty pots: This is the main part of cleaning in the kitchen that holds people back from cleaning the rest of the area. It's very difficult to clean counter tops and sinks around dirty pots. Most people know it but not everyone does it, but washing pots ASAP after cooking a meal will definitely benefit you in the long run. They're easier to clean, and you don't have to think about the dreaded pots to wash later. I generally clean pots and pans after I've used them, and I use a draining board as opposed to drying them with tea towels, as using anything but a perfectly clean tea towel to dry them could cause the pots to have a slight odour to them, not to mention the little fibres that get all over plates and glasses. I put cleaned pans back on the hob and heat them up for a minute or so, so the excess water evaporates before putting them away. Bulky things like steamers or cullenders I rest on the side on a tea towel so they're not taking up all the space on the draining board. Putting cleaned pots away whenever you see that they're dry makes it a lot easier to wash pots later when you need to cook again.
- Counter tops: If they're dry, you can use a hoover to suck crumbs off the counter tops (useful around a well used toaster) or scrape them into a pile and straight into the bin. Then a quick spray with cleaning solution of your choice and wipe them down.
- Sink: Could potentially be done a few times a week, depending on how its used, shape, material etc. I have a designated cloth under the sink and some stainless steel cleaner and give it a quick go over either every night or every other night.
- Hob: Depending on it's usage, shape and type, it may benefit from daily or weekly. If you're cooking burgers and sausages every day and oil is spitting everywhere, you're probably best to do it daily. To minimize spitting, patting foods dry before frying and using splatter guards can help reduce the mess and risk of burns. Most hobs could be cleaned a few times a week to stop that greasy food smell.
Weekly
- Fridge: Again, depending on usage, and if you have fresh vegetables in the crisper.
- Floor: I tend to hoover the kitchen floor every day when I'm doing the hoover round. But every week or so I will mop it when I see it needs it. The easier you make this process for yourself the more likely it is you'll do it. I use a quick mop instead of filling a bucket with soapy water etc.
- Cabinets & Drawers: It’s easy to forget about the cabinets and drawers, but over time, dust, crumbs, and even grease can build up inside and on the outside of your cabinets. Every week or two, take a quick pass over the handles and cabinet faces with a damp cloth or a cleaner suited for your cabinet material (especially important for wood). For drawers that hold cutlery or utensils, a quick wipe inside can help prevent dust and crumbs from building up. Remember, the less you let it accumulate, the easier it is to keep things tidy.
- Bins: A well-maintained kitchen requires attention to waste management. Trash bins can harbor unpleasant smells if left unattended. Each week, make sure to clean the bin area. A quick rinse with hot water and soap or a disinfectant will keep smells at bay. You can line the bottom of your bin with baking soda or a deodorizing liner to absorb odors. This practice ensures that even when the trash builds up, it doesn’t leave a lasting odor in the kitchen.
Monthly or Bi-monthly
- Appliances: Larger appliances like the oven, microwave, and dishwasher benefit from less frequent but still regular attention. If you use the microwave daily, spills and splatters should be wiped down every week, but a deeper clean can be done monthly. For the oven, a good deep clean every couple of months, especially after a big baking or roasting session, will prevent grease buildup that can smoke or smell over time.
- Dishwasher: Although it cleans your dishes, it can accumulate residue inside. Running a cleaning cycle with vinegar or a specialized cleaner once a month will keep it running smoothly and smelling fresh.
Monthly & Beyond
- Range hood filters: These trap grease and can become clogged over time. A monthly clean (depending on how often you cook) can prevent odors and improve ventilation.
- Pantry & dry goods: Once a month, go through your pantry. Check expiration dates, wipe down shelves, and discard anything stale or unwanted. Organizing as you go will make your kitchen feel more manageable.
- Walls & backsplash: Grease and food splatters can slowly build up on your walls, especially behind the stove. Every month or two, take a cloth or sponge to your backsplash and walls for a quick wipe-down. You’ll be surprised how much fresher it feels.
- Skirting boards and door surrounds: Potentially once a year or more if you find residue builds up quicky, these get overlooked and once cleaned definitely contribute to the overall feel of a clean kitchen.
- Ceiling: Again, potentially yearly or maybe even more, but the ceiling often gets overlooked and collects grease, steam, smoke, and everything else in the kitchen and can begin to smell and even turn a funny colour.
By keeping up with these routines, the kitchen remains manageable and pleasant, making it a more enjoyable space to cook and relax in. With these small, frequent efforts, even the most daunting cleaning tasks will start to feel like second nature!