The most common mistake in looking after a home is doing everything at the same frequency. The result is that some things get cleaned needlessly while others are left for months. Below is the schedule we use with our own contract clients.
Every week
- Vacuuming and wet cleaning of floors in the areas you actually use
- Kitchen worktops, sink and hob
- Bathroom and toilet, cleaning and disinfection
- Changing towels and bed linen
- Emptying bins and cleaning the bins themselves
Once a month
- Dusting skirting boards, ledges and light fittings
- Cleaning the inside of the microwave and fridge
- Mirrors and glass surfaces throughout the home
- Vacuuming under and behind lighter furniture
- Cleaning light switches and door handles
Two to four times a year
- Deep cleaning the oven and extractor hood
- Window frames, blinds and curtains
- Cleaning upholstery, mattresses and carpets
- Cleaning radiators before the heating season
- Insides of cupboards, kitchen and wardrobes
What gets missed most often
In our experience three places are missed almost every time: the washing machine door seal, the area behind the toilet, and the bathroom ventilation grille. All three are sources of a smell that is later hard to explain.
If this schedule looks impossible, it usually means a deep clean has been put off for too long. One deep clean resets the home, after which weekly upkeep takes about half the time.