The Ultimate Cleaning Checklist: How to Keep Your Home Spotless Year-Round

By Eric Ruiz, Owner of Cleaning Bliss

Keeping your home clean can feel like an endless battle, but trust me, it doesn’t have to be. I’ve been in the cleaning business for years, helping families across the Salt Lake Valley maintain tidy and organized homes. The secret? A solid cleaning routine!

By breaking tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly checklists, you’ll keep your home looking spotless without the overwhelming deep-cleaning marathons. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best cleaning schedule, plus give you a free downloadable checklist to help you stay on top of things!

Why a Cleaning Checklist Works

A checklist isn’t just a to-do list—it’s a game plan! It helps you:

✅ Stay organized and know exactly what needs to be done
✅ Prevent dirt and grime from building up
✅ Save time by spreading tasks throughout the week and month
✅ Reduce stress (because a clean home is a happy home!)

Now, let’s break it down step by step.

Daily Cleaning Tasks (10-30 Minutes a Day)

Small, daily habits make all the difference. These quick tasks will keep your home tidy without much effort.

Morning Routine: (5-10 minutes)

• Make the bed
• Wipe down bathroom counters and sink
• Start a load of laundry (if needed)
• Unload the dishwasher (if dishes were washed overnight)

Throughout the Day: (5 minutes)

• Wipe spills and messes immediately
• Sort mail and toss junk right away
• Keep shoes and coats organized by the door

Evening Routine: (15 minutes)

• Wipe kitchen counters, sink, and stovetop
• Load and start the dishwasher
• Sweep or vacuum high-traffic areas
• Fluff pillows and tidy up the living room
• Take out the trash if full

These simple habits prevent messes from piling up, making weekly deep-cleaning much easier!‍

Weekly Cleaning Tasks (1-2 Hours Total)

‍Each week, I recommend tackling these tasks to keep your home fresh and tidy. You don’t have to do it all in one day—spread them out!H3 Kitchen:

‍✅ Wipe down appliance surfaces and cabinet doors
✅ Deep clean sink and garbage disposal
✅ Mop the floor

‍Bathrooms:

‍✅ Scrub the toilet, sink, and shower/tub
✅ Replace towels with fresh ones
✅ Clean mirrors and glass surfaces

‍Living Room & Bedrooms:

‍✅ Dust surfaces (tables, shelves, TV stand)
✅ Change bed linens
✅ Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors

‍Entryway & Hallways:‍

✅ Wipe down door handles and light switches
✅ Sweep or vacuum floors
✅ Shake out rugs or mats

If you spread these tasks across the week, you’ll never feel like you’re cleaning for hours at a time!

‍Monthly Cleaning Tasks (3-4 Hours Total)

‍These tasks don’t need to be done every week, but they help keep your home truly fresh.

‍H3 Kitchen & Dining:

‍🛑 Clean out the fridge and toss expired food
🛑 Wipe down pantry shelves and organize dry goods
🛑 Deep clean the oven and microwave

‍Bathrooms:

‍🛑 Wash or replace shower curtains and liners
🛑 Scrub grout and hard-to-reach areas
🛑 Check and refill bathroom essentials (toilet paper, soap, etc.)

‍Living Areas & Bedrooms:

‍🛑 Rotate and vacuum under furniture
🛑 Wipe down baseboards and vents
🛑 Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans

‍Laundry Room & Miscellaneous:

‍🛑 Wash washing machine drum with vinegar or cleaner
🛑 Clean out the dryer vent
🛑 Declutter and donate items you no longer need

Tackling these monthly tasks helps maintain a truly deep-cleaned home all year long!Seasonal Deep Cleaning Tasks (Every 3-6 Months)A few times a year, you’ll want to go the extra mile to keep your home fresh.

🌸 Spring Cleaning:

• Wash windows inside and out
• Declutter and donate clothes
• Deep clean carpets and upholstery

☀️ Summer Cleaning:

• Wash outdoor furniture
• Clean and maintain air conditioning filters
• Wipe down walls and doors

🍂 Fall Cleaning:

• Clean and store summer clothes
• Deep clean your fireplace and chimney
• Organize pantry before the holiday season

❄️ Winter Cleaning:

• Vacuum behind large furniture and appliances
• Check for drafts and seal windows
• Sanitize high-touch areas (light switches, remotes, doorknobs)

By tackling these tasks seasonally, you’ll prevent dirt and grime from building up over time!

‍Cleaning Hacks to Save Time & Effort

‍💡 Set a Timer: Give yourself just 10-15 minutes a day, and you’ll be surprised how much you can get done.

💡 Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners: One spray bottle for multiple surfaces saves time and money.

💡 Declutter as You Clean: Less stuff = less cleaning!

💡 Make It Fun: Blast your favorite music or listen to a podcast while cleaning.

💡 Get the Family Involved: Assign small tasks to kids and roommates—cleaning shouldn’t be a one-person job!