Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo says: “The object of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.” Cleaning prevents allergies and breathing problems, keeps germs at bay, and prolongs the lifespan of your home’s materials.
Conversely, an untidy and dirty home can negatively affect your physical well-being and mental health.
To keep everything spic and span, there are some tasks you should do daily to avoid the excess build-up of dust and grime, while others can be tackled monthly and even yearly. It can feel like a chore, but you can build a healthy habit once you know how often to clean your house.
How Often Does The Average Person Clean Their House?
Research by the American Cleaning Institute found that Americans spend 6 hours cleaning every week, while a third wonder if they are cleaning enough and correctly. Most homeowners sweep and mop, vacuum, clean the bathroom, and dust furniture once a week.
Cleaning kitchen counters and sweeping high-traffic floor areas are usually done on a daily basis.
How Often Should I Clean My House?
Determining how often to clean a house depends on size, how often rooms are used, and the types of furniture and surfaces you have. Some things need to be cleaned every day, while a general clean can be done once a week, and deep clean every few months or annually. To make cleaning easier, you should:
- Keep clutter to a minimum.
- Wash hands regularly and wipe shoes on entry rugs or mats.
- Keep bathrooms clean to avoid mold and mildew.
- Immediately clean up crumbs and spills.
Daily
Kitchen and Bathroom Floor
Sweeping your kitchen floor every day will get rid of crumbs, while mopping eradicates the build of grease from food prepping. How often should you clean your bathroom? Mopping bathrooms daily eliminates safety hazards and also prevents the formation of mold and mildew.
Countertops
Mold, fungi, and bacteria can grow in porous countertops made from natural stone. Keeping their surface dry and clean removes bacteria that can make you sick. Using soapy water or pH-friendly detergent and wiping down with a dry cloth should suffice.
Every Few Days
Sinks
Regular preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your bathroom and kitchen sink drains clean. Remove pop-up stoppers or drain guards to get rid of any accumulated debris. Pouring hot water or a DIY vinegar solution down the sink drain every few days will ensure pipes stay unclogged.
Clutter
Clutter accumulates dust that may contain dander and mold or pollen spores, which are common allergens. It also becomes more of a schlep to wipe down surfaces with too many things lying around. It’s almost impossible to keep busy areas in the home clutter-free, which is why setting time aside every few days will ensure clutter is minimal.
Weekly
Carpets and Floors
How often should you clean your carpet? Unless you bring in a lot of dirt, live in a dusty area, or have pets, you only need to vacuum carpets and floors once a week. Even if your floor requires mopping, vacuuming loose dirt first is more effective than sweeping.
Showers, Tubs, and Toilets
Bathrooms are prone to gathering moisture that causes mold to form on grout, tile, and shower curtains. So, how often do you need to clean your house’s bathroom? You should give your bathroom a deep clean at least once a week, disinfect the toilet and sink, and scrub the tub and shower.
Bed Linen
Wash bed linen once a week to get rid of germs, sweat, bodily fluid, allergens, pollen, dead skin, pet dander, and dust mites. Not changing linen often enough can disrupt your skin’s ecosystem. If you suffer from allergies or let pets sleep in your bed, you should probably change linen every 3-4 days.
Every Few Weeks
Dusting
Occasionally clients ask us, “how often should you dust your house?” Once a month for easy-to-reach areas and every three to six months for out-of-reach places like ceiling fans, door frames, and high shelves. Be sure to use a damp cloth, as merely running a duster over surfaces just redistributes dust throughout your home.
Microwaves and Dishwashers
Keep dishwashers and microwaves clean and working well by cleaning them once a month. Cleaning away debris and running a hot water cycle with a cup of distilled white vinegar and a cup of baking soda will remove grease and odors from your dishwasher. For microwaves, you should wipe down the surfaces, as well as the handle and touchpad, with disinfectant to kill germs and bacteria.
A Few Times A Year
Pantries and Closets
Getting rid of expired food and donating unwanted clothes helps take stock of what you have before going into a new season. Cleaning closets and pantries ensures unwanted pests won’t damage clothes and spoil food and eradicate latent dust.
Oven
Dirty ovens can affect food quality, cooking capabilities and increase the risk of fire. We recommend cleaning your oven every three months or so, and more often if you frequently use it for baking and cooking.
Annually
Light Bulbs
If you wonder how often you should deep clean your house, you’re looking at giving it a good scrub and thoroughly cleaning once a year. This includes light fixtures and bulbs. It sounds pedantic, but grim build up over time and can dim the light’s intensity.
Curtains and Upholstery
Washing curtains once a year and deep cleaning upholstery get rid of dust and animal dander that otherwise gets caked into the fabric. Textiles also absorb odors over time, so it’s good to keep them fresh with an annual wash or deep clean.
Conclusion
Putting things away when you’re finished using them and wiping down surfaces once you’re done will make daily cleaning a lot easier. Drawing up a checklist and setting aside a specific time for weekly cleaning alleviates scheduling stress.
EuroMaids professional cleaners can save you time and provide greater peace of mind knowing you have a clean and tidy home. Contact us at (630) 737-1080 to schedule regular or one-time cleaning for your home!
As an expert in home maintenance and cleaning, I understand the importance of maintaining a clean and tidy living environment for both physical well-being and mental health. The words of Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo resonate with me: "The object of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment." This statement encapsulates the idea that cleaning goes beyond mere hygiene; it contributes to a sense of well-being and contentment.
The evidence supporting the benefits of regular cleaning is substantial. Research by the American Cleaning Institute reveals that Americans spend an average of 6 hours per week on cleaning, indicating a significant societal emphasis on cleanliness. Additionally, the concern of whether individuals are cleaning enough and correctly highlights the awareness of the impact of cleanliness on overall health.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Daily Cleaning Tasks:
- Kitchen and Bathroom Floors: Daily sweeping and mopping help eliminate crumbs and prevent the build-up of grease, ensuring a hygienic environment.
- Countertops: Regular cleaning of countertops, especially those made of porous materials, prevents the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria.
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Every Few Days:
- Sinks: Regular maintenance, such as removing debris and using hot water or vinegar solutions, keeps bathroom and kitchen sinks clean and prevents clogs.
- Clutter: Addressing clutter every few days is emphasized, as it accumulates dust containing allergens and makes regular cleaning more challenging.
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Weekly Cleaning Tasks:
- Carpets and Floors: Vacuuming carpets and floors once a week, or more often in high-traffic areas, helps keep living spaces clean.
- Showers, Tubs, and Toilets: Weekly deep cleaning of bathrooms, including disinfecting surfaces, prevents mold growth and maintains hygiene.
- Bed Linen: Washing bed linen weekly is recommended to eliminate germs, allergens, and dust mites.
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Every Few Weeks:
- Dusting: Dusting is advised monthly for easy-to-reach areas and every three to six months for out-of-reach places to prevent the redistribution of dust.
- Microwaves and Dishwashers: Monthly cleaning of appliances like microwaves and dishwashers ensures their proper functioning.
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A Few Times a Year:
- Pantries and Closets: Periodic cleaning of pantries and closets involves getting rid of expired items, preventing pest infestations, and maintaining cleanliness.
- Oven: Ovens should be cleaned every three months or more frequently if heavily used for cooking.
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Annually:
- Light Bulbs: Thorough cleaning, including light fixtures and bulbs, is recommended annually to prevent the build-up of grime and maintain optimal lighting.
- Curtains and Upholstery: Annual washing of curtains and deep cleaning of upholstery remove dust, animal dander, and odors.
In conclusion, adopting a regular cleaning routine, as outlined in the article, not only contributes to a cleaner living space but also positively impacts overall well-being. The provided information serves as a comprehensive guide to maintaining a healthy and hygienic home environment.
