A Practical House-Cleaning Schedule for a Spotless Home

Finding time to clean your home can be a challenge, especially with a packed schedule. It’s easy to put off cleaning chores when life gets busy. If you’re guilty of skipping regular cleanings, you're not alone: One in six people put off cleaning for at least a month or more, as reported by the New York Post.

Maintaining a clean home isn't just about aesthetics; it’s essential for better indoor air quality and can even contribute to overall health, says Dr. Gráinne Cunniffe, a cleaning expert and science consultant at Allergy Standards Limited.

"Breaking tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly routines can help reduce allergens, improve air quality, and consistently keep your home in top shape," she says.

Discover the benefits of a keeping your home clean, and use this expert house-cleaning schedule to tackle tasks effortlessly.

Why keeping your home clean matters

The benefits to having a clean home are wide-ranging and impactful—such as lower stress levels, increased productivity, enhanced sleep quality, improved mental health, and better air quality. Research shows that better air quality can lead to improved immune function, too.

"For individuals with asthma or allergies, poor indoor air quality can worsen symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath,” says Dr. Cunniffe, adding that cleaner air can significantly reduce these health risks and support overall immune health. “Even those without preexisting respiratory conditions may experience issues with fatigue, headaches, and long-term health effects from exposure to polluted air."

Having a daily cleaning schedule can prevent things from piling up—including harmful air pollutants. Also, getting into the habit of tidying every day keeps your home organized and clutter-free, which can do wonders for the mental health.

Simple strategies to overcome procrastination

While new routines take time to establish, a little bit of upkeep now can save you a lot of time and effort down the line, says Ashley Kidder, cleaning expert and chief operating officer at Dashing Maids, a home

The hardest part? Getting started.

Kidder recommends creating a house-cleaning schedule checklist with boxes, which can assist in organizing tasks and give yourself a sense of satisfaction with each task you complete.

Daily cleaning schedule

Start your house-cleaning resolution off right by setting realistic expectations and committing to these daily tasks:

• Make your bed.
• Squeegee the shower after each use.
• Wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
• Wash the dishes.
• Vacuum high-traffic areas.
• Put items away after using them.
• Tidy up clutter zones such as the entryway, kitchen counters, and dining room table.

Monthly cleaning schedule

Kidder recommends compiling a list of all the closets, rooms, cabinets, drawers, and pantries in your home that need to be deep-cleaned on a recurring basis. Then, break up these “deep cleans” over 10 to 11 months, giving yourself one or two months off in the event of an illness, time away for vacation, or other busy times of the year. 

Ahead of each “deep clean,” you’ll need to clear out shelves and drawers to more easily clean these spaces. This is a good opportunity to declutter, adds Kidder. "Donate or throw out anything you don't truly need,” she says, “and return all the items [you decide to keep] with purpose and intention."

In addition to scheduling “deep cleans” on your calendar, put these tasks on your monthly house- cleaning schedule:

• Wipe down walls.
• Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans.
• Clean air filters and vents.
• Wipe windows and mirrors clean.
• Dust and vacuum window treatments.
• Wipe insides of cabinets.
• Clean shower curtains.
• Wash soft toys and decorative fabrics such as stuffed animals, throw pillows, and rugs.
• Vacuum and clean under beds.
• Deep-clean the washing machine and dishwasher.

Dr. Cunniffe recommends using this house-cleaning schedule as a guide—but suggests tailoring your routine to your household's activity level, presence of pets, climate, season, family members' sensitivities, and personal preferences—all to create a healthier, more comfortable living space.