Regular House Cleaning: A Simple Routine
Small, regular tasks keep a home clean without a weekend-long marathon.
Independent guide: this website is not Mid-Cambridge Cleaners or any other cleaning company. We do not offer cleaning services, take bookings or give quotes.
The easiest way to keep a home clean is to split the work into short daily habits, a weekly reset and a few deeper jobs each month and season. Adjust the list to the size of your home and who lives there.
Every day (about 10 minutes)
- Wash or load the dishes and wipe kitchen counters.
- Put things back where they belong before bed.
- Wipe the bathroom sink and give the toilet a quick check.
- Take out the kitchen trash when it is full.
Every week
- Clean the bathroom: toilet, sink, shower or tub, mirror and floor.
- Wipe kitchen surfaces, the stovetop, the outside of appliances and cabinet handles.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs, and sweep and mop hard floors.
- Dust surfaces, shelves and electronics.
- Change and wash bed linens and towels.
- Put out trash and recycling on your collection day.
Every month
- Clean the inside of the microwave and clear out the fridge.
- Wipe baseboards, door frames and light switches.
- Dust ceiling fans, vents and radiator covers.
- Wash or replace the shower curtain liner and bath mats.
- Clean the inside of windows and the window sills.
Every season
- Deep clean the oven and the range hood filter.
- Clean behind and under large furniture and appliances.
- Wash curtains or blinds and clean window tracks.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries as needed.
How often should you hire help?
Many households book a cleaner weekly or every two weeks for the bathroom, kitchen and floors, and handle daily tidying themselves. A monthly or one-time deep clean can be enough for a small apartment. Whatever you choose, agree on a written list of tasks so both sides know what is included.
Clean safely
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or with acidic cleaners such as vinegar or some toilet bowl cleaners. The combination releases dangerous gases.
- Open a window or run a fan when you use strong cleaning products.
- Keep products in their original containers, with the label, out of reach of children and pets.
- Look for products with the EPA Safer Choice label if you want cleaners that meet EPA criteria for safer ingredients.