The Easiest Weekly House Cleaning Schedule for a Spotless Home

Clean the Kitchen

White and teal kitchen with stainless steel fridge — David Tsay

In the kitchen, it pays to get the most challenging jobs out of the way first. To keep your kitchen sparkling clean, stay up-to-date with a weekly house cleaning schedule that includes mopping the floor and cleaning the exteriors of appliances. Wipe down the counters and cabinet doors to clean spills or splatters, then scour and polish the sink.

02 of 10

Tackle the Fridge

inside fridge view food organization shelving — Cameron Sadeghpour

Use trash day as your cue to do a fridge check. After taking the trash bag out of the can, head straight to the fridge before tying it up. Dispose of or compost expired items, leftovers past their prime, or food you know won't be eaten.

03 of 10

Clean the Bathroom

neutral bathroom with clawfoot tub and shiplap walls — David Tsay

When cleaning your bathroom during your weekly house cleaning schedule, give your fixtures a little TLC. Use general-purpose spray cleaners ($6, Walmart) or mix vinegar and water to scrub your sink, toilet exterior, tub, and faucets. An antibacterial cleaner ($15, Walmart) is best for heavy-duty disinfecting in the toilet bowl, and baking soda paste works well on tough grime. Take care not to use abrasives on scratchable surfaces.

04 of 10

Dust Furniture and Shelves

Living room with wooden coffee table and white furniture — David Land

By eliminating dust during your weekly house cleaning schedule, you'll protect your furniture and improve your home's air quality. Easily remove accumulated dust from furniture and other surfaces using soft, non-scratching cloths ($9 for 4-pack, Target) that pick up and hold dirt. For fine wood furniture, use dusting cloths in place of silicone sprays.

05 of 10

Shake or Vacuum Area Rugs

Living room with patterned rug and blue walls — Helen Norman

Keep large area rugs in tip-top shape by caring for them as you would wall-to-wall carpet. For small rugs that are difficult to vacuum, take them outside and shake them vigorously, or hang them over a clothesline and beat with a broom to remove dust and dirt. Consult care labels on small rugs to determine whether they should be dry-cleaned, spot-cleaned, or laundered.

06 of 10

Vacuum Living Areas

Living room with geometric table and square light — Kim Cornelison

Vacuuming your living areas at least once during your weekly house cleaning schedule helps control the accumulation of dust and dirt. Before you vacuum, pick up large debris, scraps of paper, and objects that may damage your belts and hoses. Try vacuuming steadily and evenly in overlapping parallel patterns.

07 of 10

Mop Hard-Surface Floors

striped flooring in small neutral kitchen — Greg Scheidemann

When it comes to a weekly house cleaning schedule, mopping is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your floors clean. Wet mops ($25, Target) are used for scrubbing and applying sanitizing solutions to kitchen and bathroom floors. They work when pressed firmly to the floor and moved in long, overlapping strokes. Wipe up excess liquid when mopping because standing water can damage wood surfaces.

08 of 10

Secrets to Cleaning a Laminate Floor

Say goodbye to streaky floors. Cleaning laminate flooring is simple with the right techniques. Keep your floors free of dust, grime, and stains with these must-know tips.

09 of 10

Change Bed Linens

Bedroom with blue walls and white sheets — David A Land

Add laundering your bedsheets and pillowcases to your weekly house cleaning schedule. Wash your sheets in warm water for best results, and use non-chlorine bleach when needed. Wash all-cotton spreads, blankets, and coverlets in cold water to avoid shrinkage. For even wear, rotate your sheets, storing fresh sheets at the bottom of the stack in your linen closet.

10 of 10

Sweep Front Entry and Steps

Don't forget to give your entryways a little attention every week. Try using a utility broom ($30, Home Depot) to clean large areas that require heavy-duty sweeping, such as decks, patios, and driveways. Use a classic, natural-bristle broom with a dustpan for general sweeping. Choose the best quality to avoid the bristles that shed when you sweep.