When it comes to homes, we believe there is no such thing as too clean. Some home cleaning tasks must be accomplished weekly, or even daily, but there are also those (sometimes dreaded) deep cleaning chores that only need to be completed once or twice a year. The trick is knowing what to do and when to do it. We can help!
Follow this monthly checklist to tackle those deep cleaning house chores and keep your home in tiptop shape.
January: Clean your refrigerator.
Stop waiting on your spouse to throw out those rotten leftovers; it’s time to face the music and take care of it. Clear out all of your fridge’s contents (yes, all), and give the shelves a nice, thorough wipe down. Use a mild soap to wash shelves and drawers and disinfect the inside with a vinegar solution or a bleach solution. Allow to dry before putting your food back in. This is also a great time to check labels for expiration dates.
February: Call The Maids for a Spring Cleaning.
Get a jump on spring and hire Dream Cleaning Team to give your home a top-to-bottom deep clean with our spring cleaning service. We’ll help remove allergens from your home. Our professional cleaners have been specifically trained to specialize in cleaning for health.
March: Wash all your bedding.
Before you get too surprised, we’re not talking about sheets here. Sheets and pillowcases need to be laundered weekly. But this month, it’s time to think about your other bedding: the mattress, mattress pad, and comforter. Check the tags before washing and always choose to wash in the hottest water recommended.
April: Clean your vents.
This time of year your HVAC unit gets a little break, so use it to clean your vents. It’s impossible to have a clean house with musty air. Remove each vent and vacuum the opening. Wash the actual vent covers in warm water with a mild soap. The bathtub works great for large return vents. Allow them to completely air dry before returning to their locations.
May: Clean all your trashcans.
The only thing standing between your bin and smelly, slimy garbage is a thin, plastic bag, which, let’s face it, doesn’t always withstand all the abuse. Say goodbye to yucky smells and trash flies for good. Remove the bag (and any solid materials) and spray the inside with an all-purpose cleaner and let it sit for a couple minutes. If your bin is too deep for your arms to reach, use the kitchen sprayer or even the garden hose to spray off any hardened gunk.
June: Organize your storage areas.
Storage areas are largely out of sight and out of mind, but even those bins need some help every now and then. Replace broken storage bins and sell or throw out items you’re ready to part with. Dust or wipe down shelving.
July: Wipe down all your vertical surfaces.
Horizontal surfaces get all the attention, probably because it’s easy to see the dust pile up on tables, TV stands and shelves. But what about those vertical surfaces? This month is the time to wipe down all your light switch plates, doors, moldings and cabinets.
August: Move your appliances.
Deep cleaning means there isn’t an inch of space that should go untouched, and that includes under the appliances. The good news is: even those large appliances are pretty easy to move. Pull them out to vacuum and scrub the floor under them. Don’t forget to wipe down the sides too.
September: Wash your windows.
This was is easy to put off, but this month it’s time to really, really wash them. Routine washing will get rid of prints, debris, and mildew on windows. Remove and/or vacuum the screens and sills. Wash both the inside and outside of the windows. If you live in a two-story home and your windows don’t slide-in for easy cleaning, either hire a pro or find someone who’s comfortable on a ladder.
October: Clean out your bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets.
It’s amazingly gross how dust, hair, and grime-y buildup can get inside a drawer! Go through your vanity and medicine cabinet and toss any expired medications and old makeup. Vacuum out drawers and grab some shallow, clear bins to help you organize your toiletries.
November: Wash your curtains.
This is an important step in ridding your home of dust bunnies and other allergens, since dust loves to live on the very top of your fabric curtains. Check the fabric’s label and follow the laundering and ironing directions. When you’re done, the entire room will feel lighter and cleaner.
December: Clean your lights.
In these early days of winter, we start to lose daylight. Keep your home merry and bright by giving the lights some love. Dust and clean your light fixtures and lampshades. Unscrew any glass or porcelain housings and wash them in mild, soapy water.
Dream Cleaning Team is here to help with those tricky, deep cleaning tasks as well as regular home cleaning maintenance. Contact us today to see how we can fit into your monthly cleaning schedule.