The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

Home Cleaning Routine

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Father and two sons cleaning the living room

Getting into a home cleaning routine can make maintaining a tidy living space easier.

Daily Home Cleaning Tasks

  • Clean high-touch surfaces and do a quick sweep of high-traffic areas.
  • Do laundry (if needed)
  • Wipe kitchen counters and tables after meals and run the dishwasher.
  • Put away clutter and spot clean.

Weekly Home Cleaning Tasks

  • Vacuum or mop floors in all rooms.
  • Dust surfaces, including shelves and furniture.
  • Clean bathrooms: wipe sinks, counters, mirrors, and toilets.
  • Clean out the fridge.
  • Change bed linens and towels.

Monthly Home Cleaning Tasks

  • Clean kitchen appliances and cabinet fronts.
  • Wash blankets and comforters
  • Dust light fixtures and blinds
  • Wash windows and mirrors thoroughly.
  • Declutter closets and storage areas.

Seasonal Home Cleaning Tasks

  • Wash curtains, windows and screens
  • Wash shower curtain
  • Launder pillows

Yearly Home Cleaning Tasks

  • Clean rugs and upholstery
  • Clean mattresses
  • Deep clean rooms (ceiling fans, walls, baseboards, etc.)
  • Organize storage spaces
  • Clean chimney and fireplace (if applicable)
  • Replace air filters (if applicable)
  • Clean out gutters (if applicable)


Top Cleaning Tips
 

Create a Cleaning Routine

By assigning tasks to days of the week and focusing on one chore a day, it can be easier to get through the weekly tasks on an ongoing basis. Here's an example:

MondayLaundry (change sheets, wash & dry)
TuesdayLaundry (fold and put away)
WednesdayKitchen (floors, microwave, refrigerator)
ThursdayVacuum & Dust
FridayTrash, Bathrooms
SaturdayMeal Planning (stick to the list when shopping!), Yard Work
SundayRest

Clean Efficiently

  • Keep cleaning supplies in a portable caddy for easy access.
  • Set a timer for each task to stay focused and finish quickly.
  • Get the whole household involved—assign age-appropriate chores.
  • Sweep, mop or vacuum from one corner of a room toward the exit to avoid recleaning.
  • Follow detergent directions and fabric care labels when doing laundry for best results the first time.

Practice Prevention

  • Keep clutter to a minimum. Having lots of stuff around makes cleaning harder and gives places for dust and allergens to collect.
  • Wipe shoes on entryway rugs or mats to protect floors and carpets, and to catch dirt, dust, pollen and other allergens brought in from the outside.
  • Keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces as dry and clean as possible to help control the growth of moisture-loving bacteria, mold and mildew.
  • Leave shower doors and curtains open after use so shower walls can air-dry.
  • Wipe up spills before they have a chance to dry and treat stains as soon as they occur.
  • Promptly clean up crumbs and other food scraps after preparing or eating food.
  • Put coasters under beverage glasses to prevent water spots and rings on wood surfaces.
  • Use a daily shower spray on walls and shower curtains to keep mildew from growing.

Prioritize Hygiene 

  • Wash hands with soap and warm water regularly - to help stay healthy and keep dirt and germs off household surfaces.
  • Clean and disinfect cutting boards and kitchen countertops before and after preparing food to help reduce the threat of foodborne illness.
  • Clean the sink areas, toilet bowls, tubs and showers regularly to prevent the spread of germs, mold and mildew.

Last Updated: April 28. 2026