A House Cleaning Program You'll Actually Stick To

Creating a clean home doesn't have to be a daunting and time-consuming chore. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a personalized cleaning schedule. Managing household tasks quickly and efficiently with an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks is the best way to stay ahead of dirt and clutter.

What's the simplest way to keep your house consistently clean?

Stick to a cleaning schedule. It's not as daunting as it sounds.

In fact, it's quite the opposite when set up correctly. "A whole-house cleaning schedule makes you feel less stressed because you know that order and cleanliness are never too far away," says Aby Garvey, organizing and productivity expert at Simplify 101. "If you notice dusty shelves on Tuesday, for example, and you know Wednesday is your cleaning day, it's much less disruptive than if you have no idea when you'll clean again.

The secret is to create a realistic cleaning schedule that works for you and your home. Depending on the time you have available, this could mean a daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning schedule. Read on for simple, step-by-step tips that will set you up for stress-free cleaning success.

First, you'll need to establish a cleaning routine that outlines exactly what needs to be done to have a beautiful and clean home. Grab a writing utensil and a clipboard. Walk through your space, room by room, making a realistic inventory of the areas and tasks that will make up your overall cleaning schedule.

List all the rooms and areas in your house that require regular cleaning, including hallways, stairs, and entries. Leave out spaces you don't use often, such as the attic or guest room, from your regular cleaning schedule. Include them in your seasonal house cleaning schedule or as needed.

Visit each room on your cleaning schedule one by one and look around. List all the cleaning tasks that need to be done regularly. Order the items from top to bottom (from ceiling to floors) in the same order you will clean them.

As you begin to finalize your list, build upon this basic cleaning checklist:

All Rooms

Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans

Clean door handles and dust door frames

Dust blinds, windowsills, picture frames, and furniture

Dust knick-knacks, books, etc.

Shake out rugs

Sweep, vacuum, or mop floors

Kitchen

Clean and sanitize countertops and sink

Clean stovetop, oven, and range hood

Clean microwave inside and out

Wipe down cabinet fronts and appliances

Bathrooms

Clean mirrors