Tips on maintaining a regular cleaning schedule

Ideally you should polish your silver each and every week. But, we know that's not really achievable in the real world, so here's how often you should perform cleaning tasks around the home.

• Put things away when you finish using them.
• Wash dishes, wipe kitchen countertops, clean up stove spills and empty rubbish as needed.
• Squeegee showers after use to prevent mineral deposits, soap scum and mildew.
• Wipe sinks.
• Make beds and straighten rooms.

• Dust-mop hardwood floors to prevent scratching from dirt.
• Put away clutter.
• Vacuum if you live in a dusty region or have children and pets that track in lots of dirt.
• Otherwise, weekly vacuuming should suffice.

• Wipe or vacuum skirting boards and blinds.
• Sweep the garage (and remove cobwebs), veranda, deck and paths.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture with the brush attachment.
• Clean ceiling fixtures in one room per month (rotate).
• Wash throw rugs.
• Dust ceiling fans.

• Polish wood furniture.
• Remove cobwebs from ceiling corners, stairwells and such.
• Change or clean air-conditioner filters (less frequently in low-use seasons).
• Clean the oven (monthly if grunge builds up quickly).

• Wash windows inside and out.
• Do this quarterly for windows near work spaces (the kitchen sink or a desk, for example).
• De-clutter storage areas in the attic and garage.
• Vacuum, flip and rotate mattresses.
• Polish silver.
• Air out pillows.

• Move heavy furniture to clean behind and underneath.
• Vacuum rug pads and the backs of large rugs.
• Clean curtains and carpets.
• Turn large rugs 180° to even out wear.
• Wash walls.
• Clean chandeliers.

If you have a big family and a small house, you'll be cleaning more often, as key items will get a lot more use. Conversely, if you live alone in a big house, you can clean less often. It all comes down to how often any particular feature of the house gets used. This rundown will help you figure it all out:

• Bathroom basins: scrub after 30 uses.
• Doormats: clean after 25–30 foot-wipes in damp climates. In drier climates, shake out the mat after every 50–60 uses.
• Kitchen sinks: wipe daily.
• Showers: squeegee after each use; clean after 14 showers.
• Stoves: wipe off after every use; clean under stove elements after 20 uses.
• Toilets: clean after every 100 flushes.
• Towels and face cloths: wash after four uses.