Cleaning To-Do Lists

Cleaning To-Do Lists

Easy gameplans for every day, week, and season

Peter Margonelli

KITCHEN

Every Day

Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).

Wipe down the stove top (one minute).

Wipe down the counters (one minute).

Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (two minutes).

Every Week

Mop the floor (five minutes).

Wipe the cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances (10 minutes).

Wash the dish rack (four minutes).

Wipe the switch plates and phone (one minute).

Wipe the inside of the garbage can (one minute).

Every Season

Empty and scrub down the inside of the refrigerator (30 minutes).

Empty and clean the insides of the utensil drawers (15 minutes).

Scrub down the cupboard exteriors (30 minutes).

Clean the stove-hood filter (10 minutes).

Perform "Shiny Sink 101"

Mikkel Vang

BATHROOM

Every Day

Wipe out the sink (30 seconds).

Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds).

Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds).

Wipe the mirror and faucet (15 seconds).

Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds).

Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use (15 seconds).

Every Week

Scrub the tub (three minutes).

Scrub the tiles (five minutes).

Mop the floor (two minutes).

Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs (one minute).

Empty and wipe out the wastebasket (30 seconds).

Every Season

Take down the shower curtain, then launder it according to the care instructions.

Empty, weed, and clean the medicine cabinet (20 minutes).

Perform "Shiny Sink 101" on the tub and sink.

Mikkel Vang

BEDROOM

Every Day

Make the bed (two minutes).

Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (four minutes).

Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds).

Every Week

Change the sheets (five minutes).

Dust all surfaces — including electronics, books, picture frames, windowsills and ledges, and tops of door frames — and remove all cobwebs (10 minutes).

Dust or mop the floors or vacuum the carpeting (five minutes).

Throw out old magazines (one minute).

Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs (one minute).

Wipe and disinfect the telephone (30 seconds).

Empty the wastebasket (20 seconds).

Vacuum the heating and air-conditioning vents and the inside of the closet (three minutes).

Every Season

Wash the insides of the windows (15 minutes).

Strip the bed and flip the mattress (five minutes).

Launder the mattress pad and dust ruffle.

Mikkel Vang

LIVING-AREA

Every Day

Pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a handheld vacuum (one minute).

Fluff the cushions and fold throws after use (two minutes).

Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (one minute).

Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos. (Two minutes.)

Every Week

Dust all surfaces — including electronics, books, blinds, picture frames, windowsills and ledges, and tops of door frames — and remove all cobwebs (15 minutes).

Dust-mop the floors with a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer, or vacuum the rugs and carpeting (five minutes).

Vacuum the upholstery (five minutes).

Throw out old magazines (one minute).

Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs (one minute).

Wipe and disinfect the telephone (30 seconds).

Shake out or vacuum the doormat (one minute).

Vacuum the heating and air-conditioning vents (one minute).

Every Season

Wash the insides of the windows (15 minutes).

Lift big pieces of furniture and vacuum or mop underneath (10 minutes).