Keeping it clean! How often to clean different parts of a house
MetroCreative
Cleaning the bathroom should be done at least once a week according to some cleaning experts.
MetroCreative
MetroCreative
MetroCreative
MetroCreative
The arrival of spring means it’s time to wash out the grime and prepare for the start of a new season.
It’s tradition to tackle more extensive home cleaning projects this time of year, but what about chores you might do more often?
How often does a home need vacuumed? What about changing sheets? Are the light fixtures looking a little dusty?
With work and activities, people have busier schedules than ever. Chores that used to be handled daily, such as dusting, might be pushed off to the weekend. That makes it easy to forget other chores – when was the last time someone cleaned the pantry?
So how often do different chores need done?
“Typically, the normal homeowner – if you have no pets or kids – can get away with a thorough cleaning once a week: dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom and changing sheets on the bed,” said local cleaning service owner Kelly Sanders, noting daily chores include wiping countertops and doing dishes.
Residents with children or pets should clean more often as children can leave hand prints on walls and pets track in water and dirt.
Weekly cleaning includes disinfecting light switch covers, door knobs, computer keyboards, remote controls and telephones as well as bathtubs, shower heads and toilets.
Local cleaning service owner Josh Lynch said if someone is sick, common areas should be cleaned more often, especially the bathroom.
But Lynch noted weekly cleaning can be broken into segments.
“It depends on your age and ability. If you’re older, you might take a day or two to do those things,” Lynch said. “You don’t want to overexert yourself.”
Lynch recommended changing sheets more often in the summer when people are more likely to sweat while pet owners may want to change them more often year round.
Hand towels should be changed daily, Lynch advised.
For bath towels, Sanders said, “I guess it’s subjective. I use one towel for my body and one for my hair. The hair towel, I’ll hang up and use again, but the body towel I’ll throw in the laundry.”
Cleaning the microwave depends on how much it is used.
“Mine is constantly being used, so I try to wipe it out once a week,” said Sanders.
“Do you have a cover for dishes to keep in the splatter?” asked Lynch. “If you see spots, wipe it out.”
The same goes for the oven.
“Depending on how much cooking you do, you could get away with twice a year,” said Sanders, noting many ovens have self-cleaning features.
Lynch said a heavily-used oven can be cleaned monthly, especially if there are accidents when cooking.
Coffeemaker should be cleaned once a month with a vinegar/water mix, followed by clear water rinses.
Light fixtures can be cleaned every other month, taking them apart and cleaning all the pieces.
Some jobs can be done two to three times a year, including cleaning the refrigerator and pantry.
“I usually do it with spring cleaning and going into fall when the holidays are coming up,” said Sanders.
Lynch said, “Check the dates on the food and put the oldest in the front so food won’t be wasted.”
Sanders noted of the pantry, “I’m always thinking of the food bank – if there’s something I’m not using that someone else could.”
While throw rugs can be cleaned in a washing machine weekly, Sanders said shampooing a carpet is usually done once a year.
“The more frequently you shampoo, the more you take off the protective coating and then you have to shampoo it more often,” said Sanders. “They do sell over over-the-counter Scotchgard spray. After I shampoo my carpet, I treat my carpet with that – spray in on and let it dry. It extends the life of your carpet.”
Anyone with a library in their home should clean it once a year.
“Dust the shelves and the books but use caution,” said Lynch. “Don’t use a damp cloth on books.”
Warm weather means clean outside living areas and furniture. Pressure washers can be used on patios and decks, the exterior of the house as well as sidewalks and driveways.
Home owners typically clean windows once a year but those in neighborhoods with high traffic or houses with pets may clean more often.