Did you know that every year, falls lead to more than eight million U.S. hospital emergency room visits? That’s on top of at least one million E.R. visits caused by slip-turned-fall accidents.

Clutter, in turn, is one of the contributing factors to such incidents. Moreover, the CDC says it can lead to other injuries like bumps, bruises, cuts, sprains, and strains.

Those should be enough to keep clutter at bay with a house cleaning schedule. Besides, by tidying up your house daily, even just a little, you can reduce the frequency of having to deep clean it.

To that end, we developed this guide on creating and keeping up with a home cleaning schedule. So, read on to discover why you need one and what you can do to achieve a healthy, safe, and clean home.

Why You Need a House Cleaning Schedule

Six hours is the average time Americans spend each week on household chores alone. That’s a staggering 24 hours per month! Moreover, it’s not always enough to get rid of all clutter, dirt, dust, and grime build-up, especially not in a big house.

By contrast, having a schedule optimizes cleaning since you already know what you need to do. It also makes chores less overwhelming because you spread them over seven days. Moreover, a little cleaning every day keeps harder-to-eliminate filth from accumulating.

Plus, according to health experts, having a routine or schedule has health benefits. For instance, it can help reduce stress and improve sleep. And as mentioned above, keeping a home clean and clutter-free can help cut the risks of slips, trips, and falls.

Considerations When Creating a Cleaning Schedule

First, be sure to factor in the hours of your daily work and personal schedules. Then, add at least 90 minutes to the sum to let your body cool down after moderate-intensity cleaning. According to experts, such chores include window washing, mopping, or vacuuming.

It’s vital to consider that 90 minutes because heavy cleaning at night can affect your sleep. And even if you’re only doing lighter chores, it’s still best not to tire yourself too much before bed.

For example, let’s say you have an 8-hour work schedule from 9 AM to 5 PM, and you need two hours for personal stuff after. That’s 10 hours, so your busy schedule ends at about 7 PM. Now, if you go to bed at 9:30 PM, you have at least one hour left for cleaning (don’t forget the 90-minute leeway before bedtime).

In that scenario, your daily weekday cleaning schedule can be anytime from 7 PM to 8 PM. You don’t have to spend an entire hour cleaning; even 30 to 45 minutes can help reduce the load of heavier cleaning.

Next, ensure you factor in your other family member’s schedules.

For instance, maybe your kids have sports club practice every Tuesday and Thursday. In that case, they’re likely tracking in more dirt and mud, which means more cleaning during such times. These days, you may have to allot more time to clean since you want to remove muddy tracks before they dry.

You can always hire a house cleaner from time to time when your schedule is too hectic. However, it’s still best to do a bit of light daily tidying up in between professional cleaning days.

What to Include in Your Cleaning Schedule

Now that you know how much time you have to clean every day, the next thing is to decide on the chores. Note that you have to do some tasks daily, others twice a week or weekly, and a few once a month. The home cleaning checklist below can give you some idea of what to include in your schedule.

Immediately

Wipe food spills and splatters on your stove, oven, and countertops as soon as they get cold enough. It’s also wise to clean your kitchen surfaces and dining table right after eating.

Doing so can help prevent food splatters from congealing or caking up, which can be harder to scrub away. In addition, immediately cleaning food spills removes odors that can attract pests.

Multiple Times a Day

Kitchens harbor more disease-causing germs than toilets; scientists say it’s due to sponges. These cleaning tools appear to give germs like E. coli an ideal living environment.

Moreover, some folks use the same sponge to wipe kitchen surfaces and sinks. As a result, harmful pathogens can transfer all over the room.

So ensure you wash and disinfect your kitchen sponge and countertops a few times daily. Then, do the same with your cutting boards after using them to chop raw meat, fruits, and vegetables. After all, these food items can harbor germs that may cause food poisoning.

Daily

Clean and disinfect your home’s high-touch surfaces, like door handles and switches, daily. You can also do quick vacuuming or sweeping to prevent harder-to-eliminate debris build-up. It’s also wise to pick up items and put them back where they belong before you call it a day.

Twice a Week

Clean and disinfect the bathrooms twice weekly. Pay more attention to the mirrors, sink, toilet, taps, and toothbrush holder.

It’s also way more sanitary to replace used towels at least twice a week. Wipe down and disinfect the towel racks before putting fresh towels on them.

Weekly

If you’ve been doing quick vacuuming daily, you only have to focus on high-traffic spots once a week. These include the entryway, kitchen, and living room.

You can also clean your refrigerator of leftovers weekly; if you want, you can eat them if they’re still good. If not, bin or compost them.

Change your beddings once a week, and vacuum the mattress and the rest of the bedroom while you’re at it.

Once a Month

Ideally, you should vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and air vents monthly. It’s also wise to give your windows and window treatments, such as blinds, a monthly cleaning.

Another monthly task is deep-cleaning the dishwasher and garbage disposal. Follow the same frequency for inspecting and washing or replacing your air filters.

Stay Organized With a House Cleaning Schedule

And there you have it, the most crucial facts you need to know about having a house cleaning schedule. Now you know how it can benefit you and how to make a realistic one. So, why not use a little bit of your time today to create one?

If you still feel overwhelmed or need extra help, our team here at Dirt Busters can help. We provide high-quality cleaning services across the metro-Phoenix region. So, call us today to book a schedule; don’t worry, we’ll give you a free estimate!