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Short on time, new to homekeeping, or don’t want to sweat the details? This basic cleaning checklist is exactly what you need.
Blah.
That’s how I felt after putting in a 65-hour week at work.
I slipped into bed, scrunched down under the covers, and waited to drift off to a silent, wonderful sleep.
But a thought kept knocking at the door of my consciousness, pushing me back from the edge of slumber.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes, disappointment sinking down into my chest.
My messy house was haunting my thoughts. A basic cleaning was the only way to restore my mental peace.
Cleaning Basics for the Whole Home
A perfectly tidy, clean-to-the-tiniest-details home is great. But sometimes, you just need to do the basics. My basic cleaning checklist includes high-level cleaning tasks for the whole home. We won’t be scrubbing the floors with a toothbrush. Just the basics!
Why It Works
Because my basic cleaning checklist focuses on the most important cleaning tasks, you’ll achieve a clean-looking home, without sweating the details.
Yes, it’s nice to have clean baseboards. Flawless, polished wood elements are beautiful. But if you’re short on time or energy, this basic cleaning checklist is perfect for you. Following this checklist will get your house clean enough, so you can move on to other things on your schedule.
How It’s Ordered
You’ve probably heard that top-to-bottom cleaning is the most efficient. My basic cleaning checklist is ordered from top to bottom, too! While I recommend dusting regularly, you can skip it if dust isn’t a big deal to you.
Who It’s For
The basic cleaning checklist works great in many situations. It’s the perfect checklist if:
- You’re just getting started with cleaning your home regularly, or
- You prefer cleaning your whole home in a single session, or
- You don’t have a lot of time to clean, and only want to do the basics
If you’d rather spend a few minutes each day cleaning your house, check out my post on how to keep your house clean in 30 minutes a day.
You might also like my tips on keeping your house clean when you have a crazy-busy schedule.
Okay, enough talk. Grab your cleaning caddy, here comes the checklist!
Basic Cleaning Checklist
- Make beds
- Dust
- Empty kitchen sink
- Clean kitchen counters and backsplash
- Wipe down kitchen appliances
- Clean showers/tubs
- Clean toilets
- Wipe down bathroom countertops and cabinets
- Vacuum/mop
- Tidy up living areas
Basic Cleaning Checklist: Conclusion
Getting every inch of your home squeaky-clean is great. Sometimes, all you need are the basics. The checklist above will help you hit all of the most important areas of your home – the ones that make it look and feel clean. As a result, you’ll get maximum results from the time you spend cleaning.
After long days at work, a simple cleaning checklist helps me stay focused on completing the tasks that will give me the clean home I crave.
Once you’ve completed these basic cleaning tasks, you can move on with life – whether that means spending time with your kids, running errands, or drifting off to that wonderful, silent sleep, like me.
Want even more helpful cleaning and organizing tips for working women? Join the ShowMe Suburban community and learn simple habits and routines to keep your home clean and organized, so you can relax away from work without feeling the stress of a messy home. Sign up below!