Cleanliness is next to Godliness

While every other sane person in the world loves to have a pristine and beautiful home to live in, such a quote in practical life is easily said than done.

Many people hate the idea of cleaning. While physical effort is one of the main reasons, the sight, smell and handling of accumulated dirt and dust which causes huge disgust is the most loathed.

Some people view cleaning as a mentally satisfying activity and do it with great vigor. And then there is a large category of people who find it tedious.

Hence, people prefer to conveniently ignore small quantities and lingering presence of dust and dirt accumulated around them until it becomes unbearable.

Homemakers, especially women, spend several hours of their precious lives scrubbing and wiping in and around their homes, and never really end up completely satisfied.

While it is easier to hire a Cleaning agency to finish the job once and for all, so that we do not have to think about it for the next several months, it has a lot of disadvantages as well, like expense, lack of privacy and several other inconveniences.

Nobody else will love and cherish our home and living space like we do. When we clean our homes ourselves, we do it with utmost sincerity and willingness.

In order to not lose our sanity over tidying up our homes we have to use “A stitch in time, saves nine” logic. Here is a list of chores and the frequency of executing them, which can be used as a reference so that it will be easier to maintain the home as an abode of happiness.

Daily Chores

  1. Make the Bed
  2. Wash the Dishes
  3. Clean the Kitchen Sink
  4. Sweep the Floor
  5. Clean the Countertops
  6. Wipe the Bathroom surfaces
  7. Clean the Stove top

Weekly Chores

  1. Clean the coffee maker
  2. Do Laundry
  3. Wipe the Benches
  4. Vacuum the Floor
  5. Clean the Kettle
  6. Deep clean the bathroom
  7. Dust the Furniture
  8. Mop the Floor
  9. Change the Bedspreads
  10. Wipe down the Kitchen Appliances
  11. Clean inside the Oven
  12. Clean the Stove Grates
  13. Pull the Garden Weeds
  14. Clean under the Furniture
  15. De-clutter Table tops
  16. Mow the Lawn
  17. Clean the Automobiles
  18. Sweep the Garden
  19. Clean the Door Mats
  20. Organize the Shoe Rack
  21. De-clutter all Rooms

Monthly Chores

  1. Dust the Curtains
  2. Clean the Dishwasher
  3. Empty the Vacuum Cleaner
  4. Clean the Mirrors
  5. Dust all the Light Fittings
  6. Clean the Filters and Vents
  7. Wipe the Dining Room furniture
  8. Clean inside the Shelves
  9. Dust the Ceiling
  10. Wipe the Fans
  11. De-clutter Bathroom Cabinets
  12. Wipe the Door Knobs and Latches
  13. De-clutter the Medicine Cabinet
  14. Disinfect Garbage Cans
  15. Dust the Electrical Appliances
  16. Sanitize Remote Controls
  17. De-clutter the Refrigerator
  18. Dust the Walls
  19. Dust the Wall Hangings
  20. Clean the Kennel
  21. Wipe the Stair Railings

Seasonal Chores (3-6 Months)

  1. Deep Clean the Oven
  2. Vacuum the Mattresses
  3. Wash the Quilts
  4. Vacuum and Clean all Furniture
  5. Wash all Pillows and Cushions
  6. Deep Clean the Refrigerator
  7. Clean the Shower Curtains
  8. Throw away Expired Items
  9. Clean the Range hood
  10. De-scale the Coffee maker
  11. Clean all the Outdoor Furniture
  12. Deep Clean the Freezer
  13. Wash all the bathroom Buckets and Mugs
  14. Wash the Rugs
  15. Organize Drawers
  16. Clean the Garage
  17. Clean Closets and Storage
  18. Dust the Decor
  19. De-scale the Washing Machine
  20. Clean the Blinds
  21. Wipe the Curtain Rods
  22. Wash Table Clothes

Yearly Chores

  1. Deep Clean the Carpets
  2. Clean the Fireplace and Chimney
  3. Deep Clean the Upholstery
  4. Clean the Windows
  5. Wash the Curtains
  6. Clean the Dryer
  7. Clean the Terrace
  8. Clear the Roof
  9. Empty the Gutters
  10. Pressure wash the Path around the house
  11. Clear the Compound of debris
  12. Clean the Pantry
  13. De-clutter the Cupboards
  14. Deep Clean the Kitchen Drawers
  15. Clean the Electric Switches
  16. Clean the Electric Junction Boards
  17. Sanitize all the Cupboard Handles

Cleaning up is most usually done as a rushed activity by a family member, mostly around the time of holidays or when having guests over. But it need not necessarily be a burden.

Simply changing the mindset to viewing it as a family adventure will be the best. Put on some music, divide the tasks according to area and capability and get started. Truthfully, this is one of the best activities for family bonding.

Coordinating, cooperating and communicating with each other makes it enjoyable, and working towards a common goal improves the family unity.

Another thing to note in mind while cleaning is the quality of cleaning products used. Take care to use organic cleaning products which are devoid of harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances.

It is of utmost importance to use biodegradable and Eco friendly cleaning products to protect the environment and to save ourselves from the harmful side effects in the future.

Care should also be taken to prevent accidents and mishaps during cleaning. Use steady ladders, good quality gloves, masks and footwear. Take care to not have electric shocks, fire hazards, and bad falls. Be extra careful to not damage any household items and cause physical strain.