Keeping your home clean often feels like a never-ending task. Many people spend their weekends doing chores due to a busy schedule. Cleaning the house is not just about dusting and mopping but following a plan so everything in the house looks manageable.
If you are also one of those who spend the whole weekend on house chores but never get caught with the house cleaning, this guide is for you.
In this guide, we will discuss 7 clear steps to house cleanliness, covering everything from gathering your supplies to tackling the bathroom. By the end, you’ll have a complete plan you can use.
Why a House Cleaning Routine Is Important
A planned house cleaning does more than keep dirt away. Regular cleaning promotes better physical and mental well-being, reduces stress, and creates an environment where positive habits grow. In Australia, people clean their homes weekly, yet many still feel like the house never gets fully done. The reason is usually a lack of a proper house cleaning plan and not a lack of effort.
7 Simple Steps to an Effective House Cleaning Routine
1- Gather Necessary Cleaning Supplies
Before you touch a single surface, get everything ready. Running for supplies during cleaning wastes time and interrupts your cleaning process.
Basic Cleaning Supplies List
All-purpose cleaner
Glass cleaner
Disinfectant spray
Toilet bowl cleaner
Multiple microfibre cloths
Scrubbing sponges
Mop and bucket
Vacuum cleaner
Rubber gloves
Rubbish bags
Keep these in a portable caddy so you can carry them from room to room. This one habit alone can reduce your house cleaning time by almost 20%.
2- Clean The Kitchen And Wash Dishes
The kitchen is the most difficult room to clean in the house. Starting from here is a smart approach while your energy is high. When you clean the kitchen
Wipe down benchtops, the stovetop, and splashback first
Clean the sink and taps
Wash or stack the dishes.
Wipe the outside of the microwave, fridge, and oven
Empty the bin and replace the bag
Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping the kitchen floor
The kitchen is the most common place for bacteria to spread in a home, making it the most important area to disinfect regularly as part of your daily house cleaning routine.
3- Put Back Misplaced Items
Before dusting or vacuuming rooms, pick up items that do not belong in each room and return them to their place.
Walk through every room with a basket and drop in anything that is out of place. Then distribute items back to their correct spots.
Cleaning around clutter is essential, as a tidy home is far easier to maintain when following a house cleaning plan.
4- Dusting The Right Way
Always dust before you vacuum. In this way, fallen dust gets picked up at the next step rather than left behind.
Start dusting from ceiling fans, light fittings, and shelves, then go downward to furniture and walls. Always use a dry microfibre cloth for most surfaces. For compact spaces like blinds or vents, a damp cloth will be perfect.
Microfibre cloths are the most effective tool for trapping dust without spreading it around. Avoid feather dusters, as they can further spread the dust.
5- Clean Glass & Mirrors
Glass and mirrors show every stain. A quick clean makes any room look instantly clean.
Spray glass cleaner directly onto a microfibre cloth, not the glass, to avoid drips onto walls or frames. Wipe in a circular motion first, then finish with a straight vertical stroke to remove streaks. Clean windows, mirrors, shower screens, and glass splashbacks at this stage.
Experts at AAbond Cleaning suggest that polishing glass with a dry microfibre cloth after cleaning removes streaks and keeps it looking new for longer.
6- Vacuum And Mopping
Now that surfaces are dust-free and clutter is cleared, vacuum every floor, including under furniture and every corner. Use the narrow nozzle of the vacuum on edges and corners to collect dust.
After vacuuming, mop hard floors with a damp mop and a suitable floor cleaner. Work backwards from the far end of the room towards the door so you do not walk on the wet floor. Allow floors to air-dry fully before walking on them.
Regular vacuuming during the house cleaning extends the life of your carpets and reduces allergens in the home.
7- Clean Bathrooms
Save the bathroom for last because it requires disinfection, and you do not want to contaminate other rooms after cleaning it.
Apply toilet cleaner inside the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes, then wash
Spray and wipe the vanity, sink, taps, and mirror
Scrub the shower or bath
Wipe down tiles and grout cleaning
scrub the toilet bowl, seat, lid, and base
Mop the bathroom floor last
House Cleaning Checklist for a Spotless Home
A cleaning house checklist keeps you on track and makes sure nothing gets missed. Here is a quick checklist
Wipe all kitchen surfaces and appliances
Scrub and disinfect bathrooms and toilets
Dust all furniture, shelves, and fans
Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
Vacuum all floors and carpets
Mop hard floors clean
Take out bins and replace liners
Hidden Areas You Should Never Miss While Cleaning
To clean dust and bacteria that sit in the hidden places of the house, do not forget the tops of door frames, light switches, TV remotes, range hood filters, behind the toilet, under the bathroom vanity, the rubber seal around the washing machine, window tracks, and the inside of your microwave.
These spots are often left during a standard house cleaning routine, but they are the dirtiest areas in the home.
Expert Tips and Tricks for House Cleaning
Clean top to bottom, never bottom to top.
Use the two-bucket method when mopping: one for clean water and one for dirty
Set a timer for 20 minutes to stay focused and avoid cleaning fatigue
Use White vinegar and baking soda to remove stubborn grime
Do a five-minute reset each evening to stop mess build-up
Conclusion
A proper house cleaning routine makes a clean home much easier. By following simple steps like dusting and cleaning the kitchen the right way, using a reliable cleaning house checklist, and staying consistent, you can improve house cleanliness and reduce cleaning stress.
But, if things get out of your hands and you want good results without the stress, hiring professional cleaners is a smart approach.
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With over 5 years of experience and more than 1,000 happy customers across Perth, we offer a 100% bond-back guarantee. Our team of experienced house cleaners in Perth handles
Deep cleaning
End-of-lease cleans
Window cleaning
Use eco-friendly, non-toxic products
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FAQs
1- What is the 20/10 rule in cleaning?
The 20/10 rule means you clean actively for 20 minutes, then rest for 10. It keeps you productive without burning out. It is a good way to build a consistent house cleaning routine, especially for busy people.
2- What is the correct order of cleaning a house?
The correct order of cleaning a house is to gather cleaning supplies, clean the kitchen, put items back in their place, dust from top to bottom, clean glass and mirrors, vacuum and mop floors, and clean bathrooms.
3- What is the 80/20 rule in housekeeping?
The 80/20 rule in housekeeping suggests that 20% of the areas in your home cause 80% of the visible mess. Put your daily effort into these 20% spots, such as kitchen benchtops, bathrooms, and living areas, to maintain house cleanliness.
4- What is a professional house cleaning checklist?
A professional cleaning house checklist includes areas that are often missed in self-cleaning, such as window corners, light fittings, and behind the appliances. These professionals in Perth follow a detailed checklist to ensure the best results every time.
5- How often should you clean everything in your house?
The frequency of cleaning everything depends on the area of the house. For example, the surface-level cleaning, such as cleaning dishes, benchtops, and bathroom surfaces, requires daily cleaning. While deep cleaning, such as cleaning the oven, fridge interior, and windows, is required on a weekly or monthly basis.