Inviting guests into your home is exciting, but it's a good idea to check off the items on this handy cleaning checklist before they arrive to ensure everything is clean and tidy. Even if you don’t have people coming over, this checklist is a great resource for weekly or monthly cleaning and sprucing up your space.

Kitchen-Cleaning Checklist

The kitchen is often the hub of activity, so it’s essential to keep this area clean and inviting. For a spotless space that makes guests feel welcome, here’s an easy-to-follow checklist for sprucing up every counter.

Summary

• Clean countertops daily.

• Replace sponges and washcloths weekly.

• Wipe down the microwave weekly.

• Clean your refrigerator weekly.

Countertop

Granite countertops add a beautiful touch to your kitchen, but sometimes they can become catchalls for items with no home. To keep them looking spotless and free of bacteria, give them an everyday wipe-down using plain water or mix in some alcohol. The addition of alcohol not only kills bacteria but also prevents streaking due to quick evaporation.

Sponges and Washcloths

As every homemaker knows, tidying up the kitchen can make a difference in how your home feels, whether it’s comfortable and inviting or disorganized and chaotic. To keep things clean and germ-free, use this two-step process: rinse sponges or washcloths after washing dishes each night then pop them into the microwave for 30 seconds to kill any bacteria. Then switch them out weekly with fresh ones.

Microwave

Show your microwave some love and attention every week. Give it a quick wipe-down, both inside and out. Focus on any tricky spots where stray splatters might grow, particularly around the windowpane and on the roof of the microwave. Once a month, when you're feeling extra motivated, treat your microwave to deep cleansing with water and vinegar, like a spa day for appliances.

Refrigerator

Keep your fridge fresh and tidy each week with these simple tips. Start by evaluating what's inside. If there’s overripe produce, it’s time to throw it out. Once you've taken inventory and removed any rotting or old food, jot down the items that need restocking for your next grocery run. Once a month, wipe down all surfaces in the refrigerator with an all-natural disinfectant.

Bedroom-Cleaning Checklist

Your bedroom is your sacred, relaxing space, just as guest rooms are a private oasis for friends and relatives. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your bedroom fresh.

Summary

• Clean mattress pads every two months.

• Clean pillowcase protectors every month.

• Wash pillows every three months; replace them every three years.

• Clean sheets weekly.

Mattress

When the seasons change, grab a box of baking soda and sprinkle some over your mattress protector pads for a natural odor absorber. If there's been no activity in the guest room lately, strip off all linens, including any mattress pads, before giving everything a run through the washing machine. Now you can be sure everyone will enjoy crisp, clean sheets when they arrive.

Pillows

Wash pillow protectors at least once a month and give them an extra deep clean every three months. Depending on how it's made, these items’ laundering instructions can vary, so follow what the manufacturer suggests for the best results. Remember that even though you may have a long-time love affair with your favorite pillow, refreshment is key: Replacing pillows after three years is important, especially for people with allergies, as pillows can accumulate dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other allergens over time.

How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom?

There is no one cut-and-dry answer to how often you should clean your bathroom. Answers can start wide but narrow down, depending on the size and activity level in your home. Here are some guidelines to help keep bathrooms clean at all times.

Summary

• Clean your bathtub weekly.

• Wash body towels after three uses.

• Switch out hand towels every three days.

Bathtub

Give your bathtub the care it deserves by scrubbing it down weekly with a strong disinfectant. Always wear gloves for safety. For an all-natural cleaner, mix ½ cup liquid soap, ½ cup water, two tablespoons white vinegar, and 1½ cups baking soda in a spray bottle. Once you’ve given your bathtub its treatment, rinse well afterward to remove any lingering cleaner.

Towels

Keeping your towels clean and inviting doesn't have to be a daunting task. For large bath or beach towels, limit use to just three times before washing. As for hand towels, change them out at least every three days. 

Of course, you’ll want to keep your bathroom floor clean, too, so take a look at our article: how to clean any floor cleaning tips.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Office Clean

Keeping your home office organized and dust-free can be a great way to stay productive between meetings while working from home. Taking some extra time to spruce it up here and there truly pays off, giving you a more enjoyable workspace.

Keyboard

We use our phones for just about everything these days, but one thing that we don’t always consider is how much time is spent using our keyboards. Wipe your keyboards down weekly with alcohol to clean away any bacteria or residue from afternoon snacks. Between key crevices can be hard to reach, so try using cotton swabs or get a pressurized spray can to blast out any food or dust.

The Key to a Clean Living Room

Refresh your living room and make it an enjoyable space–and one that leaves an amazing first impression on guests. Doing the little things like tidying, vacuuming, and dusting can be what takes it to the next level. Making time for these activities will ensure you’re ready to welcome guests any day.

Summary

• Vacuum carpets weekly.

• Clean out pet odors immediately.

• Vacuum or clean smaller throw rugs as needed.

• Deep clean carpets every six months to a year.

Carpets and Rugs

If you’re looking to keep your carpets and rugs fresh, here are some tips. Regularly vacuum at least once a week, or more if pets shed. Pet accidents happen, so be sure to wash up any mess with pet stain removers right away. Having your carpets steam cleaned on a regular basis is another great way to keep carpets always looking (and smelling) new. And don’t forget your smaller throw rugs near entryways; these will need extra attention in the winter months.

How often should you steam clean your carpet?

For optimal results, aim to have your carpets steam cleaned every six months to once a year, depending on how heavily trafficked that area of the house is and the volume of seasonal debris such as winter slush and spring pollen.

Keeping up with your home cleaning checklist can be overwhelming and frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. By breaking down each room and task into manageable chunks based on how often you should clean them, keeping your house spick and span doesn't seem as daunting. From wiping down the bathroom sink every morning to cleaning out the oven once a month, there are simple solutions that can help keep your home tidy and organized throughout the year. As an added bonus, taking time in your daily routine to clean from top-to-bottom can also make it easier when it comes time for more thorough deep cleanings later on. After all, keeping a clean home should be about what makes you feel good — and that feeling is invaluable. With all of these tips in mind, you'll find everything you need to keep a consistently shiny and inviting home in no time - especially if it’s a brand-new construction home. Discover stunning floor plans and check out Pulte's new home communities today!

For more design tips, local attraction guides, and homeowner lifestyle articles, check out the Pulte Homes blog for inspiration.