Monthly Cleaning Schedules to Keep Your Home on Track This Year

This is a sponsored guest post from Evelyn Long of Renovated Magazine. Interested in having your post appear on Imagine it Done's blog? Apply here.

Housework can be overwhelming. Chores can pile up over a week, which usually results in a massive cleaning blitz over the weekend, then the cycle repeats. If you’re living this pattern, consider creating a monthly cleaning schedule to stay on track with your household tasks.

Here are our best tips to break big chores into manageable steps, and make household upkeep feel effortless so you can ditch the weekend cleaning frenzy with a simple monthly cleaning schedule.

Why a Monthly Schedule Makes Cleaning Effortless

Here’s how planning out your chores per month can make your life easier:

• Turns massive chores into small, manageable tasks: “Clean the kitchen” is a vague and intimidating goal, but a monthly plan can break it down. It can be “wipe down cabinet fronts” in the first week, then “deep clean the oven” the next.

• Ensures often-forgotten tasks get done: A schedule creates a dedicated time for critical but infrequent chores that are easy to ignore, like flipping mattresses, cleaning baseboards and tackling seasonal outdoor maintenance.

• Frees up mental energy and reduces decision fatigue: A preplanned home care plan removes the burden of constantly having to decide “what’s next?” You can simply do the one task on the list for that day or month.

How to Build Your Monthly Cleaning Schedule

A productive monthly schedule has three layers.

The Foundation: Daily and Weekly Tasks

These nonnegotiable habits prevent daily clutter and grime from building up. They’re the bedrock of a consistently clean home. Daily tasks can include making the bed, wiping down kitchen counters after use and tidying up before bed. Weekly tasks may include changing the bed linens, vacuuming or mopping all the floors, cleaning bathroom surfaces and taking out all the trash. For regular cleaning, keep essential cleaners like white vinegar and baking soda on hand for any cleaning project you undertake.

The Focus: The Monthly Deep Dive

Assign one major “deep dive” project per month. It could be to deep clean a specific room, or you could perform one type of task, such as organizing all closets. For example, if your monthly focus is the bathroom, scatter specific chores, such as cleaning grout tiles and scrubbing tubs and showers, across the month. For a kitchen-centered plan, tasks like cleaning inside appliances and wiping down backsplashes should be on your checklist.

The Big Picture: Seasonal and Annual Maintenance

Many critical but infrequent household tasks prevent larger problems and protect your home’s value, so be sure to slot them into the most logical month in the calendar. For example, consider a summer chore of soft washing exterior features, such as siding, windows and doors, to prevent mold or mildew buildup, keeping your home both beautiful and healthy.

A Sample Month-by-Month Cleaning Calendar

Below is an example of the three-layer schedule, with the foundation, focus and big-picture tasks in action. It’s a flexible template, so feel free to copy it and adjust it to your needs.

January

• Declutter and wipe down the inside of all cabinets and drawers.

• Deep clean the oven and degrease the stovetop and range hood filter.

• Dispose of expired items in the pantry and wipe down the shelves.

• Vacuum appliances like air purifiers, HVAC units, and ceiling vents.

• Check all appliances for filter replacements and clean appliances.

  
  

February

• Wash all throw blankets and pillow covers.

• Dust all hard surfaces, including bookshelves, electronics and decor.

• Wipe down light fixtures, ceiling fans and switches.

  
  

March

• Flip and rotate every mattress in your home.

• Wash all bedding, including the mattress pads, duvet covers and pillows.

• Declutter closets, then sort clothes for donation, storage or repair.

  
  

April

• Deep scrub all tile grout on floors and in showers.

• Soak showerheads in vinegar to remove mineral buildup.

• Declutter and reorganize medicine cabinets and bathroom drawers.

• Declutter all closets using Imagine It Done’s 5 step process by editing, categorizing, containing, curating, and personalizing the space.

  
  

May

• Sweep floors and vacuum away cobwebs in the basement and garage.

• Organize tools, sporting equipment and seasonal items.

• Check for any signs of water damage or pests.

  
  

June

• Wash the inside and outside of every window.

• Inspect and repair any damaged window screens.

• Schedule professional roof cleaning and maintenance.

  
  

July

• Power wash or scrub your patio, deck or porch.

• Wipe down all outdoor furniture and inspect for any needed repairs.

• Wash all outdoor cushions and rugs.

  
  

August

• Spot treat stains on upholstery and rugs.

• Move furniture to clean and vacuum underneath.

• Schedule a professional carpet cleaning.

  
  

September

• Replace all batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Check the expiration date of your fire extinguisher.

• Schedule a professional roof and chimney inspection before winter.

  
  

October

• Clean and dust the dining room chandelier or light fixture.

• Wipe down the dining table and chairs.

• Wash special-occasion dishes and table linens.

  
  

November

• Empty the refrigerator and wash all shelves and drawers.

• Run the self-clean cycle on your oven or clean it manually.

• Deep clean the microwave, inside and out.

• Clean garbage disposal cavity.

• Clean inside dishwasher, cavity compartment, and washer and dryer drain compartments.

  
  

December

• Declutter the main living areas.

• Deep clean the guest room.

• Wipe down all interior doors, door frames and light switches.

Your Cleanest Year Starts Now

Stay on top of your home’s upkeep without burning out. Drop marathon cleaning sessions and adopt a consistent, layered monthly cleaning schedule to ensure you cover all your bases without spreading yourself too thin. It’s a system that not only creates a home that feels good to live in but also helps you save a lot of time. Keep your monthly cleaning calendar consistent and manageable to enjoy your cleanest year yet.

Want our full Cleaning Bundle to help you make keeping a clean home easier? Check it out here.

Evelyn Long is a recognized expert in organization and decluttering, dedicated to helping individuals create clutter-free homes and minds. She contributes her insights to publications such as the National Association of Realtors and Tidied by K, while also serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine. Through her work, Evelyn inspires readers to embrace simplicity and efficiency in their everyday lives.