Cleaning the house is one of those necessary evils that, sadly, we can't escape. No matter how much we may dislike it (and oftentimes, procrastinate), it must be done – especially if we want to maintain a comfortable and pleasant living space.

But just how often should you be cleaning different areas and items in your home? While there's no definitive answer, there are certainly some guidelines you can follow. For example, the kitchen is arguably the most important room in terms of cleanliness, since it's where we prepare our food. Therefore, it should be cleaned daily – or at least every other day – with special attention paid to the stovetop, fridge and sink area.

As for other rooms in the house such as bedrooms and living spaces, a general rule of thumb is to vacuum once or twice a week and dust surfaces weekly as well. Of course, this may need to be increased if you have pets or (grand)children who make more messes!

However intense (or not) your daily cleaning routine may be though; it's nothing compared to what some Australians are doing on a regular basis. Recently on social media, one woman kicked off a conversation by sharing her huge weekly cleaning list which covers nine different areas of her home! Not only that but each day has specific tasks assigned to it too... talk about organised!

An Aussie Mums cleaning list! Image source: FacebookMumsWhoClean.​

Her post prompted many others to share their own lists with equally impressive levels of organisation and detail; including one very impressive spreadsheet table which breaks down each task even further according to time allotment (10 minutes here; 15 minutes there).

One woman’s spreadsheet was so popular that fellow mums asked if she could email them a copy. Image source: FacebookMumsWhoClean.


All the lists varied in layout and format. Image source: FacebookMumsWhoClean.​

But not everyone was convinced that such detailed organisation was necessary... or even possible! Some commenters said they ‘couldn't live like that’, while others preferred to keep more of a mental checklist rather than write everything down. One person simply said: ‘life is too short’.

What do you think? Could you never miss a beat like these highly organised Aussies; or does the thought fill you with dread? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

 

[rachtrex]

Cleaning the house is one of those necessary evils that, sadly, we can't escape. No matter how much we may dislike it (and oftentimes, procrastinate), it must be done – especially if we want to maintain a comfortable and pleasant living space.

But just how often should you be cleaning different areas and items in your home? While there's no definitive answer, there are certainly some guidelines you can follow. For example, the kitchen is arguably the most important room in terms of cleanliness, since it's where we prepare our food. Therefore, it should be cleaned daily – or at least every other day – with special attention paid to the stovetop, fridge and sink area.

As for other rooms in the house such as bedrooms and living spaces, a general rule of thumb is to vacuum once or twice a week and dust surfaces weekly as well. Of course, this may need to be increased if you have pets or (grand)children who make more messes!

However intense (or not) your daily cleaning routine may be though; it's nothing compared to what some Australians are doing on a regular basis. Recently on social media, one woman kicked off a conversation by sharing her huge weekly cleaning list which covers nine different areas of her home! Not only that but each day has specific tasks assigned to it too... talk about organised!

View attachment 6739
An Aussie Mums cleaning list! Image source: FacebookMumsWhoClean.​

Her post prompted many others to share their own lists with equally impressive levels of organisation and detail; including one very impressive spreadsheet table which breaks down each task even further according to time allotment (10 minutes here; 15 minutes there).

View attachment 6740
One woman’s spreadsheet was so popular that fellow mums asked if she could email them a copy. Image source: FacebookMumsWhoClean.

View attachment 6741
All the lists varied in layout and format. Image source: FacebookMumsWhoClean.​

But not everyone was convinced that such detailed organisation was necessary... or even possible! Some commenters said they ‘couldn't live like that’, while others preferred to keep more of a mental checklist rather than write everything down. One person simply said: ‘life is too short’.

What do you think? Could you never miss a beat like these highly organised Aussies; or does the thought fill you with dread? Share your thoughts in the comments section

 

[rachtrex]

tidy your house before you go to bed make sure all things are set so you get up to a tidy house make kids lunches or get them 2 even a 3 year old can make a sandwich and put them in the fridge so you just put them in the bag in the morning decide what they will have for breakfast then get them to put the plates straight into the dish washer get them to make their own bed as soon as they get up . they should be taking responsibility. declutter all flat surfaces so it looks tidy. just clean as you go along just a little each day

 

[Jennie]

This level of cleanliness may be required when you have young children or messy teens, but when you are over 70 you don't make a mess, the main problem then is dust.
A fortnightly thorough dust, wiped down surfaces and vacuum and wash all floors, is completely sufficient. Of course the linen is still changed weekly and washing done as required, maybe only once a week if you don't go out much.
Bathrooms can be wiped down after use and toilet cleaned as required some times daily, eyesight not what it used to be.
Air con ducts and fans cleaned by a contractor monthly, lawns mowed, gutters cleaned and windows washed by a contractor also. If you are elderly and can't manage these things there are government packages available to assist with the cost. You may have to wait a while for your package to come through, but if over 80 assistance is swifter. No excuse for a dirty home, you have to live there after all, and it's so much nicer to have everything clean. Mrs 77

We do our own windows, gutters and lawn, too expensive to pay someone. We find it hard to manage and it can take several days to complete cleaning tasks like Windows. I get a girl on homecare 1 hr a fortnight to clean the shower and toilet, and have to clean areas after her. She didn't know how to use a scrubber to clean the bathroom floor. Wanted to do the floor dry, when you have to show these people how to do things, something is wrong with the system. She is always ready to stop and talk, could talk under water with a mouth full of marbles, but work, different story.

 

[rachtrex]

set you house before you go to bed .always get up to a tidy decluttered house clear all surfaces before bed get the kids to make their lunches and put them in the fridge before bed when they get up make the bed then get breakfast and put the dishes in the dish washer.get lunches put them in bags , thats is most of your work done do the washing hang it out get it back in fold and get the kids to put it away. The more you can teach them to do the less you end up doing . Clean things as you go along then there will never be much work. even a 3 year old can be taught to make a sandwich.

 

[Joolz58]

I actually find it makes things easier, quicker, and requires less thought. I’m certainly not a slave to house-cleaning, but having a system breaks things up into smaller tasks. In the end, there’s no right or wrong way. It’s just what works for each of us.

Exactly. What works for some may not work for others, but at least have some kind of plan or system in place. Mum's system was to start at one end of the room and work your way around. Start from the bottom and work your way up (skirting boards, kick boards on cabinets etc)

This was a bit 'carved in stone' for me, but generally there are some things I'm OCD with.. lol.. but other chores are fly by my pants....

I consider housework to be like eating an elephant. Do it one bite at a time until you find your rhythm. Break it down, do things on the fly, like wiping sink and benches when you make a cuppa or toast, so it's not an "extra" thing to do.

 

[Julesmac]

This level of cleanliness may be required when you have young children or messy teens, but when you are over 70 you don't make a mess, the main problem then is dust.
A fortnightly thorough dust, wiped down surfaces and vacuum and wash all floors, is completely sufficient. Of course the linen is still changed weekly and washing done as required, maybe only once a week if you don't go out much.
Bathrooms can be wiped down after use and toilet cleaned as required some times daily, eyesight not what it used to be.
Air con ducts and fans cleaned by a contractor monthly, lawns mowed, gutters cleaned and windows washed by a contractor also. If you are elderly and can't manage these things there are government packages available to assist with the cost. You may have to wait a while for your package to come through, but if over 80 assistance is swifter. No excuse for a dirty home, you have to live there after all, and it's so much nicer to have everything clean. Mrs 77

Dust? Dust you say - where does the bloody stuff come from? Drives me mad; we are in quite a windy area and have darkish timber floors - and a hairy Labrador so there sure is dust & every speck shows up.
Floor to ceiling windows ensure there's lots of sunlight shining on the dust. I've got better things to do than wander round with a cobweb broom but I am amazed at how often I need to. I could always close the blinds a bit I guess.....

 

[Ezzy]

Dust? Dust you say - where does the bloody stuff come from? Drives me mad; we are in quite a windy area and have darkish timber floors - and a hairy Labrador so there sure is dust & every speck shows up.
Floor to ceiling windows ensure there's lots of sunlight shining on the dust. I've got better things to do than wander round with a cobweb broom but I am amazed at how often I need to. I could always close the blinds a bit I guess.....

Love your reply Julesmac. Read this to myself & then shared this with my wife with a bit of expression & she too was amused. Made our afternoon a treat.