These 5 household chores should be done every week without fail, experts warn

We are all looking for ways to cut corners and make cleaning a house quicker – it is one of our biggest energy drains, after all.

However, skipping or procrastinating certain cleaning tasks can be detrimental both to your home and your health, professional cleaners warn. They instead suggest trialing some smarter cleaning tips to cut some of the workload.

These are the five household chores you should be doing weekly and why it is so important not to miss them.

Household chores you should be doing weekly

When creating a weekly cleaning schedule, these five tasks should be at the top of the list. You can then spread out other tasks that can be left for a little longer (cleaning baseboards, for instance), throughout the month. Pop them on a Wheel of Chores if you're a serial procrastinator.

1. Vacuuming upholstery

‘We usually vacuum the floors but overlook that sofas, armchairs, and other upholstered furniture can accumulate dust, allergens, and pet hairs,’ begins Danny Leung, cleaning expert and owner of Detoorp, a modern, eco-friendly cleaning marketplace. This means cleaning upholstery is one of the many additional cleaning tasks you should be doing weekly.

‘Weekly vacuuming helps to maintain indoor air quality and prolongs the life of your furniture. It also keeps your living space fresh and free of allergens that can trigger respiratory issues,’ he adds.

While cleaning the furniture, consider also checking beneath it, adds Ryan Knoll, cleaning expert and owner of Tidy Casa: ‘Dust and debris accumulate under the furniture. Regular vacuuming prevents allergens and keeps your home cleaner and fresher.’

2. Kitchen appliances

We should all be cleaning a kitchen at least once a week already, but we might try to save time by skipping some of our appliances. However, these are some of the most important spots to be tackling on the regular, suggests Danny Leung, cleaning expert:

‘Kitchen appliances like microwaves, hob tops, and refrigerators usually are left with food residues and spills that attract pests and cause odors. Cleaning these appliances weekly ensures that your kitchen remains clean and prevents the spread of bacteria,’ he says.

If you have time, and use it regularly, it can also help to add cleaning an oven into your weekly cleaning rotation. Cleaning an oven using a steam cleaner is quick and easy and doesn't require any chemicals, allowing you to stay on top of grease before it builds up and becomes impossible (and disgusting) to try to remove.

3. Door handles and light switches

Target hygiene is a must if you want to ward off illness in your home – this means making a show of cleaning the high touch points to stop the spread of bacteria and germs, explains cleaning expert Ryan Knoll. For most, this means cleaning door handles, remote controls, light switches, and other frequently used electronics, he says.

4. Dusting light fixtures

We might rarely look up there, but our light fittings are some of the dirtiest spots in our homes, reminds Eliana Coca, professional house cleaner and owner of E.C. House Cleaning:

‘These areas are often ignored due to their height and inconvenience. However, dust and allergens accumulate quickly on light fixtures and ceiling fans, affecting air quality and potentially triggering allergies. Regular weekly dusting helps keep indoor air cleaner.’

When cleaning ceiling fans, consider using an old pillowcase to wrap around each blade and pull the dust off, allowing it to accumulate in the case for easy disposal, rather than having it float and settle elsewhere around your room.

5. Bathroom fixtures

Another task you should be tackling weekly anyway is cleaning a bathroom, however, you might be skipping small areas that will only make your life harder, warns cleaning expert Danny Leung:

‘Bathrooms can quickly become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Regular weekly cleaning of fixtures such as sinks, faucets, and shower heads helps to prevent the buildup of grime and limescale, keeping the bathroom hygienic and reducing the risk of illness.’

Cleaning with vinegar is the best way to tackle these mold-prone spots. Not only is vinegar more effective against mold than bleach, but it helps to break down limescale and hard water stains too. Not to mention it is a lot healthier to opt for green cleaning methods over harsh chemicals.

FAQs

What is a good weekly cleaning schedule?

Creating a weekly cleaning schedule is personal, and will differ depending on your work day, the size of your home, and any other weekly commitments you have. Some people like to work on a ‘different-day-different-room’ schedule, that allows them to tackle each area of their home gradually and keep cleaning times short. Others like to dedicate one day a week to cleaning their whole home and completing it in a marathon to leave other days chore-free.

These weekly chores are far from cleaning tasks that are a waste of time. They might add more items to your to-do list, but with the right cleaning approach, staying on top of these spots will start to feel easier every week.