Even when your home appears spotless, professional cleaners insist that certain chores should never be postponed to the next week. Skipping these tasks can lead to mold, mildew, ants, or a backlog of laundry, making future cleaning more difficult. Here’s what the experts prioritize every weekend.
Ashley Matuska Kidder, founder and CEO of Dashing Maids; Alex Varela, a cleaning expert at Oakville Maids; and Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, all agree that a few key habits make a significant difference in maintaining a healthy living environment.
Declutter High-Traffic Areas
Before deep cleaning, pros recommend a quick declutter of spaces like the kitchen and entryway. These areas tend to accumulate shoes, receipts, and other items over the weekend. Leaving them unattended can create bad habits and turn these spots into clutter catchalls, making cleaning more time-consuming later.
Dust Weekly, Even If It Looks Clean
Dusting should happen at least once a week, even if surfaces appear clean. Using the right tools is crucial—microfiber dusters are particularly effective at trapping dust rather than spreading it. In areas with heavy buildup, vacuuming first can help. Don’t forget upholstered furniture, which collects dust too; use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to tackle these surfaces.
If a full-house dusting feels overwhelming, break it into smaller tasks. Dust one room each day, reserving smaller rooms for Saturday and Sunday to keep the weekend enjoyable.
Fridge and Countertop Care
Cleaning out the fridge is a weekend must, especially if you do a weekly grocery run. Spills, particularly in seals and cracks, can cause the whole kitchen to smell, warns Matuska Kidder. Wipe down shelves, drawers, handles, and seals while restocking. She notes that doing this weekly becomes a “habit stacking” routine, reducing the need for a deep clean later.
Countertops also deserve daily attention. They collect clutter, dust, and germs throughout the week. Experts advise using a clean microfiber cloth with warm, soapy water for most surfaces. Always tidy up before wiping, and use separate cloths for kitchen and bathroom counters to avoid cross-contamination.
Don’t Forget Baseboards and Soft Surfaces
Baseboards often get overlooked, but they accumulate dust, dander, and dirt that fall to the floor. Varela suggests using a Swiffer with a microfiber head to clean them without bending or crawling. She emphasizes that this task is part of a deep cleaning routine and should be done before washing floors.
Finally, vacuum thoroughly, paying special attention to soft surfaces like curtains, throw pillows, and upholstered furniture. Sokolowski explains that these surfaces attract more dust than people realize, and cleaning them helps your home stay cleaner for longer.
By incorporating these chores into your weekend routine, you can prevent larger cleaning issues and maintain a healthier living space.
