Basic Cleaning Checklist That Works: Easy Daily, Weekly & Monthly Routines

Let’s be real—keeping a home clean day after day is a drag (unless you get an oddly specific joy from wiping down countertops or folding towels with military precision). But for most of us juggling work, meals, kids, and a million other to-dos? Having a basic cleaning checklist is enormously helpful.

With a clear plan, you don’t have to second-guess what needs to be done or waste energy figuring out what you missed. It takes the pressure off (at least a little bit of the mental load!) and turns the endless list of chores into something way more manageable.

So to help you lighten the burden, we’ve put together a basic cleaning schedule that you can download and print covering the daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.

We don’t recommend saving all your cleaning for the weekend (unless chaos is your aesthetic). Trying to tackle everything in one go is exhausting—and usually means some tasks get skipped altogether. Instead, carve out just 15–20 minutes a day for all daily cleaning tasks, and then 20-25 minutes for the weekly and monthly chores. That’s all it takes to stay on top of the basics without burning out.

A few minutes in the morning or evening to tidy up, wipe down surfaces, and reset key areas can make a huge difference. By spreading out tasks across your day, week and month means you’ll avoid build-up, reduce overwhelm, and keep your home feeling fresh with way less effort.

Let’s talk supplies—because what you clean with matters just as much as how often you clean.

At SJ, we’re big fans of non-toxic cleaning products. After all, it doesn’t make much sense to wipe down your counters with chemicals that pollute your indoor air or end up in our waterways. The good news? You don’t need harsh ingredients to get the job done.

Simple pantry staples like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and castile soap can tackle everything from greasy stovetops to grimy sinks – for making your own, here’s our homemade cleaning products recipes. Prefer to skip the DIY route? There are also plenty of ready-made eco-friendly cleaners that are gentle on your home and tough on dirt.

Whichever way you go—homemade or store-bought—you can keep things clean without compromising your health or the planet.

This basic cleaning checklist is your home maintenance rhythm. With a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule in place, you’ll find it easier to stay on top of messes and maintain a clean, comfortable space.

Because, we all have lofty cleaning goals but it’s important to have a realistic cleaning list that we can actually use and achieve between the big deep cleaning efforts once or twice a year.

Daily Tasks

• Make the beds: Instantly helps bedrooms look neater.
• Load and unload the dishwasher: Keeps dishes from piling up and the sink clear.
• Wipe down kitchen surfaces and stovetop: Clears crumbs, spills, and keeps bacteria at bay.
• Wash and dry laundry (as needed): Staying on top of it prevents those overwhelming laundry mountains.
• Fold and put away clean clothes and linens: Clutter-free surfaces = less visual stress.
• Vacuum high-traffic areas: Hallways, kitchens, and entryways tend to collect the most dirt (do every other day if needed).
• Put back miscellaneous items: Toys, mail, shoes—reset your space before it spirals.
• Take out compost or organic waste: Prevents unpleasant odors and fruit flies.
• Clean the kitchen compost bin: A quick rinse and wipe goes a long way.

Weekly Tasks

• Vacuum all carpets and rugs: Pick up what daily cleaning misses.
• Sweep and mop hard floors: Keeps grime and dust from building up.
• Scrub toilets and shower/bath: Prevent soap scum, mildew, and buildup.
• Sanitize sinks and drains: Hot water and vinegar or a gentle disinfectant works well.
• Wash and change sheets and towels: Fresh linens always feel good.
• Take out garbage and recycling: Usually a once-a-week job (or as needed).
• Clean out the fridge: Toss anything expired and wipe up spills.

Monthly Tasks

• Deep clean fridge: Remove everything, sanitize shelves, toss expired goods, and reorganize.
• Sanitize garbage and recycling bins: Spray with disinfectant, wipe inside and out.
• Organize kitchen cabinets: Remove expired pantry items, clean shelves, and reset.
• Scrub shower and bathtub thoroughly: Focus on grout and tough buildup.
• Wipe down mirrors: Especially in the bathroom where spots collect fast.
• Clean furniture: Wash cushion covers, vacuum between cracks, spot treat stains.
• Dust top to bottom: Tops of shelves, behind the couch, ceiling fans, lampshades—all the sneaky spots.
• Clean windows and windowsills: Let that sunshine in!
• Clean microwave and oven: Remove grease and food residue.
• Flip the mattress: Helps it wear evenly and stay supportive.

Need to go beyond the basics? Check out our deep house cleaning schedule for a full home reset—or our spring cleaning guide which is perfect for that seasonal refreshe or when things need a serious scrub.