Cleaning Room Checklist
A Proven Cleaning Room Checklist Designed for Real Homes and Real Life
Cleaning Room Checklist — The Ultimate, Practical, Pro-Level Guide To A Really Clean Home
The key to an effective cleaning room checklist is the ability to maintain it, not achieve perfection. We've found that the rooms in the thousands of homes that are always "dirty" aren't necessarily dirtier than others, they're simply lacking a system to follow.
This practical room-by-room cleaning room checklist is intended to be:
Saved for reference and access on demand
Printed as a reminder to follow each day/week/month
Repeated regularly (weekly)
to provide a consistent process to:
Eliminate "forgotten" areas
Decrease the amount of time spent cleaning
Create a sense of freshness, rather than "it looks okay from across the room"
Why Is A Cleaning Room Checklist More Effective Than "Cleaning As Needed"?
We all tend to underestimate the speed at which dust and bacteria accumulate in our indoor spaces. An average home accumulates many pounds of dust each year, largely as a result of:
Dust generated by fabric fibers
Human skin flakes
Soil tracked into homes via shoes, etc.
Outdoor particles settling on surfaces and flooring.
Using a cleaning room checklist will:
Provide a standard process (eliminating the tendency to "forget what needs to be done")
Prevent dirt from developing into difficult-to-erase grime
Establish a regular, predictable cleaning routine (which eliminates the need for "long weekend" cleaning sessions)
Your checklist should be thought of similarly to meal preparation:
Fewer decisions
Smaller, more manageable routines
Better end-results
Before Starting: The Quick 5-Minute Preparation Routine That Saves Time in Every Room
Prior to beginning your cleaning room checklist, start with the following quick preparation sequence:
1. Let air in (anywhere from 10 minutes to open windows helps to remove odors and excess moisture)
2. Begin at the top (fans, lighting, shelves, etc.) and move down to the floors.
3. Remove clutter quickly.
Dispose of trash and recyclables.
Put away dishes.
Take out the laundry basket.
4. Collect "does not belong here" items in a single bin.
5. Clean from one direction (e.g., clockwise) to avoid missing areas.
Professional cleaners also utilize a system similar to this method to:
Prevent back-and-forth cleaning patterns
Maintain a level of cleanliness in each room.
Living Room Cleaning Room Checklist: Dust-Free Comfort Without the "Film"
Use the following weekly living room cleaning room checklist:
Dust the ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
Dust and clean the tops of high shelves, picture frames, and other decorations.
Clean glass (use a dry microfiber cloth when cleaning TV screens).
Sanitize the following high-touch areas:
Remote controls
Switches (light, television, etc.)
Door handles
Wipe down coffee and end tables (don't forget the underside).
Vacuum the upholstery on the couch and chairs (and underneath cushions).
Vacuum the floor covering (rugs and edges), and remove any stains.
Mop the hardwood floors after vacuuming.
Pro tip from Karen's Green Cleaning:
Microfiber cloths capture particles better than cotton.
Fine fibers provide more surface area to catch dust.
More dust stays in the room instead of being pushed around.
Kitchen Cleaning Room Checklist: Where "Clean-Looking" Doesn't Equal Clean
Use the following kitchen cleaning room checklist to focus on sanitizing and de-greasing:
1. Clean off countertops and throw crumbs into trash.
2. Wash the dishes or load the dishwasher.
3. Clean and sanitize the following:
Countertops
Backsplash
Sink
Faucet
4. Scrub the sink basin (including the drain area).
5. Wipe down the front and handles of cabinets (pay special attention to those closest to the stove).
6. Clean the stovetop and knobs.
7. Wipe down the outside of the range hood.
8. Quickly spot-clean the inside of the microwave (using steam helps loosen grime).
9. Throw away trash and wipe down:
Trash lid
Trash exterior
10. Thoroughly sweep the area, then mop.
Important timing tip:
Many disinfectants require a dwell time.
For the surface to remain wet enough for effectiveness.
Wiping too soon may greatly reduce the number of germs eliminated.
Bathroom Cleaning Room Checklist: The "Hygiene Order" That Works
Follow the professional bathroom cleaning room checklist:
1. First spray the shower and tub (allow the product to sit for a few minutes).
2. Next clean the mirrors and glass.
3. Then disinfect the sink, faucet, and countertops.
4. Finally scrub the toilet:
Inside bowl
Seat
Lid
Base
Handle
5. Scrub the shower and tub; make sure to rinse well.
6. Then wipe down high-touch areas:
Light switches
Door handles
7. Replace bath towels.
8. Replenish:
Toilet paper
Soap
9. Clean the corners and behind the toilet.
10. Mop from the farthest corner towards the door.
Expert tip:
Leave the bathroom fan running during and after shower/bathing activities.
Helps to remove excess moisture
Prevents the development of mold and mildew on grout and caulk.
Bedroom Cleaning Room Checklist: Cleaner Air, Better Sleep, Less Dust
Use the following bedroom-focused cleaning room checklist:
1. Make the bed.
2. Clear and wipe down night stands.
3. Dust:
Lamps
Headboard
Frames
Shelves
4. Vacuum under the bed and around the feet of furniture.
5. Vacuum the rug; mop the hard floor.
6. Throw away trash.
7. Reset laundry bin.
Weekly tasks:
Wash the bedding and pillow cases.
Monthly task:
Vacuum the top of the mattress.
Rotate the mattress (if possible).
The "Extras That Create a Difference Between Good Clean and Professional Clean" Checklist
In addition to the above cleaning room checklists, consider the following additional detail-oriented cleaning room checklist items:
Baseboards and door trim.
Light switches and outlet covers.
Edges of interior doors and handles.
Air vents.
Underneath small pieces of furniture.
Window sills and window tracks.
Quickly spot-clean any scuff marks on walls (test first).
Karen's Green Cleaning calls the above list the "proof list" -- the areas that visitors will unconsciously notice as being "clean."
An Easy-to-Follow Weekly Cleaning Room Checklist Schedule That Will Stick
Divide your weekly cleaning room checklist schedule into the following realistic daily breakdown:
Monday: Bathrooms
Tuesday: Bedrooms
Wednesday: Living room and hallway floors.
Thursday: Kitchen reset and mop.
Friday: Catch-up, folding laundry, and wiping down surfaces.
Optional Weekend Task: Deep-Clean One Area of Your Choice.
Q & A: Cleaning Room Checklist FAQs People Have Before Committing
Q1. How Long Does a Full Cleaning Room Checklist Take?
Maintenance cleaning room checklists typically take between 1 hour and 2 hours to complete per week.
The less time spent on cleaning room checklists each week as a result of reduced buildup.
Q2. What is the Most Important Step People Skip When Cleaning?
Providing adequate time for disinfectants to dwell.
Cleaning the edges and corners of rooms.
These skipped steps will contribute to your rooms appearing dirty sooner.
Q3. Are Green Cleaning Products Really Effective?
Yes -- when used with:
Proper cleaning techniques.
Microfiber cleaning tools.
Appropriate dwell times for disinfectants.
Cleaning from top to bottom.
Q4. What if I’m overwhelmed and can’t keep up?
Begin with a bare-bones cleaning room checklist:
Kitchen Counters and Sink
Toilet and Sink
Main Floor Coverings (hardwood, tile, carpet, etc.)
Trash Removal
After establishing a baseline of stability, add to your cleaning room checklist as desired, or allow Karen's Green Cleaning to customize a cleaning room checklist that ensures every cleaning is consistent, thorough and stress free.