WEEKLY CLEANING CHECKLIST

I've spent enough time in homes over the years to learn one thing: the homes that never feel stale aren't the ones that have individuals cleaning every spare minute of their lives. They're the ones that have a groove — a schedule that just… unravels. No fuss, no 8-hour cleaning session, just a flow.

That’s just why we recommend a weekly cleaning schedule checklist with many of our Seattle’s Green Cleaning Fairy customers. It’s like a maintenance plan on the maintenance plan schedule. Done correctly, it keeps your home fresh-looking and fresh-feeling without overwhelming your week. And, hey, if you miss a step? No issue — you continue next time.

This is the one we've perfected after decades of cleaning houses that are lived in. I'm referring to busy homes with families, warfare with pet hairs, the "surprise guest" frenzy — we've experienced the lot. Should you desire that combination of clean and liveable, this is the place you begin. And when you need that little bit of extra Polish, begin with Cleaning that's deep and green.

Step One: Tidy and Declutter First

Get the obstructions out of the way before you consider breaking out the mop or duster. Jackets draped over chairs, piles of mail, toy obstructions — you get the picture.

This isn’t about making it look pretty after the fact. It’s about setting yourself up with a clear path to the actual cleaning process so you’re never stopping to shuffle things around. I have found that when people master this habit, every other thing on the checklist is a breeze.

Step Two: Dust from Top to Bottom

It’s easy to go whack at the shelves you can reach, but dust is slippery. Begin high — ceiling fans, tops of frames, shelves — then work toward the floor. By the time that which falls is vacuumed or swept the next time through, the new areas will be dusted.

I've entered rooms that seemed gloomy, then dusted a ceiling fan and the light seemed just that little bit brighter. It's a subtle matter, but all of a sudden the feel of the room is different.

Step Three: Vacuum and Sweep Every Floor

Yes, every floor. Even that guest room you “never use.” Dust migrates — believe me. Weekly vacuuming or sweeping keeps it in check. The trick to cleaning is to clean little by little I guess is the trick.

In busy areas such as kitchens and halls, hand the scene over with a swift mop or wet microfiber after the vacuum has done its work. Just be sure that you have the correct cleaner for the floor — too abrasive and you’ll blur the surface in the long run.

Step Four: Give the Kitchen Its Weekly Reset

The kitchen is the workhorse of the house. So, every week, get beyond your regular wipe-downs:

Remove crumb leanings from the toaster tray.
Wipe down inside and out microwave (the lemon steam trick is fantastic).
Clean appliance faces — fridge, stove, dishwasher — removing fingerprints.
Wash counters and backsplash.
Breeze the sink drain with a baking soda + vinegar rinse.

They say this one step makes the entire house feel cleaner. I don't blame them — the kitchen is the place a lot of the “lived-in” look appears.

Step Five: Bath Deep-Refresh

Bathrooms require their quick everyday maintenance, but the weekly circuit is where you restore them to their best:

Clean the countertop and basin.
Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and base.
Clean mirrors and brighten fixtures.
Tub or shower wall scrubbing to wipe out deposits.
Wipe the floor, particularly behind the toilet.

If you've been performing fast periodic wipes, this time is shorter still — and keeps the area guest-ready the rest of the week.

Step Six: Fresh Bedding and Linens

Remove the sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers — into the washer.

If you've got the time, vacuum the bed and fluff the pillows. It's one of the things that people tend to omit, but the difference it makes is significant, particularly when it comes to alleration control.

And seriously? Getting into a new bed after a long day — nothing is better.

Step Seven: Doors, Handles, and Switches

They’re tiny, but they’re touched frequently. A quick wipe with a non-toxic disinfectant keeps them germ-free and squeaky clean.

It’s one of those things that people take note of without realizing they take note.

Step Eight: A Small Storage Check

Select one storage area per week — pantry, closet, under the sink. Just a little once-over and cleaning if necessary.

It prevents messes from sneakily accumulating into a project that devours your weekend.

Step Nine: Glass, Windows, and Mirrors

You don’t have to do all the windows every week, but glass doors, mirrors in the bathroom, and any high-traffic areas need a wipe.

Clean sills as you're at it. They're dust and bug collectors, and when they're clean, the whole frame is improved.

Step Ten: Trash and Recycling

Fill all the bins — kitchen, bathroom, office. Clean the insides if something's dropped.

Recycling buckets as well. Rinsing quickly can prevent stinky odors, particularly if you store them inside.

Why Weekly Works

Weekly is the frequency that works — frequently enough that there's no buildup, far enough between that it doesn't become one-note.

If clients maintain a weekly flow, deep cleaning will take half the time (or even less). And since the work is divided, the home is always kept “kept.”

It’s also adaptable — large house, small flat, pet, no pet — the design accommodates. You just adjust the time.

A Realistic Weekly Flow

You don’t need to do the whole thing in one day. Here is a divided schedule I can see work again and again:

Day 1: Dust furniture.
Day 2: Floors — vacuum, sweep, mop.
Day 3: Kitchen redo.
Day 4: Bath refresh.
Day 5: Bedding and sheets.
Day 6: Handles, switches, and doors.
Day 7: Storage location + cleaning glass.

Miniscule amounts keep the workload small and your spirits high.

The Green Cleaning Advantage

We use non-toxic, biodegradable products. They’re pet-friendly, person-friendly, and surface-friendly — and they get the job done.

Harsh chemicals can have more issues than they will fix. Green products clean without harming the surfaces that you're cleaning or the indoor air quality.

It's Possible, But It Isn't Easy

Even with a week-by-week plan, life intervenes. That’s when a professional cleaning pays dividends — before events, after peak periods, or just when you’re due for a switch-up refresh.

At Green Cleaning Fairy, Seattle, we offer checklists, non-toxic products, and attention that you can rely on.

The end? Reliable, comprehensive cleaning every time.

Weekly Cleaning Checklist FAQ

Q1: What would be on a weekly cleaning schedule?
A1: Declutter, dust, vacuum and mop, deep cleaning the kitchen, refresh the bathroom, change bedding, wipe the touch points, storage spot-organize, clean the glass surfaces, and take out the garbage.

Q2: How much time should be allowed per week on cleaning?
A2: About the average house — 1–3 hours, depending on size and condition.

Q3: Why biweekly and not weekly?
A3: Weekly cleaning avoids buildup, minimizes allergens, and keeps the home always ready for company.

Q4: Are green products up to weekly cleaning?
A4: Yes. Good environmental cleaners sanitize and get the dirt out without chemicals.

Q5: Is the Green Cleaning Fairy of Seattle open on weekends?
A5: Yes. We accommodate regular and priority cleaning schedules, as needed, including weekends, all days, every day.

Weekly Cleaning Checklist for Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Every Room in Your House