Your Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist

Whether you’re moving in, moving out, or just trying to stay on top of the daily chores that never seem to end, housework doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a clear plan, the right tools, and a little consistency, you can keep your home feeling fresh and healthy all week long.

Below you’ll find our comprehensive guide to house cleaning schedules, tasks, and tips. You’ll also find our printable house cleaning checklist: a fridge-ready, downloadable template you can tick off as you go.

Together, they’re your secret weapon to maintaining a tidy, stress-free space.
Let’s get cleaning!

STAY ON TOP OF YOUR CLEANING WITH OUR EASY-TO-FOLLOW GUIDE

Ready to tackle your cleaning? Download our Ultimate Cleaning Checklist PDF to easily keep track of daily, weekly, and deep cleaning tasks.

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What does a basic house clean include?

A standard clean usually covers:

• Sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping floors.
• Wiping down surfaces.
• Cleaning light fixtures, switches, door handles, and other surfaces where germs linger.
• Cleaning kitchens and bathrooms.

It doesn’t have to take all day! With a clear home cleaning checklist in hand, you’ll save time and energy while still getting that satisfying ‘spotless home’ feeling.

How do I make a house cleaning schedule?

The real trick to a clean home isn’t working harder; it’s spreading out the mental load. Instead of marathon cleans, build a rhythm with a daily, weekly, and seasonal schedule.

Examples of cleaning schedules include:

• Daily cleaning schedule: light resets that prevent messes from building up.
• Weekly cleaning planner: bigger jobs like vacuuming or tackling grout.
• Seasonal deep cleans: time to refresh, declutter, and reset your space.

Use our free cleaning schedule template to map out your week.

Daily household cleaning checklist

These are the small daily tasks that keep your house running smoothly and reduce the hassle of larger cleans later. Spend 20-30 minutes each day on:

All rooms

• Sweep or vacuum high traffic areas.
• Tidy clutter into one spot if you can’t put it away straight away.
• Empty the trash as needed.
• Open blinds or windows to air and brighten the room.

Kitchen

• Wipe down kitchen sink, countertops, stovetop, appliance fronts, and cabinets.
• Wash or load dishes in the dishwasher
• Wipe down the table and chairs.
• Spot clean splatters on the wall or backsplash.
• Put away food and clean up any spills.
• Replace your kitchen washcloth (or microwave your kitchen sponge for 2 minutes).

Read our kitchen cleaning tips & hacks to take the elbow grease out of cleaning.

Bedroom

• Make the bed and fluff cushions.
• Pick up clothes and put them in the laundry hamper.

Living Room

• Straighten pillows and throws.
• Dust or wipe furniture, like the coffee table.
• Tidy toys, books, and remotes.

Bathroom

• Wipe down the sink and counter.
• Replace hand towels and flannels as needed.
• Check toilet bowl and clean if marks are noticeable.

Weekly home cleaning to-do list

Weekly chores take on more than your daily tidies. Break them into bite-sized jobs across the week:

Whole house

• Sweep and vacuum floors.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture.
• Remove any carpet or upholstery stains using Rug Doctor’s Stain Remover.
• Dust surfaces such as shelves, ceiling fan blades, picture frames, tabletops, window sills, blinds, and light fixtures.
• Clean windows and mirrors.
• Mop hard floors.
• Go over door handles, doorknobs, and light switches.
• Wash and/or air out any pet bedding.

Kitchen

• Clean out the microwave and wash the turntable.
• Clean the toaster or toaster oven and crumb tray.
• Pull out appliances to clean behind.
• Check the fridge and pantry for expired food.
• Spot clean spills in the fridge, pantry, and oven.

Bathroom

• Scrub shower and bath surfaces to remove soap scum and squeegee the door.
• Clean the toilet thoroughly inside and out.
• Clean mirror.
• Wipe down faucets.
• Wipe vanity and mirror.
• Clean shower drain

Bedroom

• Wash bedding.
• Make the bed with clean sheets, duvet, and pillowcases.
• Pick up any dirty clothes and put them in the laundry.
• Fold and put away any clean clothes.

Deep cleaning house checklist

Once a season (or at least twice a year), plan a deep clean. This is your chance to reset every corner and give yourself a fresh start.

Whole house

• Wash interior and exterior windows.
• Clean baseboards, window sills, door frames, and other surfaces.
• Remove cobwebs and dust ceiling fans.
• Wash or dry-clean curtains; clean blinds.
• Change smoke alarm batteries and check your HVAC system filters.
• Deep clean carpets.
• Spot clean ceilings and walls to remove marks.
• Declutter your house (including your wardrobe).

Kitchen

• Clean oven, fridge, fridge seals, range hood, and range hood filters.
• Defrost freezer.
• Degrease the drain.
• Wipe down the top of all cupboards and appliances.
• Clean the inside of the dishwasher, including drain and filter.
• Pull everything from cupboards and pantry, wipe, and return.

Bathroom

• Check for and discard any expired personal hygiene and makeup products.
• Discard unused or expired medications.
• Replace the shower curtain.
• Scrub tile grout.
• Clean showerhead and drains with drain cleaner.

Laundry

• Scrub laundry tub.
• Remove lint from dryer exhaust

Garage & storage spaces

• Sweep and clear debris.
• Declutter boxes, old paint tins, and unused items.

Moving house cleaning checklist

When you’re moving out (especially from a rental), a thorough cleaning can mean the difference between getting your bond back or losing it. The same goes for presenting a home for sale: a sparkling, clutter-free space helps buyers imagine themselves living there.

Move-out must-dos

• Dust and wipe down walls, doors, door handles, ceilings, window sills, light fixtures, and baseboards.
• Sweep, vacuum, and mop all floors.
• Deep clean carpets and upholstered furniture with a Rug Doctor.
• Empty cupboards, drawers, and pantry, then scrub all surfaces.
• Clean major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator.
• Dust or wash window treatments such as curtains and blinds.
• Scrub bathroom grout, disinfect toilets and sinks, and clear drains (especially the shower drain).

Pro tip: If you’ve just moved into a place that wasn’t left spotless, this same list will help you blitz through the worst of it before you unpack.

Frequently asked questions

Why is house cleaning important?

Beyond appearances, a clean home is healthier and safer, with reduced dust, dirt, allergens, pet dander, and bacteria.

What house cleaning should be done daily?

Your basic daily cleaning checklist should include washing dirty dishes, wiping counters, and tidying clutter.

How often should I clean my house?

Most people follow a daily/weekly/monthly cleaning schedule. Small cleaning tasks done each day prevent bigger messes; weekly chores keep things in check; seasonal deep cleans refresh the whole home.

What part of the house should be the cleanest?

Maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and bathroom is crucial. These areas are most susceptible to germs and require regular attention.

How do I make a house cleaning schedule?

Start with our printable house cleaning checklist. Use it as a daily or weekly cleaning schedule or adapt it to your lifestyle.

How do I make a house cleaning list that works for me?

Break down big jobs into daily chores and weekly tasks. Adjust depending on family size, pets, or how much space you have.

Download your free printable cleaning checklist

Ready to tackle your home cleaning list without the overwhelm? Grab our fridge-friendly house cleaning chores checklist to lighten the mental load and make it easier to stay on top of daily and weekly chores.

Make sure you keep Rug Doctor’s stain remover, odour remover, spot cleaner, upholstery cleaner, and carpet cleaner in your housecleaning arsenal so you’re always ready for life’s messes. When it’s time for a spring clean, head to your nearest supermarket or hardware store to hire a Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machine for a professional-quality deep clean without the high cost.

Download the Printable Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist

Updated January 27, 2026

Author: Gina Gibbs

Gina is the Business Manager at Rug Doctor NZ. With over 20 years at Rug Doctor, she's dedicated to helping New Zealanders keep their homes clean and healthy. Outside of work, Gina enjoys hiking, reading, and enjoying Vietnamese and Asian fusion cuisine. Oh, and let's not forget her expertise in cleaning up after everyone, especially her two kids!