This Monthly Cleaning Checklist Makes Tidying Up So Easy

Food splatters, grease, and dust build up on kitchen cabinetry over time. Each month, give your vent hood and cabinets the white-glove test to check for hard-to-see grime. Then clean the cabinets as needed with a non-scratch scrub sponge and a grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn.

Break out the specialty vacuum attachments once a month to freshen up your upholstered furniture. Give sofas and chairs a once-over using the upholstery brush. Switch to the crevice tool to get the between-the-cushions crumbs.

Use lint-free cloths, strong paper towels, or chamois cloth to clean small windows or windows with small panels. If your windows are only slightly dirty, use only clear water. For especially dirty windows, use a commercial glass spray. If you prefer to use a homemade cleaning solution, mix 2 cups water with 2 cups rubbing alcohol and 1/2 cup of ammonia. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and clean the windows starting at the top and working first across and then down. Rub away streaks with crumpled newspapers.

Once a month, take time to polish the mirrors in your home. Use a commercial glass cleaner and soft, lint-free rags. For soiled or streaked areas, wipe with a solution of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of ammonia, and 1 quart of water. Remember to spray the cleaner onto a rag first and not the mirror to prevent the cleaner from dripping onto the frame. Use a classic ostrich-feather duster to remove dust from delicate mirror surfaces and frames.

Wash out kitchen trash container and surrounding area with a multipurpose disinfecting cleaner. To save time, stash three or four trash bags at the bottom of the container before putting in a fresh bag. This makes it convenient to replace the bag the next time you take the trash out.

Vacuum curtains with a handheld vacuum and a soft brush attachment set on low suction. To quickly clean blinds, put on a pair of rubber gloves and top those with cotton gloves. Mix 1 teaspoon of ammonia to 1 quart of water. Then, dip your hands into the solution. Run your fingers along the top and your thumb underneath each slot to clear off dust.

To clean your cooktop, first wait until your stove is cool. Remove drip pans and soak them in warm, soapy water. Spray the surface with an all-purpose cleaner or vinegar-and-water solution and wipe with a sponge or clean cloth. Then, wipe the excess with a paper towel. Spot-treat oven spills with a gentle abrasic cleanser like Bon Ami.  For tough spots, use a baking soda paste and wipe with a damp sponge. Dry the surface with a towel and replace drip pans.

To perform your monthly refrigerator cleaning, start by wiping the interior of your refrigerator. Sanitize your refrigerator drip pan, and wipe compartments with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water. Wash the shelves in your sink with warm water and a mild soap or detergent. Rinse and dry shelves before replacing them inside the fridge. Then, wash the door seals with water and a mild detergent.

It's a good idea to change or clean the filters on heating and cooling systems once a month. Forced-air systems rely on a filter to clean the air that moves through the furnace, into the ducts, and back through the furnace. Determine which filter works with your furnace and air-conditioner system and inspect it for contaminants about every 30 days. Change or clean the filter every 30 to 60 days to optimize its heating and cooling efficiency.