Most homeowners follow some kind of cleaning schedule. You dust, vacuum, sweep, and mop on some kind of regular basis, but what about those cleaning tasks that are done on an irregular schedule?
For example, it’s easy to let the busy days go by without remembering to clean the dryer vent or dust the coils on your refrigerator.
It’s common for these tasks to fall through the cracks because they’re not a part of your regular cleaning routine. But fortunately, you can ensure these tasks are done by creating a system to keep track of them.
With a system that tracks what needs to be done, when it was done last, and when it will be time to do it again, you’ll never play catch-up on your non-routine cleaning tasks again.
What Is Non-Routine Cleaning?
Non-routine cleaning includes tasks that:
- ⬥ Aren’t performed weekly
- ⬥ May only be needed seasonally
- ⬥ Are easy to forget
- ⬥ May require special equipment or professional help
- ⬥ Often have a recommended frequency longer than a few months
Why These Tasks Are So Easy to Forget
There’s no obvious trigger
You notice a dirty kitchen floor because you walk across it every day.
You may not notice:
- ⬥ Dust accumulating on top of cabinets
- ⬥ Lint building up in a dryer vent
- ⬥ Dirt collecting behind the refrigerator
- ⬥ Grime accumulating on exterior siding
Some tasks are seasonal
For example:
- ⬥ Spring means cleaning windows and outdoor areas
- ⬥ Fall tasks include cleaning gutters and fireplaces
- ⬥ Before winter, you may need to do certain exterior cleaning such as washing your home’s siding
- ⬥ After winter, means cleaning decks, patios, and outdoor furniture
Some tasks aren’t visible
This is particularly important for homeowners.
A task doesn’t have to look dirty to deserve attention.
Some require planning
You may need to:
- ⬥ Buy supplies
- ⬥ Rent equipment
- ⬥ Schedule a professional
- ⬥ Move furniture
- ⬥ Coordinate with other maintenance tasks
That’s another reason tracking them ahead of time helps.
Start by Creating a Master List
Rather than trying to remember these tasks throughout the year, create one master list. Organize your list by area of the home rather than simply creating one giant cleaning list.
This makes the process feel much more doable, preventing overwhelm and a habit of putting it off until it becomes a problem.
Kitchen
- ⬥ Oven
- ⬥ Refrigerator coils
- ⬥ Range hood/filter
- ⬥ Dishwasher
- ⬥ Cabinets
- ⬥ Pantry
Bathrooms
- ⬥ Exhaust fans
- ⬥ Showerheads
- ⬥ Grout
- ⬥ Shower curtains
- ⬥ Under cabinets
Living Areas
- ⬥ Upholstery
- ⬥ Curtains
- ⬥ Ceiling fans
- ⬥ Light fixtures
- ⬥ Rugs
Exterior
- ⬥ Windows
- ⬥ Gutters
- ⬥ Siding
- ⬥ Deck
- ⬥ Patio
- ⬥ Outdoor furniture
Utility Areas
- ⬥ Dryer vent
- ⬥ Laundry appliances
- ⬥ HVAC-related areas
Fireplace
- ⬥ Fireplace
- ⬥ Chimney
- ⬥ Surrounding area
This organization also makes it easier to connect cleaning tasks with other home maintenance.
Decide How Often Each Task Should Be Done
For each task, determine:
- ⬥ Task
- ⬥ Location
- ⬥ Frequency
- ⬥ Last completed
- ⬥ Next due date
- ⬥ DIY or professional
- ⬥ Cost
- ⬥ Notes
- ⬥ Photos, if useful
Focus on tracking the last time you completed each task. The key is that you’re no longer asking, “When did I last do that?” This is an important distinction.
Don’t just create a recurring reminder saying:
Clean gutters every six months.
Record when you actually completed the task.
Why?
Because life doesn’t always follow the calendar.
Maybe you planned to clean the gutters in October but didn’t get around to it until November.
Your next reminder should be based on your true schedule when appropriate.
Use HomeZada to Track Non-Routine Cleaning
Instead of adding your tasks to a spreadsheet or a notebook, consider using digital tools to make the process fast and easy. HomeZada can help you keep track of these less-frequent tasks and prevent them from getting lost in your everyday schedule.
Whatever tool you use, here are some helpful tips for setting up your own schedule:
- Create recurring tasks
Set up reminders for cleaning tasks that need to happen regularly.
- Keep tasks connected to the home
Instead of having cleaning reminders scattered across notebooks, phone apps, calendars, and emails, keep them with your home’s information.
- Record completion dates
Once you complete the task, record it so you have a history of when the work was performed.
- Keep notes
Add information such as:
- ⬥ What cleaning product worked
- ⬥ What areas needed extra attention
- ⬥ Whether a professional was used
- ⬥ Any problems discovered
Don’t Separate Cleaning From Home Maintenance
Some cleaning tasks aren’t purely cosmetic.
They can help you identify potential maintenance problems before they become expensive repairs.
For example, while cleaning gutters, perhaps you notice a loose gutter or damaged fascia. That fact now becomes an item on your maintenance list, helping you address the issue before it causes more damage to your home.
Pro tip: Rather than getting 50 reminders at once, spread tasks throughout the year.
Combine Cleaning With Other Home Tasks
This is another practical strategy. Whenever possible, pair cleaning with a task you’re already doing.
For example:
- ⬥ If you’re changing HVAC filters, take the time to clean nearby vents
- ⬥ Winterizing outdoor spaces? Clean your outdoor furniture
- ⬥ For spring yard cleanup, include patio and deck cleaning in your task
- ⬥ While cleaning gutters in the fall, take time to inspect your gutters and roofline
This reduces the number of separate reminders you have to remember.
Don’t Forget Professional Cleaning
Some non-routine cleaning requires specialized equipment or expertise.
Examples include:
- ⬥ Chimney cleaning
- ⬥ Carpet cleaning
- ⬥ Upholstery cleaning
- ⬥ Dryer vent cleaning
- ⬥ Exterior window cleaning
- ⬥ Pressure washing
- ⬥ Certain types of floor care
Track these services just like other home services.
Record:
- ⬥ Company
- ⬥ Date
- ⬥ Service performed
- ⬥ Cost
- ⬥ Recommended next service
- ⬥ Receipts
- ⬥ Notes
That information can become particularly valuable when you’re trying to remember who performed a service last year.
Your home doesn’t need a perfect cleaning schedule. You’ve got a lot going on…you don’t have to become a professional cleaner or build yet another giant “to-do” list.
A non-routine cleaning list will simply help you make sure those easy-to-forget cleaning tasks actually get done…even if it’s after you planned to do them.
A little tracking can help you:
- ⬥ Keep your home looking its best
- ⬥ Protect appliances and materials
- ⬥ Catch maintenance problems earlier
- ⬥ Avoid forgetting seasonal tasks
- ⬥ Keep records of professional services
- ⬥ Reduce the mental load of managing a home
And when those tasks are documented alongside the rest of your home’s information, you have something even more useful: a record of how you’ve cared for your home over time.
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