I’ve previously written about Martha Stewart’s Six Things to Do Every Day Checklist, but sometimes (OK, at least once a week) you need to put in just a little more effort. 

Here’s my whittled-down (for practicality’s sake), ever-so-slightly altered version of Martha’s Weekly Cleaning Checklist:

Bathrooms: 

– Change and launder bath mats, towels, and washcloths

– Clean toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks (I also spray the shower area with Tilex to prevent mold)

– Empty trash bins and wipe down outside and inside

– Wipe down mirrors

Bedrooms:

– Change and launder sheets and pillowcases

– Discard magazines that you’re done reading and reorganize bedside table area

– Empty trash bins

Dining Room: 

– Change and launder tablecloth and cloth napkins, if you use them

– Wipe down table and chairs

Home Office:

– Sort through in-box; pay bills and file paperwork

– Empty trash bin

Kitchen:

– Discard old food, beverages, and takeout containers

– Flush drain with boiling water

– Wipe down all surfaces, including refrigerator, sink, and cupboard doors

– Wipe inside of oven, microwave and toaster oven

– Wipe down inside and outside of trash bins

Living Room: 

– Sort through magazines and catalogs; discard those you’re done with and store the rest

– Fluff and rotate sofa cushions

Throughout Home:

– Dust all surfaces, including light fixtures and tops of books (don’t forget to dust on top of and behind your wall hangings)

– Vacuum and mop floors (I have wooden floors and use no-rinse floor cleaner, which simplifies the process greatly)

– Vacuum vents

– Wipe down all glass surfaces

Do I do all this on a weekly basis? Nope. But I aspire to.