Home Chore List: Annual Cleaning Chores (1)

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

09 Oct 2007 10:26 AM

Wondering what cleaning chores need to be done when? We have been compiling lists as guidelines to all those tasks that need to be done on a routine basis to keep our homes sparkling.

It looks like we are finally in the home stretch (pun intended) of our lists. Here are the cleaning chores that should be done on a annual or once a year basis.

Wipe down the walls. Dust or wipe down the walls of you home. You can use a dry cloth or a sponge with cleaner, depending on the amount of grime or dust that needs to be removed. If you have been maintaining the walls, then a simple dusting will do. However, consider washing the walls if you have oil heating, or if a number of years have gone by between cleanings.

Wash or dry clean curtains and drapery. You would be amazed at how much dust and dirt curtains and drapes can accumulate. A regular vacuuming will help, but a wash or a dry cleaning will go a long way to brighten things up and improve your air quality. In older homes, some of that dust might even be lead dust. Window areas are notorious for the stuff, because the friction from windows opening and closing can release the particles in the air.

Wash the blinds. This isn't always as easy as it looks, especially if you have vinyl blinds. Dirt tends to streak and redeposit in them. My favorite methods for washing blinds include the tub soak method and the power washing method. But, if you have been regularly dusting your blinds, a damp cloth with a little bit of cleaner might be enough.

Deep clean carpet and upholstery. There are several ways to do this task. You can rent a carpet steam cleaner from your grocery store or home improvement store, purchase a cleaner to use annually, or hire a service to do the cleaning for you. One of the big benefits of the service is that they will move all of your furniture as needed, but it can get pricey, especially if you have multiple rooms to clean.

Next up: Home Chore List: Annual Cleaning Chores (2)

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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butterflies77 (145) 16 Oct 2007 06:31 AM

I love your home chore lists. I'm getting ready to move into a new home next month and i'm going to put these into practice! Thanks

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 16 Oct 2007 07:28 AM

Congratulations on your new home! Thanks for reading.