The key to a clean sign of the zodiac ? stick to a home maintenance plan .

The key to a clean dwelling is adhere to a regularhome maintenanceschedule . A monthly cleanup checklist can help oneself you stay on top of job and dispense with you from hours - longsighted cleanup marathons . Block out time once a month for these cleanup tasks to keep your dwelling looking its beneficial .

BHG / Mira Norian

white and green kitchen with vintage range

Credit: David Tsay

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Kitchen Cabinets

Food sputter , grease , and dust accumulate on kitchen cabinetry over prison term . Give your vent hood and cabinets the clean - baseball mitt run each month to check for hard - to - see grime . Then , scavenge the cabinetsas needed with a non - scratch bush sponge and a filth - cutting dish soap like Dawn .

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Vacuum Upholstered Furniture

Break out the specialty vacuum attachments tofreshen up your upholstered article of furniture , which is included on ourmonthly cleaningchecklist . Give sofas and chairs a once - over using the upholstery brush . swap to the crevice pecker to get the between - the - cushion dirty dog .

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Wash Windows

Use lint - gratuitous textile , strong report towel , or Rupicapra rupicapra cloth toclean small windowsor window with small panels . If your windows are only slightly dirty , use only unmortgaged water . For especially dirty window , expend a commercial glass spraying .

If you prefer to use ahomemade cleansing solution , mix 2 cups water with 2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/2 cup of ammonia water . Pour the mixture into a spray feeding bottle andclean the windows , starting at the top , mold first across and then down . Rub away blotch with crumpled newspapers .

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Mirrors

Once a month , take sentence to polish the mirrors in your domicile . Use a commercial-grade field glass cleaner and lenient , lint - free tag end . For dirty or streaked areas , wipe with a solution of 2 tablespoons of livid acetum , 2 tablespoons of ammonia water , and 1 dry quart of piddle . call up to spray the cleanser onto a rag first , not the mirror , to keep the cleanser from dripping onto the flesh . Use a classic ostrich feather gaberdine to remove dust from delicate mirror surfaces and frames .

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Kitchen Trash Area

Wash out thekitchen trash containerand surrounding surface area with a multipurpose disinfecting cleaner . To save time , stash three or four trash bags at the bottom of the container before adding a fresh old bag . This makes it commodious to replace the bag the next time you take the trash out .

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Mini Blinds and Curtains

Vacuum curtains with a hand-held vacuity and a soft brush affixation set on low suction . Toquickly fair blind , put on a dyad of rubber baseball glove and top those with cotton glove . conflate 1 teaspoon of ammonia to 1 dry quart of water . Then , dip your hands into the solution . Run your fingerbreadth along the top and your thumb underneath each one-armed bandit to clear off dust .

Must-Know Dusting Tricks

Dust more effectively , and you ’ll have to do it less often . Keep dust under controlbetween cleaning dayswith these three must - know cleaning tricks . Here ’s how to get more out of your monthly dust routine .

Monthly Cleaning List: Stove

Toclean your cooktop , first , wait until your stove is cool . take away drip pans and soak them in affectionate , unctuous water . Spray the surface with an all - intention dry cleaner or vinegar - and - water solution and rub with a sponge or clean fabric . Then , wipe the overabundance with a composition towel .

topographic point - goody oven spillswith a gentle scratchy cleaner like Bon Ami . Use a baking tonic spread and pass over with a dampish sponge for tough daub . dry out the Earth’s surface with a towel and put back dribble pans .

Monthly Cleaning List: Inside the Refrigerator

To execute your monthlyrefrigerator cleaning , pop out by wiping the interior of your icebox . sanitise your refrigerator drip pan , and pass over compartments with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 dry quart of warm water system . Wash the shelves in your sink with warm weewee and a soft soap or detergent . Rinse and teetotal shelves before replacing them inside the electric refrigerator . Then , wash the door seals with water and amild detergent .

Monthly Cleaning Checklist: Refresh Filters

It ’s a good idea tochange or clean the filterson warming and cooling systems once a month . constrained - air travel system rely on a filter to clean the air that move through the furnace , into the ducts , and back through the furnace . Determinewhich filterworks with your furnace and air - conditioner system and audit it for contamination every 30 days . alteration or cleanse the filter every 30 to 60 solar day to optimise its heat and cool efficiency .

Our Favorite Cleaning Tools and Products

Better Homes & Gardens monthly cleaning checklist

Credit:BHG / Mira Norian

kitchen gray cabinets close up

Credit: Michael Partenio Productions

interior living room with sofa chairs and artwork

Sitting area with couch and large picture window

Credit: John Gruen

black and white master bathroom his and her sink

Credit: Lisa Romerein Photography

trash and recycle bins

neutral colors master bedroom

Credit: Lisa Romerein Photography

inside fridge view food organization shelving

Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour

Basement Makeover