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THE ELEMENTS OF CLEAN
To aid and abet your quest for a (reasonably) dirt-free home, Real Simple has compiled a periodic table of cleaning tasks, from scrubbing down the shower to purging the pantry, handily organized and color-coded by how often they should be done. (Tackling tasks regularly keeps grime from piling up and prevents chores from becoming huge, so it ultimately saves both time and hard labor.) Keep in mind that these time frames are suggestions, not hard-andfast rules. “Some maintenance dates are determined by season or necessity,” says Jeff Campbell, author of Spring Cleaning (Dell Trade, $8.25), “but many are determined by your family and your lifestyle.” Kids, pets, and habits all make a difference, so factor in yours. Then tack the chart up on the laundry-room bulletin board before your next weekly load of bedding, or clip it to the refrigerator after its three-month scrubdown. It’s all in the service of getting your cleaning routine down to a science.
Fu
Furniture Dust all hard surfaces.
Fl
Floors Vacuum or mop.
Sk
Kitchen sink Scrub and disinfect.
U
Upholstery Vacuum.
Bu
Stove burner grates Scrub clean.
Ap
Appliances Wipe down surfaces.
Shw Wb
Shower Clean and scrub down. Wastebaskets Wipe out and disinfect.
Mg
Moldings Dust.
Cn
Counters Wipe down and disinfect.
Tu
Bathtub Clean and scrub down.
Dk
Doorknobs Wipe down and disinfect.
Kc
Kitchen cabinets Wipe down fronts.
Toi
Toilet Scrub and disinfect.
Sh
Sheets Change and launder.
Cf
Ceiling fans Wipe off and dust.
Mi
Microwave Clean and deodorize.
Weekly
For reprints of this chart, go to www.realsimple.com/cleanchart
Monthly
2005 © Time Inc. All rights reserved.
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C-w
Curtains (washable) Launder or hand wash.
O
Oven Clean.
Mt
Mattresses Vacuum every 3 months; flip every 6 months.
Wi
Windows Wash inside and out.
Ls
Lamp shades Wash and clean.
Fs-w
Fabric shades (washable) Wash.
Fu-l
Furniture (leather) Clean and condition.
Hd
Stove hood Clean and degrease.
U-w
Upholstery (washable) Sponge-clean.
Cb
Cabinets Empty and clean.
R
Rugs Professionally clean.
Fl-w
Wood floors (polyurethaned) Touch up as needed.
Bl-w Ap-s
Blinds (wooden) Wash. Polish. Appliances (stainless steel)
Sc
Slipcovers Wash or dry-clean.
Gr
Tile grout Scrub.
U-u
Upholstery (unwashable) Have cleaned every 2 years.
Wa
Walls Wash.
Dr
Drapes Deep-vacuum.
Re
Refrigerator Clean interior.
Pw
Pillows Launder or dry-clean.
Cc
Condenser coil (refrigerator) Vacuum or dust.
Car
Carpeting Professionally clean.
Py
Pantry Clean thoroughly.
Bb
Baseboards Wash or wipe down.
Cff
Coffeemaker Clean and descale.
Cm
Comforter Launder or dry-clean.
Fi
Filter (stove hood) Wash and dry.
Fs
Fabric shades Professionally clean every 2 years.
Dr
Drapes Professionally clean every 2 years.
Every 3 to 6 Months
Every 6 to 12 Months
Every Year or So
2005 © Time Inc. All rights reserved.
For reprints of this chart, go to www.realsimple.com/cleanchart