Cleaning Tasks You Should Do to Save You Time All Year

Under & Behind Large Appliances

Pull out your big appliances—such as fridge, stove, washer, and dryer—and vacuum the floor beneath and behind them. Then, wipe down their surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner. Tackling the sneaky spots where dust accumulates helps your appliances run more efficiently and a debris-free area reduces the risk of pests.

Dishwasher

What’s worse than not having a dishwasher? Having a dishwasher that makes your dishes dirtier. To keep yours in tip-top shape, pull out the filter and scrub it clean with dish soap, rinse it well, and put it back in place. Scrub the filter with a soft brush or recycled toothbrush for a gentle but thorough clean. Next, run a full cycle with either a dishwasher cleaner packet or sprinkle the bottom with baking soda and place a bowl of vinegar in the top rack.. This will help your dishwasher run smoothly all year and keep it odor-free—meaning cleaner dishes!

Fridge & Pantry

First, take everything out of your pantry and fridge. Toss any expired or stale food. Then, wipe down the shelves and clean any sticky spots on your containers. Put everything back neatly, grouping similar items together. A tidy pantry makes meal prepping faster and more efficient because it makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. It also helps you avoid buying items you already have, says Jett, which reduces food waste and saves money.

Fridge upkeep prevents “sticky spills, lingering odors, and bacteria growth, allowing you to avoid a time-consuming, full-scale scrub-down later.

Vacuum

Empty your vacuum canister. Vacuuming with a clean canister improves suction, reduces the need for repeated passes over the same area, and prevents dust from being released back into the room. This simple task will make your cleaning faster and more effective every time. For a deeper clean, disassemble your vacuum. Scrub any parts you can, rinse the filter clean, and clear off the roller bar. This will help your vacuum maintain its strong suction, allowing you to achieve spotless floors in no time.