By now most of us know that a big once-a-year ‘spring clean’ never quite keeps a house in order for long.
Professional cleaner Danielle Moore, founder of A Little Moore Clean and a former police detective, believes the real secret is a modest checklist you knock over every weekend.
Tackle these six spots, she says, and you will notice fewer odours, less dust and a more welcoming home—without sacrificing half your Sunday to elbow-grease.
Below you will find Moore’s tried-and-true focus areas, written with Australian households in mind and tailored for readers who appreciate straightforward advice.
1. Freshen the bedding
Few items in a home come into such close daily contact with skin. Sheets absorb perspiration, shed skin cells and play host to dust-mites.
Moore ranks bedding as her top weekly job. Stripping the bed and running a hot wash keeps allergens at bay, extends the life of your linen and, perhaps most importantly, improves sleep quality—something many value more with each passing year.
If you use mattress or pillow protectors, put them through the machine as well. A sunny line-dry will finish the job and give linens that crisp outdoor scent money can’t buy.
2. Wipe high-touch surfaces
Light switches, door handles, drawer pulls, remotes, keyboards and phone screens all collect oils, germs and everyday grime.
Because they are touched dozens—even hundreds—of times a day, they become quick-fire pathways for bacteria.
A damp microfibre cloth followed by a disinfecting wipe (check the label for suitable surfaces) takes mere seconds per item yet dramatically reduces the spread of winter sniffles. Make it a habit while the kettle boils and you will hardly notice the effort.
3. De-grime the bins
Even with sturdy bin liners, kitchen and bathroom bins tend to develop a lingering pong. If rubbish has leaked, it will fester and waft through the house.
Once the liner is out, give the bin a rinse with hot water, a splash of dish liquid and, for stubborn odours, a dash of white vinegar.
Dry thoroughly—with a tea towel reserved for the purpose—and leave the lid off for an hour so any residual moisture evaporates. Your nose will thank you on bin night.
4. Give the bathroom a quick blitz
Cleaning consultant Steve Evans backs Moore’s approach and offers a speedy routine: mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to tackle mirrors and shower glass. Follow with a microfibre cloth for a streak-free shine.
For shower walls or tiled recesses, the same solution works well; simply spray, give a gentle scrub and rinse with hot water. Prefer something ready-made? A foam bathroom cleaner will do the trick.
Do not neglect the toilet exterior, including the often-overlooked hinges and base. A little attention here prevents build-up that becomes far harder to shift later on.
5. Sort the kitchen cupboards
Before you set to work on the benches and appliances, open the pantry and fridge. Discard out-of-date tins, wilted produce and half-used packets no one will ever finish.
This ten-minute purge creates space, cuts waste and helps you spot what truly needs restocking. As a bonus, fewer overcrowded shelves make mealtimes smoother.
6. Finish with the floors
Evans calls floor cleaning the ‘reset’ that ties everything together, so leave it until last. Vacuum or sweep first to collect crumbs and dust.
Follow with a mop suited to your flooring—microfibre for timber, warm water and pH-neutral solution for tiles. By working from the back of each room towards the doorway, you avoid walking footprints over freshly cleaned sections.
Why weekly works
Moore’s philosophy is simple: smaller, regular efforts prevent grime from becoming an all-day ordeal.
For older Australians, this pace is kinder on joints, keeps indoor air cleaner (handy for anyone with asthma or allergies) and protects valuable household items from premature wear.
Tips to stay on track
- Set a routine: Choose the same part of Saturday or Sunday each week—after breakfast, for instance—so the jobs become automatic.
- Keep supplies close: A caddy with vinegar spray, microfibre cloths, disinfectant wipes and rubber gloves saves trips back and forth.
- Share the load: If you live with a partner or family, allocate tasks: one strips beds while the other wipes switches, and so on. A job halved is a job done sooner.
The pay-off
A home that sees a quick spruce-up each weekend feels fresher, smells better and demands less frantic scrubbing when visitors drop in.
Better still, by dealing with germs, allergens and odours promptly, you create a healthier space for years to come.
As Danielle Moore puts it, ‘You’re not just tidying up; you’re investing in a more comfortable, welcoming home that looks after you all week long.’
Final sweep
Weekly maintenance may not sound glamorous, but it’s the quiet backbone of a healthy, comfortable home.
By tackling bedding, bins, high-touch spots and the other key areas each weekend, you’ll cut down on germs, banish lingering odours and enjoy a tidier space all week long.
Now it’s over to you: what cleaning habit—or clever shortcut—has made the biggest difference in your household?
Drop your tips and tales in the comments below; your experience might help a neighbour keep their place spick-and-span with half the fuss.
Also read: Try the 60-second rule that transformed cleaning for one woman
