Keeping your home clean is about more than appearances. It supports your wellbeing, lifts your mood and creates a space where you can properly unwind. If you are learning how to maintain a clean home, the secret is not hours of scrubbing but small, consistent habits that prevent mess from building up. By pairing simple routines with professional help when needed, you can learn how to keep your home clean, organised and comfortable throughout the year.

Many top cleaning experts emphasise that staying tidy is less about doing big cleans and more about preventing small messes from turning into big jobs. This idea runs through all of the daily and weekly habits below.

Daily habits to keep home clean

The secret to a tidy house is consistency. Small daily habits prevent mess from building up:

• Make your bed every morning. It sets the tone for the whole day.
• Do a 10-minute tidy. Focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchen bench and living room.
• Wash dishes straight away. Avoid sink pile-ups by cleaning as you go.
• Wipe down surfaces. A quick wipe keeps dust and grime from settling.
• Take out rubbish regularly. Stop odours before they spread.

One of the most effective strategies is creating “clean as you go zones” such as the kitchen sink, bathroom vanity and entryway. Keeping these areas consistently tidy has a visual flow on effect across the rest of the home.

Add a simple decluttering routine to your daily habits, such as returning items to their “home” or using storage baskets to keep surfaces clear. Create a habit of “one minute tasks” like wiping the bathroom sink after brushing teeth or clearing the kitchen bench before bed.

These micro-habits are the foundation of how to keep a home clean without being overwhelmed.

Weekly cleaning checklist

On top of your daily habits, set aside time for bigger tasks each week:

• Vacuum and mop floors
• Clean bathrooms and toilets
• Change bedding and wash towels
• Dust shelves, skirting boards and furniture
• Do laundry and fold/put away clothes

For efficiency, follow a top to bottom method inspired by expert cleaning guides: start with ceiling fans and high shelves, then benches, then floors, so you do not undo your work. Assign simple weekly tasks to each household member, even small contributions help keep the load manageable.

If your schedule doesn’t allow, book house cleaning services on Bark to keep your space fresh and stress-free.

Monthly and seasonal deep cleaning

Even with great daily habits, some jobs need less frequent but deeper attention:

• Clean out the fridge and pantry
• Wash windows and curtains
• Declutter wardrobes and cupboards
• Deep-clean carpets and rugs
• Rotate mattresses
• Clean high touch areas such as light switches, door handles and appliance knobs
• Move furniture occasionally to vacuum underneath, a tip used by professional cleaners to reduce allergens

Deep cleaning experts also recommend focusing on often forgotten areas like oven interiors, range hood filters, shower grout and washing machine seals, which can harbour mould and odours.

Clean overlooked areas such as vents, exhaust fans, ceiling light fittings and behind appliances. Leave washing machine doors open between uses and run a monthly cleaning cycle to prevent mould and odours. Replace or clean air-conditioning filters seasonally. This improves both hygiene and air quality.

If you’re renting and preparing to move, a professional end of tenancy cleaning ensures you meet bond requirements.

Professional support when you need it

Sometimes life gets busy or you simply want peace of mind knowing a job has been done thoroughly. Bark connects you with trusted professionals who can take care of tasks that go beyond everyday cleaning. 

With more than 11,404 house cleaners across Australia and over 350 cleaning requests each month, thousands of households rely on Bark for reliable support.

Here are some recent five-star reviews from customers in the country:

• “I recently used a bond cleaning service… I got my full bond back without any issues. Highly recommend.” – Navdeep Kaur for Shiny Bond Cleaning Brisbane
• “The price was reasonable… feels so good to have clean windows again. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job.” – Lou and Liz Farrugia for LTV Cleaning
• “Very thorough, professional and reliable… my place looks spotless every time.” – Lee for Mint Cleaning Co. South West

Whether you need routine help or a one-off deep clean, Bark makes it simple to hire the right professional:

• House cleaning: For regular care or one-off refreshes
• End-of-tenancy cleaning: Essential when moving out of a rental and aiming to secure your bond
• Lawyers and solicitors: For assistance with tenancy issues or property contracts
• Wills and estate planning: To safeguard your family and assets as your household grows

Professional cleaners also bring commercial grade tools and targeted techniques such as steam cleaning, microfibre systems and HEPA vacuuming. These methods remove allergens, dust mites and built up grime far more effectively than standard household cleaning.

Supported by more than 300 five-star ratings, Bark reassures you that your home will be cleaned thoroughly and professionally.

How often should you clean?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a guide:

• Daily: Beds, dishes, surfaces, quick tidy
• Weekly: Bathrooms, floors, dusting, laundry
• Monthly: Fridge, windows, decluttering
• Seasonal: Carpets, wardrobes, outdoor areas

Homes with pets, children or allergies often benefit from more frequent vacuuming and dusting to maintain good air quality.

Adjust the schedule to suit your household size, pets and lifestyle.