24 May 2026 11 Things in Your Home You Should Clean Weekly, According to Experts
Maintain a healthy home environment by cleaning these areas and items once a week.
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If you’re someone who waits until your entire home gets messy before deep cleaning it all at once, you know how overwhelming it can be to come up with a cleaning schedule that works. To make it easier on you, it’s helpful to know what areas of your home require weekly cleaning, as certain tasks are too important to neglect for long.
From kitchen surfaces that collect crumbs to bathroom surfaces that accumulate bacteria and grime, certain spots around your home need routine cleaning to stay fresh and hygienic. Tackling these chores on a regular basis can prevent messes from getting out of hand and reduce allergens. Ahead, cleaning experts share the things in your home you should clean weekly—and why
Meet The Expert
- Robin Murphy, cleaning expert and chief cleaning officer of Maid Brigade
- Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, a platform that helps homeowners find trusted local service professionals, including cleaning experts
Sheets
Your sheets accumulate hair, dead skin cells, and body oils faster than you may realize. Even if they look clean, it’s best to clean your sheets weekly to maintain a healthy sleep environment. “Weekly washing keeps the bed fresher and more hygienic,” says Robin Murphy, cleaning expert and chief cleaning officer of Maid Brigade. “Wash them in warm water and make sure they’re fully dry before putting them back on the bed.”
Towels
Even though your hand and bath towels are meant for drying off your already clean hands or body, they still need routine washing to prevent mildew and bacterial growth. “Towels hold moisture, so they can get musty quickly if they aren’t washed often enough. Wash hand and bath towels weekly, or sooner if they’re staying damp between uses,” Murphy says.
Floors
Floors collect and trap crumbs, bacteria, dust, allergens, and whatever else your track into your home from outside, which is why they need to be cleaned regularly. “I recommend sweeping or vacuuming first, then mopping with a gentle cleaning solution to keep buildup under control,” says Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi. “High-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways especially benefit from weekly attention because grime can build up quickly without homeowners realizing it.”
Trash Cans
Even with liners, trash cans can collect crumbs and hold onto odors and bacteria. “Emptying and wiping them down weekly with a mixture of warm water and dish soap, or a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water to disinfect and deodorize, helps keep smells and germs in check,” says Hicks. “For tough grime, use a scrub brush, and sprinkle baking soda at the bottom to absorb future odors.” The said, if something spills in your trash can, Murphy recommends cleaning it immediately instead of waiting.
Bathroom Fixtures
Most bathroom surfaces, including sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs, require weekly cleaning for optimal hygiene. “Bathrooms are one of the easiest places for mold and bacteria to grow due to trapped moisture,” says Hicks. “A weekly scrub of sinks, toilets, and showers, and a quick disinfecting spray on liners, can prevent bigger issues down the line. Using a disinfecting cleaner regularly also helps keep soap scum and mildew from becoming more difficult to remove later.”
Kitchen Surfaces
From Sunday meal prep to quick weeknight dinners, your kitchen sees constant use, allowing grease and crumbs to accumulate fast. Murphy says to pay close attention to your countertops, cabinets, and appliances. “Counters are used all day for food, mail, bags, crumbs, spills, and everything else that lands there. Wipe them daily, but once a week do a more thorough clean, including corners and edges,” she says.
Then move to your appliances. “Refrigerator handles, microwave touchpads, coffee makers, and appliance fronts get touched constantly. They don’t always look dirty, but they collect fingerprints, grease, and germs. Wipe exterior surfaces weekly, and clean removable coffee maker parts,” Murphy notes.
Refrigerator and Pantry
While you’re in your kitchen, also take the time to go through your refrigerator and pantry to prepare for the week ahead. “It’s easy to overlook what’s sitting in the fridge or pantry, but expired food and spills can create odors and bacteria,” says Hicks. “A quick weekly check and wipe-down keeps everything fresh and safe. You can use a mixture of warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar to clean surfaces and then follow with a disinfectant if needed.”
High-Touch Surfaces
Sometimes it’s the areas in your home that are touched the most that get cleaned the least. “Doorknobs, light switches, remotes, cabinet pulls, and stair railings are touched constantly and forgotten easily,” says Murphy. “Wipe them weekly with a microfiber cloth or disinfecting wipe. For electronics, use very little moisture and never spray directly onto the item.”
Sponges
Although they’re used to clean dishes, sponges are sometimes one of the dirtiest items in the home. “Sanitizing them weekly—whether by placing dishwasher-safe sponges in the dishwasher or replacing them entirely—helps avoid spreading bacteria from one surface to another,” says Hicks.