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It’s the beginning of June, another month is here. Time for a new start. The first of each month is a signal to me to clean some very specific things around the house. Several years ago, when my kids were little, I went through various cleaning schedules, and although my cleaning schedules have changed over the years, these 5 things that I clean on the first day of each month have stuck with me.
When the first of the month rolls around, I know that if I start off with getting these 5 things cleaned, I feel like I’ve started the month off on the right foot and that my house is clean. Plus by putting them on the first day of the month, I always remember to do them. I’ve also included a link to download your own checklist.
5 Things I Always Clean The First of Each Month are:
- Washing Machine
- Dishwasher
- Bedding and Blankets
- Coffee Pot
- Stove Top
1. Cleaning Your Washing Machine
If you have an HE washing machine then you know that after a while of using them, they get stinky and so do your clothes. I have discovered for our family that cleaning the washing machine once a month is a must. My husband is an electrician and a referee/umpire so his clothes get really dirty and stinky. I have found that for us, it really makes a difference to clean the washing machine every month. But, the great thing is it’s super easy. I drop in an Affresh tab and set it on the cleaning cycle. I also pull out the detergent dispenser tray and clean it and let it air dry.
2. Cleaning the Dishwasher
I didn’t realize how important this was until we started having issues with our dishwasher. I’ll be honest, as a young mom with three kids I had no idea that I had to clean the dishwasher. What a difference it makes! Your dishes and your dishwasher will thank you! Your dishes will be much cleaner and the dishwasher will do a better cleaning job and smell better if you do. It’s super easy! Just pull the filter out and give it a rinse, then use a dishwasher cleaning tab and run a cleaning cycle and wipe down the inside if it’s super dirty Easy peasy!
3. Bedding and Blankets
I wash all bedding including sheets and blankets the first day of every month. I will change the sheets more often if needed, but at least they get washed once a month. As far as comforters go, I only wash them as needed. The one on our bed is velvet, so I only wash it about once a season. I don’t want to wear it out or cause it to fade too quickly. Too much washing can be bad for certain fabrics.
Two of my children still live at home and I also do my best to get them to wash their bedding the same day or the next one. Especially my oldest since her dog sleeps in the bed with her.
I also go around the house and grab all throw blankets that we use and wash them, too. I can’t stand it when I grab one and it smells like the dog. For me, there is nothing like snuggling up with fresh, clean linens and blankets. Especially if they are just out of the dryer!
4. Cleaning the Coffee Pot
I have to admit, this is a brand new addition to my first-of-the-month cleaning list. My husband and I were scrolling through Amazon for the Affresh products that I use and ran across this. They make cleaning tabs for coffee makers! I’ve also just run vinegar through it but thought I would give this a try, and man what a difference! No vinegar smell and the coffee maker is super clean. It’s cleaner than I’ve seen it in years! We used to clean it a few times a year since we’re not big coffee drinkers, but this will make it really easy to do every month.
5. Cleaning the Stovetop
This makes it sound like I only clean the stovetop once a month. I clean it daily, I promise! But I don’t always have time to do more than a good wipe down every day. So I put it on my list to do a deep clean once a month. That means that I wipe it off, and use the scraper to remove anything that needs to be scraped off. Then I use either my glass stovetop cleaner or Scrub Daddy and Power Paste.
Wrap Up
Do I really do all these things on the first day of each month? Yes! I try each month to get all of these things done in one day, too. But If my day is busy then I at least try to get them done that week. I feel like if I have these things done, then I’ve started my month off fresh and clean. It makes me feel like I’ve already accomplished something.
The great thing is it doesn’t have to take all day necessarily. First thing in the morning I make sure the washing machine and dishwasher are empty, then I drop in Affresh tabs and start cleaning cycles. Then I put one in the coffee maker. While everything is running their clean cycles I can clean the stovetop. Then when the washing machine is finished I can start washing bedding and blankets.
I think that having these particular chores done on the first day of the month that it helps me to remember to get them done. Before I would get busy doing other things and a few days, then a couple of weeks would go by and I hadn’t done them. Then I feel like I’m behind on everything. But, if I can get these chores done and out of the way I can do everything else.
Plus, by making sure these particular cleaning chores happen every month I’m making these expensive workhorse appliances last longer and clean better. Not to mention smell better. And who doesn’t love going to bed at night with fresh, crisp sheets on the bed?
Below, I’ve included a link so you can download and print your own 1st of the Month Cleaning List. I made one with my list and the other is a blank list so that you can fill it in with your own chores. I’ve also included my favorite products to use when I do these chores. Click the Shop The Post image to learn more or to shop. Do you have particular chores you have scheduled on the first of the month? I’d love to hear about it!
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