9 Things You Should Clean Every Day

If you aren't a cleaning enthusiast, you probably save your energy for bi-weekly or monthly deep cleans. While these can be effective for some areas of your space, there are certain parts of your home that need to be cleaned every day. That doesn't mean you need to break out your mop and strongest cleaning supplies—a light, general wipe down is all it takes to keep your home polished. Not only will doing so make your space feel more put together, but it will also lighten the load when it's time for a more thorough scrubbing.

Dishes

While it may be tempting to put your dirty dishes in the sink and forget about them, they really should be cleaned daily. "Dishes put off for another day can cause unwanted odor," says Melissa Poepping, the founder of The Chemical Free Home. "And leaving food can make it challenging to remove in some cases because of staining, which in the end, means more time cleaning for you."

Kitchen Sink

Stainless-steel, white composite, and porcelain sinks can stain easily if left soiled. "To make this task simple, rinse the sink after washing dishes and wipe dry with a dish drying towel to prevent hard-to-remove water stains or mineral deposits," says Poepping. "You can keep the deeper clean or polishing to your weekly or bi-weekly list."

Water Bottle

The reusable water bottle you likely bring everywhere needs a daily wash. "Absolutely clean your water bottle daily with warm, soapy water—or, if suitable, in the dishwasher," says Poepping. "Your bottle can become a perfect platform for bacteria and your cover can quickly grow mold."

Kitchen Countertop 

Give your kitchen countertops and stovetop a wipe-down every evening (if you cooked). "Your kitchen counters are food prep areas, and your stove catches spills and splatter from cooking," says Poepping. "If left unattended, both can grow harmful bacteria that can affect your health."

Kitchen Floor

While you don't need to break out your mop daily, a quick sweep of your kitchen floors after cooking dinner is important. "Sweeping crumbs off the floor should be a part of your daily cleaning routine to keep pests away and your home tidy," says Marla Mock, the president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

Sponge

Since sponges are used to clean your dishes, they also need a daily cleaning. "In between scrubs, just add detergent and place them on the top rack of your dishwasher," says Mock. "Also, when possible, try to let the sponge dry completely between uses." If you don't have a dishwasher, soak the sponge in 1 quart water and 3 tablespoons chlorine bleach and rinse thoroughly.

Coffee Maker

Your coffee maker doesn't need a deep clean or degreasing every day, but there are some components that benefit from a daily rinse. After using your coffee maker, clean the basin where the grinds go, as well as the coffee pot using warm, soapy water.

Glass Shower Walls

Hard water stains appear on glass when water dries, and can be difficult to remove later on. Prevent this by using a squeegee to swipe away water from your shower doors daily (or every time you use the shower). "If you have a tile or fiberglass shower, you can reserve this task for your weekly or bi-weekly cleaning list," says Poepping.

Bathroom Countertop

Take time to wipe down your bathroom countertop every morning after you've completed your routine, as makeup products, toothpaste, and hair can easily accumulate here. In addition to daily cleaning, bathroom counters should be cleaned thoroughly once per week to remove all water spots and buildup, says Mock.