We all know this about owning a home or rental property in Austin: cleaning is a task where the finish line constantly moves. You vacuum when the floors start looking muddy. You wipe down the shelves when you can write your name in the dust. You clean the windows when you can’t see the backyard.

The problem is this type of reactionary cleaning isn’t just stressful. It is also a surefire way to let small, unnoticeable damage add up in the background, often leading to expensive repairs down the road. Neglected gutters lead to water damage; dust buildup ruins HVAC systems; and grime erodes expensive flooring.

Cleaning smarter, with a cyclical cleaning schedule, is the answer.

Cleaning year-round is key, and scheduling a recurring maid service is a vital component. However, even if you do that, seasonal cleaning makes all the difference in keeping your property looking great year-round.

Before we get to what needs to be done based on the weather, there is a whole category of cleaning that should always be done. In fact, this is the bare minimum schedule to keep a property in acceptable condition.

• Weekly/Bi-Weekly: For the most-used areas, you want to deep-clean every 7-14 days. Vacuum and mop floors. Sanitize bathrooms. Wipe down kitchen countertops.
• Monthly: This is your “out of sight, out of mind” stuff. Dusting baseboards, blinds, and ceiling fans, as well as wiping down the exterior of appliances.

This minimum baseline schedule is precisely where a recurring house cleaning or maid service will make your life so much easier. By outsourcing the weekly/bi-weekly chores, you gain the mental bandwidth to focus on the bigger seasonal projects.

Spring cleaning is, literally, for spring. But what does that mean for your house? The short answer is, you are shaking off the stuff that built up over the winter. Houses are naturally more sealed off and closed up during colder months, but that means dust, dander, and stale air love these conditions.

Key Focus Areas:

• Deep Clean Carpets: Dirt and moisture are natural enemies of carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Dust, mud, and salts can work their way deep into the fibers, making it nearly impossible to clean them yourself completely. A professional steam clean in the spring will reduce dust levels and prolong the life of those fibers.
• Windows: Clean them inside and outside. You will be surprised at how much brighter your home’s interior is when the winter grime is gone.
• HVAC System: Replace your HVAC filters (do it now before pollen season really gets going) and vacuum out your floor vents.
• The Great Declutter: Before you do any spring cleaning, de-clutter. Donate unworn winter clothes, and pare down surfaces to make the actual cleaning job less overwhelming.

Summer is all about fun in the sun. The problem is the outdoors wants to come inside. Sand, grass, humidity, and bugs are the enemy.

Key Focus Areas:

• Entryways & Mudrooms: The battle to keeping floors looking new is in full swing during the summer. Sweep those mudrooms (or entryways) at least twice a week, and mop often so that the dirt on shoes doesn’t get tracked onto your hardwood floors (it acts like sandpaper).
• Kitchens & Pantries: Ants and fruit flies love the warmer weather. Clear off those kitchen pantry shelves, put all open food in sealed containers, and give your garbage cans a good scrubbing.
• Bathrooms: Humidity is high, creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Scrubbing grout lines and ensuring ventilation fans are dust-free is critical.
• Outdoor Spaces: Don’t forget the patio furniture and the grill. A clean outdoor living space feels like an extension of your home.

Autumn is the most important season for general home maintenance. If we had to describe cleaning in one word for autumn, it would be to “winterize.” What you do to prepare in the fall can prevent major damage to your investment over the winter.

Key Focus Areas:

• Gutters: This one task is the most important one on this list. Clogged gutters lead to ice dams in the winter, and that causes severe water damage to the roof and walls.
• Oven & Stove: Holiday baking and cooking are coming up, so deep-clean your oven/stove now so you don’t have to deal with smoke alarms going off during Thanksgiving.
• Textiles: Swap out breezy summer curtains for heavier drapes to help insulate windows. Also, wash heavy duvets and blankets before placing them on beds.
• Chimney & Fireplace: If you use a wood-burning fireplace, have it inspected and swept before the first fire of the season.

While you are spending more time indoors, focus on germ control and protecting your interior finishes.

Key Focus Areas:

• Floor Care: Dirt and debris are the enemies of hardwood and natural stone. Doormats are your best friend, so use them often. It’s a good idea to mop and vacuum often to keep dirt levels down.
• Sanitization: It’s cold and flu season. Disinfect high-touch points that often get skipped, such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and cabinet handles.
• Lighting: Because days are shorter, your lights are on more. Be sure to dust light fixtures and bulbs to ensure you get maximum brightness.
• Behind Appliances: Appliances get the same treatment. Pull out the fridge, washer, dryer, and vacuum, and cleanthem behind them.

Does reading this list sound overwhelming? You aren’t alone. 

For the majority of busy homeowners and landlords, the struggle isn’t what to do. It’s finding the time and energy to do it. With work, family, and social obligations all vying for your time, “cleaning the baseboards” never becomes a priority.

When you outsource recurring cleaning and maintenance, you are no longer just paying for a clean house; you are purchasing an automation package, so your home is always in top shape and ready for guests with zero lifting of a finger.

Bi-weekly maintenance, deep cleanings -, we are ready for your property’s needs.

Stop worrying about the cleaning schedule and start enjoying your free time.

Or, contact Juany Cleaning Service today at 512-470-7079 for a free quote on our recurring cleaning packages for your Austin home.