Here’s what we all know about owning an Austin home or rental property: cleaning is one of those jobs where the finish line moves just as you approach it. You vacuum when the floors look dusty. You wipe down the shelves when your name is visible in the dust. You clean the windows when you can’t see your backyard.

Right here in Central Texas, that finish line gets approached quicker than almost anywhere else. From 100-degree summers to freak hard freezes, Austin has them all. Not to mention our lovely oak pollen blanket that covers everything in the spring AND cedar fever in the middle of winter. Popping a generic cleaning schedule you found on the internet just won’t work here- our homes endure different kinds of abuses, they need a schedule made to fit that!

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. If you’re juggling a packed schedule, check out our weekly cleaning routine for busy professionals in Austin to keep things manageable.
• Hard Water Management: Austin tap water is full of limestone and dissolved minerals, and it shows that quickly too.You spend hours each week scraping hard water scale from your glass shower doors, faucets & fixtures and granite countertops here in Central Texas. Prevent it each week…if you allow that mineral film to build up it etches into the glass and stone permanently and no amount of scrubbing after the fact will help.
• 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.
  

That bare minimum schedule is exactly what a recurring house cleaning or maid service can do for you. You outsource weekly/bi-weekly tasks and free up headspace to work on those larger 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. Your home is naturally more closed up during the winter months, but dust mites, dander, and stagnant air thrive.

Key Focus Areas:

• Deep Clean Carpets: Dirt and humidity don’t mix well with your carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Dirt, mud, and salts can penetrate deep into the fibers where home cleaning just can’t reach. A professional steam clean in the spring will reduce dust levels and prolong the life of those fibers.
• Windows: Wash them inside and out. Here in Austin, that translates to scrubbing the yellow pollen goo off your outdoor glass surfaces, window screens, and patio furniture so you can enjoy those few glorious weeks of perfect Austin weather before summer hits. You will be surprised at how much brighter your home’s interior is when the grime is gone.
• HVAC System: Replace your HVAC filters before oak and pecan pollen season really gets going and vacuum out your floor vents. Once that yellow pollen dust covers Austin in March and April, it doesn’t just stay outdoors. People track it in on their shoes and pets drag it inside on their feet. It blows around and sticks to windows, screens, baseboards, and vents. Changing filters early – and mid-season again – prevents your system from blowing it back through your home.
• The Great Declutter: Before you do any spring cleaning, de-clutter. Donate clothes you never wear in the winter, and declutter surfaces so cleaning actually feels manageable.

Summer is all about fun in the sun. The problem is the outdoors wants to come inside. Dog dirt from the Greenbelt, mud from Lady Bird Lake/Zilker Park, grass, humidity and insects are your enemy. Austin is a dog-friendly, very outdoorsy city and that dry red Texas dirt follows you home from every hike, every swim and every trip to the dog park.

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).
• AC Filters: Between June and September your AC is basically on 24 hours a day. Change your filters more frequently than the packaging recommends. Monthly during the hottest months is ideal, and every three weeks if you have pets. A dirty filter blows dust back into your home and makes your system work overtime on days where it’s 105 degrees outside. That’s how costly repairs begin. 
• 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. Fall is also Austin’s second spring. After months of hiding from the heat, this is when we finally want to be outside again — so the work splits between protecting the house and reclaiming the yard.

Key Focus Areas:

• Gutters: Cleaning out your gutters is by far the most crucial thing on this list. Austin’s live oaks and pecan trees drop thousands of gallons of leaves, twigs, and shells into your gutters each fall. If allowed to sit there, the buildup retains moisture against your fascia and roofline, promoting rot. It also makes a great home for rodents, wasps, and squirrels. Clear it away before the first major storm hits.
• Oven & Stove: Baking and cooking holidays are right around the corner. Deep clean your oven/stove now instead of trying to cram it in when smoke alarms are going off every 2 minutes during Thanksgiving dinner.
• Patios, Fire Pits & Outdoor Kitchens: Did you know the next few months bring the BEST weather Central Texas has to offer? Take advantage of it! Power wash the patio, scrub down the outdoor kitchen and grill, clean out the fire pit, and wipe down furniture that has collected cobwebs since last used in June.
• Textiles: Switch out lightweight summer curtains for heavier window coverings to help insulate windows. Don’t forget to launder heavy duvets/blankets before putting them on beds.
• Chimney & Fireplace: Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your wood-burning fireplace before you light 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:

• Cedar Fever Defense: Between December and February cedar pollen absolutely destroys Austin. For the majority of homes this is by far their biggest indoor air quality issue. During high count days keep windows closed, run air purifiers in bedrooms, vacuum with a HEPA filter rather than a standard bag, and dust ceiling fans, tops of shelves, and other surfaces frequently. Because cedar pollen settles high up it will be stirred back into the air every time your heat turns on, regular dusting won’t be enough.
• 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, and dryer, and vacuum and clean behind them.

Feeling overwhelmed just reading this list? You aren’t alone. 

For most busy homeowners and landlords, the challenge isn’t what to do. It’s finding the time to do it. With work, family, and social obligations all vying for your time, “cleaning the baseboards” never becomes a priority. And if you’re turning over a rental between tenants, our move-out cleaning checklist and professional move-out cleaning services in Greater Austin make tenant transitions seamless.

When you outsource cleaning and maintenance on a recurring basis, you aren’t just paying for a clean house anymore. You are buying yourself an automation package where your house is always in pristine condition and ready for guests without lifting a finger.

Bi-weekly maintenance, seasonal deep cleanings, pollen-season resets — we are ready for your property’s needs. Managing a workplace as well? We also offer specialized office cleaning services in Austin and commercial janitorial services across Central Texas.

Quit stressing over the cleaning schedule and start relaxing in your free time.

We proudly serve homes and properties throughout Central Texas, including Westlake Hills, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Tarrytown, Circle C and more.

Contact Juany Cleaning Service today at 512-470-7079 for a free quote on our recurring cleaning packages for your home!