Most indoor dust is microscopic in size (even up to 0.1 microns), yet Dyson’s Global Dust Study found that one-in-three people will only clean when visible dust and debris builds up. Since the start of the pandemic pet dog ownerships in New Zealand households increased by 25%. That’s big news for pet dander, which builds up in carpets and soft furnishings, and is a source of food for dust mites.

To keep homes healthy and spotless, a weekly cleaning schedule is your best approach. Though some find creating a room cleaning checklist daunting, there are a few simple tips and tricks to ensure you have everything covered. Ahead, Dyson’s comprehensive house cleaning schedule goes through the tools you’ll need for each room and the best order of cleaning. See how to clean walls and remove pet hair from high traffic areas below.

Tips for a weekly cleaning schedule

Stick vacuums provide seamless manoeuvrability, thanks to their cordless design. Especially when considering how to clean ceilings and other hard-to-reach spots, the versatility of Dyson’s stick vacuum cleaners provide versatile solutions. Cleans are quicker when properly prepared for. To make yours as efficient as possible, include these steps in your cleaning list:

1. Figure out the tools and accessories you’ll need before you begin.
2. Work on one area at a time, and always move from top to bottom.
3. Clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces before beginning your clean. This includes bed sheets and soft furnishing covers.

Dyson’s step-by-step house cleaning schedule

Your weekly cleaning schedule should cover both high traffic rooms and neglected areas. Debris, dust and the microbiome that live on them can become airborne and travel throughout spaces, so it’s important to consider the whole home and not just the most visible areas. You may prefer to tackle two unique spaces a week or go for a whole house cleaning schedule at once. See our room cleaning checklist below.

How to clean your staircase

Tools you’ll need:

• A cordless vacuum cleaner
• Crevice tool
• Hair screw tool
• A damp, lukewarm cloth

Thanks to their edges, corners and small platform lengths, staircases can be tricky to clean. To effectively remove dust and debris from this area, start from the top of the staircase down.

How to clean staircases:

1. Put your vacuum in handheld mode and attach the Crevice tool to it. Begin at the top of the staircase in order to catch any dust which may become dislodged and fall.
2. Focus on the edges of each step first, moving all the way around. Any loosened dust and debris will be captured in the second move through.
3. Once you’ve reached the bottom of the staircase, replace the Flexi crevice tool with the Hair screw tool (continuing in handheld mode). This time, go over the tread of stairs, picking up central dust.
4. Once staircases are cleaned, finish by running a damp, lukewarm cloth down the handrail or banister. Disinfectant can be used to tackle germs.

How to clean bedrooms

Tools you’ll need:

• A cordless vacuum cleaner
• Mattress tool or Hair screw tool
• Light pipe crevice tool
• Low reach adaptor
• Mini soft dusting brush
• A dry rag & damp, lukewarm cloth

Mattresses are one of the central food sources of dust mites. Dust mites can compromise the health of homes as their faeces can trigger allergies. Part of bedroom cleaning prep includes stripping and washing sheets and blankets at a high heat where possible.

How to clean bedrooms:

1. Starting up-top, use the Mini soft dusting brush attachment to remove dust from blinds and lampshades.
2. Then, run the Light pipe crevice tool attachment across windowsills and art frames. Large furniture can be pulled out to vacuum behind. The LED light allows you to see dust in those dark spaces.
3. Attach the Mattress tool or Hair screw tool going over both sides of your mattress. Next, remove dust from furniture before wiping down with a cloth dipped in warm water.
4. Remove excess dust from drawers and bedside tables before wiping down with a cloth dipped in warm water.
5. Finally, vacuum over the floor space. Any fallen dust will be caught here. The Low reach adaptor can be used to go underneath low furniture.

How to clean the house living area

Tools you’ll need:

• A cordless vacuum cleaner
• Scratch free soft dusting brush
• Light pipe crevice tool
• Low reach adaptor
• Hair screw tool
• A dry rag & damp, lukewarm cloth

Especially if there are pets, communal spaces should feature in a weekly cleaning schedule. Soft furnishing covers that can be removed should be washed at a high heat where possible, to help remove pet dander and dust mites.

Livingroom cleaning checklist:

1. With the Soft dusting brush, gently go over delicate surfaces such as the TV.
2. Large furniture like bookshelves, cabinets and sofas can then be pulled from the wall. With the Light pipe crevice tool, vacuum the skirting boards behind, using the LED light to reveal any dust build-ups.
3. Go over pet beds and upholstery with the Hair screw tool. The anti-tangle brush bar easily collects long hair without it becoming tangled in the vacuum.

Remove dust from hard furniture with a dry and damp rag, before vacuuming the floor. The Low-reach adaptor bends to reach further under low furniture.

How to clean the kitchen

Tools you’ll need:

• A cordless vacuum cleaner
• Up-top adaptor
• Light pipe crevice tool
• Disinfectant, cloth with warm water

Kitchens usually have hard floors like wood or tiles. Always mop after vacuuming to protect your machine. A high-traffic and high-mess area, kitchens should feature in a weekly cleaning schedule.

Kitchen cleaning checklist:

1. Wipe down surfaces like stove tops, the area around stoves, and pantries with disinfectant. The inside of fridges and microwaves can be taken out and cleaned the same way.
2. Use the Up-top adaptor and Mini soft dusting brush to vacuum places out of reach like the tops of fridges, and cupboards. The soft bristles help to protect materials as you clean.
3. Heavy furniture can be pulled slightly out from the wall. The Light pipe crevice can be used to reveal any food debris. Finally, vacuum the area, using the Low reach adaptor if needed.

How to clean walls and ceilings

Walls and ceilings are frequently absent from weekly cleaning schedules, but leaving them out can compromise the health quality of homes. Dust, cobwebs and organic matter can contribute to mould growth if left to accumulate. Fortunately, cleaning the area is quick and easy with the right tools. Start with the ceilings and protect paint by using the Scratch free dusting brush. The Flexi crevice tool can be used in the hard-to-reach or narrow spaces. Use the Extension hose and scratch-free Dusting brush attachments which adds 61cm for flexible reach.

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