We all aspire to a tidy home, but sticking to a regular cleaning routine can be challenging. While some areas demand constant attention—think kitchen counters—others will be fine with just an occasional brush with a vacuum or dust cloth. Here are once-a-year chores that can be scheduled ahead, tackled once, and forgotten again until 2021.

Get Behind the Appliances
Moving the fridge, stove, and laundry machines away from the wall takes muscle, but annual maintenance pays off in longer lives for these household workhorses. To do a thorough cleaning, vacuum the fridge coils, clean the dryer vents, and wipe all the rear surfaces with a lightly dampened dust cloth. Then bust year-old dust by giving the floor a good sweep. Remember: when moving the appliances, be extremely careful not to disconnect any water or gas lines.

Shampoo Upholstery
Refresh your sofas and chairs with a yearly scrubbing. Search the supermarket for steam cleaners or spray bottles with a brush attachment; they’ll help to gently lift dirt from the upholstery. Before you use a new cleanser, first test it in an inconspicuous spot. If the fabric’s color and texture looks good once the cleanser has dried, you’ll know it’s safe to use on the remainder of the surface. When cleaning, pay special attention to areas where hands and heads tend to rest—those are the places that need the most elbow grease.

Refresh the Bathroom Storage

Here’s a good rainy day chore: open up all the medicine cabinets and discard any expired medications (the FDA provides guidelines on the safest ways to do this), old cosmetics, and almost-empty toothpaste tubes. Clean all the surfaces and restock the shelves. Then give the other bathroom cabinets a quick decluttering session, wiping down doors and interior shelves as you go.

Deep Clean the Oven

If you use your oven constantly, you may need to do this job several times in a year, but if you’re only an occasional baker, an annual washing should be fine. Run the self-cleaning cycle if your cooker has one, or arm yourself with rubber gloves and oven cleaner to make the interior sparkle.

Wash Walls and Touch Up Paint

Give your walls a new look—without the hassle of a full paint job—when you give them a once-a-year cleaning. To start, run the vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment over the walls, paying special attention to moulding and baseboards. Next, use a cloth and gentle cleaning spray to remove any smudges or fingerprints. If you notice any chips or scratches, cover them with a dab of paint leftover from your last remodel.

Sweep and Organize the Garage
Pick a temperate time of year to clear out and clean up your garage or tool shed. Sell, donate, or trash the clutter, then organize all the tools and toys you plan to keep. You may choose to invest in new shelves and hooks—or else finally start using the ones you already have. Once your gadgets and gear are properly stowed away, give the floor a good going over with a heavy-duty broom and mop.

Brighten Up Those Windows

Plan to do this chore in the spring, before you throw the windows open for a bit of fresh air. Pick a cloudy day to clean (sunlight can cause your cleanser to streak), then take a crumpled newspaper and a vinegar-based cleaning solution to the panes to make them sparkle.

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