The Monthly Cleaning Tasks Most People Forget

While daily to-dos and weekly resets tend to take precedence, those once-a-month cleaning tasks have a huge impact. Skip certain ones, and you’ll certainly notice when you catch a whiff of mildew from the sink or do battle with the frozen leftovers that tumble out of your freezer. “Establishing a regular maintenance regime is essential to keeping your home in order,” Martha shares in The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Anything. "To make sure no room or task is overlooked, I recommend posting a list of what should be done on a daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis—and to be sure to do those tasks."  

Still, it’s all too easy for cleaning tasks to slip through the cracks. (You’re only human after all.) Below are a few of Martha’s recommended monthly cleaning tasks that are easy to forget, and why giving them a little attention now may be more crucial than you think.

Decluttering Physical Mail and Papers

Even in this ultra-modern age, physical mail has a way of multiplying when you’re not looking. Unopened bank statements, junk mail—some of it may be important (and going ignored), and the rest is likely pure clutter. Once a month, take 10 minutes to go through it all. “Recycle magazines and catalogs you no longer want; store all others,” says Martha. “File paid bills [and] important documents for long-term storage.” This will keep desks, drawers, and entryway landings clear and important documents addressed on time.

Cleaning the Kitchen Garbage Can

You’re always on top of taking out the daily trash, but when was the last time you cleaned the bin itself? Spills, leaks, and lingering odors can accumulate on both its interior and exterior fast, so don’t neglect its monthly wash. (You’re putting your kitchen at risk of mold, pests, and smells if you do.) 

“Once a month or as needed, take the bin outside and rinse it with a hose,” says Martha. “If it's especially grimy, use a long-handled brush to scrub the inside bin with a mixture of vinegar and warm water.” Be sure to rinse and dry the bin thoroughly before replacing the bag.

Washing Mattress Covers

Mattress covers do important work yet don’t get much attention. Regular washes will help maintain the longevity of the cover—and, therefore, the mattress beneath it—as well as support better sleep hygiene. To tackle the task, “wash the mattress cover at least once a month along with your pillow covers, more frequently if you notice discoloration or dampness when changing the sheets,” Martha recommends. 

Flushing Household Drains

If your sink smells off, it’s already overdue for attention. Giving your household drains a monthly flush will help prevent clogs and odors before they become a plumbing problem. “Pour 1 cup baking soda followed by ¼ cup distilled white vinegar down the drain,” says Martha. “Let this bubble away for 15 minutes, then flush with running hot tap water.” 

Culling Digital Clutter

While the amount of physical junk mail you receive is probably excessive, your email inbox likely still holds even more of the digital variety. Phones, laptops, and tablets also collect screenshots, duplicate photos, forgotten files, and other types of digital clutter. A monthly digital sweep helps devices run more smoothly and reduces visual noise whenever you open an app or your laptop.

Doing a Freezer Clean-Out

A monthly freezer check prevents food waste and freezer burn and helps your appliance work more efficiently. Take 20 or so minutes to check expiration dates and label anything that hasn't been already. Then toss any old, discolored, or freezer-burned items and wipe down the shelves. It’ll make future meal prep easier.

Bathing the Bath Toys

Those with small children will want to pay attention: Since bath toys are played with in soapy water, they likely get overlooked, but these items can still accumulate grimy buildup and bacteria.  

Martha’s solution, as shared in decorvow’s Very Good Things, is simple and effective: “Once a month, soak bath toys in warm, soapy water with half cup vinegar for 15 minutes, scrubbing nooks with a toothbrush. Rinse well.”

Deep-Cleaning the Coffeemaker

Keep mineral buildup out of your morning coffee. Over time, residue inside your coffeemaker can affect both flavor and performance—so don’t forget to give it a monthly deep clean.

“Flush out the interior once a month with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water—about two cups,” says Martha. “With the carafe in place, run the machine for half a cycle, then switch it off. After an hour, turn the coffeemaker back on and finish the cycle. Rinse by running several cycles with fresh water.”