Do you consider yourself a clean person? Sure, you fold your pants after taking them off and you would never leave food on your bedside table for more than a day—two max. Of course you brush your teeth and do the dishes in a reasonable(ish) timeframe. But when was the last time you dusted anything? You see, like so many other things in life, cleanliness exists on a spectrum. And based on what you have learned from your parents, past roommates, and significant others, your definition could be wildly different from your peers. So, in the interest of clarity, we put together a list of basic, yet easy to forget, things that need regular cleaning in every man's home, oh yeah, and how often they need to be cleaned. Go forth and get scrubbing.
Towels:
Wash every three to four uses
Why: Nothing touches your bare skin more than your bath towels. Sure, they're made to withstand constant wear and tear but towels (especially if they don't have a chance to fully dry) can quickly start to smell. If you work out a lot or if it's very hot outside, you might want to wash them even more frequently. Don't forget hand towels. Those should be washed every two to three days because let’s face it, your hands carry millions of germs on them at any given time. Washing your hand towels often will keep you from getting sick.
Sheets:
Wash every one to two weeks
Why: Do you sleep naked? Do you tend to run hot and sweat a lot in your sleep? Do you share your bed with a dog or a cat? Have you been extremely lucky this month? Your sheets are absorbing all that sweat, dead skin, and bodily fluids, and if you don't change them often your skin and social life will suffer.
Refrigerator:
Spot clean as needed and deep clean every three to four months
Why: Depending on how often you buy new groceries, spill hot sauce, and cook, your fridge can take quite a beating. The single most important appliance in your home, your refrigerator deserves respect and consistent upkeep. Give it a deep clean every 3 to 4 months. That means putting all your food in a cooler, turning it off, removing the shelves and drawers and washing them with hot soapy water. In between cleanings make sure to wipe up spills before they dry and remove foods that are spoiled or past their expiration date.
Vacuuming or Sweeping:
Do this every one or two weeks
Why: Can you walk through your apartment barefoot without cringing? Do you wear your shoes inside? Do you have a habit of dropping half the broccoli you are chopping on the floor? Food, dust, pet hair, and dirt from the outside world build up faster than you might think. And in most cases, they don't settle in the middle of your floor. Whether you have a carpet or hardwood floors, you'll need to keep a constant eye on this situation. When sweeping or vacuuming, make sure to move furniture, pick up bags, move cables and cords, and get deep into corners.
Dusting:
Do this every two months
Why: Warning: If you suffer from allergies, you'll need to dust your apartment more often—every three weeks to a month. But if you're lucky enough to not be too bothered by dust mites, you can push it to a bi-monthly basis. Wet a dish towel or microfiber cloth in warm water and ring it out so no drips fall. Next, wipe all surfaces, rinsing the cloth as necessary. Don't forget to dust the tops of framed artwork, high shelves, bedside tables, stereo and TV equipment, the tops of your door frames, and especially all of your lighting (it will make your apartment feel brighter).