We’re all busy, but weekdays can be particularly full-on. Between demanding work schedules, school runs and keeping on top of household errands, our midweek calendars can fill up pretty quickly. And, unfortunately, household cleanliness can sometimes pay the price.
The busier we get, the further cleaning slips down the to-do list – but it doesn’t have to. We often think of cleaning as one big task that needs to be completed all at once, usually at the weekend. But I don’t think your hard-earned free time should be spent tackling jobs that, let’s face it, are rarely much fun. Instead, I prefer a little-and-often approach.
By choosing quick, easy but keenly effective cleaning jobs that work with your busy midweek schedule, rather than against it, you can make a noticeable difference without overwhelming yourself. These are the tasks worth fitting in during the week, so your home feels fresher and your weekend remains your own.
Clean the kitchen sink and taps
Time needed: 5–10 minutes
The kitchen sink is one of the hardest-working areas in the home, so it can quickly become coated in food debris, grease and water marks during a busy round of midweek meals. Giving it a quick clean during the week will instantly make the kitchen feel fresher, even if you haven’t had time to tackle the rest of the room.
Start by clearing away any dishes and rinsing out the basin, then use a suitable cleaner or washing-up liquid to scrub around the plughole, sides and bottom of the sink. Don’t forget the taps, which can collect splashes and limescale, particularly around the base. Rinse everything thoroughly and finish by buffing the sink and taps with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. It only takes a few minutes, but the extra shine makes a noticeable difference.
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Give the loo a proper clean
Time needed: 10 minutes
The loo is one of those jobs that’s easy to put off until the weekend, but giving it a quick clean midweek can make the bathroom feel considerably fresher. It also prevents marks, odours and bacteria from building up, meaning the job should be quicker and easier when you next clean it.
Apply toilet cleaner around the bowl first and leave it to work while you wipe down the seat, lid, flush handle and the outside of the loo with an anti-bac wipe or bathroom cleaner. Pay particular attention to the areas around the hinges and base, which can easily be overlooked. Finish by scrubbing the bowl, flushing and wiping the surrounding floor if needed. It’s a small task, but doing it midweek helps maintain that just-cleaned feeling for longer.
Clean the washing machine’s detergent drawer and seal
Time needed: 10 minutes
Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but parts of the machine itself can quickly become coated in leftover detergent, fabric conditioner, hair and trapped moisture. The detergent drawer and rubber door seal are particularly prone to mould and unpleasant smells, which can then transfer to freshly washed laundry. Therefore, it’s time to clean the cleaner. An often overlooked yet incredibly quick cleaning job perfectly easy to slip into your bust midweek routine.
Remove the detergent drawer and rinse it under warm water, using an old toothbrush to loosen any residue from the corners. Then wipe inside the drawer cavity and run a cloth around the rubber seal, checking for trapped fluff or small items. Finish by leaving the drawer and door slightly open so the machine can dry out properly.
It’s an easy job to overlook, but doing it midweek helps prevent odours from building up before your next laundry session – and keeps the machine fresher for longer.
Clear one clutter hotspot
Time needed: 10–15 minutes
A cluttered kitchen worktop, hallway table or coffee table can make the whole room feel untidy, even when the rest of it is reasonably clean. Rather than attempting a full declutter during the week, choose one small area and give it a quick reset.
Put away anything that belongs elsewhere, recycle or discard obvious rubbish and group together items that still need dealing with. The key is to stop once the surface is clear – this is about creating a quick visual improvement, not reorganising your entire home.
Full decluttering jobs tend to take up a lot more of your time than usual cleaning jobs, so I’d always recommend saving them for the weekend. Nobody wants to be worrying about whether or not that jumper from five years ago still fits when they have a 9am Zoom call to worry about. A small midweek tidy is fine, but leave the bigger decisions for when you have more time and headspace.
Clean the dishwasher filter
Time needed: 10 minutes
If your dishwasher has started to smell less than fresh, the filter could be the culprit. It catches food debris during every cycle, while grease and residue can collect around the door seal and edges.
Remove and rinse the filter, using a soft brush to dislodge anything stuck to it. You can do this as you do the washing up post-dinner for added convenience. Then, wipe around the bottom of the dishwasher and along the rubber seal before replacing the filter. Doing this midweek helps prevent stale smells and means the machine is ready to work properly when you need it next.
Empty the toaster crumb tray
Time needed: 5 minutes
The humble toaster is easy to forget during a kitchen clean, yet its crumb tray can quickly fill with burnt crumbs and debris that always somehow ends up spilling out all over the kitchen. Emptying it is a tiny job, but it can instantly make the appliance feel cleaner and reduce the risk of old crumbs smoking the next time you use it for your pre-commute toast.
Make sure the toaster is unplugged and completely cool, then remove the crumb tray and shake it over the bin. Wipe it clean before sliding it back into place. You could also carefully tip the toaster upside down over the bin, but avoid putting it anywhere near water.
Descale the showerhead
Time needed: 5 minutes of active effort
A dribbly shower or poor water pressure could be caused by limescale and soap scum blocking the water jets. Cleaning the showerhead overnight is a useful midweek job, as the vinegar solution can work while you sleep, leaving you with a more efficient shower by the morning.
If you have a detachable showerhead, unscrew it from the hose and place it in a Ziplock bag containing 200ml of distilled white vinegar and 200ml of water. Seal the bag and leave it overnight. In the morning, remove the showerhead and scrub it in warm, soapy water before reattaching it. It’s a great midweek job as most of the hard work is done while you sleep.
For a fixed showerhead, half-fill a plastic bag with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Place it over the showerhead, making sure the whole head is submerged, then secure it to the pipe with an elastic band or thick string. Leave it overnight and rinse with fresh, soapy water the next morning. Repeat once a month to keep the shower working as it should.
If any spray holes remain blocked, use a needle to unclog them. Never use vinegar or limescale remover on gold-plated bathroom fittings, as this can damage the finish.
