---
title: The Full Home Maintenance Calendar: 97 Jobs and How Often to Do Them
source: https://tended.mintbyte.app/the-full-home-maintenance-calendar
description: Every recurring home maintenance job, 97 of them, from weekly to every five years — with the interval and the reason for each one.
---

# The full home maintenance calendar

August 2026 · 97 items, from the Tended catalog

A home has 97 recurring maintenance jobs, running from weekly to once every five years. Every one of them is below, sorted by how often it comes round, with the reason it is on the list.

Home maintenance checklists usually stop at about twenty items, because twenty is what one person can remember. This is the whole set — including the washer door seal, the dishwasher filter and the dryer vent, which between them account for a startling share of mould, bad smells and house fires, and which almost nobody has ever been told about.

Sorted shortest interval first inside each group. The sources are linked in the rows where a recognised authority has published guidance.

## Home 97

| What | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Change bath towels | Weekly | A damp towel reaches bacterial counts in the hundreds of thousands within days. Swap every 3-5 uses. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Change kitchen towels | Weekly | Nearly half of kitchen hand towels test positive for bacteria, because one rag ends up doing every job. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean bathroom | Weekly | Bathrooms give mold its two favourite things, damp and warmth. A weekly wipe denies it a foothold. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean humidifier | Weekly | An uncleaned tank becomes a microbe farm, and breathing the mist can inflame your lungs for real. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/use-and-care-home-humidifiers) |
| Clean kitchen sink | Weekly | Kitchen sinks average 11 million microorganisms per 10 sq cm, which is grimier than most bathrooms. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean remotes & switches | Weekly | TV remotes carry more bacteria than anything in a hospital room, and flu lasts hours on light switches. [WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/cm/slideshow-how-often-clean-this) |
| Clean toothbrush holder | Weekly | The toothbrush holder out-dirties the toilet seat by 12,000 times. Dark, damp, and right there. [Clinton Dental Center](https://clintondentalcenter.com/how-often-should-i-clean-my-toothbrush-holder/) |
| Do laundry | Weekly | Cold washes leave far more live bacteria on fabric than hot ones, and it spreads between garments. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Mow the lawn | Weekly | Cutting more than a third of the blade in one go stresses the grass and weakens its roots. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/what-you-can-do-your-yard) |
| Toss expired fridge food | Weekly | The average American wastes about $728 a year in edible food, much of it at the back of the fridge. [FoodSafety.gov](https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts) |
| Vacuum floors & carpets | Weekly | HEPA vacuuming weekly cuts dust-mite allergen levels by 80% or more. Your nose notices before you do. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Water indoor plants | Weekly | Overwatering is the number one way Americans kill houseplants. Forgetting to water is number two. |
| Water the lawn | Weekly | Deep and infrequent trains roots downward. A light daily sprinkle keeps them shallow and thirsty. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/what-you-can-do-your-yard) |
| Wipe kitchen counters | Weekly | In test kitchens, 26% of cooks who handled raw chicken transferred bacteria straight to the salad. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Change bedding | Every 2 weeks | You shed hundreds of thousands of skin cells and half a pint of sweat a night. Dust mites feast on it. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean mirrors & glass | Every 2 weeks | Cold and flu viruses last up to 48 hours on glass, and the bathroom mirror gets touched a lot. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Dust surfaces | Every 2 weeks | House dust is skin flakes, pollen and dust-mite waste, and a leading indoor allergy trigger. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Mop hard floors | Every 2 weeks | Some bacteria survive on tile and vinyl for up to four weeks. One pass with a wet mop removes about 60%. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Replace kitchen sponge | Every 2 weeks | Over 75% of kitchen sponges carry coliform bacteria, and 86% test positive for yeast or mold. |
| Check sinks for leaks | Monthly | The average household leaks over 10,000 gallons a year, mostly from drips nobody has looked at. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week) |
| Check washer hoses | Monthly | A burst supply hose dumps around 650 gallons an hour. The average claim runs about $10,200. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean dishwasher filter | Monthly | A clogged filter turns trapped grease into mold fuel, then redeposits it on the next clean load. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean fridge interior | Monthly | Forgotten drips, especially from thawing meat, are a classic route for cross-contamination. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean garbage disposal | Monthly | That smell is sulfur-producing bacteria in low-oxygen pockets, the same compounds as rotten eggs. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean microwave | Monthly | It's the door handle, not the inside: 5% test positive for E. coli, grabbed with food-prep hands. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean outdoor grill | Monthly | About a third of gas grill fires start on grills that simply weren't cleaned. Grease is the fuel. [USDA FSIS](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/grilling-and-food-safety) |
| Clean range hood filter | Monthly | Grease and oil ignite about 45% of home cooking fires, and the filter sits right above the stove. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean shower drain | Monthly | Hair, soap and skin cells form biofilm in the drain. That's the mystery smell, and the future clog. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean stove grates | Monthly | Greasy burner ports starve the flame of air. Yellow instead of blue means fuel burning incompletely. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean vacuum filter | Monthly | A clogged HEPA filter loses about half its capture, so the dust goes straight back into the air. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean washer door seal | Monthly | The rubber door gasket is where most washer mold starts, because the seal traps detergent and damp. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean washer drum | Monthly | Front-loaders trap moisture in the drum and gasket. That musty laundry smell is mold, not detergent. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Deep clean air fryer | Monthly | Accumulated grease is ignitable fuel sitting a couple of inches from a live heating element. |
| Deep clean dishwasher | Monthly | Spray arms and the drain collect grease and mineral scale that a normal cycle never reaches. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Descale coffee maker | Monthly | About half of coffee-maker reservoirs harbour yeast or mold. Dark, damp and warm is their ideal. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Descale electric kettle | Monthly | A 1mm layer of limescale raises a kettle's energy use by about 7%. Heavy buildup, up to 30%. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Empty toaster crumb tray | Monthly | Toasters caused nearly 3,000 US fires over five years, and the usual fuel is loose crumbs. |
| Feed houseplants | Monthly | Potting soil holds a finite amount of food. Pale leaves and stalled growth are the receipt. |
| Oil cutting boards | Monthly | A board with deep cracks can't be sanitised at all. Oil is what stops the wood splitting. |
| Test smoke alarms | Monthly | Two-thirds of fatal home fires with alarms fitted had alarms that had failed. The test takes five seconds. [USFA](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/smoke-alarms/index.html) |
| Wash doormats | Monthly | A clean entry mat stops up to 85% of the dirt heading for your floors. A saturated one redistributes it. |
| Wash shower curtain | Monthly | Shower curtains can carry up to 60 times the microbial life of a toilet seat, feeding on soap scum. [WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/cm/slideshow-how-often-clean-this) |
| Wipe appliance fronts | Monthly | Fridge handles are among the germiest spots in the house. 23% carry yeast or mold, 9% E. coli. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Refill softener salt | Every 2 months | A dry brine tank kills the resin bed, and scale damage to a water heater runs past $5,000. |
| Replace pitcher filter | Every 2 months | Past their prime, filters can leave bacteria counts far higher than the tap water going in. |
| Change purifier filter | Every 3 months | Indoor air can be dirtier than outdoor air, and a HEPA filter stops catching much past about 90 days. [ENERGY STAR](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist) |
| Check basement moisture | Every 3 months | If something wet isn't dry within 24 to 48 hours, mold can start. Caught now it's a towel job. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Clean baseboards | Every 3 months | Baseboards sit exactly where dust, pollen and dander settle, then lift again every time you walk past. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean oven | Every 3 months | Cooking equipment starts more home fires than anything else, and baked-on grease is the fuel. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean showerhead | Every 3 months | Scale and slime on a showerhead can harbour Legionella. A vinegar soak clears that and the pressure. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Dust ceiling fan blades | Every 3 months | Each blade holds a felt strip of dust and dander, and the first switch-on broadcasts all of it. |
| Fertilize the lawn | Every 3 months | Nitrogen-starved turf grows thin, and thin turf is an open invitation to crabgrass and disease. |
| Purge pantry | Every 3 months | Oil past its prime oxidises into aldehydes and free radicals. It stops being food quietly. [USDA](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/shelf-stable-food-safety) |
| Replace HVAC filter | Every 3 months | A clogged filter can add 5-15% to your heating and cooling bill, because the fan has to fight for air. [ENERGY STAR](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist) |
| Rotate mattress | Every 3 months | Most warranties only start once sagging passes 1.5 inches, and skipping rotation can void them. [Sleepfoundation](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/should-you-flip-or-rotate-your-mattress) |
| Sharpen kitchen knives | Every 3 months | Dull blades send more people to the ER than sharp ones, because they need force and force slips. |
| Wash duvet | Every 3 months | Dust mites love the warmth and humidity a duvet traps all night. 130F water is what actually kills them. [WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-dirty-sheets-skin-problems) |
| Wash interior windows | Every 3 months | Windows account for 25-30% of heating and cooling energy, and grimy glass blocks free winter warmth. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Wash pillows | Every 3 months | After two years, up to 10% of an unwashed pillow's weight is dust mites, droppings and dead skin. [WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/how-to-clean-your-pillows) |
| Wash trash cans | Every 3 months | The kitchen, not the bathroom, is the germiest room in the house. The bin catches drips from all of it. |
| Change alarm batteries | Every 6 months | Dead or missing batteries are the single biggest reason smoke alarms fail during a real fire. [USFA](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/smoke-alarms/index.html) |
| Change fridge filter | Every 6 months | Most are rated for 200 gallons. Past saturation the carbon can shed back what it already caught. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Change under-sink filter | Every 6 months | These degrade on a clock, not on use. Six months old needs replacing whether it saw 20 gallons or 200. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Check CO detector | Every 6 months | Over 400 Americans die each year from accidental carbon monoxide. The gas has no colour and no smell. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-about-carbon-monoxide-detectors) |
| Check appliance recalls | Every 6 months | Most recalls reach under 10% of owners, because almost nobody sends the registration card back. [CPSC](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/) |
| Check toilet for leaks | Every 6 months | A silently running toilet wastes up to 200 gallons a day, roughly $70 on a single month's bill. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean bathroom fan | Every 6 months | Lint inside the fan can overheat the motor, and a clogged fan can't clear the damp that grows mold. [ENERGY STAR](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist) |
| Clean exterior windows | Every 6 months | Hard water doesn't just spot glass, it etches it within 12 to 18 months. Then the fix is a new pane. [Thisoldhouse](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/windows/how-often-should-windows-be-cleaned) |
| Clean fridge coils | Every 6 months | 0.042 inches of dust on the coils cuts cooling efficiency 21% and pushes energy use up 35%. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Clean gutters | Every 6 months | Clogged gutters send water at the foundation instead of away. Water-damage claims average $13,954. [HouseLogic](https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/how-to-prevent-water-damage/) |
| Clean window tracks | Every 6 months | Tracks trap damp, dust and dead bugs into a paste that grows mold and grinds at the seals. |
| Deep clean entire home | Every 6 months | Eight in ten Americans are exposed to dust mites at home, and surface cleaning only skims the top. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Defrost freezer | Every 6 months | Past a quarter inch, frost blocks airflow and the compressor works harder. Defrosting saves about 5%. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Pest inspection | Every 6 months | Termites do about $5 billion in US property damage a year, and home insurance almost never covers it. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles) |
| Reverse ceiling fans | Every 6 months | Reversed for winter, a ceiling fan changes how warm a room feels by about 4 degrees. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Swap seasonal wardrobe | Every 6 months | Moth larvae can't live on clean wool. It's the sweat and food traces in worn clothes they need. |
| Test GFCI outlets | Every 6 months | Nearly half of US electrocutions could be prevented by working GFCI protection. It fails silently. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Test sump pump | Every 6 months | Home insurance usually won't cover a flooded basement from pump failure without a separate rider. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Wash curtains | Every 6 months | Four in five US homes have dust-mite allergen in a bed. Curtains are the same fabric, in the airflow. [Maytag](https://www.maytag.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/how-to-wash-curtains.html) |
| Check attic & insulation | Yearly | Air sealing and topping up attic insulation saves about 15% on heating and cooling costs. [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality) |
| Check emergency kit | Yearly | Canned food and bottled water are meant to be rotated yearly. So are the flashlight's batteries. [FEMA](https://www.fema.gov/faq/medications-emergency-kit) |
| Check fire extinguisher | Yearly | An extinguisher that looks perfectly fine on the wall can quietly lose pressure and do nothing. [NFPA](https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2020/10/30/guide-to-fire-extinguisher-itm) |
| Check weatherstripping | Yearly | Gaps around doors and windows account for 25-40% of heating and cooling energy. Foam tape costs $20. [U.S. Department of Energy](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/weatherstripping) |
| Check window screens | Yearly | Intact window screens are the first line of defence against mosquito-borne virus. One hole undoes it. [Lowe's](https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/replacement-window-screen-buying-guide) |
| Chimney inspection | Yearly | Creosote buildup sparks around 14,190 US home fires a year. A sweep removes the flammable part. [NFPA](https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/heating) |
| Clean deck & patio | Yearly | Mildew holds moisture against the wood. A wash costs hundreds; a rotted deck costs $5,000 to $25,000. [Decks.com](https://www.decks.com/how-to/articles/what-is-dry-rot-and-how-can-you-prevent-your-deck-from-rotting) |
| Clean dryer vent | Yearly | Failing to clean the vent causes about a third of the 2,900 home dryer fires reported each year. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) |
| Flush water heater | Yearly | Sediment cuts efficiency by 10-30% and can take a tank's life from 15 years down to about seven. [Energy Trust of Oregon](https://www.energytrust.org/tips/drain-flush-and-save-water-heater-maintenance-101/) |
| Inspect deck boards | Yearly | Deck failures injure about 6,000 people a year, and 90% of collapses involve decks 20 to 30 years old. [TimberTech](https://www.timbertech.com/ideas/deck-inspection/) |
| Inspect driveway cracks | Yearly | Every dollar of crack sealant saves $4-10 later. 75% of unsealed cracks become potholes in three years. [HouseLogic](https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/home-maintenance-checklist/) |
| Inspect roof | Yearly | A cracked shingle caught early is a cheap patch. Missed, it's a replacement averaging $9,500. [American Family Insurance](https://www.amfam.com/resources/articles/at-home/how-to-check-your-roof-for-damage) |
| Review home insurance | Yearly | About 60% of homeowners are underinsured for what rebuilding their house would actually cost today. [Insurance Information Institute](https://www.iii.org/article/how-often-should-i-review-my-insurance-policy) |
| Review key access | Yearly | 74% of homeowners never rekey after moving in. Sellers, contractors and past tenants may still have one. [CISA](https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords) |
| Schedule HVAC service | Yearly | A maintained HVAC system runs 15-25% more efficiently than a neglected one, worth $150-450 a year. [ENERGY STAR](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist) |
| Service lawn mower | Yearly | A clogged air filter can choke engine power by up to 50% while burning more fuel to compensate. |
| Test garage door reverse | Yearly | Every opener since 1991 must reverse within two seconds of hitting something. If it still does. |
| Winterize faucets | Yearly | Freezing and water damage claims average $12,514. Ten minutes with the shutoff valve avoids it. [Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html) |

---

### Related

- [Everything a rented flat needs](https://tended.mintbyte.app/everything-a-rented-flat-needs)
- [Everything a house with a yard and a car needs](https://tended.mintbyte.app/everything-a-house-with-a-car-needs)
- [How often to replace an HVAC filter](https://tended.mintbyte.app/how-often-replace-hvac-filter)

---

## About Tended

Tended is an iOS app that ships with a researched catalog of 241 recurring maintenance
items across six areas of life: home, health, digital, car, supplies and finances. Every
item carries a recommended interval and the reason it matters, and most cite a named
source. The intervals quoted on this page come from that catalog.

Setup is a short conversation: you pick the part of life to start with and answer up to
seven questions about it, and the app spreads the items that apply across the next twelve
months. $39.99 a year with the first month free, or $6.99 a month. iPhone, iOS 26 or later.

https://tended.mintbyte.app