Whether you live in a Victorian Village condo or a Clintonville colonial, prospective buyers in central Ohio notice cleanliness the moment they walk through the door. Spending a few hours each Saturday on the right tasks not only protects your family’s health but also ensures your property shines when it hits the market.
Strip and Wash Your Bedding Every Week
Professional cleaner Danielle Moore of A Little Moore Clean reminds homeowners not to let sheets linger longer than a week. Bedding collects sweat, skin cells and dust mites, so tossing those linens in the washer every Saturday improves sleep quality and extends the life of your bedding 1. In real estate, fresh‑smelling linens are an easy and inexpensive way to make bedrooms feel inviting during showings. Don’t forget to launder duvet covers and shams on a rotating schedule.
Disinfect High‑Touch Surfaces
Door knobs, light switches, drawer pulls and remote controls are germ magnets. Speakman advises wiping and disinfecting these surfaces each weekend 2. In the age of heightened health awareness, prospective buyers appreciate a home that feels sanitary. This quick routine also helps keep cold and flu viruses at bay for your own family.
Deep‑Clean Your Trashcans
It’s tempting to simply swap out liners and forget about the can itself, but trashcans collect grime and odors that linger after the bag is gone. Wash the inside and outside with dish soap and a microfiber cloth. A clean trashcan prevents foul smells from wafting into adjacent rooms — a subtle detail that matters when buyers are evaluating your kitchen.
Give Bathrooms a Weekly Overhaul
Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids, recommends cleaning bathroom mirrors with a vinegar‑and‑water solution or a commercial glass cleaner. Scrub tile walls, rinse them down with hot water, and give toilets a thorough cleaning inside and out. Buyers often judge a home by the condition of its bathrooms; sparkling tile and streak‑free mirrors signal that the rest of the property is equally well cared for.
Refresh Basic Kitchen Areas
Speakman also urges homeowners to wipe down kitchen appliances, stovetops and microwaves, and to clear out expired food from the fridge each week 6Kitchens sell houses. A shiny stovetop, clean microwave and organized refrigerator convey pride of ownership. In older Columbus homes with tight galley kitchens, removing clutter and grime will make the space feel larger to viewers.
Vacuum and Mop Floors — Save This for Last
To wrap up your Saturday routine, vacuum carpets and sweep or mop hard flooring. Speakman notes that clean floors provide the most visible “reset” and make the biggest impact. Do this after you’ve cleaned everything else so you’re not tracking dirt back across freshly mopped surfaces. In central Ohio, where snowy winters bring road salt into entryways and summers mean muddy paw prints, weekly floor maintenance is essential for preserving wood and carpet.
Why It Matters for Columbus Homeowners
Houses in neighborhoods like Victorian Village and the Short North often attract buyers quickly, but a poorly maintained interior can still drag down offers. As a Realtor in Columbus, I’ve seen clients lose thousands because a showing felt dirty or smelled off. On the flip side, I’ve seen tidy cottages with modest finishes command premium prices because they looked meticulously cared for. Regular Saturday cleanings aren’t glamorous, but they keep your home comfortable today and contribute to future resale value. And if you ever decide to list, you’ll already be ahead of the game instead of scrambling to deep‑clean everything at once.
Final Thoughts
There’s no need to spend your entire weekend scrubbing every surface. Focus on the six tasks above and you’ll tackle the areas that matter most for your family’s health and your home’s marketability. As always, if you’re thinking about selling or just want advice on how to maximize your home’s value, I’m here to help.
6 Things You Should Clean Every Saturday
