Sundays have a reputation for being slow, restorative days. They’re often the calm before the storm of a busy week ahead. For some, it’s about cooking meals in advance; for others, it’s all about the Sunday reset where you dedicate a little time to putting things in order so the week feels easier.

One of the best ways to make Monday feel less overwhelming is by tackling a handful of chores on Sunday. These small, intentional tasks don’t require hours of deep cleaning but will leave your home feeling refreshed, organised, and ready to face whatever the week brings.

From the kitchen sink to your desk space, here are six things worth cleaning every Sunday to give yourself the smoothest start possible.

1. Freshen Up Your Home’s Entryway

Your entryway is both the first and last place you see each day. It’s also the area most likely to descend into chaos during the week—shoes piled up, bags dropped in a heap, letters scattered across a console. While it might be tempting to ignore the mess, a cluttered entrance can make your home feel disorganised before you’ve even taken your coat off.

Set aside a few minutes on Sunday to give it some attention. Put away shoes you don’t need, hang bags neatly on wall hooks, and recycle old mail. If you’ve got the space, a shoe rack or slim storage bench can make the world of difference. A tidy entryway is sure to not just look welcoming for guests but also sets a calmer tone for you each time you walk through the door.

2. Reset Your Kitchen

If there’s one room that can instantly shift how you feel about your home, it’s the kitchen. Counters stacked with dishes or stained from hurried cooking sessions are enough to make even the most relaxed Sunday evening feel chaotic. Starting the new week with a clean kitchen, especially one with spotless sinks and counters, can do wonders for your mood.

Give your counters a wipe-down with an all-purpose cleaner that’s safe for the surface material, whether that’s granite, stainless steel, or marble. Empty the sink, run the dishwasher (or wash up by hand), and take a moment to tidy away anything left out of place.

Not only will this make meal prep or weekday cooking much smoother, but it can also help you stay on top of food hygiene. In fact, if you’ve recently moved into a new flat or are recovering from renovations, you might even consider professional help such as formaldehyde removal to ensure your kitchen air stays fresh and safe.

3. Clear Off Your Desk Space

Mondays often begin with work, study, or managing household admin. A cluttered desk, or worse, a messy corner of the dining table doubling as your office, does little to help with focus. That’s why a quick Sunday desk reset is such a clever ritual.

Spend a few minutes sorting through your space: toss out old receipts, shred unneeded documents, and replace that pen that’s been running dry all week. Wipe down the surface, tidy your cables, and set up your planner or to-do list for the days ahead.

Even if you don’t have a home office, the same logic applies. If you usually check emails on the sofa, clear away mugs and clutter from the coffee table. If you wind down with a craft like knitting or painting, tidy your supplies so you can jump back in without rummaging around. By doing this weekly, you’ll save yourself the stress of searching for essentials in the middle of a busy day.

4. Vacuum Low-Traffic Areas

Most people focus their cleaning energy on the obvious high-traffic areas like living rooms, kitchens, and hallways. These often get vacuumed several times a week. But what about the quieter corners of your home? Guest rooms, shoe cupboards, or spare bedrooms are easy to neglect, which means dust has a chance to build up.

Sunday is the perfect time to run the vacuum through these forgotten areas. The trick is not to do the entire house at once but to rotate: one week the office, the next the spare bedroom, then the hallway cupboards. By spreading out the upkeep, you’ll prevent dirt and dust from piling up while avoiding the need for a dreaded deep-clean marathon before visitors arrive.

If you’ve just moved into a new property or have had builders in, you might even consider calling on one-time house cleaning services to help you hit reset. After that, your weekly Sunday vacuuming will feel like a breeze in comparison.

5. Give Your Fridge a Once-Over

A tidy fridge is one of those underrated habits that saves time, money, and stress. Leftover takeaway boxes, wilted salad leaves, and expired condiments can take up unnecessary space and create unpleasant smells. Doing a quick fridge sweep every Sunday keeps things in order and makes meal planning far easier.

Start by pulling out anything expired or inedible. Wipe down shelves with a damp cloth and check that containers are sealed properly. If you meal prep, this is also a great time to make space for the week’s new dishes.

Another useful habit is keeping a little running list of what’s close to expiring. If the yoghurt only has three days left, plan a breakfast around it. If your vegetables are on their last legs, turn them into a soup or stir-fry. This way, you waste less and save money in the long run.

6. Clean Your Dishwasher

It may sound strange, but even appliances designed for cleaning need a good clean themselves from time to time. The dishwasher, in particular, works hard all week yet is often neglected. Leftover food can clog the filter, leading to unpleasant smells or even less effective washes.

Once a week, give it some TLC. Remove and scrub the filter under running water, wipe the interior with a sponge and a little soapy water, and run an empty cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner. The first time you do this, it might take a little longer, but once it becomes part of your Sunday routine, it’ll be quick and easy.

The result? Sparkling dishes, no bad odours, and a machine that lasts longer.

Conclusion

Your Sunday doesn’t need to become a marathon cleaning session. By focusing on these six simple tasks, you’ll create a cleaner, calmer environment to step into on Monday morning. Think of it less as a chore list and more as a little weekly gift to yourself: a chance to ease the burden of the week ahead and start strong, organised, and stress-free.

To keep your home spotless without the stress, consider booking with Home Cleaning SG today and let our trusted team handle the mess while you enjoy more free time.