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Recently my wife scolded me for not doing enough around the house. Ouch. I always helped out, so I was confused at first. But then I reflected, and realised: my wife is otterly awesome. She runs a full-time job and manages our home — the bills, the cleaning, the groceries, the kids, the doctor appointments, the what-are-we-eating-tonight. On top of everything else.

This is called the Mental Load. It's the invisible labour of managing a household — not just doing the tasks, but remembering them, planning them, and keeping track of everything that needs to happen. Most of the time, this burden falls on one person. And saying "let me know if you need help" doesn't lift it. It just adds one more thing to the list of things my wife has to remember — me.

I'd been a so-so guy. I decided I wanted to be an awesome guy. Initiative is key. So I did my research, and put together a full home cleaning guide — for all men, women, children, and animals.

The Apartment Summary — A Cheatsheet

• Wash bedsheets and pillows: every 1–2 weeks

• Counters and surfaces: as needed

• Vacuum, sweep, dust: twice a week

• Fridge deep clean: every 3–4 months

• Kitchen: clean often

• Bathroom: weekly

• Wash towels: every 3–4 uses

Toilet and Bathrooms — Once or Twice a Week

The greatest risk of infection in a bathroom comes from surfaces touched by hands — the toilet flush handle, the seat, the taps, the door handles. Clean these regularly. And when you flush, germs (and faeces) can travel as far as six feet in the air, landing on toothbrushes and towels. Flush with the toilet seat down — or you may be brushing your teeth with something horrifying.

Kitchen — Often. Like Really Often.

If you think the toilet is the most contaminated part of the house, think again. The average kitchen sink contains 100,000 times more germs than a toilet seat. Clean surfaces frequently — especially chopping boards, sponges, and the area around the sink.

Laundry — Once a Week

Clothes, towels, and linen carry germs. Occasionally, wash them on a longer cycle at higher temperatures to properly sanitise them.

Bedsheets and Pillows — Every 1–2 Weeks

Wash your pillowcases and bedsheets regularly to clear out dust mites. Airing out the mattress helps too. Dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens and they multiply in unwashed bedding.

Daily Chores — Regularly

Wash dishes every day — develop a sense of satisfaction over a clean sink. Wash bathroom towels every 3–4 uses. Vacuum carpets weekly — they are the largest reservoir of dust in a home. Small daily maintenance prevents the big weekend catch-up.

Other Surfaces — Just Do When Needed. Don't Stress.

Wipe down counters, clean ceiling fans, fold towels, let the robot vacuum do its thing. Don't over-engineer this.

Phone, Mouse, Keyboard — Sanitise Regularly

Your phone carries 18 times more germs than a toilet seat. Antibacterial wipes are your best friend. Sanitise your phone, mouse, keyboard, wallet, keys, and handbag straps.

Makeup — Clean Sponges and Brushes Regularly

Cosmetics are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Mascara is particularly bad. Replace your mascara every 3–4 months, and wash brushes and sponges regularly.

Remember What Your Parents Taught You

Remember when your parents forced you to do chores as a kid? "Must do one. Must deal with it." They weren't wrong. It's not that difficult — and taking pride in your cleaning routine has real benefits.

The Benefits of Cleaning

You burn calories while cleaning. Cleaning and shopping count as moderate forms of exercise. Don't expect a six-pack — it's moderate. But it counts.

You master the little things. Retired U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven famously said: if you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It gives you a small sense of pride. It reinforces that the little things in life matter. If you can't do the small things right, you'll never get the big things right. And if everything else goes wrong during the day, at least you come home to a bed that's made. Tomorrow is another day.

You build better relationships. When you take charge of home cleanliness, you lift the mental load off someone else — a spouse, a parent, a helper. That's an act of love, not a chore.

The Otter Way of Life

If you do all this, you'll be happier. I guarantee it. Being clean isn't a hassle. Being clean is the Otter Way of life.