Four years ago, after doing all the cleaning myself for decades, I had a very ill family member in another city for whom I was the medical support person, a husband who was working out of state, and a daughter who had just become engaged and would be bringing “new” people as guests to our home for Thanksgiving. etc. So to get through this with a bit less stress, I hired a cleaning service before Thanksgiving to do a “deep clean” … and then to come once a month to get me through.
Never looked back! Since then both H and I have retired, but agree that this is one expense worth keeping. I consider it a luxury – but since I don’t spend more than minimal amounts on clothes, wear no makeup, drink hardly any wine, purchase no jewelry, etc. it is an indulgence I feel entitled to. Fortunately H supports this (as he likes a clean home with minimal work also).
So, once a month a small team comes and works efficiently for half a day in my 2,000 sq. foot home – cleaning bathrooms, washing all floors and vacuuming all rugs, cleaning kitchen counters, stove top, all surfaces, dusting, polishing, etc. They also have a special way of rearranging things so they look more appealing.
They also attractively create blossoms or other attractive arrangements on the edges of toilet paper and make paper towel blossoms for the tops of those rolls, both of which I feel are silly – but I fear if I told them not to do it they would be insulted so I roll with that. (Talk about a first world problem!)
When they are done the place sparkles and smells lovely.
The day before they come I literally mark on my calendar for “cleaner prep” and spend time decluttering and prepping so they can do the cleaning. Yes, feels crazy to me to put this day aside but some day I hope to be able to skip this step … (You know, when my act is all together and I have hubby trained as well).
H and I figure having this monthly cleaning team frees us up to work on projects only we can handle – financial planning and organization of paperwork, prepping for eventual downsizing, deciding what should go from the house and where to, etc.
It also forces us to make sure we are organized and decluttered at least monthly.
We realize we are fortunate to be able to have this indulgence. Times when we would otherwise feel some pressure (when guests are coming, hosting holiday dinners, etc.) are less stressful for us now.
Daily, we stay on top of dishes (run dishwasher almost daily, have most meals at home and we alternate cooking nice meals for ourselves and our adult son who lives at home). We try to keep the sink clean. I do occasional tidies of bathrooms using Lysol wipes.
We keep three mats in our fairly large front hall, one of which is designated a place to place removed shoes, and have a very nice piece of mahogany furniture we refer to as the “shoebox” 
In a deep bottom drawer of the “shoebox” we store our most frequently used shoes.
If there is any tracking of dirt, debris, etc. into the front hall I try to (have the person responsible for it) clean it up promptly.
Another drawer in the front hall “shoebox” holds gloves and hats. An additional drawer holds theater tickets, travel reservation confirmations, etc. Finally, a small drawer holds discount coupons for restaurants, etc.
I do need to work on kitchen counter clutter – need to clear some cabinet space for stuff. Right now crock pot, toaster, and several other items hang out on the kitchen counters – my improvement opportunity.
I tackle wall or baseboard spots as I notice them, with a wet paper towel and a dab of some dish detergent, or with a magic eraser.
Every month I try to make more progress towards having things in better shape.
Yes, you just run your hands over the area. I have 2 of these: