Keeping your home clean is important as it can directly link to your productivity and overall wellness. However, if you lead a busy life, cleaning your home can often feel like a waste of time. If you feel like your time can be better spent doing something else, you’ll be glad to know that not all cleaning tasks are worth the effort—some are time-consuming and have little impact on the overall cleanliness of your home. By identifying which chores are necessary, you can save time and energy to focus on other things like relaxation, passion projects, or doing nothing.

Here are five cleaning tasks that are often more trouble than they’re worth.

Washing Windows

Washing windows is tedious. While having sparkling windows is nice, frequent washing is unnecessary. Outdoor grime quickly returns, especially after rain or windy days. Instead, focus on an occasional thorough cleaning, maybe once or twice a year. For routine maintenance, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth on the inside should suffice.

Washing Walls

Unless you have visible stains or marks, washing walls is generally not needed. Dusting walls occasionally with a dry cloth or a feather duster is usually enough. Save the deep cleaning for high-traffic areas or when you’re preparing to paint your walls.

Cleaning Behind Appliances

Moving heavy appliances to clean behind them is back-breaking work with little reward. Most dust and debris behind appliances go unnoticed and don’t affect daily living. Instead, do this task once a year or before moving out. Regularly cleaning the areas around your appliances will keep things tidy.

Scrubbing Grout

Grout can be a magnet for dirt and stains, but you don’t need to scrub it frequently. Instead, use a grout sealer after your next deep clean to prevent grime buildup. For everyday cleaning, a simple mopping or wiping down tiles will keep your tiles looking clean while saving you time.

Dusting Light Fixtures

Dusting light fixtures, especially those that are hard to reach, is time-consuming. While it’s nice to have spotless fixtures, you don’t need to dust them every week. Focus on dusting your light fixtures a few times a year. You can keep them looking clean by using a long-handled duster or a vacuum with a brush attachment for quick maintenance.