Recently, we moved into a larger home and I had to shift my prior schedule to work in the new, much larger, house. I just wrote down everything that I needed to do in the house, kind of grouping areas that would go together. I also REALLY want to have my week weighted heavily on Mondays and Tuesdays and a little bit lighter as the week goes on. I tend to get more social engagements or frankly, I just get more tired. But, I also tend to work on Thursdays so it helps that I made that day lighter (if I always worked on Thursdays, I think that would change my routine around a lot).
Here’s the basics of my cleaning schedule right now:
Monday: Clean the kitchen (including the fridge, sink and stove), sweep and mop. Wash whites and kids clothes. (Yes, I throw all my kids clothes in together. So far, so good.)
Tuesday: Bathroom day. I rotate steaming different areas of my bathroom as well as the weekly cleaning that has to be done. I wash coloreds and towels.
Wednesday: Room day, I rotate through the kids’ rooms cleaning and re-organizing their drawers, and taking out the too small items, etc. I also try to go through my own closet and take out the stuff that just isn’t working. We also vacuum the whole house on this day and we found a urine stain in the carpet, and this is how to remove urine stains from carpet if you’re interested. I don’t wash anything on Wednesdays. (HOORAY!)
Thursdays: Downstairs. I work on rotating our toys, or filing stuff that needs to be filed, or cleaning the guest room if we have guests coming soon (won’t you please come and visit?). I wash whites and kids’ clothes.
Fridays: Clean the living room and the laundry area. I like to do this on Fridays, as we’re more likely to have visitors on the weekend. Fluff pillows, take the lint brush to them, all that jazz. I wash colors.
Saturdays: I do a 20-minute clean of the entire house on this day. The kids have to get their room and the play room “Mommy Clean”, which means I look in closets and under the beds. I have them clean out the cars and we try and do a little yard work. This is also my day to spend a few minutes in the garage organizing anything that’s somehow been left out of place. We also strip and wash all the sheets on Saturdays.
In addition to these things, I do a daily 10 minute tidy. I set a timer and quickly go through the house putting things away, opening curtains, just making things presentable. It seems like 80% of my cleaning is putting things away, anyone else?
For me, this schedule is a must. I know it doesn’t work for a lot of people, but once I know my little section for the day is “done” I can sit and play with my kids. I feel relaxed knowing that things are done for the day.
QUESTION: Would a cleaning schedule work for you? Do you think you could at least make small groupings to make your life a little easier? Do you think you’d be a better mom if you had a cleaning schedule?
CHALLENGE: If you think adding a cleaning schedule would help make your life easier, try incorporating some of Hilary’s ideas.
Image by FreeDigitalPhotos
Originally published on September 24, 2011.
hosander says
I put a basic cleaning schedule in place for me, not nearly as intense as yours but something to get me started. I also would never remember what day was for what (even with a printed chart) unless I had mneumonic devices. So monday: mess, Tuesday: toilet, Wednesday: wash (laundry), Thursday: throw out, Friday: Facuum.
It’s a basic start, but I agree that seeing the whole house as messy without a daily regimen is overwhelming. Thanks for your article.
April Perry says
Thanks for sharing your cleaning schedule! It’s always fun to hear how other families take care of their homes.
Annie says
This is great. I need a system. The only thing I would say is that I would rather only do laundry on 2 days a week. I wash those days only. I just like that I don’t have to think about it every day. Thanks so much for sharing.
Michelle Glauser says
I tried the daily system and actually really disliked it. I’d much rather have one big cleaning day.
Karen says
I wish I could do a daily cleaning routine, but I work full time outside of the home. There is no way I have time or energy to do any cleaning on a weeknight, besides a Wed. night load of laundry (so that it’s not overflowing by Sat.) I’m still trying to find a system for moms who don’t get home until late (7:30 for me) and are too tired on weekends to effectively do much — I guess that’s why many people I know have a cleaning person. I can’t afford one though.
Nancy says
Amen! I would love some advice on this. My kids get home late from sports too and need to do homework, eat and shower, get ready for the next day.. l feel like we spend all day Saturdays doing chores and it is a real drag. You think because our schedule is busy our house wouldn’t get messy, but not the case! My husband and I doake sure the kitchen is clean every night….but that is all we can handle. I would live some advice.