Setting up a cleaning routine will help eliminate the confusion of what needs to be cleaned when. Learn how you can complete household chores with a simple cleaning schedule and cleaning checklist.
When it comes to cleaning the house it can seem overwhelming. There are many obstacles that you may face. Like:
In this post, I want to share my daily cleaning routine. I’ve also put together a free daily cleaning checklist you can download below.
My daily cleaning routine schedule
Here’s a look into my daily cleaning routine schedule. I will then break it down for you and share a few extra tips with you to help you with your own cleaning routine.
- Make the bed
- Do a load of laundry
- Dishes
- Keep the counters clean (bathroom and kitchen)
- Sweep the floors
- Messes as they arise
Making the bed is self-explanatory so I won’t explain myself here.
Laundry
I do a load or two of laundry a day. I’ve set up a laundry schedule. Here’s an example of what I’m washing during the week:
- Clothes
- Bedding
- Household linens (kitchen and bath towels, bath mats, rugs, etc.)
- Towels
Every persons bedding is washed each week, towels are washed separately, and to keep up with the mountain of laundry I do a load each day.
Dishes
I start my day (after my bed is made and the washing machine has started) by unloading the dishwasher. During my evening routine, I run the dishwasher so I can start with an empty sink and clean dishes in the dishwasher.
Then throughout the day I keep up with the dishes. After each meal I make sure the sink is clear of dishes.
Keep the counters clear
I try to keep my bathroom and kitchen clean throughout the day. Making sure that the dishes and laundry is maintained helps keep the counters clear.
I wipe down the counters throughout the day to make sure they’re clean and sanitized. Keeping small kitchen appliances off the counter and put away in the pantry does help keep the counters clear.
In the evening after dinner, I do load the dishwasher, wipe down the counters, clean the sink, wipe down tables and chairs, and wipe down the bathroom surfaces.
Floors
I live in the pacific northwest and pine needles are everywhere. You also don’t realize how much dirt and food gets dropped on the floor so I do a sweep of the common areas of the home each day. Those areas included:
- Entryway
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Living room
- Main bathroom
- Laundry (there’s an exit to the garage and dirt get’s tracked in)
If there’s an exit to the outside I make sure that area gets swept. I also make sure any area people eat gets swept as well. I do this in the evening after everyone is in for the day and done eating.
Messes as they arise
As a mess pops up I make sure to get to it. This one steps has really helped me keep my home clean. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
If a cup is spilled, toys are out (and they’re done playing), or a mess any sort of was made the person is responsible for cleaning that up.
Cleaning routine tips
Having a cleaning routine is easy to just have. The struggle is to actually do it. Below are a few tips to help you complete your household chores.
What to clean when
Knowing what to clean and when is half the battle. When you go to start cleaning your house it’s nice to have some direction so you don’t feel lost. You can use mine if you’d like! Below you can download the free cleaning checklist.
Clean throughout the day
Clean a little at a time if you start feeling overwhelmed. Also, clean throughout the day. If you do all of the cleaning at one time, it can be hard to keep up with messes as they pop up.
- After mealtime, do a quick clean up
- Do a little cleaning first thing
- End the day with a little cleaning
Theme chores
Another way to get through your cleaning routine is to theme your chores. In other words, you’ll group like chores together. You could have a cleaning schedule that looks a little like this:
- Mondays – Floors (mop, vacuum)
- Tuesdays – Household laundry
- Wednesdays – Bathrooms
- Thursday – Dust
- Friday – Organize
- Saturday – Windows, mirrors, cabinet fronts
- Sunday – Clean the fridge
This can help keep you focused on one type of chore at a time helping to remove overwhelm.
Use a cleaning checklist
Remembering everything that was cleaned and that needs to be cleaned is hard to do. That’s why using a cleaning checklist will help you be successful with your cleaning schedule.
Being prepared
Finally, be prepared this tip will help you complete your cleaning routine is to have a fully stocked cleaning caddy that you take with you from room to room.
Your cleaning caddy will have all of the cleaning supplies and tools that you need to help you clean your home while you follow your cleaning routine. Things that you might want to include in your cleaning caddy are:
- Your favorite all-purpose cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Duster
- Scrubbers
- Blind duster
- Sponge
- Soft Scrub
Being successful with your cleaning routine
By using a checklist and knowing what needs to be cleaned when will help you complete your cleaning routine in no time. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed stick to a cleaning route and break your chores up into themes and only do a few household chores a day.
Finally by having all of the supplies you need with you it will make it that much easier to do your cleaning routine.
What is one thing you do when you clean your home? Tell me in the comments below!
Thanks for this! Usually motivation is what I’m lacking and not knowing where to start. Definitely giving this a try.