Optimizing a cleaning schedule always seems to be at the top of the New Year’s Resolutions list for me every year. By the end of January, however, this resolution has slowly crept down to the bottom of the list, and my old cleaning habits take over. This year I have decided to take a new approach to avoid feeling overwhelmed with the constant need to clean.
I decided that I would divide my cleaning by room, not by individual tasks. I will dedicate one hour daily to each room and accomplish what I can. I will start with what is bothering me most in that room and work my way to the least important. Don’t have an hour? Set the timer for 30 minutes and do a whirlwind cleaning if you are limited on time.
If the kids are home with you, have them help! Crank up their favorite tunes and make the cleaning fun. Sometimes I’ll even give my 4-year-old a wet paper towel and pretend to spray it with cleaner. She loves wiping down anything she can and feels like a ‘big girl’ helping with mommy’s chores! Create a ‘cleaning bucket’ with all your essential cleaners and brushes so all you have to do is grab your bucket each day and head to the room on your list.
Here's my sample schedule for the week:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Bedrooms/Bathrooms
Same schedule applies to all bedrooms/bathrooms and one day is dedicated to each.
- Most Important: Toilet, bathroom countertop, vacuum/mop (keep a container of antibacterial wipes in your cleaning bucket and quickly wipe down what you can in the bathroom — 5 minutes tops!
- Least Important: Dust blinds, dust ceiling fan, baseboards
THURSDAY: Living/Dining Room
- Most Important: Vacuum/mop, dust hutch/sideboard, wipe fingerprints off TV
- Least Important: Clean windows, baseboards
FRIDAY: Kitchen
We live in this area the most, so I try to dedicate a full hour to this area each week.
- Most Important: Clean counters, mop floors, wipe cabinet doors, scrub sink, clean microwave
- Least Important: Clean oven, wipe down refrigerator
SATURDAY: Laundry Room/Office
Small rooms so combined.
- Most Important: Vacuum/mop, fold all laundry, wipe down computer desk and keyboard, go through any stacks of papers from the week, refill detergent/dryer sheets, etc.
- Least Important: Finish every single load of laundry! If you have washed, folded and put away several loads, then leave the rest for tomorrow.
SUNDAY: Playroom
- Most Important: By Sunday, I am ready for rest! The playroom is an ongoing cleaning task, so I simply make sure there is no molding food, spilled drink, or any other disaster I haven’t noticed during the week. Vacuuming crumbs, glitter or anything else on the floor is about the extent of ‘Most Important’ in this room.
- Least Important: Organize dolls, building blocks, and art supplies. This is low on the list because I know in about an hour it will be unorganized again. I do my best so the kids can find their toys, but perfection in this room is not gonna happen!
At the end of the week, I feel as if I have made great accomplishments, even though I might have only achieved the ‘Most Important’ in each room. That is certainly better than my previous, “I’m too overwhelmed so I’m not going to do any of it!” attitude. If you never feel as if you can get to the ‘Least Important’ tasks, then start with those tasks every other week. Happy Cleaning!
