A Doable Weekly Cleaning Schedule For Busy Moms

Our weekly cleaning schedule will help you stay on top of the most important areas to clean each week so you can relax and enjoy your family.

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Life is something like, what I like to call, choose your own adventure.

Depending on your likes, dislikes, choices, and the choices of others that affect us, we end up with completely unique creative lives.

And this plays out very specifically in our homes. Some people are the type who wait until it’s messy then call all their little ones into the kitchen and divide up duties.

On the other hand, others create some type of monthly or weekly cleaning schedule and they follow it. This means the house never really has a chance to get messy.

My household goals:

• Clean, but welcoming
• Tidy, but useful
• Fells like peace & joy, not chaos & confusion
• Not so full of “stuff” that I don’t have time for the people

How to create your weekly cleaning schedule

So, the key to creating your weekly cleaning schedule truly depends on your unique situation…

First, take a look at your end goal. Do you want the house cleaned each week, or do you prefer cleaning on a monthly cleaning rotation?

I don’t live by anyone’s standards but my own. In the past, I heaped unneeded stress upon myself by falling into the comparison trap.

Remember, it’s only a problem if its a problem for you.

• The benefit to a weekly cleaning schedule- A weekly cleaning schedule, when action is taken every day can offer a sensible organizational pattern that is easy to follow and keep up with. (See Option #1 below…)
• The benefit of a monthly cleaning rotation– If you choose to look at the month as a whole, areas can be chosen to be thoroughly deep cleaned, and other areas may be left for just a tidy-up. (See Option #2 below…)

But first, create a cleaning routine

Truthfully, creating a cleaning schedule is all about routine and accountability. It’s the part of a the day that places “peace of mind” back on the table and allows for structure within a room.

You accomplish a good cleaning routine by making it a part of your everyday habits.

If your children are old enough, let them become part of this daily habit. You’ll be surprised how much help they can be with a good cleaning routine!

Read: How To Create Family Routines That Work – Without The Stress

Examples of when to clean (and make it a daily habit)

• Toys and books can be cleaned up directly after they are done using them (before leaving the room or going on to the next activity).
• After snack time, make it a routine to clean the floors in the dinning room or kitchen.
• Do your kids nap or have “quiet time’? Part of your daily cleaning routine can be a room pick up before they lay down.
• Is it a free for all on Saturday mornings? Have the time before play be a scheduled time to make sure all laundry is clean and put away.
• Clean the toilets, sink, and floor while your little one is in the tub, or directly after he/she gets out.
• Before bed, do a walk through to make sure the living room and dinning rooms are organized and all items from that day are put away.

Read: Epic Household Chore List

Option 1 – Daily Cleaning Tasks

If you plan to choose Option # 1 (a weekly cleaning schedule), you’re probably looking for taking action every day and making sense of how to organize the cleaning of your house.

Although there will undoubtedly be times of “deep cleaning”, a weekly schedule touches every room- every week.

To start, pick a day for each chore that needs to be done. Then, plan on being consistent each week with your routine.

Getting the whole house cleaned weekly can look like a number of things. Here is an example:

• Monday- Floors
• Tuesday- Bathrooms
• Wednesday- Kitchen
• Thursday- Porches & Yard
• Friday- Bedrooms
• Saturday– Laundry & Extras

There are things that are going to have to be cleaned every day, such as countertops and dishes. However, maintaining a weekly cleaning schedule has proven to be useful when it comes to establishing a clean home.

A weekly cleaning schedule really works!

Read: Chores Even Little Kids Can Do

Option 2 – Weekly Cleaning Tasks

If you prefer thinking about a monthly cleaning rotation, you’re looking at cleaning less each day. But, you’re putting the “below the surface” chores on your list. Your rotation will be a 4 week schedule.

While this may seem appealing, I have to be honest… it’s much harder to maintain and without weekly stability, children (and adults alike) take longer to catch on to the routine.

One thing that can be done is to take the “below the surface chores” and add one a week to your weekly cleaning list.

Here’s an example of what this may look like:

• First Week: Focus on floors, baseboards, and walls. This includes mopping, vacuuming, dusting and polishing.
• Second Week: Focus on kitchen. This includes cabinets, refrigerator, oven, and other deep clean situations.
• Third Week: Focus on deep cleaning bathrooms and organization of closets.
• Fourth Week: Focus on the bedrooms and garage/outside areas. This includes closets, under the beds, pressure washing, dusting, and mopping if needed.

Read: The Quick And Dirty Guide To Teaching Kids Chores

General cleaning rules of thumb for families

As a busy mom, you want to get it all done. Having a weekly cleaning schedule is a big help! Check out these useful tips for some more encouragement!

You’ve got this momma!

• Don’t fall into a comparison trap. Instead, find what works for you and stick with it.
• Have a schedule handy that clearly lays out your daily chores.
• Set aside a little time each day, don’t go overboard. You still need to enjoy those kiddos!
• Spend some time purging those extra belongings. This is especially helpful after a birthday or Christmas.
• Get the kid’s involved…. you don’t have to do it alone. They live there too!
• Stay on top of your schedule and try to have fun while doing it. The kid’s will pick up on your enjoyment.

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