For about 5 years I didn’t have a cleaning schedule. I had a cleaning day.
That day was Saturday and cleaning was a 6 – 8 hour process that left me with no time for anything else.
I figured that if I didn’t like cleaning once a week – I wouldn’t enjoy cleaning every day.
Now that I’m several years older and wiser – I get it! (This is adulting, I guess.)
Having a weekly cleaning schedule for the house keeps me from getting overwhelmed and overworked on Saturday and leaves me time to enjoy the weekend.
I’ve also noticed that following through makes it easier and easier to keep up with the house.
Why My Low-Maintenance Cleaning Schedule
is the Only One You Need
- IT’S SIMPLE
- IT’S REALISTIC
- IT’S FLEXIBLE
- IT WORKS (FOR THE HOUSE AND THE APARTMENT)
What to expect!
Monday – Bedroom 1
I spend Monday tidying up the master bedroom. I throw away trash (aka water bottles), reorganize, and wipe surfaces.
I usually end up needing to fold and hang up clothes. Whatever was left over from the weekend or whatever piled up from the morning’s wardrobe malfunction.
Tuesday – Bedroom 2
Bedroom 2 is my baby girl’s room filled with tiny clothes that do or don’t fit, toys, shoes, and books among other random things. I have a basket set aside in there for clothing items I’m getting ready to store away or donate.
I roll up her shirts and pants. Hang up her tiny coats, dresses, blouses, and jumpsuits. Then I put the building pile of food-covered clothing in the hamper and reorganize it.
Wednesday – Bedroom 3 (alt Bedroom 1)
If you have a functioning 3rd bedroom – this is where you would tend to it.
But I use this day to maintain our master bedroom and do the same things I did Monday. I never underestimate how quickly our room can get cluttered anymore. The piano and dresser have both carried mountains of clothes before. Well, not today!
Thursday – Office
The office is the easiest room in the house to clean. Probably because we’re in there for the least amount of time. I can be done there in 10 minutes.
Friday – Kitchen / Living Room / Dining Room
If I was pressed to say I had a “cleaning day,” it’s Friday. I chose Friday because I wanted to pick a day where I don’t have time to procrastinate.
After business hours, I spend about 2 hours cleaning the common areas downstairs. They’re open concept. So the kitchen, living room, and dining room all share the same open space!
Sometimes I clean while dinner is in the oven but, most of the time, I clean after baby girl goes to bed – usually around 8:00 pm. I’ll sweep, mop the floors, vacuum the carpet, do the dishes, wipe the tables, countertops, and appliances, and clean the half bath.
The open space makes cleaning downstairs my favorite! (And YES, I do realize how ancient that makes me sound.)
Saturday – Bathrooms (alt 2nd floor sweep/vacuum)
Like I said: this is a low-maintenance cleaning schedule. I really don’t like to clean things until I have to. I deep clean the bathrooms every two weeks and alternate between that and vacuuming upstairs.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday – Laundry
Let’s be honest. Unless you’re superwoman, the laundry is not going to get done in a day. I’ve tried and it ends up being a three-day thing. So what did I do? I put it in the schedule with plenty of time to make up for it.
Everyday
I declutter and spruce up the common areas. Taking the time to do this makes “cleaning day” that much easier.
Tips to Help You Follow Through
- schedule your energy, not your time
- listen to podcasts or music while you’re cleaning
- ask for help
- do more when you feel up to it