The daily cleaning schedule that keeps my home clean all week
This is my most asked question! In this blog post i will be sharing with you my easy cleaning schedule, that will keep your home clean all week.
When my friends walk into my home, the one thing they will always say is “you have three children, how is your home so clean?”
Now, i just want to say yes, i do put in a little more effort when people are coming over but, in general my house is almost always ready for anyone who wants to drop by.
My home wasn’t always like this. I used to be the type of homemaker that always wrote down a schedule and could never stick to it. Then i realized that i was trying to do too much at the start of the week and then just basics (dishes, floors, etc) the rest of the week. This didn’t work. What does work is picking one day of the week for specific rooms, and tasks, and then a quick morning and evening routine that was realistic. Because no, i don’t want to be cleaning baseboards and putting away laundry at 9pm.
It is also important that when you find a cleaning schedule that works for you and your lifestyle, that you put it somewhere that you can see it everyday. In my kitchen we have a board very similar to the one below. It is where we write everything we need to do for the week and everyone in my family can see it. We have tried fancy digital calendars, notes on the fridge, and just relying on memory, but the dry erase board has been just what we needed to stay on track. Even my kids know, if it needs to be done, put it on the board! We write everything from soccer practice and birthdays, to what needs to be done and when.
Now that is is fall, children are back in school and the season is changing, it is a perfect time to start a new home cleaning schedule. I am going to share mine with you. Feel free to take it, and try it in your home.
Why I follow a daily cleaning schedule
For me, a daily cleaning schedule just works. Taking care of a different room everyday means that each week every part of my house is clean (at least for a day!). This also means that if i need to do a quick tidy of that room before people come over, it will take less than 10 minutes because is already clean.
When I know exactly what needs to be done each day, I don't waste energy wondering where to start. Instead, I simply work through my routine, knowing that every small task contributes to a home that feels cared for.
My Daily Non-Negotiables
No matter what day of the week it is, there are a few things I do every day. Keeping up with these are just what keeps things in my home feel calmer and less chaotic.
These small habits prevent little messes from turning into overwhelming ones.
Every day I:
Make every bed (the kids do their own)
Empty or load the dishwasher.
Wipe kitchen counters.
Clean the kitchen sink.
Sweep any messes on the floors.
Do at least one load of laundry.
Put everything back where it belongs.
Wipe bathroom counters if needed.
Empty overflowing garbage bins.
These daily habits probably take less than an hour altogether, but they make the biggest difference.
Plus who doesn’t love getting into a made bed every night!
My Morning Routine
I love starting the day with a quick reset before diving into work, homeschooling, or errands. This just helps me feel accomplished first thing in the morning.
My morning usually looks something like this:
Open the curtains.
Open a few windows if the weather is nice.
Make the beds.
Start a load of laundry.
Empty the dishwasher.
Wipe the kitchen counters.
Put away anything left out overnight.
Water plants if needed.
There's something about walking into a clean kitchen first thing in the morning that instantly makes the whole day feel more organized.
While i am doing these tasks, coffee is brewing as my reward!
My Weekly Cleaning Schedule
Monday – Bathrooms
Mondays are for deep cleaning bathrooms.
I deep clean every bathroom by:
Scrubbing toilets
Cleaning sinks
Wiping mirrors
Cleaning the shower or tub
Washing bath mats - i do this every other Monday
Emptying garbage bins
Refilling soap and toilet paper if needed
Starting the week with sparkling bathrooms always makes my house feel cleaner. I also don’t love cleaning the bathrooms, we have three, so i like to get them out of the way with on Monday.
If you are using chemicals to clean your bathroom, always wear gloves and open a window if you can. If you need alternative cleaning products, read this.
Tuesday – Dusting and Living Room
On Tuesdays I focus on dust and the cleaning the living room.
I focus on:
Shelves
Picture frames
TV stand
Baseboards that need attention
Window ledges and wipe down windows
Vacuum the couch and throw any couch covers in the wash if they need to be done
Clean off the coffee table
Then I will fluff pillows, fold blankets, and put away anything that's accumulated.
The living room is where we spend most of our time so i will sometimes do a quick pick up of things in the evening and get the kids to help - it is mainly their stuff!
Wednesday – Floors
Midweek is all about the floors in every room.
I will:
Vacuum carpets - upstairs and downstairs
Vacuum the stairs
Sweep every hard floor
Mop tile and hardwood
Shake out entry rugs
Clean under chairs and dining table
Fresh floors instantly make the whole house feel refreshed. I am also someone that won’t feel comfortable in any room that has dirty floors, i can’t relax!
I just want to add that i have three children and a dog so we will clean the floors as messes happen!
Also, Thursday morning our garbage is collected so on Wednesdays all of the bins in the house are emptied - my kids take it in turns each week who does this.
Thursday – Bedrooms
Thursday is dedicated to creating peaceful bedrooms.
Change bed sheets
Dust furniture
Organize nightstands
Put away clean laundry
Declutter closets if needed
Fresh bedding is one of my favorite simple luxuries.
The kids will clean and tidy their own bedrooms so i just focus on the master bedroom, and then check their rooms and help them with anything. My 12 year old daughter loves to rearrange her room weekly so this usually involves lifting heavy furniture!
Friday – Kitchen Deep Clean
The kitchen works hard all week, so Fridays are for giving it extra attention. It is my favorite room in the house!
Clean appliance fronts
Wipe cabinet doors
Deep clean the sink - i pour some baking soda and vinegar down the drains to clear any smells
Clean the microwave
Wipe the backsplash
Organize the pantry if needed
Empty crumbs from the toaster
Sanitize handles and light switches
Empty old and expired food from the fridge
Take everything off the kitchen island and wipe it down
This helps me head into the weekend with a fresh kitchen. I will also light a candle in the kitchen once it is cleaned to help with any unwanted smells.
Saturday - Rest Day
My Saturday is filled with children’s sports and activities. I also don’t cook on Saturday’s so i do the bare minimum when it comes to cleaning the house. Sometimes the daily tasks don’t even get done but that is ok. Saturday for me is a rest day from the house.
This is why cleaning throughout the week works for me, so that on the weekend i can take it easier and be flexible with my time.
Sunday – Prepare
I try not to spend Sunday cleaning but rather organizing my week. It is still a productive day, just in a different way.
Instead I:
Meal plan.
Grocery shop - Costco and the farmers market
Prepare school supplies and lesson plans for the week
Fill in the family planner with appointments and important reminders
Take some time out for me - this usually involves a trip to Winners or a hot bubble bath
Sunday is my favorite day, you can read all about my Sunday reset in detail here.
My Favorite Cleaning Supplies
I keep my cleaning supplies simple.
Some of the products I reach for most often include:
Microfiber cloths
Glass cleaner
Baking soda
White vinegar
A good vacuum
Mop with washable pads
Toilet brush
Magic erasers
Rubber gloves
Having supplies close to where I use them makes it much easier to clean as I go.
A Few Tips for Staying Consistent
If you're just starting a cleaning routine, remember that your home doesn't have to be perfect.
Choose a schedule that fits your life, this could be my cleaning schedule or one that you create by yourself.
Some weeks you'll miss a day, and that's okay. Simply pick up where you left off instead of trying to make up for lost time.
Progress is always better than perfection, don’t be hard on yourself if the week is ending and you feel like you just did the bare minimum.
