This post is sponsored by the makers of Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect your home!
I get a lot of emails asking about my cleaning schedule after I wrote about my typical day on Joanna’s blog. I truly do not love cleaning, but I know that I’m so much happier with life when my house is clean. Don’t you feel the same way?
A couple years ago, right after I had Claire and when Gracie was old enough to really start doing some damage, I was feeling like I would never have a clean house again. (I also thought there was a good chance I would never get to sleep through the night again. :) good times) I was picking up the house all week long it felt like, and then I would do all my laundry and deep cleaning on the weekends. That meant my Saturday was completely gone and that the house was totally dirty again by Monday morning. Stresses me out just thinking about it.
Then one time I was visiting a friend’s house who had three rambunctious toddler boys. I walked into her house for the first time and my jaw dropped. Her house was CLEAN. Like, I’m not talking about tidy – tidy is not always possible during the day with kids, but it was clean. She is one of those amazing mothers who is really active with her kids, so I knew she didn’t spend all day neglecting her boys to clean the house. I was surprised and a little jealous of her sparkly floors so I begged her to share her secret. She laughed and said she kept a chore chart, which I thought was hilarious! What grown woman has a chore chart?! Suddenly I had to have one!
I copied her chart and have been using a slightly tweaked version ever since. I can’t say that I’m always following through here, but when I do, my house is practically spotless and best of all, I don’t feel like I am cleaning all the time – which honestly was the hardest part for me of being a stay at home mom in the early years.
It looks like a lot, but I think even on the most intense days I’m only spending 30 or 40 minutes in aggregate cleaning (though we live in a 1500 sq ft apartment, so your home might require a little more time). I’ve listed the chart here below, and here’s a simple printable version.
So the basic idea is this: there are daily chores – easy things you should take care of almost habitually in the morning and in the night, and then there is a single special chore of the day. Most of these chores end up getting done once a week (for example, every Monday I do a deep vacuuming of all our rugs. I took only one interior design class in college and I only remember a handful of things from that class. One of them was a tangential comment my professor made about vacuuming. She said that you should go over the same area on a rug SEVEN times super slowly to get it clean. Isn’t that just nuts? I don’t do that, but I do try to do a slow vacuuming on Mondays.). Friday though is the swing day, where you rotate in chores that need to be done less frequently, like scrubbing the microwave.
I’ll walk you through today’s cleaning schedule. It’s Tuesday. I wake up and make our bed. It won’t get done unless I make it as soon as I get up. The girls are getting good about making their beds too. After I finish getting ready I wipe down the bathroom counters and the sink. While I’m making the kids breakfast I empty out the dishwasher.
Then life happens and the house sort of falls apart during the day.
Then at night the girls help me clear the table and load the dishwasher. Michael does the trashes. Once the kids are in bed I quickly sweep or vacuum the kitchen and dining room and I might pop into the living room too. I keep a wet rag with me and as I go I’ll spot clean the floor. My goal is fast and furious cleaning!
And here’s where my baskets come into play. I keep them everywhere. I really love this basket that I posted about yesterday because it is super sturdy and holds its shape. I zip through my house every night with this basket, throwing in every misplaced item, then going back to each room once and put the things back where they belong. It takes me just a few minutes to pick up a day’s worth of clutter this way. No more running back and forth and back and forth from room to room putting things away. Try the basket method – you’ll never go back!
Plus – another bonus of having your pretty baskets out in every room? If you have a friend coming over right away, you can just corral everything in the basket super fast and no one’s the wiser.
Once the house has been de-cluttered, I do my chore of the day (today was cleaning the mirrors and windows), and then I’m done! It might sound like a lot, but I promise it isn’t. When I’m consistent with this schedule, I never have to do one of those marathon cleaning days to get back to ground zero. The house never has a chance to get really dirty, so the cleaning never feels like a true chore. It feels easy and, dare I say it? Pleasant?
So that’s my approach to cleaning in a nutshell. I know we all have our special tricks, and I’d LOVE to hear yours!
Today’s super-sized give away is $350 to Target AND $150 to the Container Store and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment sharing your favorite cleaning or organization tip. I can’t wait to see what you guys do to keep your spaces sparkling! Any other crazies out there with a chore chart? :)
Contest ends March 22. Winner will be announced on the 23rd. Contest rules can be read in full here. Good luck!!
We don't have a chore chart, but I will be printing and trying yours. We just moved into our first house so I don't have any great tips…yet! But we try to keep the bottom floor clean(kitchen, office, powder, and living room) so that when company comes over we don't have to worry about having a clean place to entertain.
Wash, dry, and fold one load of laundry each day (usually).
Sometimes it's very hard with 6 month old twins, but I am trying!
I also use the basket tip for basement items. I hate trekking down there 10 times a day so I keep a basket at the top of the stairs that I bring down once it's full. I also keep a box of baby wipes on the bathroom counter and make my 6-year-old clean the counters and sink every night!
I like to use inexpensive containers in the bathroom and kitchen drawers and cabinets to keep everything corralled. If there is a spot for everything, we spend so much less time looking for it as well as putting it back in it's place. It also lets me see exactly what I have and what I might be running low on.
Talk with your partner and housemates – you are probably 'good' at different things. I love to tidy, put things away, organize, and decorate. My husband has lots of energy – he actually likes to scrub and work up a sweat vacuuming. (Weird, huh?)We've split up the house chores by our strengths. He does the fast deep clean, and I putter along behind him, straightening. In the end, we're both happy.
Thanks for all the great tips! My favorite tip is to use a multi-purpose cleaner that works on my counters, in the bathroom and on mirrors/windows. it saves time and space!
I also use the baskets trick, I have one in each room of the house…they are functional and look nice!
The biggest secret to me is consistency. I don't have as detailed of a schedule as you, but we definitely do all the cleaning in much the same order every Sunday morning. It works for us!
Not letting the laundry pile up too much is always helpful to me. If I have lots of loads to do, I'm much more prone to avoid it than if I know it's only one or two. Thanks for the post and giveaway!
I put all of my jewelry (the stuff that's loose, not the nice stuff with individual boxes) into plastic Ziplox bags — small ones for earrings and rings, medium ones for bracelets, larger ones for big necklaces. I put them into baskets by type, and it's so much easier to find what I want in the morning!!!
shanahertz at yahoo dot com
We use the basket method- which works like a charm… getting toys, and knick-knacks back into their places. I make the kids lunches while I'm cleaning up dinner (they usually bring leftovers to school for lunch) – so that's an easy chore that I get done at the same time! I also keep separate windex, all-purpose cleaner, and paper towels in the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. That way, if I notice something needs a wipe down, I don't have to travel to get the supplies!
I try to clean something in the bathroom while my daughter bathes. She loves plaing in the water andi'm close by if she needs me,
love this, i absolutely stink at cleaning!! so i need help :-) Kate kategriffith (at) yahoo.com
Microwave a few tablespoons of lemon juice and a cup of water for three minutes. This will steam the heck out of your microwave and you can easily wipe it down with a damp washcloth. Voila!
I love this chore chart.. it seems very doable. A while back, I wasted quite a bit of time making one that I thought was really cute it seemed great, but the problem was I never actually used it!! I feel like I am always behind and doing those crazy clean-ups before guests arrive. I do have to say though that I use a ton of clorox wipes.. they are a moms best friend!!
Love the chore chart! Long ago I decided that weekends are for fun and not for chores, so I do 3 loads of laundry on Monday and 3 loads on Friday. Between caring for the kids and dinner prep, that is generally exclusively what I do on those days. I leave T,W,Th for deeper cleaning. I love your idea of a swing day though!
I try to do a bit every day – clutter control, a load of laundry and wipe down surfaces. Then if someone is coming over, quickly sweep up the floors and wipe down the powder room…all set.
I pick up each night before bed so there isn't clutter the next morning. Laundry is something that I do as soon as I get a load. I don't wait for a specific day. I also immediately fold or hang up the laundry as soon as the dryer goes off.
I love the thought of splitting out the tasks. Daily makes them seem more approachable!
Jenny, I would love your tips on cleaning windows. I've got mirrors down, but for whatever psychological reason, I just can't get the same love for my windows! Help!
I love the basket idea! Everything in it's place!
I always dust last. If you sweep and vacuum first then you can clean all of the dust that you stirred up and get it all at once!
Ginny
ginmnerr@hotmail.com
My miracle product: Clorox Clean-Up with Bleach! I use it everywhere. Seriously. Kitchen counters. Kitchen sink. Bathroom counters. Bathroom sink. The floor when I'm in a pinch. The bathtub. Shower walls. ESPECIALLY the toilets. My husbands face after bbq ribs. Even put a spray or two on a cloth and run it over my white Mac keyboard keys (this is probably illegal somewhere, but it works!) to keep that fresh white look! Just remember to use a white cloth…I put a darling turquoise one to death once. Oops!
Love your blog, Jenny. You've inspired me to start my own…working on it as we speak!
I go through my kids (have 3) folders/school papers daily and papers get recycled, signed right away, filed if needed or placed on the back of our garage door (invites, reminders etc) using a magnetic clip. No more paper piles!
My tip is to keep a squeegee (spelling?!) in the shower and squeegee the shower walls every time I'm in the shower. It takes 2 minutes and it prevents mold and mildew from forming. Saves me about 20 minutes every time I clean my whole bathroom!
My fave cleaning tip is to use a damn sponge to clean dog/cat fur off of furniture.
I do not have a chore chart, but after reading yours, I am inspired!! My husband and I are newlyweds and are still learning how to keep our house clean with our 80-90 hour work weeks. Right now, he is my organization guru, I seriously have a wife and he has a husband. :) So my cleaning process thus far has been to try to keep up with his cleaning and organizational skills!
I just had a baby and returned to work. I am in the process of developing a cleaning schedule so I don't feel like I waste my whole Saturday cleaning and not spending time with my family. Thanks for the tips, I don't have any to share with you… yet. :)
I love to clean the shower while I'm in the shower. Oh, and I love to use pledge on everything! Seriously, it's my go-to cleaning product.
One quick pick up that makes a HUGE difference – clear off all horizontal surfaces.
Tidy the stack of magazines & mail to one small stack – banish everything except decor from kitchen & bath counters, etc.
The open space looks so much cleaner.
I do not currently have a chore chart, but after seeing yours, I am inspired! My husband and I are somewhat still newlyweds and are still trying to figure out a cleaning schedule due to our 80-90 hour work weeks. Although, he is much better at keeping our house cleaner than I am. So my cleaning/organizational process is usually following his lead! I am a lucky girl!
i like to keep my cleaning supplies in baskets/containers – it keeps the storage space under the sink neat and also makes carrying supplies from room to room easier. thanks so much for sharing your system – i'm pretty excited about trying out some of it! :)
Such a practical post! Thanks Jenny :) I live in a small apartment with just my husband and me, but our biggest struggle is clutter (we're both "savers"). Once a week I try to go through the piles of papers that have collected on my desk – take care of the things that need to be addressed, file away important documents, and recycle the trash. And when I bring new things into our home I always try to get rid of something I no longer need or use.
I love your chore chart – I am going to start this. Right now I basically do it all every other weekend and that is no fun. I just have to get my roommate in on the plan and things will be awesome.
Having organized drawers and closets is the key for us to keeping straight. If everything has a place it's easy for everyone (especially the kids) to put it away.
– Trish
http://www.mash-upchic.blogspot.com
My tip is not to stress about cleaning!! I live with a messy husband, two dogs and two cats. My house is always a disaster but I couldn't be happier because the mess comes from everyone I love!! A house is only a home when it's got that "lived-in" feel.
It isn't necessarily a tip… but my fiance has agreed to always wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen after I cook. And I will always do the laundry. It may not be fair, but knowing I'll never have to really do dishes again is a really great feeling!
I found a tip online for cleaning the shower/tub that works surprisingly well. Combine baking soda and Dr. Bronner's (or any liquid castile soap) in a bowl until it's a somewhat liquid paste. Cut a lemon in half, and rub it all over the walls and tub. Rinse it off. My shower is always soap scum free, and there's honestly minimal scrubbing required. It smells pretty too.
Honestly, I'm not the best housekeeper, I just can't seem to keep up with all of it! But the "trick" that so far has worked best is having my rooms decorated! The rooms I'm still working on and aren't remotely done up are the ones that are easiest to let get messy. But the rooms where I've already decorated (even if they're not totally finished), those are the rooms that I find easiest to clean and keep clean. I guess because they look pretty and I want to keep them that way!
Use a magic eraser to clean scuff, pencil, and crayon marks from your walls.
I constantly purge. Our furniture and what we have on display we love. If it's just OK it doesn't make the cut. Fewer belongings make our house feel tidy and as a result it is easier to clean.
I'm horrible at housekeeping, so I guess my only tip is: marry someone who will help you with chores. I did, and it helps a lot when things get overwhelming.
I love the chart idea, and might have to implement that.
As hard as it can be to get started, I agree that getting in a cleaning routine makes life easier!
I also try my best to never leave a sink of dirty dishes. It seems to grow over night and when I have a clean sink the kitchen just feels much cleaner.
I love the idea of a chore list. Right now I just clean every few days, but it can be a lot. I try to do sweeps of the downstairs before going to bed, though, so I won't wake up to a mess in the kitchen or living room.
Hello! I love a clean house and hate the feeling of "being defeated by the mess". Each day I do a load of laundry and sweep the floors. If the dishes are done when I wake up and the sink is clean I am ready for the day. Have a clean day. dyoung321@comcast.net
Baskets are absolutely my go-to for a quick tidy and storage. We have extra laundry baskets for toys too.
I have learned that if my cleaning supplies are stashed around the house, I'm more likely to use them. Clorox wipes are genius! I put them in every bathroom, the kitchen and the playroom. Makes quick cleaning simple and more likely to happen!
I make an all natural cleaning spray that I use to wipe down the kitchen counters, the dining room table and other surfaces. I have two small children and so it's important to me to use cleaning products that can't harm them but also do an effective job. Here is the ingredients needed for the spray:
16 oz. of distilled water
3 tablespoons of Dr. Bronners (found in a lot of drugstores/supermarkets. I get a big bottle of it at Target.)
20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil.
Mix all ingredients together, in that order, in a large spray bottle and you have a great all natural cleaning solution!
I hate to clean and I learned years ago that I was so much happier paying someone else to do the big stuff every other week. I'd gladly sacrifice a new pair of jeans or a sweater for a clean house! My secret to keeping a house tidy is to try to de-clutter every night. Some weeks are better than others, though!
Cleaning is not my strong suit, so I have to be really diligent about the little things: wiping down the counters, clearing the clutter, making the bed, etc. I take about 20-30 minutes each night to get the place back in shape and then do the major things each weekend in rotation. I also have a really small place and two dogs, so daily attention is critical.