Also be sure to check out my 5 tips for keeping your kitchen sparkly clean!
Trying to create a cleaning schedule that works for your home is a challenge for those that are not organized by nature (um...ME!). Fortunately, there are some things you can do to smooth the process no matter your personal skills.
The key is to set a plan and stick to it.
Even more importantly, you have to make sure everyone else in the house does as well.
Here are five quick ideas to help you create a cleaning schedule that will not only work, but stick around for the long run:
20 Minutes Before Bedtime
Create a rule that says every person in the home cleans for twenty minutes before they go to bed every night. Make it on a timer so nobody cheats and follow through. This means mom, dad and the kids all join in together and get it done. By doing this day after day, the cleaning will pile up. You will be surprised at how it lightens the general load.
Assign primary areas and chores
It is not always easy to keep up with who is supposed to do what but it becomes easier when you assign tasks. If you are a four member household, you can break the home down into four quadrants.
If you wish, you can assign tasks to each person. Whatever the method, you need to make sure one person is responsible for each task in the home.
This creates accountability and it gives people something specific to keep in shape. That is much more effective than saying “clean up” and watching everyone scramble. Change up the chores once a month or so to be fair.
Make a family chore board
It is not enough to assign people certain tasks….you have to write them down. For it to truly be effective, you need to create a family chore board and post it where all will see it. This allows them to quickly and efficiently see what is required of them on a daily basis.
Do monthly chores as a family
These are the bigger, most overwhelming tasks that nobody wants to do. If you do these as a family, they will suddenly seem very easy. Spend some time breaking big tasks down and sharing them as a family to knock them out quickly.
Make sure you get everyone involved
Doing chores and keeping a house clean is not something that one person should have to take on in a multi-person household. Sit everyone down and explain what is expected and the changes that are taking place.
Getting everyone else in on the deal is important and you will have to be the eyes and ears of the operation at first. Follow up with regularity until everyone is in the habit of doing things and that investment in your time will pay off handsomely.
What is your cleaning schedule? Comment below!
Hello and thank you for sharing this post. I used to be so organized as far as a cleaning schedule. Then I had 3 boys. After each child was born, it would take a while but I would be able to get back on track. Even through moving, and any unexpected turns life might have taken. My husband and I recently bought our first house. Ever since we moved I’ve been struggling with all of the unpacking, daily cleaning, making meals, and caring for the kids, not to mention when you own a home there is ALWAYS something to do. (yard work, repairs, decorating, etc..) I am a stay at home mom, so that helps some that I am here more than my husband who works outside the home. However my youngest just started crawling, my 3 year old…. well he is 3. Let’s just say since we moved in I have scrubbed crayon off a wooden door, and the front of my 30 gallon fish tank. Whew! I’m exhausted just thinking about it all really. My 8 year old only has a week left of school before summer break. He helps quite a bit when he is home, since he has assigned chores. I am trying to teach my 3 year old the same. I am looking forward to getting back on track and having a cleaning routine again.
I hope you get back on track soon! I’ll admit, I’ve never really been on track completely. I’m always trying though!