In need of a realistic cleaning checklist for your busy life, mind & schedule? Let’s get your home guest ready & dazzling to your own eyes.
It is easy to say that today’s post is a labor of love. Keeping my home clean had never been one of my strongest talents and, while I would never consider it filthy, it was often messy or cluttered. I struggled to stay on top of dishes, my daughter’s playroom was generally a disaster and I couldn’t tell you the last time I dusted or cleaned a baseboard.
At the start of 2023, I made it my intention to pursue some serious homemaking goals. The first one being, to implement routines that I could, realistically, stick with. I wanted to start with cleaning because I was desperate to see my home the way guests did when I’d panic cleaned….you know the one!
Why Is It Important To Maintain a Clean Home
I am certain that we are all well aware of the physical importance of keeping our homes relatively clean and orderly: less allergens, reduced risk of injury, better sleep, encourages exercise; the list goes on. Then there are the mental health effects: improved focus, better emotional regulation, more endorphins & a greater sense of control & organization.
I specifically want to focus on why keeping my home clean is important to me. The first, is for me. I desire for my home to be a place I want to be. I don’t want to feel like I need a vacation from my daily environment and take it as my responsibility to ensure so.
Second, I want my husband and daughter to have a clean and comfortable space to return to each day. They are both homebodies and also deserve to enjoy the place they live.
Lastly, I want my home to be a place that guests feel welcome but also a place where they can easily relax. To do this, I came up with a daily, weekly & monthly cleaning checklist. It is my way to break down all of the “chores” that make up a clean & organized home in a manageable format.
What Goes Into A Cleaning Checklist
The significance of my cleaning checklist is that… it is mine. Your checklist very well could, and probably should, look a bit different.
The most important thing is that you take stock of your home and develop a checklist that is manageable. Here’s how to start:
Take a look around your home
Determine the areas/rooms/tasks that are of highest priority. My husband HATES messy or wet counters and I despise having an unkempt living room.
As a busy mom, I’ve had to get comfortable with the fact that my floors aren’t always sparkling clean & that toys will be scattered about BUT I can cope with that better knowing that what matters to my family is most important.
Determine Your Daily 5
Based on those areas that you’ve identified, what are 4-5 things that can be done, daily, that would keep these rooms, generally, clutter free?
Assign each major room/task a day of the week
Break everything else up into manageable chunks. If you stick to your daily 5, the house will be pretty organized and you’ll feel more confident tackling the rest of items in less cluttered space.
Check out these tips to help make your house smell good
Daily Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen:
- Empty the dishwasher first thing in the morning
- Put away food after each meal
- Hand wash dishes & run dishwasher at night
Sweep:
- Spot sweep after meals if needed
- Do one quick sweep of highly trafficked areas at the end of the day
Living Room
- Put away anything that doesn’t belong
- Reset couch
- Vacuum as needed
Counters
- Clean up any water from rinsing dishes or washing hands immediately
- Quickly wipe down kitchen & bathroom counters with disinfecting wipe/spray
Beds
- Everyone makes their bed in the morning
Strapped for time but want a deep clean? Check out these time-saving deep cleaning hacks!
Weekly Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen & Dining
- Wipe down appliances
- Throw out expired food
- Deep clean the sink & microwave
- Organize one cabinet (you know how Tupperware gets thrown in there)
- Mop
Linens & Living
- Wash, fold & put away towels and all bedding
- Thoroughly vacuum floor & couch
- Dust the mantle and coffee table
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
- Pick up clutter
- Organize kids rooms by putting away toys & throwing away anything broken
- Vacuum
- Deep clean toilet
- Organize drawers & straighten counters
- Clean shower
- Sweep & Mop
Laundry
- Wash it
- Fold it
- Put it away
- Wipe down the inside of washer & empty dryer vent
Need help establishing a laundry system? Check out these 4 Life-Saving Laundry Hacks
Playroom/Hall
- Pick up clutter
- Organize toys & throw away anything broken
- Dust
- Vacuum
Monthly Cleaning Checklist
Here are the things that I feel are applicable to every room when cleaning monthly. I change up other tasks throughout the year and each home looks different but, doing these things each month will keep that home sparkling.
Deep Clean All Appliances & Electronics
Wipe down baseboards
Knock Down Cobwebs
Wash curtains & wipe down blinds
Freshen Seasonal Decor & rotate toys
Your Cleaning Schedule
We’ve covered your daily, weekly & monthly cleaning schedule. All of the tasks on these lists are actually things I do. I’d love to hear how you adapt them to your home & any tips that you have for keeping the house tidy as a busy mom, wife or just woman.
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