Home Cleaning Schedule and Checklist

I’m sharing my home cleaning schedule to help simplify your life! This routine works very well for me, breaking tasks into daily, weekly and monthly chunks.

I used to clean everything in one day, but every time that day came, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning that had to be done, leaving me annoyed and a little… bitter? I’d rush through the tasks, just to get them done. I felt like every task took SOOOO long and really hated cleaning on the weekend, when I wanted to be spending that time with my family.

I love making schedules and lists, so I decided to create a cleaning schedule, that fit my life. So far, I am loving the outcome. A little bit each day, and by Friday afternoon, the house is completely clean, leaving behind any worry to enjoy the weekend.

My cleaning schedule:

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Here are the 6 steps to create your own cleaning schedule-

1. Make a list

Make a list of everything that needs to be cleaned or maintained in the home. Include cleaning tasks, laundry, appliance upkeep, cleaning cars (inside and out), etc. (Scroll down for examples).

2. Sort into groups

Sort those tasks into groups titled, “daily,” “weekly,” “monthly,” and “yearly.”

3. Time your tasks

Once you have your list, time how long these tasks take to finish. For me, I took one week, timing myself during my daily and weekly tasks. I used a stopwatch to time each task including the time to put away the cleaning supplies. I did this throughout the week and was AMAZED how quickly I could actually get things done! The time I spent avoiding the task took so much longer than actually doing it!

4. Work the tasks into your schedule

Look at your calendar, filling in tasks as your schedule allows. For me, I’m a stay-at-home mama, so I chose to fit tasks into the time I have before my twins get up in the morning and during nap. Some of the tasks I can do with them around, and take advantage to help save time during nap (laundry, vacuuming, etc). To read more about how I schedule my day, click here for block scheduling.

If you work out of the house, you will have to get creative with your time slots and delegate as much as possible! If your kids are old enough to help, give them manageable tasks. Delegate some of the chores to your partner as well! Personally, mine is more than willing to help, so he helps out with evening dishes, vacuuming, scooping cat poop, etc. For me, I didn’t want to spend longer than 1 hour a day on house chores, so I divided my tasks into 1 hour chunks or less each day. Do keep in mind those days that are busier than others, with kids activities, meetings, etc.

5. Tweak and experiment

Experiment- Your first list will most likely need tweaking. It took me a few weeks to feel like I had a good finalized list put together. You are probably going to forget tasks, and need to add them as they come up.

6. Print and hang

Print and hang- I printed my cleaning list and have it hanging on my refrigerator, in a sleeve protector. As I complete each task, I cross it off the list. You could also laminate it once you feel it’s finalized. Seeing a visual takes all the cleaning off your mind, and crossing off tasks as you complete them feels amazing! Not to mention, your partner might just see a task needs to be done and do it himself!? 🙂

Monthly and Yearly Schedule

I have not timed out all of the monthly and yearly tasks (as of April, 2020). As I complete them throughout this year, I’ll time them and add them to my sheet. Each Monday and Saturday I plan on completing one monthly/yearly task until they are complete. This is the first year I am trying this, so I’ll have to report back how I liked this schedule.

Cleaning tasks to include

Below are the tasks I have included in my personal cleaning schedule. This is obviously not a one-size-fits-all schedule, as all homes and schedules are different. Also, if you are looking for natural DIY cleaners, check this post out!

Daily tasks

I do not include my daily tasks on my cleaning list. This is personal preference. The daily tasks I do, have become habits, so they get done without really thinking about them. If you are trying to create habits (such as make your bed daily), then you may want to add them to your checklist for a while.

1. Make bed
2. Feed cat
3. Empty clean dishes in the dishwasher (am)
4. Wash dishes, load dishwasher and run it (pm)
5. Vacuum hardwood floors (pm)
6. Wipe down kitchen counters (pm)
7. Empty kitchen trash (if needed)
8. Tidy house (put away toys, clutter)

Weekly tasks

1. Kitchen- wipe down appliances, clean out microwave, scrub sink, clean counters, wipe down cupboards
2. Dust- upstairs and downstairs
3. Bathrooms- everything
4. Laundry- (I do laundry twice a week. Wednesday and Sunday).
5. Vacuum carpets and furniture
6. Mop hardwood floors
7. Wipe down inside of fridge (before getting new groceries)
8. Water plants
9. Clean cat litter

Monthly tasks

1. Clean out vacuum
2. Check air filters
3. Deep clean dishwasher
4. Clean washer and dryer
5. Garbage disposal
6. Coffee pot
7. Clean both cars (vacuum and car wash)
8. Oven
9. Deep clean fridge
10. Wash windows

Yearly tasks

I have not created a yearly task calendar. I might do this in the future, but as each new month comes up, I will write out tasks that I want to complete for the month, under the notes section at the bottom of my checklist. In the future, I might make a yearly task calendar, but in order to keep things simple and not overwhelming, I’ve chosen to exclude those yearly/seasonal cleaning tasks for now.

Here is another example of a finished checklist.

Alright, now that I’ve given you the steps to create your own cleaning list, try it out! It really isn’t as overwhelming as it may seem. Give it a week of timed cleaning, and the hardest part is done!

Grab your printables here

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Comment below if you try this timed cleaning schedule and how it’s working for you! What are your best time saving cleaning hacks?!