A Realistic Weekly Cleaning Schedule to Get You Started

Finding a weekly cleaning schedule that works can be challenging when you're busy. An easy-to-memorize and follow schedule is necessary to prevent clutter, but it can also help you simplify your day and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Review this realistic schedule for every day of the week. It'll help you get your cleaning on track, allowing you to do a little each day instead of cleaning everything all at once.

Monday's House Cleaning Schedule

Make it Mop Monday because your floors likely took a beating over the weekend. Begin your weekly cleaning schedule with your vacuum and mop.

If you don't have time to vacuum or mop the entire house, fit these high-traffic areas in between full cleanings:

• Foyer
• Stairs
• Family room/den
• Mudroom
• Bedrooms
• Under the kitchen table
• Bathrooms

Tuesday's House Cleaning Schedule

Grab your gloves and the scrub brush. On Toilet Tuesday, it's all about the bathrooms. How often you clean your toilets depends on use, but weekly is an excellent place to start.

• Scrub toilets.
• Clean bathtubs and showers.
• Disinfect bathroom sinks and counters.
• Spray plastic shower curtains with disinfectant.
• Change out the towels.
• Take bathmats outside, and give them a good shake.
• Check toiletries to see what you're running low on.

Wednesday's House Cleaning Schedule

Wipe It Wednesday erases dust, germs, and grime. Use a disinfectant wipe to kill bacteria, if necessary. Clean the electronic equipment. Items to dust or wipe down:

• Microwave
• Toaster
• Counters
• Tabletops
• TV
• Toys
• Mirrors
• Ceiling fans
• Doorknobs
• Refrigerator handles
• Stove
• Refrigerator shelves
• Windowsills
• Mini blinds
• Light fixtures
• Telephone
• Furniture
• Laptops, computer screens, tablets, and mobile phones
  

Thursday's House Cleaning Schedule

Today is Throw It Out Thursday. Do it every week so you don't have a daunting pile of stuff. Reduce clutter and tidy up items, putting them where they belong. Kick these outdated, unwanted, or expired items to the curb:

• Junk mail
• Magazines
• Catalogs
• Newspapers
• Food
• Clothes with holes
• School or craft projects you don't plan on keeping

Friday's House Cleaning Schedule

Fold It Friday is laundry day. Ensure all dirty laundry has made it to the hamper. Get clothes clean, folded, or hung up. Organize clothes, shoes, and accessories in the closet and dresser drawers.

• Soak clothes with tough stains.
• Make sure the kids' sports uniforms are ready for weekend games.
• Strip sheets from beds and launder.
• Clean blankets.
• Wash towels.
• Fold clean laundry.
• Iron.
• Hand-wash delicate items.
• Put clean clothes away.
• Wash bed skirts and mattress protectors (once a month).
• Get dry, clean-only items ready to go out.

Saturday's House Cleaning Schedule

You've worked hard all week, so today is Slow It Down Saturday. Set a timer for just 20 minutes, and clean the areas that need it most. Enlist the help of anyone who lives with you so you get more done in less time.

This day is good for taking stock of the refrigerator's contents. Many people like to go food shopping over the weekend. Toss leftovers and spoiled foods (if you didn't do it on Throw It Out Thursday). Wipe down shelves and bins with a disinfectant wipe. Also, gather any items that need to go to the dry cleaner and drop them off.

Sunday's House Cleaning Schedule

Take a break for Self-Care Sunday! There won't be any housekeeping for you today. Your weekly cleaning schedule restarts tomorrow, so enjoy your day off.

Devote Time to Daily Necessities

With a weekly cleaning schedule, you will focus on one type of task daily. But what about daily tasks? These rarely make it to a weekly list. A daily list is quick; each task takes about 5 minutes.

You should not need more than 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. You can do them in the morning as you start your day or before bed. Plan your day by incorporating these tasks every day.

• Make the bed
• Water plants
• Check paper mail
• Load or unload the dishwasher
• Wipe counters and kitchen sink
• Take out the trash (on trash days)

Monthly Cleaning Tasks

Some monthly tasks require a bit more time and effort. These deeper cleaning tasks make daily upkeep easier, help home furnishings look better, and prevent expensive repairs around the house.

In the Kitchen

• Check and clean the stovetop drip pans, oven, range hood, and filter. Descale small appliances that use water, such as a tea kettle or coffeemaker, for better-tasting beverages.
• Give the dishwasher a thorough cleaning monthly, and you'll see better results and cleaner dishes. Do the same for your washing machine.
• Trash cans and recycling bins can get pretty grimy. Give them a good scrubbing with a disinfectant.
  

In the Bedrooms and Bathrooms

• Take some time to organize closets and drawers to keep clothes neat and wrinkle-free. Pull out any garments that need mending, a trip to the dry cleaner, or that are time to get rid of.
• If you haven't been vacuuming under the bed and all the furniture weekly, now's the time to get rid of dust bunnies.
• Clean and disinfect make-up and grooming tools.

Living and Entry Areas

• Thoroughly vacuum upholstered furniture, including under the cushions. Dust and polish wooden finishes and condition leather to keep it supple.
• Check fan blades, corners, and light fixtures for spiderwebs, dust, and dead insects. Take the time to move furniture and clean beneath and behind pieces.
• Light switches and the wall around them accumulate smudges and grime. Remember to dust door jambs, window ledges, and baseboards.
• Check the doormats both inside and outside of the entry areas. Give them a good cleaning to prevent dirt from being tracked into living spaces.
• Air purifiers do a great job, but the air filter must be checked, cleaned, or replaced for top performance. Don't forget HVAC filters and vents around your home.
  

Seasonal Chores to Remember

These tasks are seasonal or yearly maintenance issues for keeping an organized and clean home:

• Once or twice a year, go through the pantry and cabinets, discarding expired foods and donating items like dishes and small appliances that you seldom use.
• Vacuum mattresses each season to remove dust and dust mites. Clean bed pillows, bed coverings, and window treatments well.
• Go through beauty and first aid supplies and toss any expired products. Dispose of unused medications properly.
• Check under the sink and around fixtures to catch any small leaks or drips and prevent bigger issues.
• Clean carpets and large area rugs, then rotate area rugs for even wear.
• Clean the couch and chair upholstery thoroughly to remove stains and odors.
  
• Wash windows inside and outside and clean window screens.
• Fireplaces and chimneys, especially gas fireplaces, should be checked and cleaned yearly. Dry vents should also be checked for lint build-up.
  

Additional Tips for Keeping the Home Clean

• Build efficiencies: Once you start a weekly cleaning routine, you will notice that your chores will take less time the more you do them.
• Do dailies first: If your daily tasks are all you can manage, start with them only. Once you incorporate them into your routine, add one day of "weekly" cleaning per week. Mondays are a good day to start.
• Get creative with chores: Assign one day of the week per household member. Family members with crazy schedules might find it easier to do house chores only once a week. The key is to work with everyone's schedule realistically.
• Handling children: Households with young children are more challenging since the little ones leave messes wherever they go. Tidy up as you go. For older children, ask them to pick up the toys or things they were using.
• Get help: If the house is getting away from you, ask for help or hire help. Retired family members often want to find ways to help. If you don't want to ask them to clean, maybe you can ask them to take young children to the park to give you time to get things done around the house.
• Give yourself grace: Do not be hard on yourself for not completing chores. Chores are not the most important things in your life; you are often busy doing other things. Do not feel guilty. Take stock of all you have accomplished.
• Feeling sick or tired: If you're under the weather or exhausted, stop and reset for the next day. Do the task on a rainy day or when you have extra time.