If you have a busy schedule, keeping your home clean and tidy can be a struggle! I’ve found that establishing routines in your household maintenance can help keep a tidy home. Below there are some simple tips and strategies, to help you can keep your home clean and organized without sacrificing too much of your time and energy.
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Use the free printable checklists to keep track of your new schedules! And I’ve shared below some of my favorite cleaning tools and household helpers!
Found in photo:
Scrub Mommy Sponges / Angry Orange / Bissell SpinWave / Swedish Dishcloths / Shower Scrubber
Roborock Vacuum / Microfiber Towels / Shark Cordless Vacuum / Tangerine Clean / Bamboo Towels
Cleaning Routine Checklist Highlights
- Establish a regular cleaning schedule to make the process more manageable
- Use efficient cleaning strategies and techniques to save time and energy
- Break down cleaning tasks into smaller steps to make them more manageable
One of the most important aspects of maintaining a clean home is establishing a cleaning schedule. This involves determining how often you need to clean each room or area of your home and creating a schedule that works for your lifestyle. Once you have a schedule in place, you’ll be able to tackle cleaning tasks more efficiently and effectively, without feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up.
You may want to consider which type of schedule would work best for you:
- Weekly Cleaning Schedules
- Monthly Cleaning Schedules
- Seasonal Cleaning Schedules
- Spot Clean Routines
Download our suggested house cleaning schedule printables and use them how they will best help you form a routine at your house!
Use our free printable cleaning checklists to help you stay organized in the areas you need it the most! If you want to keep your household on a weekly routine, then a weekly cleaning checklist will be most useful to you. If you are able to keep up with the daily tasks but struggle to work in the larger deep clean tasks, then focus on incorporating a monthly cleaning checklist into your routine.
We also have suggestions for quarterly deep cleaning projects, as well as suggestions for assigning different tasks to a day of the week to keep it under regular maintenance. Adopting a cleaning schedule that works for your family is a great way to keep a clean house and stay organized – even when things get busy!
In addition to establishing a cleaning schedule, there are a number of strategies you can use to make the cleaning process more efficient and less time-consuming. From using the right cleaning tools and techniques to breaking down cleaning tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. I will share some of our favorite tips to keep your home clean and tidy with minimal effort.
Establishing a Cleaning Schedule
Keeping your home clean and organized can be a daunting task, but with a well-established cleaning schedule, you can easily maintain a clean and tidy living space. Here are some tips for establishing a cleaning routine that works for you.
Daily Tasks
In order to keep your home clean on a daily basis, it is important to establish a set of daily tasks. These tasks should be quick and easy to complete, and should include things like making your bed, doing the dishes, wiping down countertops, and sweeping the floors. By completing these tasks every day, you can prevent clutter and dirt from building up in your home.
Use our free printable cleaning schedule with daily checkboxes for these tasks to keep track of when they are done. This will help you establish a daily cleaning schedule that you can maintain.
Weekly Responsibilities
In addition to daily tasks, it is important to establish a weekly cleaning schedule. This schedule should include tasks that only need to be done once a week, such as dusting, cleaning bathrooms, and washing laundry. By breaking these tasks up over the course of the week, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning that needs to be done.
Our free printable cleaning schedule also has an area for these weekly tasks as well! Use the weekly checklist to tackle different rooms on different days, and create a weekly rotation for these weekly chores.
Monthly Deep-Clean Activities
Finally, it is important to set aside time each month for deep-cleaning activities. These tasks may include things like cleaning windows, scrubbing floors, and organizing closets. By completing these tasks on a monthly basis, you can keep your home looking and feeling fresh and clean.
These monthly chores are broken down on our Clean & Organize Household Helper free printable download.
Establishing a cleaning schedule is an important part of maintaining a clean and organized home. By breaking tasks up into daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities, you can ensure that your home stays clean and tidy without feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done.
Keep these sheets in a home management binder to be able to easily reference them, or display them on the fridge if multiple family members will be using the list!
Strategies for Efficient Cleaning
Efficient cleaning is all about finding ways to get the job done quickly and effectively. By following a few simple strategies, you can make your cleaning routine more efficient and less time-consuming.
Decluttering Techniques
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to declutter your space. This means getting rid of any unnecessary items that are taking up space and making it harder to clean. Here are some decluttering techniques you can use:
- Start with one area at a time. Focus on decluttering a single room or even just a single corner before moving on to the next.
- Use the “one in, one out” rule. For every new item you bring into your home, get rid of an old one.
- Donate or sell items you no longer need. This can help you feel good about decluttering and also make some extra money.
Check out my “KonMari Method” organization videos on YouTube, for inspiration to clear out items that no longer serve you!
Time-Saving Cleaning Hacks
Cleaning doesn’t have to take all day. Here are some time-saving cleaning hacks you can use to get the job done quickly:
- Use a cleaning caddy to keep all your supplies in one place. This will save you time and energy by keeping everything you need within reach.
- Clean from top to bottom. This will prevent you from having to clean the same area twice.
- Use a microfiber cloth instead of paper towels. Microfiber cloths are more effective at cleaning and can be reused many times.
Organizing Cleaning Supplies
Organizing your cleaning supplies can make cleaning more efficient and less stressful. Here are some tips for organizing your supplies:
- Use a separate container for each type of cleaning supply. This will make it easier to find what you need and prevent spills.
- Label your containers. This will help you quickly identify what’s inside and prevent confusion.
- Keep your cleaning supplies in a convenient location. This will make it easier to grab what you need and get started.
Creating a managable cleaning routine will help make your home management more manageable and less time-consuming.
I use these under shelf organizers to group items together in our cleaning closet! We also completely redesigned the closet to fit our favorite cleaning helpers with Elfa Closet System organization from the Container Store!
Room-by-Room Cleaning Tips
Kitchen Clean-Up
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s important to keep it clean and organized. Start by wiping down all surfaces, including countertops, stovetops, and the sink, with a disinfectant cleaner. Use a separate cloth or sponge for each area to avoid cross-contamination. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the microwave and oven, as well as the refrigerator and freezer. Make sure to dispose of any expired or spoiled food.
To keep your kitchen smelling fresh, wipe down the garbage can and dispose of any food waste regularly. Sweep or vacuum the floors, and mop up any spills or stains. Consider using a natural cleaner, such as vinegar and water, to avoid harsh chemicals.
Bathroom Sanitation
The bathroom can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, so it’s important to keep it clean and sanitized. Start by wiping down all surfaces, including the sink, toilet, and shower or bathtub, with a disinfectant cleaner. Use a separate cloth or sponge for each area to avoid cross-contamination.
Clean the toilet bowl with a toilet brush and disinfectant cleaner, and don’t forget to wipe down the outside of the toilet. Scrub the shower or bathtub with a non-abrasive cleaner, and rinse thoroughly. Clean the mirrors and windows with a glass cleaner, and sweep or vacuum the floors.
Living Room Maintenance
The living room is where you relax and spend time with family and friends, so it’s important to keep it clean and tidy. Start by dusting all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and electronics, with a microfiber cloth or duster.
Vacuum or sweep the floors, and spot-clean any stains or spills. Consider using a fabric freshener to keep upholstery smelling fresh. Don’t forget to clean the windows and blinds, and wipe down any glass surfaces with a glass cleaner.
Bedroom Freshening
The bedroom is your sanctuary, so it’s important to keep it clean and comfortable. Start by making the bed and washing the sheets and pillowcases regularly. Dust all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and electronics, with a microfiber cloth or duster.
Vacuum or sweep the floors, and spot-clean any stains or spills. Consider using a fabric freshener to keep linens and upholstery smelling fresh. Don’t forget to clean the windows and blinds, and wipe down any glass surfaces with a glass cleaner.
Cleaning Tools and Techniques
Choosing the Right Supplies
Selecting the right cleaning supplies is essential for effective cleaning. You should choose supplies that are appropriate for the surface you are cleaning. For example, you should use a non-abrasive cleaner for delicate surfaces like marble or granite.
On the other hand, a more abrasive cleaner may be needed for tougher stains on surfaces like tile or concrete. Always read the label and follow the instructions carefully to avoid any damage to the surface.
The Magic of Microfiber
Microfiber cloths are a game-changer when it comes to cleaning. They are highly effective at capturing dirt and dust, and they are also gentle on surfaces. Microfiber cloths are reusable and can be washed and used again, making them an eco-friendly option.
Using a microfiber cloth with a cleaning solution can help you clean surfaces more efficiently and effectively.
High-Tech Cleaning Gadgets
Cleaning gadgets like vacuums, mops, sponges, and dusters have come a long way in recent years. There are now high-tech options available that can make cleaning easier and more efficient. For example, robotic vacuums can clean your floors without any effort on your part. We love our Roborock robot vacuum for daily upkeep at our house!
Steam mops can clean and sanitize your floors without the need for harsh chemicals. We use a Bissell SpinWave to keep tile and wood clean. And, electrostatic dusters can attract and trap dust and dirt with ease.
We also love this electric stick ion vacuum from Shark, that is lightweight and easy to use!
Dealing with Tough Stains and Grime
When it comes to cleaning, some stains and grime can be particularly difficult to remove. However, with the right approach, you can tackle even the toughest areas. Here are a few tips to help you deal with tough stains and grime:
Natural Cleaning Solutions
If you prefer to use natural cleaning solutions, there are a few options that can be effective for tackling tough stains and grime. One of the most popular natural cleaners is vinegar. It can be used to remove stains on a variety of surfaces, including countertops, floors, and even clothing. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water, apply to the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away.
Another natural cleaning solution that can be effective for tough stains is baking soda. It can be used to remove stains on carpets, upholstery, and even clothing. To use baking soda, simply mix it with a small amount of water to create a paste, apply to the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away.
Tackling Stubborn Areas
For particularly tough stains and grime, you may need to take a more aggressive approach. One option is to use a commercial cleaning product that is specifically designed for the type of stain or grime you are dealing with. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and use the product in a well-ventilated area.
Another option is to use a steam cleaner. Steam cleaners can be effective for removing tough stains and grime on a variety of surfaces, including floors, carpets, and upholstery. They work by using high-pressure steam to break down dirt and grime, making it easier to wipe away.
No matter which approach you choose, it’s important to be patient and persistent when dealing with tough stains and grime. With a little effort and the right tools, you can get your home looking clean and fresh again in no time.
Keeping It Real
Above all, don’t be afraid to give yourself some grace. All of our homes in real life get a bit messy or disorganized from time to time, and establishing these routines help you to quickly get back on track. If you’re overwhelmed by trying to figure out where to start, choose a specific area – like the kitchen or bedrooms – to start focusing on and getting into the habit of a routine.
Then each week, add on another room or area to your weekly cleaning routine. Before you know it, you’ll be in the habit with a daily schedule to keep you on track.
These Everspring Lemon & Mint wipes are some of my favorites for quick cleaning!
Depending on the size of your house, if you’re able one thing I really love to do at least once a year is hire in a service to come in and do a deep clean service. This helps you reset the whole house back to clean at one time, and then allows you to maintain the different areas of the house as you go along.
Get Ready to Clean
Hopefully this has been a helpful resource to look at your daily routines and see how you can best stay on top of housework while still enjoy time with your family. The free printable house cleaning checklists are a good way to stay on top of keeping the entire house clean and are a great starting point to get your family into the habit of helping with these different chores.
Use the free printable sheets to help you make chore charts or other daily to-do lists for every member of the family, and this will help everyone stay on top of the housework that is assigned to them!
On YouTube, I shared a look at our cleaning closet and how we organized all of our favorite cleaning products with an Elfa system from the Container Store! Use this video to get ideas to organize your cleaning supplies, if you have a small space to store items and want to keep them organized to use on a regular basis.
** All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. Being Mommy with Style is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.