Creating a Cleaning Schedule that actually works
Crafting a Cleaning Schedule That Actually Sticks
Let’s be honest, the idea of a sparkling home can feel like a distant dream when you’re juggling work, family, and, well, life. You might have tried cleaning schedules before, only for them to fall by the wayside faster than dust bunnies under the couch. So, how to create a cleaning schedule that sticks? Fear not, fellow humans! Creating a cleaning schedule that actually works is totally achievable. The secret? Making it realistic, manageable, and tailored to your life.
This isn’t about turning you into a cleaning robot. It’s about finding a rhythm that keeps your space feeling fresh and reduces those overwhelming “OMG, I can’t see the floor!” moments. So, grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into crafting your personalized path to a cleaner, calmer home.
How to Create a Cleaning Schedule
Step 1: The Great Home Audit (Be Honest!)
Before you even think about daily or weekly tasks, take a good, hard look at your home. Consider:
- The size of your space: A studio apartment will have different needs than a four-bedroom house.
- The number of occupants: More people often mean more mess.
- Your lifestyle: Do you entertain frequently? Have pets? Work from home? These factors will influence what needs the most attention.
- Your pain points: What areas consistently drive you crazy? (For me, it’s a perpetually cluttered kitchen counter!)
Step 2: Brainstorming Your Cleaning Tasks
Now, let’s categorize the different types of cleaning:
- Daily Quick Wins (5-10 minutes): These are the little things that prevent bigger messes from forming. Think wiping down kitchen counters, doing a quick sweep of high-traffic areas, or making the bed.
- Weekly Warriors (30-60 minutes per session): These are your standard cleaning tasks like vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, dusting, and taking out the trash/recycling.
- Monthly Missions (1-2 hours): These are deeper cleans that don’t need to happen as often, such as washing bedding, cleaning windows and mirrors, wiping down kitchen cabinets, and cleaning out the fridge.
- Seasonal/Deep Cleans (A few hours a couple of times a year): These are the big tasks like cleaning out closets, washing curtains, cleaning carpets thoroughly, and decluttering.
Step 3: Crafting Your Personalised Schedule
This is where the magic happens! Here’s a flexible framework you can adapt:
- Daily: Choose 2-3 quick wins that you can realistically tackle each day. Consistency is key here. Tip: Tie a daily task to an existing habit. For example, wipe down the kitchen counter after dinner.
- Weekly: Divide your weekly warrior tasks across the week. Don’t try to do everything on one day! Consider breaking it down by room or by type of task. Example: Monday – Bathrooms, Wednesday – Vacuuming, Friday – Kitchen Deep Clean. Be realistic about how much time you have on each day.
- Monthly: Schedule one or two monthly missions throughout the month. You could dedicate a Saturday morning to these. Tip: Set a recurring reminder in your calendar.
- Seasonal: Block out time in your calendar for those bigger tasks. Doing one or two of these each season can prevent them from becoming overwhelming.
Example Schedule (Adapt this to your needs!):
- Daily (5-10 mins): Make the bed, wipe kitchen counters, quick sweep of the entryway.
- Monday (30 mins): Clean bathrooms (toilets, sinks, mirrors, quick wipe of shower).
- Wednesday (45 mins): Vacuum all floors and rugs.
- Friday (45 mins): Kitchen deep clean (counters, stovetop, microwave).
- Saturday (1 hour – Monthly Task): Wash all bedding.
- First Saturday of the Month (1.5 hours): Clean windows and mirrors.
Step 4: Making it Stick (The Crucial Part!)
- Be Realistic: Don’t create a schedule that’s impossible to maintain. Start small and build momentum.
- Be Flexible: Life happens! If you miss a task, don’t beat yourself up. Just get back on track the next day.
- Involve Others: If you live with other people, delegate tasks! Everyone can contribute to keeping the home clean.
- Time Yourself: Setting a timer can help you stay focused and prevent cleaning from dragging on.
- Reward Yourself: Treat yourself after completing a cleaning session. It’ll help you associate cleaning with positive feelings (hello, guilt-free Netflix!).
- Track Your Progress: Seeing what you’ve accomplished can be surprisingly motivating. A simple checklist can do the trick.
- Adjust as Needed: Your initial schedule might not be perfect. Review it after a few weeks and make adjustments based on what’s working and what’s not.
Bonus Cleaning Tips for Maximum Efficiency:
- Declutter First: It’s much easier to clean a space that isn’t overflowing with stuff. Spend a few minutes decluttering before you start cleaning.
- Work Top to Bottom: Start dusting high surfaces and work your way down to the floor. This prevents you from having to re-clean areas.
- Use Microfiber Cloths: They are super absorbent and great for trapping dust and dirt.
- Embrace Multi-Tasking: Let cleaning solutions sit while you tackle another task. For example, spray your shower cleaner and then clean the toilet and sink while it works its magic.
- Keep Cleaning Supplies Accessible: Store frequently used supplies in convenient locations (e.g., bathroom cleaner under the sink).
- Open Windows: Fresh air can make your home feel cleaner and less stuffy.
- Don’t Underestimate the Power of Music or Podcasts: They can make cleaning more enjoyable!
- Spot Clean Regularly: Address spills and messes as they happen to prevent them from becoming bigger problems.
- Invest in Good Quality Tools: The right tools can make cleaning faster and more efficient.
Creating a cleaning schedule that works is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself, find a rhythm that suits your life, and celebrate the small victories. A consistently tidy home is within your reach, and with a little planning and these tips, you’ll be conquering the chaos in no time!
What are your biggest cleaning challenges? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
Do you live in Brisbane? Before investing your time in creating a cleaning schedule try our cleaning service. Our Spring Cleaning can help out by cleaning, decluttering and organising your home to prep it for more regular cleaning.
If the thought of cleaning is just too much call our Nest Cleaners and we would love to help!
BOOK NOW: Call 0438 079 996 OR Online Estimate with Nest Cleaning in Brisbane, Australia
