As a mom and working professional, it can feel like every moment is jam packed with something–either planned or not. When I finally have a moment to myself, the last thing that I want to do is worry about the chores I’ve been putting off for days. But, as every mom knows, putting off the cleaning is going to require a herculean effort to tame the mess later on.
So, I’ve decided it’s time to start tackling cleaning with a more organized approach. Enter the household cleaning schedule!
Adopting a weekly cleaning task schedule was game-changing for my family (and my sanity). It helps me organize and prioritize what needs doing. Additionally, relying on a realistic cleaning schedule for my home has reduced my stress, made for a consistently cleaner home and more family time, as I’m not scrambling to clean up a month’s worth of mess at a time.
Whether you work part-time or full-time, you’ll find schedules and tips that have worked for me and my mom-friends, but I encourage you to adjust everything to best suit your family and living situation.
Understanding Your Unique Needs as a Working Mom
There are three critical factors to balance when putting together an effective cleaning schedule—your work schedule, the size of your family, and your home size. Before adopting a cleaning schedule, reflect on these three factors. Then, I encourage you to think about the following:
- Are your kids old enough to help?
- What are the dirtiest places typically in the home that need regular cleaning?
- What places in your home don’t need to be cleaned weekly or as frequently as other areas?
The Weekly Cleaning Schedule for Working Moms
Once you’ve thought about your schedule and cleaning needs, it’s time to find a schedule that works for you. Below, you’ll find three realistic cleaning schedules to choose from. I encourage you to try all three to discover which works best for you.
What Makes These Options Realistic?
Before diving in, let’s first answer why these cleaning schedules are realistic. With each option, you’ll notice that tasks are broken into manageable chunks. This means that you don’t need to clean the entire house in one day.
For some options, you don’t even need to clean an entire room at once! By dividing up the schedules by tasks, you’re making the workload more manageable to tackle.
The second reason why these options are realistic is because they’re flexible. They’re flexible so you can adapt them to your life, but also so you don’t feel overwhelmed when unpredictable family or work events pop up.
Option 1: Quick Daily Cleaning Routine for Super Busy Moms
Tip: Use a timer to stay focused and get the job done quickly.
Option 2: Weekly Cleaning Schedule for Balance
Tip: Delegate age-appropriate weekly tasks to your kids for extra help.
Option 3: Rotating Task Schedule for Flexibility
Tip: Pick your cleaning days based on your work schedule and flexibility that week.
Time-Saving Tips for Staying on Track
Regardless of which cleaning schedule you choose, I firmly believe that these time-saving tips can help you maximize your time and stay on track:
- Use timers or apps to keep tasks focused. I set the timer on my phone to ensure I don’t get carried away with cleaning. Or, on days when I finish tasks quickly, I use extra time to sneak in a couple of extra cleaning tasks.
- Delegate simple chores to kids or partners. As the old saying goes, many hands make for light work! Ask your kids to help with small tasks like putting their toys away before bedtime or, if they’re older, lending a hand with the dishes. My partner and I split some of the major tasks between the two of us—he will do a quick vacuum if I mop. I suggest talking with your partner and finding a balance that works for both of you.
- Multitask effectively. For example, I wipe down my kitchen countertops while waiting for the kettle to boil. Or, when waiting to be taken off hold when on a phone call, I’ll pick up clutter in the living room. Sneaking in small cleaning tasks whenever you can is a great way to get a jumpstart on your cleaning schedule.
Cleaning Supplies to Simplify Your Routine
I highly recommend investing in good, reliable cleaning supplies. Not only does it make your job easier, but it also ensures your home gets cleaned effectively. Some of my favorite cleaning supplies include:
- Multi-purpose cleaners: I like the Method All-Purpose Cleaner since it is non-toxic and can be used for kitchen countertops and other surfaces.
- Microfiber cloths: Microfiber picks up even the smallest dust and debris which makes it easy to get your home clean. I bought a pack from HomeGoods but you can find them at most types of retailers.
- Lightweight vacuums: Since I have stairs in my house, I bought a lightweight vacuum that is easy to carry. Not only does it make it easier to vacuum upstairs, but with today’s technology, it cleans just as well as the heavy-duty models!
- Pre-measured laundry sheets: Laundry was one of those chores that actually generated more mess in my house for a long time. Detergent and powder spills were just another thing to clean. So, I recently made the switch to HeySunday’s laundry detergent sheets. They are pre-measured and pre-cut and make doing laundry quick and easy. Most importantly, they are completely mess-free!
How to Stick to Your Cleaning Schedule (Even When Life Gets Busy)
Sticking to a daily cleaning schedule can feel impossible some days. But even when life gets hectic, I promise it’s worth focusing on the long-term perks of a tidy home. No more tackling a giant mess weeks later, less stress, and a home that feels comfortable and manageable every day. You’ve got this!
One of the best pieces of advice I can give? Let go of perfectionism. Seriously, sometimes “good enough” is exactly what you need to keep your sanity intact. A little progress is always better than none!
If you’ve fallen off your cleaning schedule, don’t stress. Take a look at your calendar and pick a day—a weekend or even a free afternoon—to be your “reset day.” Use that time to tackle the bigger cleaning projects so you can jump back into your routine feeling refreshed and caught up.
Get Your Family On a Cleaning Schedule for the Week Ahead!
The best time to get organized and tackle a cleaning schedule is right now! Give one (or a few) of the suggested schedules a try, and don’t be afraid to tweak it to fit your family’s unique rhythm.
At the end of the day, it’s your house, so your cleaning routine should work for you. Figuring out a regular schedule can feel like the hardest part, but once you find one that clicks, keeping your home tidy will feel so much easier.
Remember, progress happens little by little
If this article gave you some helpful ideas, share it with your friends on social media—they might need it too!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have some lingering questions about cleaning, don’t worry! I answer some frequently asked questions below.
How do I make time for cleaning as a working mom?
I recommend breaking up cleaning tasks into small, 10-15 minute chunks. As a busy mom, cleaning can feel overwhelming. By breaking your to-do list into more manageable pieces, you’ll discover that you can get more done in short chunks of time than perhaps you previously expected. I also recommend setting a timer to ensure you don’t go overboard.
What if I miss a day?
That’s okay! Just take a deep breath and continue with your cleaning schedule the next day. If you find a spare moment in your day, take a few minutes to get a small cleaning task done to help you get caught up on your missed day.
How can I get my family to help with cleaning?
Integrate cleaning chores into your family’s daily schedule in a way that feels natural. You could ask your kids to help with the dishes after dinner every night or make a new rule that your kids must pick up all clutter and belongings before heading to their rooms for the night.
Find ways to incorporate these cleaning tasks into your household’s regular cadence. They’ll become second nature in no time!
