Printables

Keep a Clean House and NOT hate Cleaning (so much)

When I became a stay at home mom just over a year ago I thought cleaning the house would be so easy, boy was I wrong.  I had no schedule or organization to the whole cleaning process so I was left with a untidy home and feeling like a failure. I would tell my family and friends,  “I thought my house was messy before because I worked close to 50 hours a week but I think I’m just a horrible housekeeper!”

I can’t tell you how many time I would get a phone call, “Hey were in the area and stopping by.” ME: “OH CRAP!”  Then you see me running around the house like a mad woman!

I had to put a stop to the madness and also the feeling like I was bad at keeping a clean home.  I came up with a Cleaning Schedule and it really helps me keep my house clean and bonus I do not totally hate cleaning now!  

After using this schedule it  turns out I actually clean quit well!  I just needed a little structure to keep me on track!

The minimum maintenance is the key.

In my attempt to be better at keeping a clean home I ran across this post, The Secret to Successful Home Management-“Minimum Maintenance” from Home Sanctuary.  

• Do a quick pick up of each room.
• This will take maybe 30 minutes. 
• Includes picking up clothes/toys off the floor.
• Putting dishes in the dishwasher or unloading the dishwasher. 
• Quick cleaning of kitchen counters.
• Quick Sweep if necessary. (I have a 4 year old and 1 year, both messy eaters so I have to everyday.)

1 load of Laundry a Day instead of “1 Whole Day of Laundry”.

I found that my frustration with laundry went down a notch when I started to do 1 load of laundry a day, opposed to doing it all on Saturday and Sunday.  My weekends were no fun!

On my schedule there is a line by laundry so you can write what load for that day. I do Monday: Jeans Tues: Clean Bedding Wed: Whites Thur: Lights Fri: Darks Sat: Towels. 

*If I have a lot of darks or towels then I will do 2  loads that day. 

Take a day off!

Now that my home stays pretty tidy and I am not buried in dirty laundry I take Sunday off from cleaning.  OK, I still take care of dirty dishes and make my boys pick up after themselves but for the most part there is no cleaning.  

FREE PRINTABLE FOR YOU : I made 3 options for you to print: My Actual Cleaning Schedule, Minimum Maintenance Only, and a Blank Schedule.

• My Cleaning Schedule

I always play upbeat music or my favorite songs while I’m cleaning. Music really helps me stay on task and not focus on the fact that I’m cleaning.  

 Monday- I clean all the floors in the house. This includes vacuuming all the rooms and hallways.  I DO NOT mop kitchen and restrooms this day. I do that on their detail clean day.

Tuesday- I change all the bedding in the house.  This is also my day of laundry for bedding so I do more than 1 load this day. =(  

Wednesday- Clean all the bedrooms this includes cleaning under beds and other crevices, organizing clutter from dresser and tables, dusting, picking up trash and taking glasses/dishes to kitchen and cleaning mirrors.

Thursday- Cleaning Restrooms this includes the restroom floors. 

Friday- Detail Clean the kitchen this includes a good cleaning of the floors, wipe down all appliances, sink and inside microwave. 

Saturday- Sweep front and back porch and yard work if needed.  Clean the doors glass if needed. My back porch is an outside playroom so I put away and organize their toys too. 

• Minimum Maintenance Only Cleaning Schedule

• Blank Cleaning Schedule 

How do you keep you home clean? What tips or tricks do you use?

If you are interested in cleaning with less toxic chemicals consider making your own.  I make several of my own with essential oils.  Here are 8 DIY Cleaning Recipes with Essential Oils with Free Printable Labels.

This post was shared on: The Creative Collection, CRAFTY AND DELICIOUS PARTY, Thrifty Thursday, Inspiration2, Cook it! Craft it! Share it!, Creativity Unleashed, I’m Lovin’ It, Freedom Fridays