Maintain a Housekeeping Schedule
Creating a Routine for Household Tasks Saves Time and Frustration
Sep 30, 2009
House work is never done. People continue to eat, change clothes and use up household supplies. Dust continues to settle on surfaces, carpets get muddied and windows become smudged and dirty. Organizing tasks into a manageable schedule will help fit housekeeping into a busy life.
Think of household tasks in terms of jobs that need to be done daily, weekly, monthly and annually. Follow this list for an organized household.
Daily Housekeeping Tasks
- Make sure clothes are in laundry hampers or put away where they belong
- Make beds.
- Neaten by putting away items that are out of place.
- Wipe down bathroom and kitchen sinks.
- Prepare meals and clean up after.
Housecleaning Tasks to be Done a Few Times a Week
- Sweep, mop or vacuum floors in high-use areas.
- Empty trash cans
- Laundry
- Mini-shop for food or household items.
Weekly House Cleaning Tasks
- Change bed sheets.
- Change bath towels.
- Vacuum rugs and carpets.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture and lampshades.
- Mop floors.
- Dust all flat surfaces.
- Wipe/disinfect countertops, doorknobs telephones, remote controls and computer keyboards.
- Wipe kitchen appliances.
- Wipe and disinfect kitchen sink.
- Clean bathroom- toilets, sinks, showers.
- Do big weekly grocery shopping trip.
Monthly Household Cleaning
- Launder washable bedspreads and covers.
- Dust wood moldings and ceiling fans.
- Wipe fronts of kitchen cabinets.
- Wash mirrors.
- Dust miniblinds, other blinds and shades.
- Wipe fronts of kitchen cabinets.
- Clean microwave.
House Cleaning Tasks to be Done Every 3-6 months
- Wash curtains or vacuum drapes
- Launder mattress coverings and washable pillow coverings
- Wash or air out pillows.
- Wash windows.
- Clean and condition leather furniture.
- Wipe down baseboards.
- Clean inside of refrigerator.
Housecleaning Jobs to be Done Every 6-12 Months (Fall and/or Spring Cleaning)
- Clean the oven
- Scrub tile grout.
- Empty and clean all kitchen cabinets.
- Clean walls and ceilings.
- Empty and clean out pantry.
- Wash or dry clean all quilts, blankets and comforters.
- Wax furniture.
- Move and clean under heavy appliances.
- Professionally clean carpets.
- Wax furniture.
This list may appear overwhelming at first. Remember the basics which will make keeping an orderly house easier:
- Put away what you take out.
- Get everyone in the household involved in keeping things tidy.
- Choose a week-end in the fall and one in the spring to get the 6-12 month jobs done.
- Keep cleaning supplies in each bathroom and in the kitchen for easy access to wipes and sprays for mini-cleans.
The number of people and pets living in the house will impact how often household jobs will need to be done. Consider the household and create a schedule that fits best. Using a cleaning schedule creates a sense of well-being within the home because a safe and comfortable environment is the ultimate goal when it comes to good housekeeping.
Resources:
- Mendelson, Cheryl, Home Comforts, The Art and Science of Keeping Home, New York: Scribner, 1999.
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