Tired of cleaning on your weekends? Feel like you can never stay on top of all of the tasks that need to get done to have a clean house?
If you want a clean home but also have a busy life, this is the perfect solution for you! This weekly cleaning schedule will help you get your house cleaned up without all of the stress and hassle.
You can use this ultimate cleaning checklist to plan out exactly which areas of your home need attention on what days. No more stressing over whether or not you’ll be able to keep up with daily cleaning tasks — just follow this easy guide, and it will be done in no time! Download it here…
By breaking your cleaning routine down into chores to do every day and every week, you won’t be overwhelmed by looking at a long list of monthly jobs!
Why a Clean Home is Good For You
A clean house is a healthy, happy home – without the clutter and grime, you will feel more inspired and at ease. Plus, people (including yourself!) tend to breathe easier when they aren’t living among dusty old items all of the time.
Keep in mind that staying on top of keeping your home clean doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can actually be a lot of fun! This is especially true if you try to incorporate kids into the process. A study from UC Riverside found that children are more likely to get enjoyment from cleaning when it’s a family activity — not something done by Mom alone.
If your kids are old enough (or mature enough) for chores, make cleaning everyone’s favorite activity by making it fun! Whether it’s using hula hoops or other fun items to clean cobwebs in the corners of your ceiling, or turning vacuuming into an obstacle course, you’ll feel like you’re playing instead of working.
Or set a timer for 20 minutes, blast everyone’s favorite music and clean a specific spot or a couple of areas. Make even the most mundane tasks a bit more fun with music (and a positive attitude!) — it can go a long way.
A clean house can keep you happier, healthier, and more productive, so it is an investment worth making.
Weekly Cleaning Check List
Daily Cleaning Tasks
Clean Up After Meals
Wash dishes and put them away every day before going to bed. It’s so tempting to wait until morning to do it, but it’s best to just get through it all at once and be done with it.
Wipe down every kitchen counter and surface. I have a rule that I never go to bed with a messy kitchen. It’s the best way to start the day and makes my mornings much more peaceful!
Make Your Bed
Make your bed. Every. Single. Day. It’s so important to make this part of your routine! I recently read a survey that said 71% of people who made their bed considered themselves happy.
Wash One Load
Wash one load of laundry a day. Even if it is a load of towels! This will keep your home running smoothly!
This is especially important when you have kids because it’s so easy to get behind and spend all day Saturday washing, drying, folding and putting away clothes.
15 Minute Clutter Pick Up
Set a timer for 15 minutes and clean up any clutter you see. Put kid toys back in the toy box, throw blankets back on the blanket ladder and books back on the shelf. Breaking it into small chunks of time makes it more manageable.
15 minutes a day will prevent you from spending 4 hours at once to get your home back in order.
Monday – Floors + Dust
Sweep/Vacuum Every Room
Vacuum the entire house, making sure to focus on corners and edges — like behind couches and under beds. Clean up any dirt or pet hair that is left after vacuuming.
You can sweep the kitchen and bathroom floors with a broom or dust mop, but make sure to vacuum all of the other rooms. Concentrate on common area floors to make sure dirt doesn’t build up in the most-used areas.
Dust Every Room
Fun fact – most people think you should dust before vacuuming, but it’s actually the other way around! Vacuuming and sweeping can cause dust to fly up in the air and land on shelves, etc.
Use a feather duster to dust the knick-knacks on your shelves, dresser, fireplace mantle, etc. Wipe any furniture (particularly wood) with a microfiber cloth.
You can also use the feather duster to dust flat-screen TV screens and computer monitors. Wash baseboards, windowsills, frames on art or pictures hung on the walls, etc.
Tuesday – Bedroom
Clean Bedroom
Clear the clutter! Tidy up drawers and closets, putting away any clothes that need to be put away, and putting dirty clothes in the laundry hamper.
*Find tons of great laundry hamper ideas here!
Clean up bedside stands and drawers.
Wash and Change Sheets
Wash all of the sheets on your bed. Launder them in a warm water cycle with detergent (use half as much detergent as you normally would for just one load).
Flip and rotate mattresses every six months to prevent odor build-up. Change pillows, mattress pads, comforters, etc. twice a year.
Wednesday – Kitchen and Dining Room
Clean Stovetop
Use a wet sponge or cleanser to clean the stovetop (again, make sure to be careful around electrical cords!). Clean all of your kitchen appliances — including microwaves, ovens, refrigerators, etc.
Wipe Cabinets and Countertops
Wipe down your kitchen cabinets and the tops of your kitchen counters with a disinfectant wipe. Make sure to wipe down the butcher block as well.
Clean Out Your Fridge!
This one is important so you don’t end up with an unknown moldy food item in the back of your fridge. Do it weekly so it doesn’t become a huge headache. I like doing it mid week so I know what I have going in to the weekend, and it can help me plan out weekend meals and jumpstart meal planning for the following week.
Wipe Down Chairs and Tables
Do a quick clean of all of the furniture in your dining room and kitchen. Wipe chairs from top to bottom and do the same with your table.
Clear the Clutter
Something you’ll always hear me say is clear the clutter! Your house will feel so much cleaner when there’s not piles of messes everywhere.
Straighten up any clutter on the countertops, shelves, or elsewhere in your kitchen.
Take Out Garbage
There’s a good chance you won’t need to actually do this on this day. However, it is important to wipe down your trash cans and the area around your trash can.
Remove the bin from its spot and wipe out the base of your garbage can and surrounding areas before putting the cans back again.
Thursday – Bathrooms
Clean your bathrooms before the weekend starts, especially in case you have guests coming over!
Clean Tub, Shower & Sink
Spray the tub, shower stall and sink with a cleaner like Tilex or Scrub Free – let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub away any stains or mildew.
Clean Toilet
Clean the toilet by giving it two quick swishes with your toilet brush. Wipe down the counter and mirrors.
Refill Toiletries
Refill your toiletries – hand soap, cotton balls, q-tips etc. We have containers of floss out for our kids that I will refill weekly for them. And always have a new roll of toilet paper in arms length for easy refilling!
Friday – Entryway & Living Room
Sweep or Vacuum Front and Back Door
Sweep or vacuum the front and back door. Yes, you did this once already, but they can get dirty extra quick! Wipe your doormat down with a disinfectant wipe.
Clear the Clutter
Here it is again! Clear the clutter! Straighten up any clutter in these rooms – throw away old mail, organize any kid toys, etc.
Put Things Back
If there’s anything out of place, now is the time to put things back to where they belong! Return shoes/coats to their proper spot. Put magazines and books away.
Saturday & Sunday
Other areas as needed.
If you have pets, clean up the pet area. If you have kids, clean up the playroom.
Wipe down your laundry area.
Wipe down the inside of your car.
If you missed a day during the week, do those tasks on the weekend.
I truly try to spend my Saturdays not deep cleaning but focusing on other tasks or bigger projects (like decorating a room or organizing a closet). The reason we clean throughout the week is so you don’t have to spend your weekends doing it!
DOWNLOAD YOUR WEEKLY CLEANING CHECKLIST HERE!
How to customize your cleaning schedule so you’ll stick to it.
Don’t feel like you need to do this weekly cleaning schedule exactly! Edit and change things to make it work for you.
- Add or remove tasks that matter to you
- Prioritize tasks
- Find the time that works for you (is it morning? right before bed? you choose!)
- Break up large tasks into smaller ones
- Use a timer to help you work faster and stay on track
How to set yourself up for success.
Some ideas include:
- Print out this cleaning schedule, laminate it and put it on your fridge!
- Get the right supplies
- Don’t expect it to be perfect — if you miss a day or only finish half a task, don’t stress!
- Re-evaluate if it’s working at the end of each month or quarter
- Don’t over-think it! There are only 7 days in a week, and there are only 24 hours in a day. You can do this!
- Reward yourself for each task you complete (it can be small or big)
- Schedule your tasks on a calendar and stick to it!
I hope this weekly cleaning schedule takes away the overwhelm and stress that can come with wanting a clean house but feeling like you can’t achieve it.
Slowly these every day tasks will become habit and you’ll love having a weekend to play and relax instead of having to deep clean!
If you want even more tips, check out these 14 secrets for always having a clean house to make your cleaning even better! Or get started on organizing your home with these genius hacks, home office tips, or entryway ideas.