Over the past year I have been looking for some sort of system when it comes to house cleaning to keep myself both organized and motivated. I tried rigid schedules in the past but needed something that had more freedom for flexibility. In comes my new house cleaning schedule cork board station.
It is divided up by days--Monday through Friday, each day being designated in blue. For each day I write down specific tasks for that day that are the same every week. For example, Mondays I am to start laundry and Wednesdays put out the trash.
Below each day is a pink card that represent weekly tasks. I split up all the things I would like to do within the week every week on yellow cards. That way I can move the cards around each week assigning the tasks on days I have the time to complete them.
The yellow cards are monthly tasks. These are things I would like to do once a month. If I do not have time to take care of any monthly tasks that week, they are pinned at the bottom for later. Once they are accomplished, they are put in the envelope to be pulled out again the following month.
The one white card is for daily tasks. It gets moved to the next day once completed each day.
To break everything down, here is what I have assigned to each of my cards:
Daily/White Card:
-Wipe down bathroom counter and toilets
-Make bed
-Tidy up house (put things away that got left out the following day, dishes, etc)
-Sweep kitchen floor
-Water backyard plants
My daily tasks are set for high hopes that I would accomplish them daily. But I actually end up only doing them a few times each week. Either way, by planning to do these daily, they get done much more than they were before.
Monday thru Friday/Blue Cards
Monday:
-Water indoor plants
-Start laundry
Wednesday:
-Put out trash
Weekly/Pink Cards
Split up amongst 3 cards
-Wipe down mirrors
-Wipe counters and table tops
-Wipe down kitchen
-Vacumn
-Dust
Monthly/Yellow Cards
Split up amongst 3 cards
-Sweep entryway
-Clean bathroom floors
-Clean bathtub and shower and wipe down window in shower
-Clean kitchen appliances
-Clean windows
-Wipe down baseboards
-Wipe down doors
Now there are plenty of other things I do around the house. Some get done without any accountability like emptying the dish washer or changing sheets. I do not need a reminder to get these things done. Other things that need to get done only a few times a year usually get attended to when I notice it needs attention--like cleaning ceiling fans or washing window treatments.
The point of this system is flexibility. If I have a busy week and do not look at the board, I do not get behind, I just start fresh each week. But by having a place with a list of things I would like to accomplish, I have an organized place to start from.
// Do you have a system for house cleaning? What has worked for you in keeping your house clean?
*****
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Oh my gosh, you are organized! Your house must be spotless! This is the extent of my housekeeping - Is the laundry basket overflowing? Then it's time to do laundry. Is there a ring around the toilet bowl? Probably time to clean it. ;o)
ReplyDeleteOh this is honestly brilliant! I am totally trying this idea! Its so easy for me to fall into a rut of tidying, and suddenly my house is trashed! Lucky you only sweeping the entry once a month! Our dogs make sweeping a once every 5 days-week task! But they are worth the extra work. Just found your blog through Michaela, will definitely be following!
ReplyDeleteI tried rigid schedules with daily tasks, but working full time and being a mom... well, it just wasn't getting done. I started doing a full clean on Wednesday afternoons (I get off work early, so after work but before I had to pick up the little one from school and do homework, etc.) and on Saturdays. Then I realized I hated cleaning all day on Saturdays since I'm usually working some on the weekends (I'm a news reporter) and trying to spend time with my family.
ReplyDeleteSooooo, I hired a housekeeper. Best choice ever! She's actually a family friend who is looking for extra income while she's in college. She comes once each week to wash sheets, clean bathrooms, vacuum area rugs and sweep the stone floors, wipe down windows, etc. It feels fantastic to come home on Friday afternoons to a nice clean home.
I still do dishes and laundry throughout the week, as well as take out trash, pick up toys and other things laying out each night, but she comes in and does some of the other stuff.
That's probably not what you were looking for in terms of how to keep up on housekeeping tasks...
I don't make a ton of money (newspapers aren't exactly thriving), but the housekeeping thing is worth every penny- Especially since I get to spend more time with my family!