For the last few weeks, my goal has been to begin and establish a daily cleaning routine. I’m embarrassed to say that when I’m in school, I don’t clean regularly. Dishes and laundry got done, but I was lucky to vacuum once a month. Tasks like cleaning the bathroom or dusting were even more seldom (I know, I know… it’s disgusting). Starting a new cleaning routine for the first time since last summer seemed intimidating at the very least. Overwhelming is more like it. The sad thing is, I have an app with a PAID subscription with a cleaning list already on my phone. I’ve had it since January. It’s called Motivated Moms, and I love it. It’s a wonderful app. It even has an option for adding in a daily Bible reading plan. The funny thing is, once I got behind on my Bible reading plan, I stopped using the app completely! Isn’t it ridiculous that I stopped using my cleaning app because I fell behind in Bible reading?! Sometimes it’s sad the way the simplest things can throw off our entire routine.
The cleaning list in the app is broken into two main categories – daily and today. The “today” tasks rotate weekly/monthly, and they’re usually bigger tasks. You can add your own tasks as you need. My daily tasks include:
- Empty trash
- Feed pets
- Wipe out bathroom sinks
- Make beds
- Change kitchen dishcloths/towels
- Clear/wipe kitchen counters
- Dry/put away dishes
- Plan/cook dinner
- Sweep kitchen & entryway
- Wash dishes
- Do laundry
This past week, I decided this was the week to begin. I started with the goal of spending 30 minutes a day dedicated to housecleaning. Many SAH/WAH moms are able to do their daily cleaning tasks build into their regular schedules. I wanted to do the same, but since I work in the mornings, I decided to do my housecleaning as soon as I got home from work. As with all of my goals, my focus is on progress, not perfection.
MONDAY
Monday was the day I implemented this new routine. After going months without any semblance of regular cleaning, I severely underestimated how much work it would be to start out. I spent about an hour cleaning, instead of the 30 minute goal I had. I also had met my mom for lunch that day, so I didn’t get started until after I returned home. Here’s how my routine looked:
1:39pm – arrive home, sort mail, answer texts, open blinds
1:43pm – make bed, put away clean laundry, feed cats
1:49pm – put on music, put away clean dishes, wash dishes, clean kitchen sink, change kitchen towels
2:12pm – sweep kitchen & living room
2:21pm – rest
I didn’t even come close to finishing my cleaning list, but I decided that progress was better than nothing!
TUESDAY
On Tuesday, I had lunch with a friend, followed by running some errands. I didn’t arrive home until later in the afternoon. I still did my cleaning after I arrived home, but I was determined to finish my entire list. This time, I was able to accomplish the entire cleaning list in just under an hour!
3:07pm – arrive home, sort mail, open blinds, check social media, put on music
3:12pm – empty trash, wipe bathroom sink, (Spencer made the bed!)
3:15pm – put away clean dishes, wash dishes, wipe sink/counters
3:27pm – sweep kitchen & living room
3:34pm – rest to pet kitty (Pippin was whining)
3:36pm – pick up dirty clothes, return shoes to closet (done with daily tasks!)
3:38pm – clean out purse/wallet, dust ceiling fans, clean bathroom mirrors
3:48pm – sweep bedroom, vacuum rug
4:01pm – rest
WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, I came straight home from work, and I was RAVENOUS. It was also watering day, and we only have one sprinkler. So making/eating lunch and moving the sprinkler every 10-15 minutes lengthened the cleaning process by quite a bit.
12:18pm – arrive home, open blinds, start lunch, change into shorts, sort mail, start sprinkler
12:29pm – continue cooking lunch, put away clean dishes (cleaning up as I cook), move sprinkler
12:39pm – eat lunch while watching 15min of Doctor Who, move sprinkler 2x
12:59pm – wash dishes, change kitchen towels, declutter kitchen table & counters, wipe down kitchen surfaces, wipe sink, move sprinkler
1:17pm – make bed, wipe bathroom sink & front of shower door, feed cats, pick up laundry, put away sprinkler
1:23pm – sweep kitchen & living room, start a load of laundry
1:30pm – rest for a few minutes
1:37pm – clean shower (I only cleaned one wall because the shower is FILTHY and I was tired)
2:03pm – declutter top & front of fridge, dust top of fridge, dust bedroom
2:10pm – rest
THURSDAY
On Thursday, I had a lunch date with a friend at 1, so I wanted to get all of my daily tasks finished before she came to pick me up. I was in a frenzy to get things done as fast as possible. I did the rest of the “today” tasks after I arrived home.
12:26pm – sort mail, open blinds, put clean dishes away, wash dishes, pick up laundry, change kitchen towels, wipe kitchen & bathroom sinks, wipe down kitchen surfaces, set out beans to defrost for dinner
12:36pm – empty trashes, fold/put away 1 load laundry
12:43pm – sweep kitchen, living room, and bathroom
12:51pm – rest/lunch date
2:27pm – arrive home, open blinds, clean mop pad, mop kitchen, dust living room & all light fixtures
2:42pm – clean microwave & inside of fridge door
3:11pm – rest
FRIDAY
On Friday, I was exhausted when I came home from work. It was watering day again, so once I finished with that, I took a nap. I didn’t get everything on my list done for the day, but I’m proud of the work I accomplished.
12:35pm – arrive home, open blinds, sort mail, start sprinkler, put lunch in oven
12:37pm – pick up laundry & shoes, put away clean dishes, wash dishes, set stubborn dishes to soak, move sprinkler
12:49pm – change sheets, make bed, refill soap dispensers, move sprinkler
12:59pm – lunch, put away sprinkler, nap
4:08pm – sweep porch & walkway, feed cats
4:14pm – rest
Overall, I count this week of housecleaning as a success. I’m still working on my housecleaning tasks on a daily basis when I get home from work. The apartment looks a million times better than it did, even though it’s just little things that get done each day. It’s the little things that count.
an aspiring homemaker 