Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to tackle the household chores? Dishes pile up, laundry overflows and dust bunnies seem to multiply overnight.
But what if we told you that maintaining a clean home, even with a busy schedule, is absolutely achievable?
The secret: setting up a habitual cleaning schedule based on daily cleaning, weekly cleaning and monthly cleaning tasks.
If you’re like any busy working adult, you know your time is precious; but so is your home cleanliness and health! Dedicating just a bit of time each day and focusing on specific areas by time and importance helps you conquer the chaos and enjoy the benefits of a clean environment, including:
- Improved mental clarity
- Reduced stress
- Better sleep quality
- Improved physical health
Let’s break down how to set up an efficient cleaning schedule at home!
Setting A Cleaning Schedule
The secret to a clean home even with a busy schedule is breaking down cleaning into bite-sized chunks. This means separating your tasks from household chores from cleaning tasks that require more effort and time and organising them according to a set schedule.
Setting a cleaning schedule helps you to stay on top of your home cleanliness and ensures that you’re creating good cleaning habits to keep your home pristine. If you have multiple members in your household, delegating daily chores to them will make it even easier to get tasks done.
Let’s go into how to separate different cleaning tasks by effort and time.
Daily Cleaning Tasks
These are the tasks that need to be done consistently every day. Daily chores, while they may seem small, are key to keeping areas which you constantly interact with clean and to provide you with peace of mind.
Let’s explore some daily cleaning habits you can easily incorporate into your routine for a cleaner and more organised home:
Make the Bed
It might seem small, but starting your day with a made bed sets the tone for a tidier environment. Plus, it only takes a minute or two!
Wash Dishes
Train yourself to wash dishes after every meal or at the end of the day. This prevents dishes from piling up and ensures they're always clean and ready to use.
One-Load Laundry Rule
If you live in a larger household, consider doing a single load of laundry every day. This keeps laundry from overflowing and ensures you always have clean clothes on hand.
10-Minute Declutter Session
Dedicate 10 minutes each day to decluttering a specific area. Pick a drawer, a shelf, a desk, or a corner and discard anything unused or unwanted. This small daily purge prevents clutter from getting out of control.
Wipe Down Kitchen Counters
After meals, take a minute to wipe down any spills or crumbs on your kitchen counters. This prevents food stains from attracting bacteria and pests from invading your home while keeping your kitchen and dining table looking fresh.
Remember, consistency is key! Performing daily cleaning will prevent small messes from snowballing and make your cleaning schedule even easier to follow in the long run.
After some time, you will start to notice yourself building up consistent daily cleaning habits and it will feel more effortless to complete.
Weekly Cleaning Tasks
While daily habits lay the foundation for a clean home, some tasks require a bit more effort.
This is where weekly cleaning chores come in. Dedicating a specific amount of time each day of the week to tackle these tasks can keep your home feeling fresh without getting overwhelmed.
Here’s an example of a weekly cleaning schedule you can adapt to your needs:
MONDAY
Dusting Day Target surfaces like shelves, furniture, electronics and ceiling fans. Dusting not only keeps your home looking polished but also helps reduce allergens in the air.
TUESDAY
Floor Cleaning Conquer the dust, dirt and crumbs with vacuuming or mopping, depending on your floor type. Pay close attention to high-traffic areas like entrances and hallways.
WEDNESDAY
Bathroom Brush-Ups Deep clean your bathrooms, focusing on sanitising surfaces like toilets, sinks and shower areas. Don't forget to tackle mirrors, faucets and tile for a sparkling finish.
THURSDAY
Wiping Down Kitchen Appliances Give your stovetop, microwave and refrigerator a quick wipedown to remove any spills or splatters. This prevents grime buildup and keeps your kitchen appliances looking clean.
FRIDAY
Freshen Up the Cloths Replace your hand towels, bath towels and bath mats with fresh linens. Wash the dirty towels and mats to ensure a clean and hygienic bathroom environment.
Some other key areas for weekly cleaning can also include:
Empty the Trash This might seem obvious, but designate a specific day to empty all the trash cans in your home, including the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. We recommend doing so before the day your trash gets picked up by the garbage collectors.
Window Washing
Dedicate time to cleaning your windows. Wipe down the glass, dust window sills and remove any cobwebs from around the frames. Clean windows not only allow more natural light into your home but also improve the overall aesthetic.
Tidy Up Electronics
Dust and wipe down your electronic devices like TVs, computers and game consoles. This not only keeps them looking sharp but also helps prevent overheating.
Since each household is different, you will need to figure out which areas in your home may require more attention or care in your cleaning schedule. Generally, weekly cleaning tasks will differ from daily cleaning by frequency, how much time it takes and how dirty it gets.
As long as you can make daily and weekly cleaning a habit, keeping your home clean and hygienic is a cinch.
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
While daily and weekly tasks tackle the surface-level cleaning, monthly cleaning dives into the deep cleaning side to ensure a truly sanitised and fresh-feeling home. Although these areas don’t require as much consistent work, they have a surprisingly large impact on your stay-at-home health and lifestyle.
Here’s where you can focus on those often-neglected areas that require a bit more effort and attention:
Aircon Cleaning
Regularly clean surface filters and consider professional aircon cleaning services annually for deeper cleaning and improved air quality.
Kitchen Hood Cleaning
Degrease your kitchen hood and soak filters for a thorough clean. Consider professional kitchen hood cleaning services to help with stubborn grease or hard-to-reach areas to prevent fire hazards.
Sink Scrub
Disinfect your kitchen sink to eliminate bacteria and scrub the disposal blades (if applicable) for a fresh-smelling drain.
Mattress Cleaning
Invest in a mattress cleaner vacuum to remove dust mites, allergens and dead skin cells, following the manufacturer’s instructions for a cleaner sleep environment.
Fridge Purge
Wipe down your fridge, toss expired items and organise for better storage and easier access. Bonus: prevents food waste!
Upholstery Refresh
Vacuum furniture, upholstery and curtains to remove dust, pet hair and allergens, focusing on high-use areas.
Vacuum TLC
Empty the dustbin and clean or replace the filter regularly to keep your vacuum cleaner performing optimally.
Use a cleaning solution designed for washing machines to remove built-up detergent residue and mildew, following product instructions.
Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth or vinegar solution to remove splatters and loosen grime. Utilise the steam function for stubborn stains.
Seems like a daunting task? While it may be a little tough to maintain these cleaning routines, there are ways to simplify them!
Check out our top cleaning hacks and tips that you can use.
Cleaning Hacks
Even with a solid cleaning routine, there are always ways to be more efficient.
Here are some cleaning hacks you can use to help you free up even more precious time in your busy schedule:
Embrace Technology
Invest in tools like robot vacuums that can keep your floors clean while you’re tackling other tasks.
Delegate Tasks
If you share your living space with others, delegate cleaning responsibilities. Create a household chores chart or rotate tasks to spread the workload and make cleaning a team effort.
One-Wipe Policy
When wiping down surfaces, use the same wipe for the entire area as long as it’s not visibly dirty. This reduces waste and saves time.
Make Use of Leftovers
Repurpose leftover citrus peels for cleaning surfaces or eliminating garbage disposal odours. Coffee grounds can be used to deodorise carpets or as an abrasive scrub.
Laundry Basket Trick
Line your laundry basket with a pillowcase. When the laundry is full, simply pull out the pillowcase and toss it in the wash with the clothes, eliminating the need to transfer them!
White Vinegar Wonder
White vinegar is a cheap and effective natural cleaning solution for most cases. Use it diluted with water for cleaning windows, countertops and even stainless steel appliances.
House Cleaning Services
Hiring a professional cleaning service like WonderKlean saves you the most time and effort when it comes to deep cleaning key areas in your home. Plus, professional cleaners have already been trained to complete the process quickly and efficiently to keep your home running smoothly!
Stay On Top of Your Cleaning Schedule
Maintaining a clean home doesn’t have to be a time-consuming burden. By following these tips and creating a cleaning schedule that works for you, you can achieve a clean and healthy environment without sacrificing your precious time.
Remember:
- Break it down – Divide cleaning into manageable daily, weekly and monthly tasks.
- Focus on consistency – Small habits done regularly make a big difference.
- Embrace efficiency – Utilise time-saving hacks and cleaning tools.
If you require professional house cleaning for some difficult areas in your home, consider WonderKlean’s award-winning deep cleaning services. Our trained CUCKOO+ service team will ensure that your home continues to be in the best condition even throughout your busy schedule.
Book an appointment now!
