Does this title sound a little dramatic. Can a cleaning routine really change your life? While creating this habit may not be earth-shattering, it can make your day-to-day life a lot easier. And isn't that what's most important? Being happier in those everyday moments.
So, YES!!!! A cleaning schedule can make a huge difference in your attitude, energy level and mood. After I adopted my own routine, I noticed that I actually cleaned less and my house was tidier and more kept-up than ever before. If you want the details on my cleaning routine along with a free printable checklist, visit this post.
So now that I promised you that a cleaning schedule will totally rock your world, let me explain why. There are some big benefits of keeping a weekly checklist.
1. You have ZERO Decisions to Make
If you are like me, you don't want to decide what to do every single day. It is draining to pick from the long list of chores. And the average person makes over 35,000 decisions daily. Wouldn't it be great to take one off the list? Having a daily cleaning schedule is like having a person there telling you exactly what to do and when to do it.
No guesswork or wasted energy trying to pick and choose what to do next. It's already decided for you!
2. You Avoid Cleaning Burnout
Have you ever had one of those marathon weekend days of cleaning the entire house from top to bottom? It is exhausting! Not to mention that you don't get to enjoy your day off with something you actually want to do. A cleaning schedule breaks up chores throughout the week.
You can avoid cleaning burnout by doing just a little bit every day. I don't know about you but I would prefer to clean for one hour a day rather than 8 hours a day!
3. You Don't Forget Anything
Have you ever looked down at your toilet and wondered the last time it was cleaned? Or maybe you've given the bed sheets a sniff test to see if they need to be washed. It can be hard to keep track of the last time a specific household chore was done. Keeping a routine ensures that everything major gets completed at least once a week.
You don't have to wonder if vacuuming is needed because you know exactly when it was last done. Now if you are like me, you can go a little wild and skip a whole week every once in awhile but that's a story for another day......
4. You Are Ready For Guests.... Whenever
There is nothing worse than having a friend stop by and being embarrassed by the dirty dishes in the sink. Or worse the dirty dishes spread throughout the house! One thing I really love about a cleaning routine is that my house is always "guest ready."
Now don't get me wrong, it isn't always spotless. That is a whole new level of cleaning that I have no interest in(at least while the kids are still at home). But, for the most part, my living areas are always pretty neat and tidy.
5. You Use Less Mental Energy
When you always have list of "things to do" running through your mind, it takes up a big chunk of mental energy. You are constantly asking yourself "When am I going to tackle that laundry?" Or "I just have to clean the bathrooms sometime this week. But when?"
If you have a scheduled date for each chore, you free your energy to focus on other things. You know when you are going to do each task so the need to ruminate over it disappears.
How do I start using a cleaning schedule?
The best way to start anything is to first research the system you want to use. When looking through options, consider what your schedule is like and how stringent your level of cleanliness. You also want to pick one that fits what chores you find most important.
Here are some cleaning checklists that I love:
1. Easiest Cleaning Schedule Ever l The Decluttering Queen
2. Cleaning Checklists for Daily, Weekly, Monthly Cleaning l Mom 4 Real
3. Down & Dirty Cleaning Schedule l The Spruce
4. Weekly Cleaning Checklist l Creative Home Keeper
5. Weekly Home Cleaning Schedule l A Simple Life Balance (Etsy)
You will also want to decide if you'd like a daily, weekly or monthly schedule. I prefer schedules that list different tasks for each day of the week. That way I know exactly what I am doing on Monday, Tuesday, etc.
The secret is to get started.
The most necessary step is to actually get started. Procrastination is the thief of joy. Putting off using a cleaning schedule will only make your house more messy and you more stressed out. So just pick a day and get going. Print out whatever you need. Post it to the fridge if you must. And stick to it!
Are ready to make cleaning easier than ever before? Are you ready to have a tidier home with less effort? If so, get started today!
Share the first day of the your new schedule on our Facebook community. I loving seeing others take control of the household.
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