Create a Home Cleaning Schedule | 15 Important Things You Need to Do If You Have a Busy Life
Maintaining a house is a big job, especially when your life is packed with work, family, and social commitments. However, neglecting upkeep can lead to costly repairs and a stressful living environment. Creating a manageable home cleaning schedule can help you stay on top of essential tasks without overwhelming your busy lifestyle.
As a busy entrepreneur with a growing professional home organizing company, I know the importance of creating a sustainable home cleaning schedule and maintenance plan.
I also understand that not having a home cleaning schedule is ultimately going to make you feel like you’re drowning, not just at home, but in other areas of your life, too.
So, dive in to learn what you should include in your home cleaning schedule and maintenance plan and why having one is so important if you have a busy life. Having a daily cleaning routine is imperative!
Home Cleaning Scheduling Tips You Should Add To Your To Do List To Keep a Tidy Home if You Have a Busy Life
What a Home Cleaning Schedule Should Include
A comprehensive home maintenance guide is essential for ensuring your home remains safe, efficient and in good repair.
Here’s what it should include:
- Routine maintenance tasks: Conduct daily, weekly, monthly and annual chores such as cleaning, yard work and minor repairs.
- Seasonal checklist: Stay on top of specific tasks for each season, such as preparing for winter weather, spring cleaning, summer lawn care and fall gutter cleaning. Also, as a pro tip: weatherproofing your windows for the winter is also a good thing to do, as it can result in less heat loss when the temperatures drop in the colder months.
- Major systems and appliances: Inspect and maintain key systems like HVAC, plumbing, electrical and major appliances. Keep schedules handy so you know exactly when each service is due.
- Safety inspections: Regularly check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and security systems.
- Professional services: Have a schedule for professional roofing, HVAC and plumbing inspections. Write down contact information for trusted service providers so it’s easily accessible.
A Home Cleaning Schedule for Busy People
Quality and Durability
Keeping on top of tasks at regular intervals can significantly reduce the amount of work in the long run, ultimately saving you time. Addressing maintenance needs promptly and consistently prevents small issues from escalating into major problems or messes that require extensive work. This proactive approach can ensure a smooth-running household and free you from the stress and time demands of last-minute fixes, allowing you to enjoy your home more and spend less time on upkeep.
Daily Tasks
Daily tasks are essential for keeping your living space clean and orderly. These tasks include:
- 1. Resetting your kitchen: Wiping down kitchen counters and sinks to prevent grime buildup
- 2. Sweeping or vacuuming high-traffic areas to eliminate dirt and debris
- 3. Making beds and tidying up bedrooms for a neat environment
- 4. Taking out the trash to avoid odors and pests
Weekly Tasks
Dedicate one day a week — such as a Sunday morning — to completing all your weekly chores. This keeps your living environment well-maintained, eliminating the need for extensive cleaning and maintenance later.
Clean Bathrooms
If I’m being honest, cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite weekly task. But it’s important to thoroughly clean your toilets, sinks, mirrors, showers and tubs. Use disinfectants on all surfaces to kill germs and bacteria. To make this chore a bit more enjoyable, I have snagged a few finds to make it easier. I’ll share them below:
*This is a strong bristle brush I use to clean the faucets in the tub/shower and sink… also the crevices for the toilet.
I use the this spin brush to clean the tub so I don’t have to been and scrub and also my bathroom walls. Works great!
Vacuum and Mop Floors
Vacuum carpets and rugs and mop hard floors to keep them clean and dust- and allergen-free. Remember to vacuum high-traffic areas more frequently, as they’re more prone to dirt and germs.
If you have pets, you may have to vacuum or mop more often to keep their fur at bay. I have a shitzu/poodle mix (Bliss) and a boxer/pit mix (Bailey). As you’d imagine, Bliss does not shed, but Bailey girl sheds… bad. So I am typically sweeping or vacuuming every other day or so. I snagged this vacuum for Bailey specifically. It works great for her, and fortunately she doesn’t mind the sound, although it took her some time to get used to it.
And if you don’t need a pet vacuum for your pet, this is the very basic vacuum I use throughout my house that works fantastic!
Dust Surfaces and Furniture
Dust all surfaces, including shelves, picture frames, books and furniture, to prevent buildup that can contribute to allergies. Also, be mindful not to forget dusting under your bed and your ceiling fans. You may be surprised how much dust collects in those spaces too!
Change Bed Linens
Your bed linens collect dead skin cells and oils, making them a breeding ground for germs. Replace sheets and pillowcases weekly to ensure a clean and fresh sleep environment.
Water Indoor Plants
Water indoor plants as needed, typically once a week, to keep them healthy and thriving. Since moving into my house, I’ve become an OG plant mom and have about 40 plants and counting. One hack I’ve learned throughout my years are using watering globes. You fill the plant globe with water and the plant will consume what it needs when it needs it. That can mean you fill the globes every few days, weekly, biweekly. It all depends on the type of indoor plant you have.
If you’d prefer something more automated to make sure you’re taking care of your indoor plants, you can also opt in for an indoor automated plant waterer. This is not the exact one I use, but very close!
Mow the Lawn
Mow the lawn weekly during the growing season, which usually lasts until October, when fall starts, to maintain a neat and well-kept yard. Personally, I hire this service out to my neighbor. They come bi-weekly- so my grass gets a bit high during the growing season, but it all works out!
Monthly Tasks
Schedule one day a month for more tedious tasks, like inspecting plumbing and doing yard work, to ensure a well-functioning home.
Inspect Plumbing for Leaks and Drips
Check under sinks and around toilets for signs of leaks. Fixing small leaks promptly can prevent major water damage.
Clean Kitchen Appliances
Deep clean your microwave, oven, refrigerator and any other appliances. Remove spills or food residue to keep them functioning efficiently and prevent odors.
Maintain Your Lawn
Keeping your yard neat and tidy can boost your home’s curb appeal. Rake leaves and keep your trees and shrubs well-pruned. However, some maintenance and cleaning is seasonal. For instance, it’s best to relocate trees during early spring or late fall when trees are dormant, minimizing stress and protecting them during transplantation. This way, your trees can grow new roots quickly, ensuring your garden is in tip-top shape.
Clean or Replace HVAC Filters
Dirty filters reduce HVAC efficiency. It’s important to clean or replace them monthly to ensure good air quality and system performance.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s essential to test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace the batteries yearly. Press the test button on each detector to ensure they’re working.
Keep Your Home Running Smoothly
Creating a home cleaning schedule, as well as maintenance tailored to your busy life can keep your house in great shape without overwhelming you. Breaking down tasks helps you manage your home efficiently and enjoy a more organized, stress-free living environment.
This post is all about sharing a home cleaning scheduled and maintenance plan you can follow to fit into your busy lifestyle.
Here are a few blogs you may want to read next:
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DECLUTTER The Right Way! | 5 Tips To Declutter Like A Pro Organizer
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