I imagine that I am much like other working moms where their home looks like a tornado hit it by the end of the day. No shame! We’re all in the same boat. I imagined that I would be one of those moms who could always keep her house clean no matter the number of children who live there. Over the years as both a wife and a mom, I’ve learned to give myself some grace and organization. Both go a long way in keeping my head straight and ensuring that my free time is not dominated by deep clean late nights. 

Balancing the demands of work, family, and household chores can be a challenging feat for any working mom. It’s okay for us to admit that – together. The quest for a clean and organized home might seem like an unattainable goal amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, with a well-structured cleaning routine (which I will help you with today), you can easily keep your house clean between your responsibilities and everything else life throws at you. In this article, I am going to show you how to keep a clean house with a simple and easy to use cleaning checklist. This cleaning checklist recommends what time to clean and helps you create a cleaning routine that doesn’t consume all of your energy and free time. No one wants to spend all of their time cleaning – so let’s get to it.

Busy Moms and Clean Homes: Is It Even Possible?!

It’s crucial to redefine the notion of a “clean home” in the context of a working mom’s reality. Perfection is not the objective; functionality and comfort are. If my home isn’t dusty but I happen to step on that single and last remaining leggo, that’s still a win. Remember what I said about grace for yourself earlier? Striving for a home that supports your family’s well-being should be the primary focus, not an infinite list of cleaning tasks. Acknowledge that there will be days when unexpected events or sheer exhaustion take precedence over cleaning tasks – and that’s perfectly okay.

Managing a household involves not just cleaning but also organizing and creating a nurturing environment. Prioritize tasks that contribute directly to the comfort and health of your family. Ensure that your living space is safe, free of clutter, and conducive to spending quality time together. By setting realistic expectations, you can relieve the pressure of achieving an unattainable standard of cleanliness.

How to Use Your Weekly Cleaning Schedule

A weekly cleaning schedule is the backbone of a well-maintained home. It serves as a roadmap that prevents tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. Here’s a more detailed look at how to effectively harness the power of your weekly cleaning schedule:

1. Strategize Your Time: Begin by evaluating your daily routine and identifying time slots dedicated to cleaning. Consider your family’s dynamics – perhaps there are windows of opportunity while the kids are at school or after they’ve gone to bed. Strive to find the balance that works for you.
2. Categorize Cleaning Tasks: Divide your cleaning tasks into categories: daily, weekly, and monthly. This categorization helps you allocate tasks more efficiently. Daily tasks encompass activities like making beds, quick tidying, and dishes. Weekly tasks could involve vacuuming, wiping surfaces, and laundry. Monthly tasks delve into deeper cleaning, such as washing windows, decluttering, and organizing closets.
3. Assign Tasks Strategically: Distribute tasks throughout the week to avoid overloading a single day. Designate specific days for specific tasks. For instance, dedicate Mondays to bathroom cleaning, Tuesdays to kitchen maintenance, and so on. This approach ensures that no area of your home is neglected.
4. Family Participation: Encourage your family to share the responsibility. Delegate age-appropriate tasks to your children, fostering a sense of ownership and teamwork. Involve your partner in the routine as well – the collective effort lightens your load and promotes a cooperative environment.
5. Utilize the Free Printable Cleaning Schedule: Our provided cleaning schedule template is a valuable tool. Print it out and fill in the days of the week alongside the assigned tasks. The satisfaction of checking off completed tasks can be surprisingly motivating.

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How to Pick Your Daily Cleaning Tasks vs. Your Weekly Cleaning Tasks vs. Your Monthly Cleaning Tasks

Now that you have this foundation, let’s talk about how to get you started with your own working mom cleaning schedule. This is a realistic cleaning schedule that I personally use myself. I don’t try to conquer the entire house in a day and let’s be honest.. I don’t even conquer the entire house in a week. What I focus on is the high traffic areas of the home that may require more attention than others. 

• Daily Cleaning Tasks: These tasks address immediate needs and prevent clutter from spiraling out of control.
  • Make the bed
  • Pick up clutter at the end of the day
  • Clean sink and counters
  • Take out trash as needed
• Weekly Cleaning Tasks: Weekly tasks dig deeper into the cleaning process. They cover activities that might not require daily attention but are essential nonetheless. Vacuuming and mopping floors, changing bed linens, cleaning appliances, and maintaining bathrooms fall into this category. Distribute these tasks across the week to ensure a balanced workload.
  • Change bed linens
  • Mop & vacuum each room 
  • Wipe down appliances
  • Clean toilet and showers
  • Dust surfaces
• Monthly Cleaning Tasks: Monthly tasks revolve around thorough cleaning and organization. These tasks prevent neglected areas from accumulating dirt and clutter over time. Deep-cleaning windows, decluttering storage spaces, and tackling neglected corners are part of this category. Allocate a weekend day each month to address these tasks systematically.
  • Clean fridge and microwave
  • Clean baseboards and windows
  • Deep clean kitchen including cabinets

This is a lightweight cleaning schedule designed to help you spend less time cleaning and more time with your kids or on your own well-being. Of course, no plan is perfect. If I see exploded oatmeal in the microwave, I won’t wait for the end of the month to address it. It’s pretty tough to get old, dry oatmeal out of the microwave. Another instance may be that you notice the sink full before it’s even dinner time. In these instances, use your discretion especially as it boosts your comfort in your home. When it comes to cleaning, no single schedule is perfect. Part of mom life is using your intuition to know what’s best. 

In conclusion, as a working mom, maintaining a clean and organized home is not only achievable but also essential for the well-being of your family. With a thoughtfully designed cleaning schedule that accommodates your routine, you can reduce time spent cleaning and create a nurturing environment that supports your family’s needs. Remember, adaptability is key – life is unpredictable, and there will be days when your schedule requires adjustment. There will also be times where you swap having a messy house for extra time with your kids. That’s okay! An organized home doesn’t beat a nurtured home. Embrace these moments as opportunities for growth and find comfort in the structure your cleaning schedule provides.

Incorporate the strategies outlined in this article, and don’t forget to download this cleaning schedule made especially for you. This tool will serve as your compass in navigating the balance between your roles as a dedicated working mom and a caretaker of a happy, healthy home. 

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