This post is part of the Creating a Homekeeping Book Series
I said I would share my cleaning plan, and I will. First, though, I should say that there are lots of great systems out there, I am only sharing mine because maybe somewhere there is another mom who has the same kind of brain as me and will find this useful.
Also, a confession: I am great at coming up with systems, not so great at keeping up with them. Some weeks, my cleaning plan sits collecting dust while I attend to other things. However, when I do buckle down, this is the easiest way I’ve found of doing things. I’ve taken suggestions from several books and websites and made a plan that works for me.
It is slightly embarrassing to admit that I need this list! I am just not a natural housekeeper, which seems so unladylike! Yet, it is better to just face it already and do what I have to do to keep up. This is what I have to do to keep up.
My cleaning schedule has three sections, Daily (things I need to do each morning and evening), Weekly, and Declutter.
Here’s a week’s sample.
Daily:
Morning:
Laundry
Make bed (Yes, I need a reminder still)
Empty dishwasher
Go over priorities for day
Any evening chores not done
Evening:
Wipe down counters/toilets in bathrooms
Dishes/Counters/Kitchen table/Stove
Vacuum kitchen
Put away toys, mail, etc.
Dining room table cleared and cleaned
Go over lesson plans for next day
Weekly:
Monday: Living room
Tuesday: Kitchen
Wednesday: Bathroom/Bedroom/Closet
Thursday: Errands
Fridays: School area/Clean out purse and car/Plan school week
Saturday: Catch up on any chores not done
I try to spend an hour or so every day on weekly chores. It hardly ever happens, so oftentimes I am doing all my catching up on Saturdays. For each weekly area, I actually have a checklist with details for each room. (Such as, vacuum, dust, scrub shower, etc.) You would think after ten years in the same house I wouldn’t need it, but I actually still use this list.
Declutter:
Monday: Video cabinet
Tuesday: Pantry
Wednesday: Bathroom cabinet
Friday: Binders
When making my schedules, I added all the little areas that need regular de-cluttering. They repeat about every two months. I have 18 cleaning weeks, to coincide with my menu plans. This way, whatever week I am on, it is all there in my little binder: Menus, grocery lists, and cleaning schedules.
Tomorrow or Monday, I’ll share about making a homekeeping book for your daughters.
Read the complete series:
Homekeeping Book
Menu Planning: Part 1
Menu Planning Part 2
Shopping Lists, your Key to freedom
A Cleaning Plan for the Housekeeping challenged
Mini-Homekeeping Book for Girls
You should teach special ed teachers how to teach. You cover every contingency–with clear, reasonable directives. The visualization of your days must help so much.
Lol! I agree. My son has had some that seemed afflicted themselves. The layout of details here is so helpful without being overwhelming. I created a schedule recently and posted it on the kitchen wall. Some days I follow it.
My husband and I own a business, so it is critical that I hold things down at home, but often the things hold me down. Prayer is really helpful. I also found some great Christian rap music, which is nice because the music is so energizing.
- Monica
May I say..HOLY COW with the lists!
They are so complete and clear and organized and diligent . I am amazed. And wowed. I could never be such a list maker or follower but, I can use a few of your ideas and start making my days a little more organized from your posts.
You would be a good teacher to adults as well as your kids.
Maybe you could post a few scanned pictures of your lists as examples or something.
Good Job Angela!
Mom, thanks…I think
Joy-
I will try to get some examples up. Lists rule!
I’m seriously copying/tweaking your list right now! I seriously need to do this. I can’t even find the crib at this point!
why not one for daughters AND sons? my boys do dishes, laundry and clean things too
Lauren´s last blog ..done
WOW! you are my hero! I am a list person to but never applied the idea to my daily life. I considered this before happening across your blog and planned out a monthly menu for my family but I did not think out everything like I usually do. Trust me you are a life saver with 4 little ones I did not think I had the time (unless I stayed up until early mourning hours, between feedings and slept through schooling the others.) I have been doing one step at a time and the older girls will have their own book pretty soon, they are looking forward to it! You are truly GOD sent for a mom of 4 + 4 thanks!!!
Ha – we’re birds of a feather, we are!!
I love coming up with systems and lists as well!!
I also try to break down my cleaning into little bits over the week so I don’t have to do it all in one shot.
~h
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe´s last blog ..Sending out an SOS