Creating Calm : Daily Cleaning Schedule

Since the recent purchase of our new house, I really want to take good care of our place. At the same time, I don't have the time to clean our house from top to bottom every day... HECK, I can barely manage to get myself showered, dressed, with a packed lunch to work on time 5 days of the week!!

So, in an effort to make this the year of change, and get me more organized, and as Domestically-Wonderful as all my friends think I am, I decided to tackle house cleaning HEAD ON!!

Of course, since I have a fascination with making lists, and writing things down, I decided to make a few lists/charts:

1. List of all Rooms/Large Areas that need cleaning/organizing

2. List of tasks per room

3. rooms chart

4. list of what rooms were best suited to be cleaned on what days

I think the end result will work out perfectly! Here's how it breaks down:

Monday : Master Bed & Bath

~change linens; make bed

~remove all items that do not belong; clear and dust all surface tops

~fold and put away any laundry

~dust baseboards, blinds, lampshades and windowsills

~windex all windows, pictures and mirrors

~ clean toilet

~scrub shower

~ wipe down counters, cabinet fronts, switchplates, door knobs and sink

~ refill any toiletries (ex. handsoap, toilet paper, q-tips)

~ take out the trash

~organize one area per week (ex. 1 drawer; 1 shelf, etc.)

Tuesday : Guest Room & Bath; Linen Closet, Upstairs Hall

~ Change linens (if required); make bed

~ Dust all surface tops, blinds, baseboards and lampshades

~ update guest magazine basket with new issues

~ water plant

~ windex all windows, mirrors and pictures

~clean toilet

~ clean shower (if needed)

~ wipe down counters, sink, cabinet fronts, switchplates, door knobs,

~ empty garbage

~refill toiletries

~ organize one area per week (ex. closet/armoire/ cabinet, etc.)

~ Vaccum entire upstairs and hallway

~Wash floors in bathroom and master bath

Wednesday: Living/Dining/ Powder Room/Entry

~ Windex all windows, doors, pictures, glass tables and glass-front pictures

~ tidy up front hall closet

~ change up front hall display area (if needed; seasonal)

~ clean toilet

~wipe down countertops, sinks, switch plates, baseboards and door knobs

~ change out clean and dirty towels; send sofa throws to laundry

~ empty wastebaskets

~ refill toiletries

~ corrall all magazines into appropriate baskets

~ return all items that don't belong, to their appropriate rooms

~ vaccum sofa/loveseat cushions; arrange cushions

~ water plants

~ dust all surfaces and blinds

~swiffer main floor; wash floors

Thursday: Office

~attend to all incoming mail; pay bills; read correspondance; RSVP to invites; cut coupons, etc.

~file all paperwork

~ finish up any craft projects; put away all supplies

~file away any books, magazines, etc. that need to find homes

~empty trash

~clean up computer desktop

~ dust all surfaces, blinds and baseboards

~wipe down switchplates and door knobs

~vaccum

~windex windows and desk top

~**tackle one organization area /week (ex. drawer or shelf)

Friday : First Impressions - Front Porch, Deck, Patio

~ plant maintenance - watering, dead-heading, re-potting, etc.

~ sweep/hose down or shovel/scrape all areas; wipe down outdoor furniture

~ attend to any season decor issues/projects

Saturday : Kitchen, Powder Room

**if we have people over, I do a whole house tidy**

~ clear counters

~ wipe down all counters, sinks, knobs, handles, cabinet fronts, baseboards

~ do dishes/run dishwasher

~ clean fridge - throw out all expired foods; make grocery list

~ tackle one organization area per week ( ex. one drawer, or cupboard)

~clean powder room same as previous

Sunday : Garage & Car

~ take out all garbage and recycling

~ tidy up workbench/potting bench/craft space

~ put away/ take out any items from storage

~ sweep/hose down garage

~ empty all garbage from car

~ remove all items that do not belong

~ vaccum thoroughly (carpet cleaner if needed)

~ dust & use protectant on all leather/vinyl areas

~ windex all windows / mirrors

~ Febreeze upholstery and interior

~ re-stock all car supplies (ex. kleenex, wet wipes, etc.)

That's pretty much the base of it!! There's always stuff left off, or additional stuff I do as needed. Plus, there is a list of stuff I do monthly - but I think this list will keep me (and Cory) on track!!

photo from Real Simple