How do you stay on top of what needs to be done? It’s a very reasonable question.
In our house, we use a weekly chore schedule to keep our house clean.
Home-Ec101.com gets many requests for help figuring out how to get and keep a house clean. There’s no big secret here; it’s just a matter of dividing the chores into manageable chunks. That’s what this system does.
Please keep in mind that there are seasons in your life when keeping your house clean will be harder than others (when someone is ill, when there are children three and under, etc.).
After the link to the printable, keep reading for a thorough explanation of how the system works and tips for how you can modify it to work for you and your home.
We also offer The Deep Clean Cycle – a weekly cleaning challenge sent to your inbox on Saturday morning. It started as a Spring Cleaning Challenge, but now it’s an ongoing challenge that you can restart after completion by hitting rinse and repeat. It’s a great way to keep your house in order.
Each day has one major chore and a minor chore to keep the routine simple, and then five daily tasks that keep your house from spiraling out of control.
The more people you have in your household, the more hands you have to help. You should not carry the full load if it’s just you and a partner. If you live in the house, you contribute to the workload, so you should share the burden of keeping the home livable.
Click either image for the version of the chore chart you prefer. (If you are looking for the old version, it’s at the bottom of this post).
Singles and couples who live in average-sized homes will find the chores go quickly (and more smoothly when labor is fairly divided). Unfortunately, it’s the nature of the beast, but families with young children will find routine chores take a little more time. Get in the habit of picking up when changing activities. Use that song, “Clean up, clean up, everyone do your part…”
While it is really difficult in the beginning, try to remember that effort spent teaching young kids to be helpful will pay off as they develop the skills to be a real help. Invest the time and then, when they are older, enjoy reading a book while they do the dishes after dinner. It is AWESOME and worth every ounce of frustration I felt in the beginning.
Clutter makes cleaning hard.
Transparency: When I stick to my own advice, this routine keeps the house company ready with 15 minutes warning. When I don’t, a little lot more preparation is needed.
Weekly Chore Schedule
Monday –
I do laundry throughout the week, but Mondays are the day to tackle the big items, such as sheets and bedding. Sheets are done every Monday, and all blankets, mattress pads, and pillow casings are washed on the first Monday of the month.
This is also the day to put away all the laundry that seems to linger in the area I have set aside for folding. If any ironing, hand washing, or clothing repair is needed, this is the day for it.
Monday’s minor chore is a quick kitchen wipe-down.
All surfaces in the kitchen get a quick wipe for fingerprints and crumbs. The fridge is checked for science projects or items that need to be used quickly.
Tuesday-
Today’s main chore is tackling the floors. This is the day for mopping and thorough vacuuming. During the week, I sweep, spot-mop spills, and vacuum the middle of the main rooms. My household also has three six kids and two dogs running in and out, tracking in dirt. In my household, at least minimal daily upkeep is a must.
If you are single or have no children, you can probably rotate which room gets the deep floor cleaning.
The rule of thumb for carpeted rooms with high traffic (family rooms and hallways, for example) is to vacuum once a week + one additional time for each household member.
A household of two should need to vacuum the high traffic areas twice a week. Large pets should be counted as people. The frequent vacuuming keeps dirt from destroying the carpet fibers. I don’t think the carpet manufacturers kept very large families in mind because there has to be a point of diminishing returns. (We do not vacuum ten times a week, even though we are all home all week, we have decided that we will buy new carpet in a couple of years — our sanity is worth that.)
A quick list of posts on cleaning different flooring:
Tuesday’s minor chore is a 15-minute pick up and wipe down.
Misplaced items are rounded up, and smudges and smears are wiped away. (Dog nose prints, kid fingerprints on switch plates, etc.)
Wednesday –
Errand day.
This is the day to hit the post office, make doctor’s appointments, refill prescriptions, and grocery shop. (And make all those phone calls, too) Since I spend a lot of time in the car, I also clean that out, filing receipts and mileage as necessary.
Wednesday’s minor chore is car and entryway clean-up. Clear out the trash and vacuum the car if needed. Also, enter the home as though you are a guest and make sure the entryway is clean.
Thursday –
Bathrooms in busy households should get at least a quick daily wipe down of the sink and toilet. With the daily wipe down, a bathroom deep clean goes quickly. If your home has more than one bathroom, alternate which gets the deep clean, but make sure whatever bathroom guests use gets a quick cleaning.
Here’s an unabridged post on How to Clean a Bathroom.
If a household is large enough to have a bathroom for children, from school age on, they should be in charge (with supervision) of that bathroom’s maintenance. It won’t kill a kid to wield a toilet scrubber, and if they have to clean up what they dribble, boys quickly develop better aim.
Thursday’s minor chore is a quick budget check-in. Make sure no bills need to be paid and that your checking account balance is where you expect it to be.
Friday-
It’s time for a deep kitchen cleanup. Remember, though, this post is on Spring cleaning in the kitchen; a weekly clean up doesn’t need to be THAT thorough. The kitchen stove, counters, and sink get a quick wipe down after each meal, which helps Friday’s chore go quickly.
Friday’s minor chore is dusting; rotate which room receives the focus. In non-smoking homes, a quick weekly dusting should be all needed unless there are many pets or tchotchkes. The more stuff you own, the more it must be cared for, don’t be scared to get rid of items you don’t love.
Saturday-
Project day covers everything from yard maintenance to room painting. We don’t spend every Saturday doing these things. Many Saturdays are family or friends’ days. (2020-2021 update – don’t you remember hanging out with friends? I sure do, and miss it badly.)
Sunday –
The big chore is preparing for the week ahead. Find all the library books or movies that need to be returned. Pack bookbags or briefcases, menu plan, and find missing keys or shoes. Look at the calendar and get a sense of what’s coming this week.
Are there days that will be too busy to cook? Plan foods to grab and go.
Are there meetings or school pictures that require nice clothing? (2020-21 update, at least Zoom meetings only require nice tops)
Figuring it out now prevents panic the night before—or worse, the morning of.
Doing these things helps keep the budget on track and prevents Monday morning from being a big hassle.
Every day:
Set a timer and put things away for ten minutes. If you have a kid, spouse, or roommate, get them involved.
Need help with dividing up chores? Here’s a suggestion for dividing the labor fairly.
Printable Chore Chart
Heather:
Thanks for visiting my site, and for recommending yours! This is really helpful. I feel weird, at thirty-six, just learning how to keep house, but I clearly need some sort of system. You've got a lot of great stuff here. I'll be back for sure!
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Hilary,
I'm exactly the same age as you are, and I'm still trying to find a system that works consistently for me!
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I can see that you have developed an excellent plan for keeping up with housework! I just found your site, and I can already tell that I'll be spending more time here in the future. 🙂
need write up about elementary work chores for a week
I like the way you have divided your chores across the week. In particular, I appreciate your suggestion to include others, such as children, in the household chores. It's good for children to understand that everyone must contribute to the upkeep of the house. Similar to your list for yourself, young children may benefit by having a similar list customized for their responsibilities. Each chore may even need sub-chores to help a child tackle a big action item. Thanks for your post!
Thanks for this list! I just found your site and love it! I am organizationally challenged but try my hardest to make it work. I am printing this list off and hanging in my house so that I can have it all the time to remind me!
I love your site and I want to love this chore list, but I don't know how to make it work for our family. We have a 6 month old, a toddler, and two hairy cats. I work part time and have two days during the week to do chores. Can you suggest a 4 day chore chart and/or how to get chores done with two young children. We can manage to pick up clutter, keep up with the laundry, and make home cooked meals. I do spot cleaning of the floors, bathrooms and kitchen when necessary but have a hard time fitting in bathrooms and deep cleaning. Suggestions?
Hi Amy, you certainly aren't alone with a lot of calls on your time. The quick answer is wipe key points of the bathroom each day, Toilet after its first use in the morning, squeegee the shower or wipe out the tub after its use, wipe the sink before bed instead of letting the toothpaste harden. 90 seconds – 2 minutes daily prevent the need for an intensive clean on its assigned day.
A few other things are daily, transporting laundry to the laundry room, putting away folded items, making the bed, doing the dishes, etc.
I'll address this further on Wednesday of next week.
I am really glad I've found your site. I am 15 weeks pregnant and just now getting over the 1st trimester tiredness. I have let the dishes, laundry and dust pile up in the the last 6-8 weeks. Yes, it is that bad!!! Anyway, yesterday I conquered the dishes and today and I am not going to bed untill the laundry is done. I work 7-3:30pm, and I have used working and being pregnant for being lazy. I am using your tips and biting off a little at a time so I can be back to square one. Thank you again. 🙂
Wow. This site is awesome. I just recently became a stay-at-home mom, so in my eyes, keeping the house up is now my "job" since my husband is the one bringing in the moolah. After working for so long, and sharing the chores, it's hard for me to find a rhythm that works. I'll def be giving this regime a go! Thanks!
Love the list! I've been wanting something like this since I'm heading back to work full time and I always find that a big adjustment.
I noticed there was no minor job on Thursdays, but since I had glass cleaner in my hand…I did a quick wipe-down of all the windows.
Thanks for all of the deep clean links too!
I have had such a crazy busy spring and fall, and I'm just tired enough of things falling apart around here that I'm motivated to put a new plan into place! I came across this post at just the right time and can't wait to give it a shot and get back on top of things. My problem is that I hate cleaning, but love cooking and blogging, so those always win. 🙂
Thanks for your help!
Kelly
When my children were little, we had a chore notebook, with detailed instructions, for each room, behind a sheet protector. There were always little things that even a young child could help you do all around the house.
Love the list. ~Heidi
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I have 2 children and my oldest son is ADHD. I find it's more stressful assigning him to do a chore than it is to take on the whole load myself! He can't retain even the simplest instructions and becomes distracted every 10 seconds, therefore, prolonging something that would take me less than a minute to do myself. I end up constantly repeating myself and nagging him to stay on task.
I LOVE your idea of the chore notebook! This is the perfect way for him to contribute to our household and gain some independence!
It;s great that you have scheduled you household chores… at least you know what to do to make your house clean and well arrange…
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This is perfect for my NY's resolutions!
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Thanks SO much for visiting my blog. I love yours and have it bookmarked. Once I'm a SAHM I'll be using it for sure, you have great recipes!
I'm now 20 weeks along, just behind on getting the photos posted! Bedrest is over and the baby is doing great!
I have learnt a lot today and make me knowledgable.thank you.
I love your website! Just recently got your Kindle version of your book, too. Lots of wonderful suggestions. Your cleaning schedule is suiting me great, too. The graphics and style of your website and book are so cute, and retro ideas and images are so popular now. Have you ever considered offering your own cleaning or cooking products with a similar flair? I imagine they might be well received. Thanks for all of the great information.
Great tips! Thank so much! Just found your blog and I am pouring over your tips and advice. As a stay-at-home wife, I love to do my job well and your suggestions are helping me do that! Cheers!
Andee
My recent post yippeee were home!
have really enjoyed your blog. Great tips! Thank so much!
thankyou so much for this post i am A LIL OCD and feel like all i do is CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN after kids TY for this LIST i really will be using this for the next few weeks and will post a blog about it and u if you dont CARE TY VERY MUCH
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Division of labor is still an interesting concept inside the walls of many homes. Even though much is share, the home cleaning and often the household budgets are still left to one person
Oh the word "clutter" makes me "shudder"! I for the life of me and my family cannot get through the working week without seeing the entire, or what feels like, house contents on and around the kitchen bench. Solutions are accepted graciously.
Apart from the shed where I keep my tools and my missus her gardening equipment, we keep our house as clutter free as possible. Instead of a big fridge we have a small-ish one with a separate freezer unit – that way we don’t tend to buy and keep too much food items and condiments in them. If a takeaway comes with ketchup packets we keep them as well. You’ll be amazed how much longer these little ketchup packets keep us away from buying a new bottle. When things are overflowing from cabinets and drawers, it’s time to give, recycle, gift or throw stuff away.
Sunday’s advice is very good. Getting ready for the week ahead, in advance, makes everything go so much more smoothly.
Wonderful advice, thank you!!
Oh, this article makes me so glad my kids are grown and the crazy days of housework are behind me. Here is another approach to your chores. http://www.50plusandontherun.com/2011/10/so-much-time-so-little-to-do.html
Stay happy!
Heather, I just wanted to share that I blogged about your sanity saving chore chart. Thanks so much for this post!
http://monogamyfive.blogspot.com/2011/11/sanity-saving-chore-chart.html