Having a clean house is refreshing and pleasant. Unfortunately, getting to a clean house can sometimes be taxing and unpleasant.
Cleaning schedules can streamline housecleaning and help you keep up with various tasks. I absolutely love lists and schedules, so soon after I got married I began looking for a suitable cleaning schedule. Though I found numerous schedules, none of them worked for me.
As is true with most routines and schedules, one size does not fit all. Thus, I developed my own schedule—one that suits the context of my life. If you haven’t found a cleaning schedule that works for you or you haven’t considered having one, the following may be of help.
Questions to ask when making a cleaning schedule
- Do I prefer cleaning in frequent, short segments or in infrequent, long segments? If you prefer the former, you may want to design a schedule that assigns just a few cleaning tasks to each day of the week. If you prefer the latter, you may favor a schedule that assigns all of your cleaning to just one or two days of each week.
- How consistent is my schedule? If you have a consistent schedule it may make sense to have particular tasks assigned to each day of the week. However, if your schedule isn’t consistent, it may be better to have a rotating schedule that dictates the order in which you complete cleaning tasks without dictating the specific days on which you complete them.
- How often does each cleaning task need completed? Some things require more frequent cleaning than others. For example, your bathrooms may need to be cleaned more frequently than your home office. You’ll want to consider which tasks require more frequent cleaning so you can accommodate this in your schedule.
- Do I want to take care of deep cleaning tasks once a year or throughout the year? If you don’t want to set aside all of your deep cleaning tasks for a concentrated period of cleaning (i.e., spring cleaning), you’ll want to determine how to integrate these tasks into your regular schedule.
How I created my cleaning schedule
I used my answers to the above questions to develop a cleaning schedule that works for me.
- I prefer cleaning in frequent, short segments, so I’ve scheduled my cleaning tasks in such a way that I only spend about 30 minutes each day cleaning.
- Occasionally things come up (e.g., a medical appointment, errands, delays while grocery shopping) that encroach upon the time I have available to clean. Because of this, I haven’t strictly assigned cleaning tasks to specific days—I don’t want to get “off schedule” when I have a busy day and don’t get around to cleaning. Consequently, I’ve developed a revolving schedule that isn’t tied to specific days.
- I’ve determined which rooms require frequent cleaning (in my house these are the bathrooms and kitchen) and I’ve designed my schedule accordingly.
- I prefer to take care of “spring cleaning” tasks throughout the year, so I’ve created a separate schedule for these.
Here’s the schedule I developed for my everyday cleaning tasks:
(You can see a printable version of the schedule by clicking on the above image.)
Here’s the schedule I developed for deep cleaning tasks:
(You can see a printable version of the schedule by clicking on the above image.)
What helpful tips can you share from your experience? Do you have a cleaning schedule? If so, do you stick with it? What features make it useful?
2015 Update: I’m so pleased that others have found this schedule to be so helpful. In order to make it easier for you to customize this schedule to your needs, I’ve made editable versions available here:
Please let me know if you have any trouble with the files or if you have questions. I still welcome your comments on how you’ve customized the schedule or how it is helping you.
2016 Update: I’ve moved and my family has grown, so I’ve made some revisions to my schedules. Click here to see these revisions and to see some examples of customized versions shared by readers like you!
Shared on the following link-ups:
Empty Your Archive, Living Well Wednesday, Thrive @ Home, Hearts for Home, Wise Woman, Works for Me Wednesday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, Titus 2sday, Making Your Home Sing & Living Proverbs 31.
I don’t really have a schedule, but I really like your idea of not assigning jobs to certain days. I think it would work better in my life to just have then in a particular order.
I like the colors you used. 🙂
The rotating tasks are the key reason I’m actually able to keep up with the schedule.
(I like the colors, too.)
It sounds like you hae a great plan in place! I don’t have a schedule and try to make notes daily/weekly of what needs to be done. Now, I have no doubt this coming spring I’ll be looking for this post when I want to get some deep cleaning done!
The deep cleaning schedule has been very helpful to me!
I love your schedule! Also love how you made it work for you by grouping tasks together but not schedule tasks on certain days.
I happen to prefer breaking my cleaning in a little at a time too. However, I schedule my cleaning on the same day every week. For example, every Friday I dust, vacuum, mop floors and change sheets.
The rest of the week is lighter cleaning. Some people love the variety of choosing whatever they feel like cleaning that day. I like the set schedule I guess, lol!
Oooops, forgot to say thanks for linking up to “Making Your Home Sing Monday!” Have a great day, my friend!
Thanks! It’s good to hear how you schedule your cleaning.
This really makes sense, and I think it will go well with my ‘unschedule’. Thank you for simplifying the process
You’re welcome!
Visiting from Titus 2sdays – I appreciated reading your thoughts about cleaning schedules, and am always looking for new ideas and encouragement for this unending responsibility! I also like to spread my cleaning out throughout the week, and also like to spread the “spring cleaning” throughout the year. Thanks for sharing what you do …
Hi Cherry,
I also enjoy reading how others schedule their cleaning. It’s always great to consider new ideas.
I really like your schedule. I have problems with keeping with most schedules I find because there are days where I don’t get to the cleaning I should for the day & then I am all off. What I like about yours is I don’t “get off” the schedule… I just keep going around the square & something will get cleaned.
I am excited to try this schedule. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Selina!
I kept getting off schedule, too…that’s the very reason I needed a rotating schedule instead. I hope it works for you!
I struggle with keeping up with the housework. A rotating schedule might work better
Hi Sarah,
It’s certainly worth a try! If it ends up working for you that’s great. If not, you can keep searching until you find an approach that does.
We are always trying new ways of getting the chores done fairly and effectively. I think we’ve been kind of “doing” the rotating thing, but I didn’t really have it written out. I’m sure that means things are getting missed.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this idea! What a great way to keep the pressure off for accomplishing tasks.
I so agree that the only cleaning schedule that works is the one that works for you!! 🙂
I love this cleaning schedule! I happened on this website because of a Pinterest post and I absolutely love it! Thank you
You’re welcome! It has worked so well for me. I hope you benefit from it, too.
Hi Shannon – I’m really glad you created this schedule. My husband and I have a hard time keeping the house clean because of our schedules (we’re out of the house by 7:30am and don’t get home until about 7:30pm almost every week night) but I’m hoping your rotating schedule is just what we need. I just have a question – as I was going through it and modifying it to our house I noticed ‘do extra baking’. Is that a cleaning term or are you talking cookies and muffins here?
Cookies and muffins. 🙂 I use the time to prepare foods that we will use for the following week or so.
I love this cleaning schedule! I have started using them recently and they help me a lot to organize my life.
I’m glad you find them to be beneficial!
Thanks so much for this!! I love the concept of this way more than any of the others that I have seen. I am creating my own with similar style and tasks – just a few tweaks! Will be sharing on my own blog soon 🙂 Thanks again!!
Awesome! I’m so glad it has been helpful to you.
I like the idea of rotating tasks, I’ll just have to tweak that to my schedule.
Definitely customize it to your needs. I hope it works for you!
Just found this on Pinterest. As a lazy cleaner, this is going to help me greatly. I appreciate you sharing! Thank so much! 🙂
You’re welcome!
This is a great concept! I have fibromyalgia, so I never know when I’ll have a day where I’m just not feeling up to cleaning. Day-of-the-week schedules have never worked for me, as stuff just piles up while I’m unwell, and then I don’t want to get back to it once I’m feeling better!
While I love the concept, I don’t really have the same chores you do. Some of these things my husband does because I’m not able (like cleaning the shower). Is there any way you could post a blank/editable version of the rotating schedule so other people can customize it?
Thank you so much for your wonderful ideas!
Hi Maria,
It sounds like this concept will work well for you! I can see your email address from when you filled out the form to leave your comment. I’ll email you a blank copy of the schedule so you can customize it.
I like your rotating schedule w/ no specific days per task. However, I have other things I would like to add or some I would like to change. Do you have an editable version of this?
Hi Donna,
I’ll send you one via email. 🙂
I love this as well. I definitely need something to help keep me motivated without feeling overwhelmed and this seems perfect. Could you send me an editable copy as well? Having a crawler means I need to vacuum a lot more 😀
Yes, I’ll send it to you.
In hindsight, I would probably add vacuuming as something to do on each day because I typically have to vacuum high traffic areas more often than is indicated on the schedule.
Shannon this is great!!!!! I’m always wandering around the house wondering where to start since i am a recently a stay at home mom.. i didn’t think of this. just wondering if I could have a editable version?
Yep! I’ll try to send it to you this afternoon.
I normally don’t post in blog comments, but I wanted to say thank you for the idea of having a rotating cleaning schedule. I have been struggling with the specific day cleaning schedules and I think this will work better for me. Could you please send me the editable version? Thank you 🙂
Hi Gigi,
Yes, I certainly will. I’ll try to get it to you later today.
Thank you for sharing what you do! I love this idea of rotating your schedule as I cannot stand getting off schedule and then feeling like my responsibilities are piling up. I notice that you have shared an editable version. If possible, I would really appreciate a copy of that as well. Thanks again!
Hi Mandie,
I don’t like that feeling either, so this works well. I’ll send you an editable version.
I been using this schedule for the past several weeks and I LOVE it! It’s been keeping the whole house very manageable. I’ve been writing in my own changes but things are getting cluttered. I was wondering if you could email me an editable version also. Thanks again!
It’s great to hear it’s working! I’ll definitely send you an editable version.
This is a great concept…love it. I also have some changes. Would it be possible to get the editable version. Thanks so much!
Of course! I’ll get one to you.
Great idea! Like others, I’d love an editable version if you’re still sharing! Thanks!!
Yes! I’ll get one to you.
Hi Shannon, I just discovered your rotating cleaning schedule on pint rest am am going to try it but I would like to modify it a bit, I see by the other reader comments you have a editable version, can you please send me one, Thank You
Hi Katie,
I’ll be glad to email you one. I’ll try to get it to you tomorrow.
I love this idea. I have been discouraged too many times by schedules that are “days of the week” that I simply can’t keep up with. With 2 toddlers running around, I never know if I have 5 minutes or 15 minutes at a time to get something done. This seems so much more flexible. Could I have the editable version as well? This is getting printed and hung up… maybe I can get my 3 year old to help with some of the chores by showing her the schedule! Thank you for sharing!
Sure, I’ll be glad to send it to you.
This is a great idea…just what I have been looking for, particularly with 2 teenagers on 3 months holidays just as I return to work. Could I please have an editable version of both templates? Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I’ll get them sent to you.
I love these! I’m a new to being a work at home mom and trying to get a schedule figured out. I’d love an editable version of both templates when you get a chance. Thanks!
Of course! I’ll get them to you.
My cousin uses this to clean, but some of these aren’t things that I need conscious effort to do, such as tackle a bookshelf or table. Thanks for this though, because I will modify for my own needs.
Yes, definitely modify it as you need to. We all need something a little different! 🙂
🙂 I live in a single and I need all the help I can get to keep it tidy. You’d think such as small space will be easy to keep! I swear I have gremlins that multiply when I am gone!
I cannot thank you enough for sharing your idea. I’ve had a hard time sticking to a days of the week type of schedule. Rotating tasks will work so much better for me. This is a Godsend!!
Would you please send me the editable version as well? I’m so happy to have found your blog via Pinterest. You have a new reader for sure!!
Love & blessings!!!
Hi Miriam,
I’m so glad this idea of a rotating schedule is helpful to you! I will get you an editable version later today. 🙂
This idea is wonderful. I have never been great at cleaning but with just having moved I hope to change my ways. Lol. Could you please send me the editable version.
Absolutely! Hopefully it will help. 🙂
Love this. Could you please email me an editable version. I def think this will work for me.
Thanks
Sure! I’ll send it to you today.
Would it be possible for me to ask for a customizable version of this as well? Hate to bother you, but I think this might really work well for my household with a few modifications to the text. I am thinking of putting it in a frame with a metal sheet behind it, so I can have a magnet on that days tasks. I would take the glass out of the frame and laminate the sheet so the magnet would stick, but still stay clean, then put this in a prominent place. Thanks you for the concept.
Absolutely! I like your idea. 🙂
This is a great idea! Would you mind sending me the editable version as well?
I also like the previous poster’s idea of the magnet, but I’ll probably just laminate the sheet and stick it on my fridge and then use the magnet on it there. 🙂 Thanks for the ideas!
I’ll send you one. This is exactly how I used mine for some time!
Hi Shannon, I’m totally sold on your schedule. What a great way to plan out your cleaning! I would love an editable copy if it’s not too much trouble! Thx
Hi Doris,
It’s no trouble at all. I’ll get you one today.
Hi Shannon
I recently dismissed my house cleaner she has been doing a horrible job for me for the last year. I always had to clean up after her. So now I’m going to be cleaning my own home and I need to get on a schedule. I don’t know if I’m a long-term or short-term type person. I think the 30 minutes a day may work for me I will try that first. Thank you for all your ideas I love them.
I hope it helps you! If it doesn’t, then keep searching or modify it until it does. 🙂
I’ve had this pinned for a while and LOVE it. It’s totally changed the way I keep my house. But I need to modify it to fit our house…can you please send me the editable version? Thanks!!
Love your blog!
Oh, good!
I’ll try to get you an editable copy tonight.
I love this concept but I need to add some chores & delete some others. I have tried in vain all week to make one up like yours but my computer skills are not up to the task. Are you still emailing editable versions of your schedules? I know this article is from 2013 but I would dearly love to have editable versions of both of these charts. Thank you. 🙂
Yes, I still share the editable versions. I’ll get them emailed to you!
Hey… can I join the list of wanting an editable copy of both? My computer skills are lacking. My husband and I love this idea because then we can have an idea of what needs to be cleaned without missing something (like showers and toilets) and only cleaning the kitchen. Thanks!!
Absolutely! I’ll try to get them to you tomorrow.
This is exactly what I need. Perfect for inconsistent schedules. Do you mind emailing the editable version if you can? Thanks!!
Sure! I’ll try to get you one tomorrow.
I saw your chore chart on Pinterest and used it as inspiration for my own: https://nochaosnoorder.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1304&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
Thank you so much for sharing your schedule!
Awesome! I’m so glad it inspired you!
I like the fact that this chart ACTUALLY rotates! I needed something like this, but didn’t know how that would look like. Well, here it is. I will make my own chart like this now. Thanks!
I’m so glad it has given you some guidance for how to create your own. 🙂
Hello
Have been following this for just over a week now and it’s changed my life! Please could you send me the editable one too (and your yearly one of you have it) as there are a few things I probably need to tweak to suit my house.
Thanks so much!
Sure! I’m so glad it’s helping you.
Hi! I found your cleaning schedule on pinterest. I struggle so much with keeping a routine going because our days can vary so much – I love this idea, and I’m starting with it tomorrow! I have a feeling I will find a few tasks to add or remove (I’m not motivated enough to change my sheets that often! Lol.) Would you mind very much sending me a copy I could edit? Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
No problem! I’ll email you one when I have a free moment.
I love this idea! I even did the sweeping and mopping of my kitchen after work today to start the habit. Would it be possible to get an editable version? I tried to do it myself, but it doesn’t look as good as yours. Thanks!
Sure! I’ll get one to you soon.
Thank you for this,..
I went through a divorce last year and became a single mom. I had never been very good at keeping my house clean before, I needed help, a routine to help me stay focused.
Thank you, you’ve no idea how these simple little ideas will have changed my life! <3
Hi Emily,
I’m so glad to hear that this has benefited you!
Grace as you navigate life as a single mom.
Thank you very much for such a great idea! I hope my house will becime much more cleaner with it)))) Could you be so kind to send me editible version of this charts? I tried to do it myself but I couldn’t(
Hi Maria,
I’ll certainly send you one! I’ll get it emailed as soon as I have an opportunity.
Can you send me an editable copy as well? I love this!
Yes, I’ll send them soon!