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Cleaning Schedule Architecture: Building One that Works for You

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Having a clean house is refreshing and pleasant. Unfortunately, getting to a clean house can sometimes be taxing and unpleasant.

Building a Cleaning Schedule that Works for You

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:

Rotating Daily Cleaning Schedule | When it comes to cleaning schedules, one size does not fit all. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you develop a schedule that works for you.

(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:

Monthly Deep Cleaning Schedule | When it comes to cleaning schedules, one size does not fit all. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you develop a schedule that works for you.

(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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. WOW, this is a GREAT concept. Since we have dogs with wet noses, I’d like to add cleaning patio windows to the rotation. Will you send me an editable version, please?

  3. I have been using your rotating schedule for a few weeks now with lots of cross-outs and additions made to it. I would love an editable version if you could send it! Thanks!

  4. Dear Shannon

    I would also be grateful to receive by email editable versions of both of your excellent charts!
    It’s an excellent resource! Thank you …

    Kind regards
    Kim

  5. This is the most clever schedule/method for housekeeping that I’ve ever seen. I really see myself as able to follow this on a regular basis 🙂 although with a cat and a bit of dust allergy I’d definitely have to vacuum the bedrooms and the sofa more often.

    Still, thank you very much for sharing.

    Regards and Happy New (& clean) Year
    Elena

    • Hi Elena,
      I’m glad you think this will work for you. We don’t have a cat, but I do find I need to vacuum a little more frequently.
      Happy New Year to you, too.

  6. love this! Can you please send me the template so I can customize it for my home? I tried a daily schedule but got discouraged whenever I got thrown off track by illness, etc, and eventually gave up on it. I think this design is much better!

  7. I Love this idea for getting things cleaned around the house! I work full time so I don’t have much time to clean, so I keep cleaning the same things every day and everything gets put off until it HAS to be cleaned. This will keep me on track. When you get a chance, can you email me an editable template as well? Thanks!

  9. Thank You so much….this is just what I needed. If and or when I get any thoughts/ideas I’ll be more than happy to share. What a heartsend!!!

  10. I also love the circular schedule and would love an editable version! Thanks so much for the idea!

      • Hey Shannon

        I would like to your to schedules starting here in 2015. Can you send me a printable version so I can translate it into Danish?

        I found your schedule months ago and lost the address, so I’m very happy to find it again! It looks perfect for me!

        Happy new year

  12. Can’t wait to get the New Year started off on a clean note! Thanks for this resource. Could I please have an editable one when you get a chance? Thanks!

  13. I love your schedules. They are exactly what I need to keep myself on track. Can you please send me an editable version of both of them. Thanks!

  14. This year I will be clean!!! May I also have editable versions of your schedules? With a dog and a cat I need about 4 more vacuum squares!!

  15. What a wonderful idea!!! I think this will work for me too. Do you think you could send me the customizable one as well?

  16. I would like to echo the other comments about how doable this seems to be! I am curious if I can get an editable version to custimize it, also? I am so glad I found this, thank you for posting it!! 🙂

  17. i love this cleaning schedule! The best one I’ve found. Can you please send me the editable version?
    Thanks

  19. I absolutely love this. It’s perfect for me but I was wondering if I could also please have the version that I can make changes to. Thanks!!!

    • Yes, of course. I sent one to you on 1/7/15. Perhaps it went to your spam folder? I’ll send one again today during my little one’s nap. Keep an eye out for it–it’ll come from ofthehearth@gmail.com.

  20. I love your cleaning chart/schedule and would love to have an editable version of both schedules. Thank you so much!

  21. Hi
    Thanks for this, saw it on Pinterest. It is fantastic, smart and doable! Would love a version of both i could edit to my house if possible! Thank you so much

  23. This is so fantastic. I tried “days of the week” cleaning but was so discouraged if I missed a day and got off track. This seems just right. Would you be willing to send me an editable copy, too? Thank you!

    Amy.

  24. I love your schedules. They are exactly what I need to keep myself on track. Can you please send me an editable version of both of them. Thank youuuuu:)

  25. I have been using this cleaning schedule with great success! I love doing a little every night instead of spending my entire Saturday cleaning. I have written all over my my copy. Can you please send me the editable copy?

    Thank you!

  26. Love, love, love this idea. So much simpler than all the others I’ve looked at!! Would love an editable copy of both charts. Thank you!!

  28. Your cleaning schedule is awesome. Could you please also send me an editable version so I can tweak the list a little.

  29. Would love this template! So easy and organized! I’m a new mom….I’m whatever the exact opposite of organized is…chaos?!

    Thanks!

    • I’ll get you a copy! I totally understand the chaos associated with a baby. I hope this helps. 🙂

  30. Thank you for this! Housecleaning has always been overwhelming especially in our 5 bedroom house. This has changed my world in the best way. May I also please have an editable version?

  31. Hi,
    Can I please get an editable version of your cleaning chart? It looks like a fabulous way to stay on track! Thank you for sharing!
    Wendy

  32. Could I please get an editable copy of the deep cleaning tasks monthly schedule too? For some reason when I print it out it’s not printing some of the words correctly, even though on your chart it’s showing them correctly.
    Thanks!

  33. Hi,
    I am struggling a lot with my household cleaning to keep on truck. Could you please send me a copy I try for my self. Thanks

  34. What an awesome idea!! I would love an editable version if you’re still sharing. Thank you!!

  35. I heard about this from a friend. I was so happy I found it when I searched for it. She said it has changed her life! I would love an editable version of both regular and deep cleaning charts if you are still sharing.

    Thanks!

  38. This looks like exactly what I need! Can you email me editable versions of both the deep cleaning and regular schedule. Thanks so much!

  40. I love your cleaning schedule/system. I’ve been searching so long for something like this. Could you please send me an editable version? Thanks so much!

  41. Based on the style of your schedule, you are a kindred spirit! I would love an editable version. Will you please send it to me? Thank you so much for your willingness to share!

  42. Not to sound like a broken record, but I would love if you could send me editable versions of both charts. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful resource!

    • Hi Laura,
      No problem! I don’t mind sending them at all. I’m glad they’ll be of help to you.

  44. Hi Shannon,

    Thank you so much for developing these schedules, I have to admit that house cleaning is not a favourite task of mine but, I have to admit that having printed these two schedules, I am itching to tackle the cleaning with renewed vigour.
    Is there any chance you could email me the editable versions of both schedules, please?

    Thank you again 🙂

    Mouna-Sofia

  46. Hi Shannon,

    My husband and I both work full time on opposite shifts and have two little kids. We have been struggling to find something that works for both of us. We think your schedule is great and hope it will help decrease the “it’s your turn” comments. Can you please send me an editable version as well.

    Thanks,
    Christina

    • Hi Christina,
      It sounds like you are quite busy! I’m glad you found this schedule and I really hope it helps you.

  47. Just found your site and your cleaning schedules are great. If its not too much trouble I would appreciate an editable copy of both schedules.
    Thanks,
    Cristina

  48. Wow. I have looked high and low for a chart that makes sense for me. I have already printed it out and will use it, but would love to have editable versions of the charts. Thank you SO much.

  50. Love this cleaning schedule, can I get an editable version as well. Thank you so very much.

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