Household Chores: How to Keep Your Home Clean and Organized

Maintaining a clean and organized home can be so difficult, especially if you have small kids. It requires a combination of daily upkeep and periodic deep cleaning which can seem impossible on days when you are just struggling to survive. But this whole process doesn’t have to be as daunting as you think. By establishing a consistent cleaning routine and tackling tasks regularly, you can keep your home looking its best and create a comfortable and welcoming environment for your family. By dividing household chores into daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual tasks you will reduce your mental load and allow you to stay on top of everything.

Daily Chores

1. Make the Bed: Start the day off right by making the bed each morning to create a tidy and inviting bedroom.
2. Wash Dishes: Make it a habit to wash dishes promptly after meals or load them into the dishwasher to prevent buildup and maintain a clutter-free kitchen. You will feel less overwhelmed when you enter the kitchen and there is no mess everywhere.
3. Wipe Countertops and Appliances: Wipe down kitchen countertops and appliances to remove crumbs and spills. Don’t wait for a small mess to become a bigger one, by wiping the spills or removing the crumbs immediately you will save your time in the long run.
4. Sweep or Vacuum Floors: Keep floors clean by sweeping or vacuuming high-traffic areas daily. My pro tip is to invest in a robot vacuum cleaner as you wouldn’t believe how much time can you actually save. We bought the one that also has a mop option and I just turn it on every morning as we leave the house and when we come back everything is clean.
5. Tidy Up: Spend a few minutes each day tidying up common areas and putting away clutter to maintain a neat and organized home. Include your kids. Encourage them to tidy up their toys every night before they go to bed. You will be thankful they are versed in household chores as they grow. We have 15 minutes tidy-up party. We start by turning on the music, setting the alarm, and then all of us clean for 15 minutes.

Weekly Chores

1. Dust Furniture: Dust surfaces and shelves throughout the house to remove accumulated dust and allergens. Don’t forget the electronics.
2. Mop Floors: Hard floors such as tile, hardwood, and laminate require regular mopping to remove dirt, stains, and spills. Use a suitable cleaner and mop to clean floors thoroughly and restore their shine, or alternatively, get a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop.
3. Clean Bathrooms: Bathrooms are prone to mold, mildew, and bacteria growth due to moisture and humidity. Clean sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs with disinfectant cleaners to prevent germs and maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
4. Change Bedding: Bedding such as sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers should be laundered weekly to remove sweat, oils, and allergens.
5. Wash Towels: Launder bath towels and kitchen towels weekly to prevent odor and maintain freshness.

Monthly Chores

1. Deep Clean Floors: Periodically deep clean hard floors and carpets to remove embedded dirt, stains, and odors. Use a steam cleaner or carpet shampooer to clean carpets thoroughly and restore their appearance and freshness.
2. Dust Blinds and Curtains: Blinds, curtains, and window treatments trap dust and allergens over time, affecting indoor air quality. Dust blinds and curtains with a microfiber cloth or vacuum attachment to remove dust and maintain cleanliness.
3. Clean Light Fixtures: Dust and dirt can accumulate on light fixtures, lampshades, and light switches, without us even realizing it. In most cases, you pay attention to light fixtures only if you have to change the bulb. But, if not cleaned regularly it can quickly become an eyesore. Dust light fixtures and wipe down light switches with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe to keep them clean and functional.
4. Organize Closets and Drawers: Cluttered closets and drawers make it difficult to find items and can lead to disorganization and frustration. Declutter and organize closets and drawers regularly to maximize storage space and maintain orderliness. I admit, I often ignore the mess in my closet, but I try to stay on top of the kids’ ones. I check if any clothes have been damaged, if the girls have grown out of any, and switch it according to season.
5. Clean Appliances: Kitchen appliances such as the oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher require periodic cleaning to remove grease, grime, and food residue. Daily wipe-down is a great way to stay on top of it, but all of these appliances need a more thorough clean once a month. Clean appliance interiors and exteriors with appropriate cleaners to ensure optimal performance and hygiene.
6. Wash Windows: Wash windows inside and out to remove dirt, streaks, and smudges for a clear view and improved natural light.

Semi-Annual Chores

1. Deep Clean Carpets: Schedule professional carpet cleaning or deep clean carpets and rugs using a carpet cleaner to remove deep-seated dirt and stains.
2. Inspect and Replace Batteries: Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries as needed to ensure they are in working order.
3. Service HVAC System: Schedule maintenance for your heating and cooling system to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency.
4. Clean Gutters: Remove leaves, debris, and obstructions from gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage and maintain proper drainage.
5. Inspect Roof: Check for signs of damage or wear and tear on the roof, and schedule repairs or maintenance as needed to prevent leaks and water damage.
   You don’t want to slack off on any of these semi-annual household chores as they can result in big and expensive damage. For me, that is just a motivation I need to get myself to do it.

Annual Chores

1. Deep Clean Appliances: Schedule professional maintenance for appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine to keep them running smoothly.
2. Inspect Plumbing: Check for leaks, drips, or water damage in plumbing fixtures and pipes, and schedule repairs as needed to prevent water damage.
3. Purge and Organize: Declutter and organize every room in the house, purging items that are no longer needed and creating efficient storage solutions. Every year I decide I will stop bringing so many unnecessary things into the house, and every year I don’t listen to myself. And the little ones are as bad as I am. Emily still hasn’t seen the rock or the stick that wasn’t important enough to bring home with her. But that is why I do the yearly purge so I can start fresh the next year.
4. Service Chimney and Fireplace: Schedule chimney sweeping and inspection to remove creosote buildup and ensure safe operation of the fireplace.
5. Pressure Wash Exterior: Pressure wash the exterior of the house, including siding, decks, and walkways, to remove dirt, mold, and mildew and restore curb appeal.

By dividing household chores into daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual tasks, you can create a manageable cleaning routine that keeps your home clean, organized, and comfortable year-round. Delegate tasks among family members according to age and ability to ensure all household chores are completed efficiently and effectively. Just go one day at a time, one household chore at a time, and eventually, you will start seeing the difference one chore chart can make.