Being your own housekeeper can feel overwhelming at first. But with some planning, organization, and helpful tools, you can keep your home clean and tidy on your own schedule. Here are my tips for being your own best housekeeper:
Set a Cleaning Schedule
- Having a schedule is key to staying on top of cleaning. I suggest making a list of cleaning tasks and how often they need to be done – daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
- Some daily tasks may include making the bed, tidying up clutter, washing dishes, and light sweeping.
- For weekly tasks, you may want to dust, vacuum, mop floors, clean bathrooms, wash sheets, and take out trash.
- Monthly deep cleaning should include things like windows, baseboards, appliances, fans, furniture, etc.
- Map out these cleaning tasks on a calendar so I know what needs to be done and when. But remain flexible – some weeks I may need to shift tasks around.
Create Cleaning Checklists
- Checklists help me stay organized and thorough. For each room or task, make a list of everything that needs to be cleaned.
- For example, a daily kitchen checklist may include: clean counters, wash dishes, take out trash, wipe down appliances.
- A weekly bathroom checklist could include: scrub toilet, wipe down sinks/mirrors, mop floor, clean shower/tub.
- I like to print checklists and place them in each room as a handy reminder. I can check off tasks as I complete them.
Invest in Helpful Tools
- Having the right tools makes cleaning faster and easier. Some essentials for me are:
- Vacuum – Choose a lightweight, bagless model with attachments for different surfaces.
- Mop – A microfiber mop is great for floors.
- Duster – Microfiber or feather dusters trap dirt and dust easily.
- Cleaning caddy – Tote cleaning supplies from room to room in a caddy.
- Broom & dustpan – For quick sweeps whenever needed.
- Scrub brushes – Useful for bathtubs, sinks, appliances, etc.
- Microfiber cloths – Great for dusting and scrubbing without chemicals.
Tackle Small Tasks Daily
- I avoid getting overwhelmed by tackling small cleaning tasks each day. For example:
- Make the bed – Do this first thing to start the day off right.
- Wash dishes – Wash as you cook and clean up after meals.
- Take out trash – Do a quick sweep for trash before bed.
- Tidy clutter – Put away items that are out of place as you notice them.
- Do one deep cleaning task – Scrub the toilet or mop the floors for 10 minutes.
- Completing these mini-tasks keeps cleaning manageable without allowing dirt and mess to build up.
Declutter First, Then Clean
- When tackling bigger cleaning sessions, I declutter before I clean. Removing clutter makes cleaning more efficient.
- I put away out-of-place items, donate unused stuff, and organize with storage solutions like baskets, bins, and shelves.
- With a decluttered space, I can focus on actual dirt removal – dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing surfaces, etc.
- Decluttering also allows me to deep clean places like closets, drawers, and cabinets that accumulate junk.
- A decluttered home feels clean, light, and spacious even before cleaning.
Enlist Help from Family
- As a family, we share responsibility for keeping our home clean and livable.
- I assign each family member age-appropriate cleaning tasks to complete daily or weekly.
- My husband takes out trash and recycling. My son keeps his room tidy. My daughter helps clean the kitchen after dinner.
- We also have a family chore chart with a rotation for major cleaning tasks. This teaches kids responsibility while getting help with housekeeping.
- On weekends, we tackle bigger projects together like reorganizing a closet or garage, washing windows, or seasonal deep cleaning.
Keeping my home clean on my own schedule requires planning, preparation, and a bit of daily diligence. But with helpful tools, checklists, and a routine in place, I can maintain a tidy and comfortable home for my family. What are your best tips for being your own housekeeper?
