There’s something so satisfying about a clean and organized home, right? For me, it’s almost therapeutic. With a large house and a love for keeping things in order, I’ve found that routines and checklists are key to maintaining cleanliness throughout the year.
Living in a house with two stories and multiple rooms can be overwhelming at times. Our downstairs has a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office/craft room, and a den (or man cave). The upstairs has a large bedroom with an office/loft area. That’s a lot of space to keep clean! Thankfully, I’ve got a routine that works for me, and I’ve learned to make tidying up a daily habit rather than a daunting task.
Why Routine is My Best Friend
To be honest, I’m not ok if my home isn’t tidy. I suffer greatly from OCD, it’s just who I am. With so much space to maintain and two people using it, I have to stay on top of things. Our house is big, but we love to use every inch of it—switching from bedroom to bedroom, enjoying different spaces every week or two. This might sound a little strange, but I actually enjoy being at home. I love having everything clean, organized, and in its place.
But let’s face it, no one wants to spend their entire weekend cleaning. So, I’ve broken it down into a simple system of tasks that I do daily, weekly, and monthly. Trust me, it’s the only way to keep it all under control.
Related: Start the Year Fresh: Why I Deep Clean Between Christmas and New Year’s Day
My Weekly Cleaning Checklist
Here’s the weekly cleaning routine that helps me stay on top of things:
Monday
Bathrooms:
- Scrub toilets
- Thoroughly sweep and mop floors
- Clean tubs and showers
- Clean mirrors, faucets, sinks, and vanities
- Empty Trash
Laundry:
- Do all laundry that needs washing
Tuesday
Kitchen and Formal Dining:
- Wipe down countertops with bleach
- Wipe down countertop appliances (microwave, toaster oven, can opener, crockpot, etc.)
- Wipe down refrigerator shelves and clean out as needed
- Wipe down kitchen table and chairs
- Thoroughly sweep and mop both floors
- Quickly wipe down dining room table and chairs as it is rarely used
Wednesday
Living Room/Downstairs Bedrooms/Office/Craft Room:
- Do a thorough vacuum
- Sweep, mop, and dust entryway
- Wipe down coffee and end tables
- Empty Trash
- Organize craft room as needed
Laundry:
- Do all laundry that needs washing
Thursday
Upstairs Bedroom/Office:
- Thorough vacuum
- Clean my desk and TV stand with glass cleaner
- Empty trash
Friday:
- Just straighten up as needed
Saturday
Outside Tasks:
- Sweep porches/patios as needed
- Mow, pick up leaves, etc.
Sunday
Laundry:
- Do any regular laundry that needs to be done
- Wash sheets and comforters for whichever bedroom we are sleeping in that week
- Wash dogs’ blankets
Daily Maintenance Tasks
Every day, I stick to these simple tasks to keep everything looking great:
- Vacuum the living room, front bedroom, and office
- Clean the kitchen, wash dishes, and sweep
- Clean up pet areas
This daily routine helps maintain a clean home without feeling overwhelmed. It only takes a few minutes each day, and it’s worth it to avoid big messes later on.
The First Week of the Month: My Big Clean
Once a month, I go a little deeper. Here’s the rundown of what I tackle during the first week of the month:
- Laundry: Wash curtains (all of mine are machine washable), shower curtains, and the kitchen tablecloth. Wash all throw rugs.
- Dusting: I remove everything and dust the fireplace mantel, shelves, tables, dressers, TV stands, etc. (This is a big one for me since I have a ton of shelves and collectibles!)
- General Tasks: Clean windows, mirrors, and TVs/computers with glass cleaner. Sweep and mop the staircase and wipe down the banister. Pull out shelves and tables that don’t normally move to sweep and vacuum. Wipe down ceiling fans and light fixtures. Make sure base boards are clean. I also change my air filters and plug-in refills as well.
- Living Room: Vacuum the chair and couch, and vacuum behind the couch to remove debris. Clean the window seat in the entryway. Shampoo the carpet.
- Bedrooms: Vacuum under the beds and clean window sills.
- Office/Craft Room: Dust all desks and workstations.
- Man Cave: Vacuum the couch and chair.
- Kitchen: Thoroughly clean the fridge inside and out. Wipe down cabinet doors with boiling water. Clean the oven, stovetop, and toaster oven. (I use foil in the bottom of the oven and toaster oven to catch spills, which I change monthly.
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Why It Works for Me
With all of this cleaning, you might be wondering how I keep it all in order. My answer? Routine, routine, routine. By sticking to these checklists and making tidying a daily habit, I never feel like I’m falling behind. Plus, doing things little by little prevents me from getting overwhelmed.
The key to staying organized is figuring out what works best for you. I may have a large house and a lot of tasks on my plate, but having a structured cleaning routine allows me to enjoy all the space we’ve got. I’m not just cleaning for the sake of it—I’m creating an environment that’s inviting and peaceful, which makes me even more excited to spend time at home.
In the end, it’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. If you make tidying a part of your day, week, and month, you’ll find it much easier to stay organized all year long!
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
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