How to Organize Your Cleaning Schedule

I have tried and tried to get myself on a cleaning schedule. In the past I've broken tasks down into daily chores, and I have also tried the "once a week" cleaning day... both with little success. But that is why I bought the fantastic book "Organize Now," by Jennifer Ford Berry. This book is changing my life. And that's saying a lot since I've read almost every organizing book, magazine article and blog post I could find on simplifying and order. I'm an organized person deep down. Really, I am...

I have at least figured out that I haven't been able to clean as I would like because a lot of my time is spent putting things back in their rightful home. I guess you could say I do a lot of "picking up" but not a lot of "cleaning up." I recently implemented a chore chart with my kiddo as well as began purging a lot of unnecessary things to help with this issue. After following Berry's advice to write down ALL tasks that need to be done in the house and then categorize them into what needs to be done daily, weekly, monthly, etc., I think I've come up with a plan that will help me be successful once and for all.

Basically, I broke my house into sections that will be addressed on certain days of the week.

Mondays: Master Bath and Master Bedroom

• sinks/counter tops/mirrors
  
• tub
  
• shower
  
• toilet
  
• sweep/mop
  
• change sheets
  
• dust
  
• vacuum
  
• pick up

Tuesdays: Laundry Room and Kitchen

• wipe down washer and dryer
  
• sweep and mop Laundry Room
  
• put clothes away
  
• sweep/mop Kitchen
  
• clean sink/wipe counter tops
  
• clean microwave
  
• wipe down cabinets
  
• wipe down fridge
  
• clean out fridge

Wednesdays: Living Room and Dining Room

• dust
  
• sweep/mop/vacuum
  
• clean t.v.
  
• pick up

Thursdays: Guest Room/ Office and Girls Bath

• change sheets
  
• dust
  
• vacuum
  
• clear desk
  
• sweep/mop bath
  
• sink/mirror


• tub
  
• wash rugs

Fridays: JR's Room

• change sheets


• dust


• vacuum


• clear desk

Jamie now has a new chore chart that involves keeping her room clean, but the Friday list is for me to make sure that things are being done and tweak some things that she's already done to get them to my specs. I know. Control is a hard thing to let go of. But I'm trying to keep this from happening again. Aye-yie-yie.

Of course there are things that NEED to be done daily like make the beds (hopefully JR has already made hers before school), take out the trash, dishes (empty dishwasher, load dishwasher, run, repeat :D), laundry, and some general sweeping (We keep our litter box for the cat in the master bath, so I'm trying to sweep in there every day to keep from stepping on strewn cat litter. I know. Gross part dos. And let's not forget one-third of our meal that seems to end up underneath the table. It's the only reason I'm thinking of getting a dog... kidding!) I recently purchased this little broom and dust pan set at Tuesday Morning. I thought it might help me feel cheerier (is that a word? LOL!) about cleaning crumbs and cat litter. I'll let you know when that emotion kicks in...

Once a month I plan to dust the base boards (first week of the month), ceiling fans (2nd week) and windows/ blinds (3rd week), change the air filter in the return and dust the grate (on the 4th week of the month). I'm outta control, right?!? Soon the Pearson house may actually be dust-bunny and cobweb free. Oh, to dream!

Three things I can already check off my list that Berry suggests is to have each family member an assigned towel for the week (Check), place a set of disposable disinfecting wipes in each bathroom for quick, in between cleanups (Check), and to save space by minimizing cleaners (big fat CHECK!). I recently switched to Shaklee cleaners after reading about it on Bonnie's blog and I have been super impressed. I'll do a post about them later cuz they are just. that. good.

Whew! What a long post! But can I tell you what a difference it makes to actually have it written down? There's no "Where do I start? What do I do now?" cuz it's all right there in black and white. In doubt? Check the list! And if the kids are sick and I'm unable to accomplish everything for that day... oh well. New day = new tasks. It can just wait until next week or if there's extra time later in the week (yeah, right!) I can back track on a task or two but I am NOT getting bogged down trying to play catch up. It just defeats the system, ya know?

I hope y'all are enjoying the book and every one's posts as much as I am. Don't forget to check out House of Grace today for inspiration on getting your own cleaning schedule started. Next week we delve into organizing our priorities and I've already jumped ahead a little. See what a little organization can do? ;)