This Cleaning Schedule Will Keep Your Home in Tip-Top Shape

Cleaning doesn't have to be a chore or even take a whole day! Map out a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly cleaning schedule that fits with your schedule and prioritizes your health and needs.

What to Tidy Up Every Day

At some point last year, I downloaded an app on my phone that reminded me to "tidy up" just 15 minutes a day. So when I'd get the alert - similar to a "take some steps" or "breathe" prompt - I stop what I'm doing, get up, and find something to clean. To be honest, I was surprised at how much nicer some of the most commonly used spaces in my home became.

Not sure what you actually NEED to clean every day? Here's my quick list, and yes, it usually takes right about 15 minutes!

• Make the bed and tidy bedroom.
• Do dishes and wipe down counters.
• Do a single load of laundry.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces.

What to Clean Once a Week

I've always been a "one day a week" kind of cleaner. But adopting a cleaning schedule has helped me realize what tasks need to be completed each day versus once a week. I've gotten so much better at prioritizing my cleaning tasks, simply because I'm more educated about how to keep my home nice and tidy.

There are a few things that need to be done each week, but, depending on my mood, I either try to tackle one a day or have a deep cleaning day once a week.

• Meal prep for the week ahead.
• Take out the trash (all the way to the curb!)
• Clean out the fridge, focusing on take-out boxes and Tupperware.

• Sweep and vacuum floors.
• Clean the bathroom.
• Clean windows and mirrors.

• Wash towels and sheets (and that one sweater you wear every day).
• Do a light dusting of shelves and surfaces.

• De-pet-hair your couches and pillows

Make a Yearly Cleaning Schedule

Many people's yearly cleaning schedule happens right around the spring - you know, spring cleaning? I'd like to argue that I generally enjoy my big yearly cleaning projects more than some of the others on the schedule. I really do feel cleansed from the inside out; it definitely feels like a nice reset to a *clean* slate.

Tackle these cleaning projects once a year or even do a different task each quarter. However you organize your cleaning schedule, I guarantee you'll appreciate your efforts.

• Fridge and pantry overhaul.
• Go through clothes and donate.
• Clean inside cabinets and drawers (even that junk drawer we like to ignore).
• Deep clean the oven.

Tips for Maintaining a Consistent Cleaning Schedule

• Enlist some help. The bigger the family, the bigger the cleaning crew, right? Turn chore day into a fun family cleaning day with tasty snacks and spontaneous dance parties. After all, we've learned how to make all kinds of at-home things fun in the past year!

• A great playlist makes a big difference. I don't know about you, but I just can't get into a good cleaning groove - or really even motivate myself to start - until I have a playlist that perfectly fits my mood. Whether you love the curated cleaning playlists or you prefer calm, soothing notes, set yourself a soundtrack to help you make it through your cleaning schedule.

• Commit to 15 minutes a day. If all of this still feels overwhelming, then just commit to 15 minutes a day, and tidy something different each day. You'll be surprised how often you add on an extra 10 minutes here or there; before long, you'll be a cleaning pro!