• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Mothering
    • Encouragement
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Teens
    • Family Life
    • Favorite Toys
  • Hearth and Home
  • Wellness
    • Finding Joy
    • Personal Growth
    • Overcoming Hardships
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Salads
    • Main Dishes
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Simple Celebrations
  • 40 Bags In 40 Days
  • Book Love
    • Historical Fiction
    • Memoirs
    • Children’s Books
    • Other Favorites
  • About
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Clover Lane

Home » Blog » A Cleaning Schedule

A Cleaning Schedule

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

Here is my new plan I thought of out of my own head.  It is working well and I love it, which makes me think some of my brain cells lasted through the summer.

Sometimes when I post my housewifey sort of things like this, I feel (in a paranoid way) like there might be lots of people out there who are making fun of me.  It’s OK if you do.  If you say, “That weird Clover Lane lady just has to find something better to do with her time then make cleaning charts for herself.”   The thing is, I have made cleaning charts (and all other sorts of lists) for myself since I was 5 and I just can’t stop now.  It’s a crazy weird addiction.

I wish I had a better picture for you, but I don’t.  I spend a little bit of each morning (I will bore you more tomorrow with my daily schedule) doing basic cleaning and straightening.

The DC after each weekday stands for Deep Cleaning (how tricky!) and that means that once a week I have a room to work on where I do more than just the basics, but get down to the nitty gritty like baseboards, windows, cushions off the couch-that sort of nitty gritty.  So if I do what I am supposed to do I won’t have to do a huge spring/fall/Christmas cleaning, because it’s been done slowly but surely.  I have the whole week for each room, so I can get to it on a slow day, or little by little, instead of tearing it apart and spending hours.

I don’t feel so overwhelmed when I break things down into small little areas for the day.

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

August 30, 2011 · 44 Comments

Follow by Email

Previous Post: « School
Next Post: Ordinary Days »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Kelly says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:34 am

    I love it. I too wonder if people would think I'm a little crazy for trying out new lists and schedules, but I'm realizing more and more that I need them so that I can recognize the things I've actually done, instead of always feeling like I'm behind.

    Reply
  2. BeingBrook says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:46 am

    I am list obsessed too. I remember my first year in college one of my professors told me that I was one of the best list makers she'd ever seen. See totally paid off. Love your cleaning list. Plus I think a list gives us Moms a chance to sit and relax because the cleaning is never totally done.

    Reply
  3. Simply LKJ says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:55 am

    I am in the process of creating a new cleaning schedule as well. I love the DC idea of taking one room per week. Otherwise it can feel so overwhelming!

    Reply
  4. Melanie Anne says

    August 30, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    I LOVE your cleaning schedule and do not think you are weird in the least! i am a list maker and clean schedule making kind of girl too:) I love your DC idea–brilliant:) Thanks for the inspiration! Have a great week!

    Reply
  5. Denise says

    August 30, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    I am totally in love with lists. I am not, however, in love with deep cleaning so it always gets pushed to the bottom. My favorite chore is laundry…weirdly enough. I get a great sense of accomplishment when I have a clothesline full of laundry blowing in the wind.

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    August 30, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Not only do I love to make my own lists, I also love to see others for ideas, so these are always among my favorite posts.

    Only thing I dislike? DC. Ugh. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    August 30, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Hi Sarah ~ You are totally NOT weird! I make lists also and for those of us who need to feel organized, they are a must! I love your cleaning chart ~ housework is totally overwhelming sometimes (a lot of the time) and it gets dirty again so darn fast ~ I appreciate any tips that can make it more manageable. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  8. Wendy says

    August 30, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Thanks for sharing Sarah! I love your lists and get so many great ideas from you, have a great day!

    Reply
  9. melanie says

    August 30, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I love it! I'm a list maker myself :). I am still waiting for your "budget notebook…" that is probably where I need the most help!
    Happy Tuesday,
    Melanie

    Reply
  10. Kim says

    August 30, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Thank you for posting this! What a great idea. I often wonder how people with small children have clean houses….and this is probably my answer! I am not by nature a naturally organized person but I am a perfectionist & I HATE mess & clutter. The problem is, I have a hard time figuring out how to get rid of it, short of shipping my children somewhere for the day so I can clean. This looks like the perfect solution. Keep the great ideas coming!

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    August 30, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    Another list junkie! My family teases me that I have lists of my lists. Thanks for a nice post. It reminds me (now that our three oldest have stepped on the bus) that I need the deep clean, too… 🙂

    Domini
    http://www.renaissancehousewife.com

    Reply
  12. The 1st of May says

    August 30, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Great minds think alike! Now that school has started I've been posting cleaning schedules too!

    I have to agree with you that I think people probably think I'm crazy too, but I can't help but share because I LOVE reading (and taking notes) of other people's schedules!…Especially if it is in an area where I need major help!

    As always, thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  13. Karen says

    August 30, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    I love reading your blog and your lists etc. I so appreciate you sharing how you keep your life/house/kids functioning. You have a lovely home and a big family, what better proof do I need that your systems work!!! And my lists have post it notes of smaller lists attached… 🙂

    Reply
  14. APE says

    August 30, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    You're not weird at all! I love your list, Sarah! Like you said, it's a great way to do a little every day and not have to do a huge cleaning that will take up your whole weekend (or longer).

    I love making lists–I also have a "room of the day" that I spend extra time straightening/cleaning/decluttering. I find it's easier that way:

    Mon: Kitchen/Laundry room
    Tues: Living room
    Wed: Office/hallway/dining room
    Thurs: Bathrooms
    Fri: Bedrooms/laundry

    Keep up the good work 🙂
    April

    Reply
  15. Melissa says

    August 30, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Why do I love seeing other people's lists so much? At first I thought you were deep cleaning EVERY day, but then I see that it's one room for the whole week. Love it!

    Reply
  16. Colleen says

    August 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    You are like a cooler version of the Fly Lady 🙂

    Reply
  17. Shelby Vandegriff says

    August 30, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    That is funny you posted this because I just recently posted a blog about my obsession with organization and list-making (http://babyvandegriff.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-ocd-life.html). I think I've been making lists since I was 5 too! I like your cleaning list though and I might have to adopt one like this for myself. Enjoy reading!

    Reply
  18. alanna rose says

    August 30, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Monday is "sheets" day at my house, too! The promise of a fresh bed makes Mon a bit more bearable.

    Reply
  19. Unknown says

    August 30, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    you seriously crack me up! "Deep Cleaning (how tricky!)" hahaha LOVE IT

    Reply
  20. Unknown says

    August 30, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    I love posts like this. I am not naturally organized so this helps me learn. I love your blog.

    Reply
  21. Michelle says

    August 30, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    I would never make fun of you. I think your ideas about your home are AWESOME!!

    Reply
  22. Brian and Staci says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    LOVE IT!!!!!!

    Reply
  23. Meagan Kenney says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    You are so ME! I don't think you're weird at all! I do the SAME thing, and you gave me some more great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  24. Richella Parham says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    You are NOT "that weird Clover Lane lady"–you are my inspiration!! Please, please, please post every organizational idea that you're willing to share. Those of us who are organizationally challenged need and very much appreciate your wisdom and insight. THANK YOU!!

    Reply
  25. jennifer says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    I love seeing your lists. As someone who aspires to be as organized as you (and to keep my house as clean as yours always seems to be), this type of post is inspirational. Making a new chore list is actually on my to-do list right now. Yes, my list includes making a list.

    Reply
  26. The Renwicks says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    May just print it, write over the kids bedroom names and steal your whole schedule 😉 Well done clover mama!

    Reply
  27. jessica kiehn says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I don't think this is weird – I LOVE STUFF LIKE THIS!!! Thank you for sharing! I often wonder how other Moms do it. Thank you!

    Reply
  28. I'm just saying: says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:29 am

    I think it's only weird if you make the lists and then NEVER put them into action. I knew someone like this and her house was filthy. If she had spent a tenth of the time cleaning instead of creating all the spreadsheet lists…LOL
    I do the nitty gritty cleaning gradually as well so there aren't huge seasonal cleanings, but I don't make the lists.

    Reply
  29. Julia says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:32 am

    This is awesome and SO not weird! I actually follow a similar schedule and it is so nice to not have to do the rigorous Spring /Fall cleaning:). I like your list better and will make some changes. Thanks for sharing!

    ~Julia

    Reply
  30. Mary says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:14 am

    I do the exact same thing, with an everyday schedule plus a "focus area" for the week! My rotation is bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, dining room, living room, nursery, kitchen again, bathroom again, office, basement. I find the kitchen and bath get grimy much faster than the other rooms!

    Reply
  31. Tara says

    August 31, 2011 at 3:41 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm a list person too and I love the DC idea!!!

    Someday will you share how you figure out your family budget…. maybe that's too personal… I could really use help in this area…

    Reply
  32. jodi says

    August 31, 2011 at 5:15 am

    i love it! but i'm a list maker too. and i'm still waiting (patiently) for your simple notebook budget post 🙂

    jodi

    Reply
  33. Steph says

    August 31, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    I love these types of posts. I think I am your long lost kids in Catholic school, staying at home too twin in Texas! Lists keep me as sane as possible, and I love getting to cross things off when they are done!

    Reply
  34. Stacy says

    September 1, 2011 at 3:09 am

    Thank you for sharing your cleaning schedule. I also have my cleaning broken down into small steps but I feel like the deep cleaning is being neglected. Great post. I

    Reply
  35. Kimberly says

    September 1, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Lists make everything less overwhelming. I love it and those women making fun of you suck, so let's just forget them. lol You are not crazy but take your job seriously. I applaud you!

    Reply
  36. Saren says

    September 5, 2011 at 12:28 am

    I love your lists, Sarah! Can we use this post on Power of Moms this month? We're working on the Power of Organization. I also love seeing what your daily schedule looks like. You sure fit in a LOT before the kids go to school – impressive.

    Quick question on your house cleaning list – do your kids help with any of this? I'm working on my own lists and working on my kids' lists of the specific things they're responsible for as far as quick daily cleaning and weekly deeper cleaning. I'm working to "certify" the older ones in exciting tasks like toilet cleaning an the little ones are really getting good at wiping down baseboards and all the little ledges on our doors…

    Reply
  37. Jen Kesler says

    January 3, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Thanks for sharing this!!

    Reply
  38. Sue Jensen says

    June 4, 2012 at 12:10 am

    It's so much fun to read these! Sounds like Clover Lane has a lot of kids and I see how you need these lists! My kids have left home now (and left a lot of their stuff behind), so my lists have a different tone now, but now the grandkids are coming and a new type of cleaning! I'm afraid I have to go back to those lists again!

    All the best to all of you!

    Reply
  39. katie says

    July 12, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Question: When do you mop? I see vacuum, but do you mop when you clean that particular room — for example Tuesday "Kitchen" do you mop that room that day?

    Reply
  40. Mel says

    December 12, 2012 at 4:17 am

    I noticed in this post that you mentioned you were going to write your daily schedule the day after this post. For some reason I can't find that post. Can you please give me the link to that post? As a new mom, your organization is bringing so much simplicity and sanity to my days. Thank you for everything you do.

    Reply
  41. Sarah says

    December 12, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    Hi Mel-I don't think I ever followed through on that post, but I will try to get to it soon!

    Reply
  42. Happy Annie says

    January 3, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    I do the same thing…and have for YEARS! Here is mine:
    Mon: Sheets and food shopping
    Tues: Upstairs bathrooms
    Wed: Downstairs bathroom & laundry room
    Thurs: Dusting
    Fri: Vacuuming and mopping

    Everyday I do one load of laundry, clean kitchen after dinner and straighten up. 🙂

    Reply
  43. Catherine says

    March 25, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    So I want to make sure, you deep clean one room everyday in addition to what you have scheduled? Or do you just do a DC one day during that week in addition to the other cleaning? Seems like a lot of cleaning doing DC and regular cleaning everyday. Dont get me wrong my house could use it I just dont have that much time. Please clarify for me. I seem yo be the only one that doesnt get it.

    Reply
  44. Unknown says

    April 25, 2013 at 8:01 am

    Thanks for sharing such a Good Schedule for cleaning I will use these Schedule for cleaning.

    Nepean home cleaning

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Welcome to Clover Lane. I write about my love of motherhood, ordinary days, and simple living.  You can learn more about me here.

Follow by Email

21 years of our best-loved, most-used quality toys!

Topics

Archives

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer

Clover Lane is participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read my disclosure.

Favorite Books

Favorite Children’s Books

Favorite Parenting Books

Amazon Native Ads

Clothing Ad

Amazon Kids

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Disclosure

Copyright © 2022 · Memories on Clover Lane · All Rights Reserved
Please do not duplicate anything on this blog without written permission from the author.
Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links used.