A Realistic Home Cleaning Schedule (Free Printables)
This set of free cleaning schedule printable templates is the easiest way to keep your home clean in an hour a day! Realistic list tasks are broken down by house zone for an organized daily & weekly routine.
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How it Began
I'm not exaggerating in the least when I say that these two printables changed my life.
In the summer of 2015, I was totally overwhelmed. I had a very active preschooler, was trying to run an at-home blogging business, and was beginning a pregnancy that left me either exhausted or nauseous 95% of the time. It was a lot for one person to handle.
Needless to say, cleaning was way, way down my list of priorities. I was aiming more for survival at that point. 😉 But, whether you like it or not, you have to clean your house every now and then, right? So, I whipped up a monthly cleaning schedule that changed the game.
With this schedule, I was able to keep my home neat and tidy with just around an hour of work a day. I set aside about 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening to dedicate to this plan. Within weeks, I could tell a difference in my home with a very minimal amount of work.
Why This Realistic Cleaning Schedule Works
This system is simple. It consists of just two blocks; a morning routine and an evening routine. The morning routine never changes, and the evening routine ties in some of the tasks you'll need to rotate by the day or by the week.
This cleaning schedule is clear. The two printable schedules clearly lay out the routine. I am naturally a very forgetful person. I need something like this to take on bigger tasks like home cleaning. There are so many moving parts that can be daunting to keep up with if you don't have a plan.
This cleaning list is comprehensive. It covers it all, from baseboards to vents. No need to constantly second-guess whether you've cleaned everything needed - it's all there!
The Basic Daily Cleaning Schedule Routine
Let's start with the basics. There are two parts to my cleaning system; the morning routine and the evening routine.
Morning Cleaning Routine
The morning routine is consistent; it never changes, no matter the day or the week. In the morning cleaning routine, you'll...
- Declutter for 10 minutes
- Unload dishwasher
- Make beds
Evening Cleaning Routine
The evening routine is similar to the morning routine. You'll need to add the daily chore in the right column and a few items on the "Room of the Week Chores" checklist. In the evenings, you'll...
- Declutter for 10 minutes
- Do dishes; load & start the dishwasher
- Clean kitchen (wipe down counters, spot clean floor, organize food)
- Do the daily chore
- Monday: Outside areas
- Tuesday: Dust surfaces
- Wednesday: Clean fridge and pantry
- Thursday: Vacuum & mop floors
- Friday: Clean bathrooms (toilets & sinks)
- Saturday: Laundry
- Sunday: Rest day
- Two or three chores on the "room of the week" list (see weekly schedule tasks section below)
Printable Pages of the Cleaning Schedule
Don't worry, you won't have to remember all of that - these free printable pages organize everything for you! You will use the following two pages to check off your morning and evening routine daily. There are two pages that are crucial to this cleaning routine.
Daily Routine Page
On the daily routine page, I follow the morning routine each morning (usually right after I drop my kids off at school) and the evening routine (usually right after we put our children to bed). Each one takes about 30 minutes.
The top part of the page will show you what to do each day. The bottom part is a checklist that lets you mark off each task as you complete it daily. This is a chart you'll fill in completely once a week.
Printable Tip
I recommend using a laminator to preserve the page and marking off your page weekly with a wet-erase marker. This way, you don't have to print a copy weekly!
Room of the Week Chores Page
That room of the week chore checklist can be found on the next page. This is a collection of the tasks you'll do during the room of the week time in that evening routine.
Each week has 10-15 tasks that need to be done in certain zones of the house. This list is to be completed as much as possible once monthly (with the exception of odd weeks; see below).
In my monthly cleaning schedule, I divide the rooms into the following zones:
- Week 1: Kitchen
- Week 2: Living areas (living room, laundry room, foyer, playroom, etc.)
- Week 3: Bedrooms & outside
- Week 4: Bathrooms & closets
- Odd weeks: This is a section for those months that have 5 almost full weeks. This will happen 4 times a year typically. These are tasks that rarely need to be done but still need occasional attention.
By dividing the house into zones and tackling each zone weekly, I find that you can consistently maintain your whole house with the least amount of attention and effort.
This routine has worked for me for years, even though we've lived in a few very different homes (a garden home, an apartment, a ranch-style house, and now a two-story home). If you're consistent with tackling these cleaning tasks, it works!
Weekly Cleaning Schedule Tasks
Below, you'll find all of the tasks that appear on the room of the week printable above. This shows how I break my home down to tackle an area each week.
Week 1: Kitchen & Dining Room
- Organize cabinets/clean cabinet doors
- Polish furniture & china
- BWDW (This stands for baseboards, walls, doors, and windows. I find it more efficient to tackle all of these at once in each room.)
- Organize command center (throw out old mail/paper, file other paper as needed)
- Wash kitchen linens
- Wash pet bowls
- Take things off of counters & wipe clean (including the backsplash)
- Clean oven, stove, & microwave
- Clean all small appliances
- Clean fronts of large appliances
- Deep clean sink
- Clean trash cans
- Deep clean refrigerator
- Clean light fixtures
- Clean light switches/outlet covers
Week 2: Living Room, Playroom, Hall, Laundry
- Clean washer/dryer/deep freezer
- Organize cleaning supplies
- Bwdw (baseboards, walls, doors, and windows)
- Dust/spot clean curtains
- Dust picture frames
- Back up electronics/clean out files
- Clean & organize mudroom lockers
- Wash living linens
- Spot clean carpets
- Vacuum & spot clean furniture
- Vacuum stairs, clean banister/rails
- Clean light switches/outlet covers
- Organize all playroom toys
- Organize tv areas
- Dust tops of ceiling fans
Week 3: Bedrooms & Outside Areas
- Clean & organize end tables
- Clean light switch/outlet covers
- Maintain flower beds (pull weeds, fertilize if needed, trim bushes)
- Dust tops of furniture
- Organize backyard & porch
- Organize & wash cars (wash outside, spot clean inside, remove trash)
- Dust tops of fans
- Organize & sweep garage
- Wash comforters
- Bwdw (baseboards, walls, doors, and windows)
Week 4: Bathrooms & Closets
- Hang up & refold clothes
- Organize shoes
- Clean showers & tubs
- Wipe down surfaces (back of toilet, shelves, counter)
- Clean trash cans
- Clean light fixtures
- Clean bathroom mirrors
- Organize under bathroom sinks
- Wash toothbrush holders
- Bwdw (baseboards, walls, doors, and windows)
- Clean light switch/outlet covers
- Clean base of toilets & sinks
- Wash bath linens (show towels, mats, etc.)
Week 5: Odd Weeks
(This is a list for those months that have 5 weeks. This should be completed around 4 times per year.)
- Clean vents
- Clean the outside of windows
- Clean out the vacuum & filter
- Wash seldom-used blankets
- Clean elevated surfaces
- Clean out & organize closets
- Deep clean furniture & carpets
- Organize junk drawers
- Wash/purge bath toys
- Clean under furniture
- Deep detail cars (inside & out)
- Pressure wash house & driveway
If you'd like to organize these tasks for your month, I have a printable for that, too! You can see the weekly cleaning schedule printable here.
How to Download These Free Printable Pages
You will find both of these downloads in my printable collection - it's a section of my blog just for newsletter subscribers. It's free to join the newsletter and get access to these and hundreds of other coordinating printables! Simply click the button below to sign up.
(FYI - The printable pictured above is from an older version of this post. You might have found your way here because of that version. Just in case you also wanted this older printable, it is still available in the printable collection! Just sign up for the newsletter to access that.)
The files you'll download are in a pdf format. Once you sign up, check your email for a link to the printable collection, click the download link, and either download to your device by using the downward-facing arrow button or print with the printer button.
A standard printer should work perfectly for these files - they fit on standard 8.5x11" printer paper. (This is the printer I use and I love it!)
More Tips & Tricks
- Start slowly. I don't recommend starting the whole cleaning routine at once. Slowly integrate it into your daily routine. Maybe do the morning routine for a few days, then add the evening routine without the room of the week list, then add those in once you're comfortable with the rest. (Need a more guided way to start using this routine? I have a whole email series that's free to join! Sign up for the Clean Home Boot Camp.)
- Have the right tools on hand. Make sure you're armed with the right supplies before you ever start. I break this schedule down and talk about what cleaning supplies I use for each task in a blog post - see my favorite cleaning products for accomplishing these tasks.
- Have a reset day. Once you get to a certain point in the week, you might find that there are a couple of tasks you haven't gotten to yet. That's ok. This schedule is designed for some grace…you don't have to do each and every task each month! So, if you get to the weekend and find you're just not going to have time to complete some of the weekly tasks, mark off and move on. You'll get it next month.
- Actually use the printable pages to check off tasks. There's something to be said for a physical checklist. It's so helpful for keeping yourself accountable when building a habit. Doesn't it feel good to check off a to-do task? On the flip side, doesn't it make you want to complete a routine when it's not checked off? Printing these pages out and using that checklist will give you a visual reminder of your progress and what's left to do.
Journey to Clean
Finally, let's take a look at the complete guide to using this cleaning system: Journey to Clean. Once my first house cleaning schedule post really caught on, I had an overwhelming request to expand it into a full home cleaning system.
So, with every spare second I had, I got to work creating just that. In the summer of 2016 (with a 4-month-old baby), I published my first-ever ebook - Journey to Clean 2016. This ebook took the original cleaning schedule you see above and expanded it. It's now a home cleaning system that walks you through cleaning your home every single day.
As of today, thousands of readers have tried and loved this system. We're now on our eighth edition of Journey to Clean!
In the latest edition, Journey to Clean 2023, you'll get a collection of eBooks that gives you absolutely everything you could need to follow the printable pages you see above.
You will find monthly cleaning calendars for December 2022 - December 2023 that break the schedule down into easy-to-complete parts, tips on how to integrate this system into different lifestyles, and even a deep cleaning section that shows you how to really make your home shine.
I also have a light version of J2C that lets you maintain a clean home through busy months with simple, pared-down calendars.
Cleaning Schedule FAQs
I can't wait to see this cleaning schedule in action in your home! 🏠 Leave a comment to let me know how it's working for you. Or, you can tag me 📸 on social media channels (@lambertslately) with your results!
I forgot to save this and every time I want to access I have to unsubscribe and then resubscribe to your newsletter. Is there a place to put the password in without doing all this??
There is! Go to this link and put in the password that you got in the welcome email (it's also at the bottom of the newsletters I send out on Friday). If you need help, email me at leslie at lambertslately dot com!
I just went thru this, subscribed twice to no avail, could not find a button on the post to access these printables, only to subscribe. Maybe you could put a link in this post or on your home page to make it more obvious how to access printables if you are subscribed.
Hi Priscilla! The link to the printables should be in the email you receive after subscribed.
I just found out about Journey to Clean, but it's already mid-July. Do you offer a pro-rated version of this for the rest of the year?
I don't currently have a pro-rated version, but am planning some sales for the late summer and fall! I will be announcing those through my email list...you can subscribe here if you haven't already.
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Hi! I just found your site and then was offered the Journey to Clean for a nice price, but...2017 is just about over! Will you be coming out with a 2018 edition?
Hi Linda! J2C 2018 will be out on December 1st...until then, I plan on having a sale or two on the 2017 edition if you're interested! You can find out about that through my email newsletter (subscribe to that at the top of the page if you're interested).
I am quite curious why one would only sweep and mop once a week? I see this as a daily essential cleaning, especially with little (or any aged) child(ren). Is that for beginning for those that aren't ones to clean at all or is this a suggested long term routine that is suggested for practice within one's home?
There is always room for additions or deletions that fit your family, Becca! For me, it isn't personally needed...it would just be overkill. It would also be quite an undertaking (it typically takes me 45 minutes to an hour to sweep/vacuum/mop my whole home), so it just isn't possible in a practical cleaning schedule for me. However, most people do have to change up a couple of little things in this schedule to fit their lifestyle!
I just downloaded your cleaning schedule and implemented into my Google Calendar just to be aware every day on what I have to do and to count myself accountable for.
Hope I will have the oh so needed discipline! 😉
Thanks for making such a great resource available!
I hope you love it...you are very welcome!
I'm sure this is a question that has a really easy answer and I'll feel dumb for asking, lol! But I just purchased the Journey to Clean ebook and was wondering, what does BWDW stand for? I have been trying to think of what it could be and apparently my brain isn't working!
So I asked yesterday about BWDW and I had only looked at the printables file. Read through the one with instructions and found my answer of course! Sorry to bother you and thanks for the awesome cleaning schedule! 🙂
Great, so glad you found it! 🙂 (For those wondering, BWDW stands for Baseboards, Walls, Doors, and Windows.)
thanks thats was driving me nuts!
So I use a cleaning schedule as well but am always looking to improve upon it. I loved the “under an hour” part of your title because I’ve got littles who aren’t in school yet and one on the way so it can be a challenge to get things done without getting interrupted. Anyway, I’m very curious how you actually do all of that in an hour. It appears that you’re at 45 minutes not including the daily chore or weekly room chores. And looking at the chores, there is no way you’re doing the daily chore plus 1-2 room chores in 15 minutes or less total. And if you are...I’m very impressed. It would just be nice to have a more accurate time frame on this schedule.
Sure! Here's a quick breakdown of the times for each activity:
Mornings:
Declutter (10 minutes)
Unload Dishwasher (5 minutes)
Make beds (5-10 minutes)
20-25ish minutes in the morning
Evening:
Declutter (10 minutes)
Load and start dishwasher, clean kitchen (10 minutes)
Daily Chore (maybe 5 minutes, except for Thursday and Friday, closer to 10 minutes)
Room of the week chores (typically around 10 minutes)
So, you see that it really is right at an hour! I know it doesn't seem like you can get all of this done in the time frames mentioned, but you'd be surprised how much you can get done in 10 minutes. I do it every day (and have for years now). Set a timer and truly see how long it takes you - you'd be surprised! It doesn't take rushing through it, just being consistent.
Your math is off for the morning, it adds up to 25-30 minutes. For the evenings, the total is 35-40 minutes. That is 60-70 minutes a day, not under an hour. All the same, my house looks great when I have time to stick with this plan! I found myself modifying yours so much, I made my own in MS Word! 🙂 It's a great idea, but there is just no possible way I can clean baseboards for any room in 10 minutes. That does not include gathering supplies and moving all the furniture out from the walls. Maybe if I clean them more often, they'll be quicker to clean the next time around...? Also I realized I don't need to worry if I don't finish the Room of the Week list each week, because I can just make sure to complete the rest of it next month!
Thanks for the printables!
I have a question about the cleaning schedule.
What does the abbreviation BWDW stand for?
Thanks!
Hi Linda! BWDW stands for Baseboards, Walls, Doors, and Windows. I go a little more in depth about why they are paired together in the book, but in short, I found myself cleaning them together in most rooms so I made it one chore.
Please someone explain BWDW.
That’s an acronym for “Baseboards, Walls, Doors, and Windows.” You’ll clean those for the designated weeks’ room when you see this on the calendar!
I love that you have the daily, weekly and monthly breakdown. As stated, what works for some households will definitely not work for others. For a family of 5, waiting to do laundry on one day isn't practical, it just takes up too much time and if there is an emergency or something comes up and you're not home that day you are even more backlogged. Also, having 5 people's laundry piled up around the house for a week gets very messy very quickly.
I like the outdoor chores listed but those are only for summer and during summer waiting to do them once a week can be a nightmare! Those weeds grow fast!
I will definitely use this as a starting point. Thanks for the help. 🙂
Great schedule and tips! Of course I can use it for spring cleaning but you can make it a normal habit.
I like the room of the week concept. I tend to be so random when I clean and if I don't have time to finish the house just looks messier not cleaner
Hello! I have been trying your cleaning list for a week now. I love it!! I hate doing most cleaning jobs because they all seem so daunting. Your list has made it fun to do each task and check it off. Thank you for sharing!
I'm so glad it has helped, Summer! 🙂
I love the cleaning schedule, it’s very comprehensive. I used it today as a stepping stone to help myself out of a depressive episode. If I was sitting I was crying. Your method is a lifesaver today, thank you Leslie! I managed to tackle the kitchen and the living room zones and when I was done swiffering and getting my 2yo to bed, my husband came home and said “it feels so good in here.” Thank you for a list that is flexible and direct, it really helped me motivate to move.
This comment absolutely made my day! I am so glad it motivated you.
I’m a little confused about “odd weeks” section. There is nothing for even weeks, and when are these done? I just printed these today and will start doing these. I have multiple sclerosis and Hashimoto’s, so I think the breakdown you have on here will be doable with my chronic fatigue. Thank you so much for this!
The odd weeks section is for those few months that have a fifth week. You have four basic weeks in the cleaning schedule (kitchen, living, bedrooms/outside, bathrooms) - that covers 48 weeks out of the year (12 months x 4 week), but some months have that random fifth week. That's what your odd weeks are for. I try to put those in months that have the majority of a fifth week. Those are included in the monthly cleaning calendars in Journey to Clean!
Hi! Do you have an editable version of the cleaning checklists? I love the format, but I want to switch it around a little and add/delete things to personalize it for the cleaning needs in my home. Would definitely buy these if they were editable.
Thanks!
Skye
Because of the way I make my printables, unfortunately they aren't editable. However - I do put blanks on each section to make sure you can add things as needed!
Great website! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
We don't have a dishwasher. Is there a version that has wash dishes instead of the dishwasher?
I don't currently have other versions - I'll keep this in mind for later this year when I do updates, though!
Can you check my email? I thought my order for the offer went through but I haven't seen anything in my gmail account. I even checked the spam folder. [email protected] Thanks!
Hi Maria! I am showing an order from Tuesday for you. Check you spam folder; if it's not there, email me at leslie at lambertslately dot com and I'll be glad to give you a link to your download!
You're very efficient and organized and I'm sure your home is always clean. I just feel like I have more important things to do at this stage of my life. I enjoy having a clean house but if I have to choose between checking off the items on my daily, weekly, monthly or room of the day checklist or playing with my grandsons, I'll choose my grandsons every day. They're only little once and when they're past the age of wanting to spend time with Mimi and Papa, it's gone to spending time with friends and doing other things. You are so dedicated and I know all of your hard work is a life saver for so many. And you have a wonderful home based business. Have a blessed day and thank you for all of your insightful information.
It's definitely a balance - that's one reason I love this list, it helps me get the things done that have to be done as quickly as possible so I can dedicate the maximum amount to my kids!
I love your acronym BWDW!
Cleanliness is such an important aspect of mental health!
Great article.
What does BWDW stand for on the cleaning schedule?
Hi Heather! That’s an acronym for “Baseboards, Walls, Doors, and Windows.” You’ll clean those for the designated weeks’ room when you see this on the calendar.
Thanks for the informative post on home cleaning! I'm sure a lot of people will find it useful.
Thank you so much for sharing your cleaning schedule! I am trying to get in a better cleaning routine! We are having our carpets cleaned this week so that is a start haha. Thanks again for sharing!!!
Thank you so much for these tips! I am trying to get into a better cleaning routine. I scheduled a professional carpet cleaning this week so that is a start haha! Thanks again for sharing!!!
I have searched through a few cleaning schedules. Yours is more complete and detailed than any others. I am excited to give it a try.
Please help! I need this so bad. I am 75 and retired from my financial job 2 years ago. I guess being at home ( not used to that) I am lazy and depressed. Hoping your system will help me. I don’t have a printer. Do you supply this information on paper or in a notebook. I would be happy to pay a cost for mailing me the printed information. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Hi Betsy, unfortunately, I don't offer a pre-printed version. However, you can always take this pdf file to a office supply store (like office depot) and have them print it. The prices are usually fairly affordable!