Ethan returning to school seems like the perfect time for me to start getting myself and my home back on track. The lazy days of summer are gone and my house looks like I have been enjoying a lot of days outside, instead of inside. I am using the index card system and this past week has went so much more smoothly for me. I have always been a big believer in breaking down the week, but some of the important things that I wanted to get done seemed to lay by the wayside. I also was facing a new schedule with our son going to morning preschool instead of afternoons. Throw in a busy side business and one more child (with her own schedule) and my week of organization was turning into mad chaos.
I sat down and wrote everything out on the index cards and then broke down my spring cleaning activities throughout the year. With one week behind me, I already feel more at peace with my week and I am actually getting to enjoy the weekend more, instead of cleaning for hours on end.
This is my new routine:
Daily:
Sweep Kitchen Floors
Unload dishwasher
Load dishwasher
Swipe both bathrooms
Make beds
One load of laundry
Have Ethan do his chores (He is five years old and we have him make his bed, tidy his room, do all of the recycling, clean up the playroom (while Emily naps & before bed time), put his clothes in the hamper, dress himself, brush his teeth, help set the table, do his homework, and put his dishes on the counter when he is done eating.)
Monday:
Clean bathtub
Empty upper level trash
Make grocery list and menu plan
Change sheets on all beds
Clean windows and mirrors on upper level
Dust upper level
Steam floors on upper level
Sweep upper level
Organize the bedrooms
Tuesday:
Dust main level
Sweep main level
Steam kitchen floors
Clean windows and mirrors
Run errands
Wednesday:
Do one thing I hate
Catch up on anything that didn’t get done on Tuesday (just in case my errands run too long)
Thursday:
Empty lower level trash
Dust lower level
Sweep lower level
Clean windows and mirrors on lower level
Clean and organize the home office
Visit the library
Friday:
Day off from cleaning
Catch up on website work
Saturday:
Clean out car
Update our Quicken software
Mow lawn
Baking day
Sunday:
Church
Clean out fridge
Deep clean the kitchen sink
Clean stove (& stove parts in dishwasher)
Pay bills
Recycle papers
Clip coupons
Clean microwave & toaster oven
Sound Off: Am I missing anything? Do you have a game plan for your week or a cleaning system that works for you? I am ALL EARS!!!
Amy, tell me about the steamer you use on your floors. I saw an ad for one a couple of months ago and I couldn’t find it (of course I can’t remember the brand) it was about $40.00 as I recall. Pam, South Bend
[Reply]
Pam,
I have a hand held steamer (a Scunci one) and I have a steamer made just for my floor. My floor steamer is a Bissell Steam Mop and they stopped making my model. I noticed recently though that they just came out with another model this month and I would HIGHLY recommend this steamer over anything else. My floors have no streaks, the pads are washable, the floors are never wet, and it beats a mop & a broom any day of the week for me!
Here is a link to that steamer:
http://tinyurl.com/yq6uye
My only other suggestion is, if you buy this model, to buy extra pads. I have four so that I always have a clean one to use.
In between though I use my Bissell Flip Ease and I adore that! Great for a quick swipe and a wonderful vacuum for hardwood floors!
I should become a Bissell spokesperson- I adore their products!
[Reply]
I think you forgot to add “Do one thing that you LOVE.” Otherwise, you can fall into the trap of being resentful. Make sure to take “You” time.
[Reply]
How on earth do you do it? Your chores for Saturday & Sunday must take at least four to five hours. How do you fit in time with your family?
[Reply]
I save my deep cleaning for Friday and that’s when I change sheets, clean kitchen/baths, thoroughly dust, mop, etc. I like having it clean for when Andrew and I go out that night.
[Reply]
Melinda- I totally agree! I actually do a foot soak on Fridays on or Saturday (after I mow the lawn) which is my favorite thing to do!
Anonymous- Actually my Sat & Sun chores are my easy days. Saturday I mow the lawn while my daughter takes a nap, the car just takes ten minutes, and I bake with the kids in the evening. Sunday I can clip the coupons while I hang out with the children, my son helps me with the recycling, and I clean the stove after supper and the microwave while dinner is heating up. The fridge get a good deep cleaning once a month and then the rest of the month is just tossing the yucky food on Sundays while I am cleaning up from dinner.
I also get up earlier now
That has greatly improved my schedule because I can get some stuff done before we even leave for the days activities!!
[Reply]
Wow Amy, I love your cleaning schedule. I’ve been working on one for myself, but I can’t seem to stick to it. How do you get it all done?
[Reply]
Wow–this is a very comprehensive list! I haven’t yet found my groove with setting specific tasks on certain days–thanks for sharing what works for you!
[Reply]
I take advantage of the morning time, when they first wake up. They play while I get the kitchen tasks done and making the beds.
Emily naps and when she naps, Ethan gets an hour of computer time. While he does that, I do some of the chores that are left.
Then in the evening, Ryan spends some time on his own with the kids, which gives me time to finish up what I need to do.
Any extra time that I have left is spent sacking out on the couch or working on the blog. I just basically use those little blocks of time to get things done.
This is just my ideal week though- kids get sick, schedules change, I don’t feel like doing anything, etc..
I just move the index cards to the next day and hope that whatever doesn’t get done, can get accomplished the next time around
I am flexible, but I love to have a game plan in mind!!
Thanks for all the feedback!
[Reply]
Amy- thanks for sharing! You’ve inspired me to get back on a cleaning schedule. Cleaning the house becomes such a daunting task when I try to tackle it all at once. Keep these tips coming!
Beth
[Reply]