how-to run an efficient household
HOW-TO RUN AN EFFICIENT HOUSEHOLD
by hannah of sherbet blossom
I'm a busy mom of three, working full time at home. Juggling my magazine design job, motherhood and my housework is no easy task. Growing up, Saturday was housework day. We'd deep clean everything and make the house sparkle. So, naturally, that is what I first implemented in my own home. During the week, however, my kids tore apart the house and I spent ALL Saturday, my only day with my husband home, getting my home back in order. I realized that wasn't going to work for me.
Before I divulge on my cleaning system, I must add a disclaimer. In no way do I profess to be a housecleaning expert. My home is frequently sub-par. (My excuse is that I live with three little tornadoes who find great joy in following behind me as I vacuum, leaving a trail of crumbs along the way.) This is housekeeping the Hannah way. It works for me. I can answer the door anytime knowing that my house will be almost-in-order. It is leaps-n-bounds ahead of my old clean-the-house-on-Saturday-and-watch-the-house-deteriorate-until-next-Saturday plan.
I created this handy little cleaning system using tips from a few friends and books. This chore list splits the day into three small, but doable, tasks lists: one for the morning, one for the day, and one for night. All the chores are split between the weekdays and the weekends are family & free time. These chores are general, and will apply to almost anyone's home.
I created a cutely designed reminder booklet that I sit on a small easel on my desk. (Lists are much easier for me to follow when I like looking at them!) I bound it with metal rings so I can rearrange days & combine tasks when needed.
MORNING ROUTINE:
empty dishwasher
review calendar + to do list
personal (reading, writing, and/or meditation)
DAILY TASKS
MONDAY (Cleaning Day):
laundry
vacuum & dust
mop floors
wipe down doors
deep-clean bathrooms
TUESDAY (Free Day)
send out birthday cards & thank yous
clean out car
WEDNESDAY (Problem Area Day)
clean out fridge
clean kitchen (floors, rugs, surfaces, cupboards, pantry, etc)
clean one problem area (pick any area in your home that needs a little extra work)
make menu & grocery list (to prepare for tomorrow's errand day)
THURSDAY (Errand Day)
grocery shopping & errands
clean bedrooms
FRIDAY (Date Day)
do something special for significant other
clean living/family rooms
clean out purse/bag
SATURDAY (Family Day)
quickly tidy house
focus on family
SUNDAY (Rest Day)
read & write
NIGHT ROUTINE:
quick home pick up
run dishwasher
start tomorrow's to do list
personal (reading, writing, and/or meditation)
As for the bigger, home maintenance items, I follow good ol' Martha's schedule from an essential book in my homemaking library: Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook.
*If any of you are interested in downloading or purchasing Hannah's cute chore chart, you can buy the printed one here or buy the file here and print it yourself!
15 comments:
very cool! this inspires me to make a weekly cleaning list before my third baby is born (in about 3 weeks). gotta get things in order! thanks for the tips!
hannah, i really love how you've whittled down household tasks into bite sized lists. this makes running a household seem much easier, especially since you know everything important will get done! i'm excited to try your daily chore chart!
These are brilliant. Thanks!
this is amazing! thank you! -jen
Hannah always has the most amazing ideas. Thanks for sharing this over here.
ooh i'm liking this!! :)
xo,
christen
Hannah, I love that you are cutting down the big cleaning chores to tiny chores spread throughout the whole week. Looks so much more managable.
Marta, your How-to Series has tought me so many great things. Thanks so much for having everyone and sharing with blogland. =)
I love this! I basically try and do my cleaning schedule like this but would love to have that cute little book to keep me in line!
Wait, you're supposed to wipe doors once a week?? Much less at all?
My doors must be an embarrassment.
@Kerry: You may not need to wipe your doors as much as I do. :) I have 30 little sticky fingers in my house. I have new fingerprints every day!
Hannah! You are hired! I'm so impressed!
i love this stuff marta! keep it going. you are such an enabler of good. way to go!
I LOVE IT! Of course the breaking it down into manageable chunks is wonderful, but I LOVE the little cards on the easel. Usually my lists get misplaced or tucked in a binder - USELESS! Thanks for sharing this. maybe I will actually get on a good schedule.
I heart Hannah and am so happy that I found her blog a few weeks ago. She is awesome and has the greatest reviews and organisational skills. You should all follow her! :)
And Marta is one of my favourites as well! :)
~Senja
brilliant!
there's nothing so comforting to me as around-the-house lists. mmm.
thanks for the great ideas, hannah!
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