Get ahead of the mess, have less stress.
Being a stay-at-home mom means I am always at home with my kids. Being constantly surrounded by chores and to-do lists, it can get overwhelming without a plan. This stay-at-home mom cleaning schedule actually works and will help reduce the stress of keeping the house clean.
I have a toddler and a baby at home all the time with me right now. That means there are constant messes being made. Kids are kids, and they should be allowed to have fun. This cleaning schedule is not going to limit your children’s fun or force them to stop being kids.
It will however, encourage your child’s curiosity and teach them new skills.
The cleaning schedule I have developed over the last two years as a stay-at-home mom has allowed me to say yes to spontaneous drop ins from my friends without the stress of a messy house taking over my joy.
The things I do to keep my house clean are so simple, my toddler loves to join in an help me clean!
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Step 1: Declutter
Did you know that clutter increases stress and anxiety levels? It also disrupts sleep and reduces our ability to focus. 1
“Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.” (Sander)
A cluttered home can create a fight or flight response, making it harder for your body to fight sicknesses and digest food. Sleeping in a cluttered room can make you sleep worse and even cause sleep disturbances throughout the night. 1
“People with extremely cluttered homes are 77% more likely to be overweight” (Sander)
That’s a big deal. We eat worse when we are in a cluttered kitchen. That means an accessible and organized kitchen encourages healthier eating habits. I don’t know any moms who would choose to eat worse on purpose.
If you would like to read more about the effects of clutter, read here.
The first step in this stay-at-home mom cleaning schedule is to declutter. Walk around your house and get rid of or put away anything you don’t need out. I even started putting kitchen appliances away when I’m not using them and this has made a huge difference in the stress level I feel walking into my kitchen.
Look for opportunities to make surfaces completely empty, or with only a couple of very intentionally placed items.
Once you clear away all the clutter, you will start to feel the stress melt away as you look around your home.
Now you can start the cleaning schedule.
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The stay-at-home mom cleaning schedule
As a stay-at-home mom you know that each day looks different. There are different things that need more attention than others, depending mostly on where your kids are and what they have decided to get into that day.
I use the word schedule, but this is more of a cleaning routine. Each week I get these tasks done, but not always on the same days or at the same time each day.
We have to be flexible or we won’t make it as a stay-at-home mom. Have grace with yourself and your kids as you try to implement some new ideas into your cleaning schedule.
It will take time and patience to find what works best for your family and the stage of life you are in. My cleaning schedule looks very different when I am pregnant. Be willing to make changes according to your needs and the needs of your family.
The everyday chores are done in addition to each of the chores listed by day.
Everyday Chores
-Laundry (start a load in the morning, fold in the afternoon or evening)
-Dishes (wash dishes after meals)
-Clean the kitchen (wipe down counters after doing the dishes, put away any clutter. Always go to bed with a clean kitchen)
-Pick up the living areas (put away any toys, books, clothing, etc.)
-Turn on the roomba (after lunch while the kids take a nap)
-Take out the trash
Day 1
On Mondays, I wash all the sheets and towels in the house.
I love this day. There’s nothing better than curling up in bed with fresh sheets at the end of the day.
Changing the sheets on Mondays makes Monday a little more bearable and gives me a little thing to look forward to at the end of the day.
Day 2
On Tuesdays, I vacuum all the living areas and bedrooms.
My toddler loves vacuuming. It’s loud and it sucks stuff up, what more could a little boy ask for? His favorite thing is to roll around on the clean floor when I’m done. Which is hilarious.
Day 3
On Wednesdays, I deep clean all the bathrooms.
Honestly, this is my least favorite chore. But it must be done.
I start by cleaning the mirrors and counters. Then move on to scrubbing the sink and faucet.
Next, I clean the toilet, making sure to clean every part of it, including the outside, the seats, and the top.
Then wipe down the baseboards.
Finally, I sweep and mop (if I have time).
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Day 4
On Thursdays, I sweep and mop all rooms with wood floors. If I didn’t have time to mop the bathrooms yesterday, I do it today.
My toddler loves popping the bubbles that come from the dish soap I use. He even grabs the mop and copies how I mop the floor. It’s so cute!
I use this day to catch up on any chores I missed earlier in the week.
Day 5
On Fridays, I vacuum all the rooms with carpet again.
This is my mini rest day so I don’t do a lot of extra chores on Fridays. This is one of my secrets to staying happy as a stay-at-home mom. Read more about how to love life as a stay-at-home mom.
Day 6 & 7
This is usually Saturday and Sunday when my husband has the day off. We like to do things as a family or simply spend time relaxing at home.
After cleaning all week. This is a good time to sit back and enjoy your clean home.
I still do the everyday chores on these days.
Chores to be done as needed
-Dust
-Clean baseboards
-Remove couch cushions and vacuum the couch
-Clean windows
-Shampoo carpets
-Vacuum the car
How to get chores done without neglecting your children
When the kids are home it can feel like you have to ignore them in order to get things done around the house. This just isn’t the case most of the time.
Whenever I am cleaning, my curious toddler wants to help me. I want to encourage his interest in helping around the house so I give him a small task to do while I’m cleaning.
Usually giving him a microfiber cloth to wipe stuff down with keeps him occupied and actually helps with the dusting. He really likes to wipe the windows when it’s window cleaning day.
When I am cleaning the kitchen, he loves to help sweep (he just drags the broom around), and put away dishes (his own cups and baby silverware).
Now when my toddler doesn’t want to help, I let him play while I clean and everyone is happy happy happy.
In reality…
Reality check.
Somedays we don’t “get anything done.” But that not getting anything done was because we were rocking our babies to sleep because they were sick, or we were trying a new recipe and it took longer than expected, or our husbands surprised us with lunch out together, or our toddler needed to cuddle on the couch.
There are always going to be chores to do. There won’t always be these little people who need you more than anything in the whole world. They are more important than a spotless house. Always prioritize your family over a clean home.
Believe it or not, those days you “got nothing done,” are the days that mean the most. They are the days your little family felt your love more than anything else.
The chores will get done. Love your family. Care for your home.
Create a home atmosphere you love to come home to through a combination of care, cleaning, and love.
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SAVE THIS FOR LATER
References
- Sander. Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour, E. (2024, November 22). Time for a kondo clean-out? here’s what clutter does to your brain and body. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/time-for-a-kondo-clean-out-heres-what-clutter-does-to-your-brain-and-body-109947
Shiny
Loved it! It was so encouraging. I’m also a SAHM and I loved how simple and doable you have made it. Saving this list. And I completely agree to do the cleaning with the kids. It encourages them to start organising and cleaning from a young age and work hard.