Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom That You Actually Can Stick To

As a stay-at-home mom, managing the household with a disorganized cleaning routine can get stressful and exhausting. I believe that every mom has a routine that suits her life and schedule. One mom equals a cleaning schedule that works specifically for her homemaking. 

Although the time opportunity to use in my homemaking has extended now that I’m a stay-at-home homemaker, I actually feel that an efficient cleaning routine will get me the most bang for my time!

After deciding to stay at home last year, I had to reset my cleaning schedule. This time it’s different from the cleaning routine I followed back when I was a full-time working mama. Staying organized with the tasks each day is a priority. Using a checklist can aid you in tracking each cleaning goal.

For some moms, cleaning is therapeutic. For the most, it’s a never-ending loop. Whichever group you belong to, I want you to know I understand if you ever felt trapped in the cycle of cleaning.  

Regardless if you’re a working or a stay-at-home mom, it all comes down to the same denominator – CLEANING is a must in every home. 

Everything falls into place when you have a clean house, and you get to spend more beautiful time with the people in your home.

You reap the benefits of having a clear mind because the house isn’t cluttered. Your stress level decreases because you have more time to enjoy your family besides doing chores all the time. Your children will remember the time you get to play more and do family activities.

My husband has his cleaning routine as well, even if he works full-time. In homemaking, I truly believe in the word partnership. That includes teaming up to keep the home running and family cared for. The responsibility to manage the home doesn’t fall only on moms but also on dads.

I’m grateful for what my husband does to help me at home. It’s a lot easier and smoother every day when we both do our fair share of chores.

Time has gone when only the wife is expected to pitch in. Welcome to the new homemaking era!

 

Without further ado, I’m sharing what my cleaning routine looks like as a stay-at-home mom. There’ll be an opportunity for you to download the FREE Cleaning Routine Checklists at the end of this post. 

Are you ready to run with me in this cleaning schedule? Let’s go!

Stay-at-home Mom Cleaning Routine:

My Weekly Cleaning Routine: 

I divided my Cleaning Zones into days of the week; so I don’t go hopping every room and zero in my cleaning responsibilities.

Each day of the week pretty much explains what is on the to-do list.

Bathroom: Monday

• • Declutter

• • Clean counter/sink

• • Clean Toilet

• • Scrub and Clean Tub/Shower

• • Vacuum, Sweep/Mop

• • Disinfect bath toys (throw away moldy ones)

• • Remove Hairs from Hair Brush

• • Vacuum Rugs

Kitchen: Tuesday

• • Clean counter/sink

• • Wipe Kitchen Appliances

• • Vacuum, Sweep/Mop

• • Clean Kitchen Table

• • All Rooms: Trash / Community Trash Pick-up Day

Living Room: Wednesday

• • Declutter

• • Dust Surfaces

• • Fold Blankets/Fluff Pillows

• • Dust Light/fan Fixtures

• • Vacuum, Sweep/Mop

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Dining Area: Thursday

• • Declutter

• • Clean Dining Table and Chairs

• • Vacuum, Sweep/Mop

• • Wipe down surfaces

Bedrooms: Friday

• • Wipe Headboard

• • Wipe all Top Surfaces

• • Clean Pillows

• • Dust Light/Fan Fixtures

• • Declutter Drawers

• • Vacuum/Mop

Laundry: Saturday

• • Wash All Towels, Sheets/Pillowcases

• • Wash Clothes, Rugs 

• • Fold all newly washed clothes

• • Closet Check

• • Clean the laundry room shelves

• • Organize Laundry Supply: Do Inventory

Pantry/Fridge: Sunday

• • Inventory/Update Grocery List

• • Organize – First In- First Out

• • Meal Plan/Batch Cook

P.S. Noticed why I put the bathroom on Monday and the kitchen on Tuesday? These are high-traffic areas in the house that can get chaotic every week. Tackle them on the first 2 days of the week, so it’s out of the way. 

 

Daily Cleaning Hacks:

In my everyday homemaking, I do these 5 daily tasks to keep everything streamlined as much as possible and not get stressed. These menial tasks changed my cleaning habits and helped me get peace of mind. 

As far as these daily tasks, it doesn’t take me long to finish them. They are tasks that only take as short as 3 minutes to 10 minutes. What better way to get things done quickly than with a short burst of easily achievable chores.

Mama, find your daily rhythm in your home management. Your tasks depend on what you definitely need to be completed in no time.

These are my daily chores:

• • Make Beds (Early Morning)

• • Dishes (Unload in Am/ Load in PM)

• • Quick Pick-ups (Throughout the day)

• • Kitchen Table/Counters/Sink Wipe Downs (After Meals)

• • Take out Trash (Only When Almost Full)

Cleaning Hack: Quick pick-ups save the day! It doesn’t take long to bring things back to where they belong. Who hasn’t done anything like when you’re walking down the hallway and see a couple of toys; you pick them up and drop them into the toy bin nearby. Quick, right?

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My Monthly Cleaning Tasks:

Now, these cleaning tasks can be done monthly and anytime there’s downtime between your weeks. 

Warning: DO NOT do these tasks all in ONE DAY. Space it out in weeks, or combine two tasks ONLY if you’re up to it.  

Keep track of when these tasks were completed. Using a cleaning checklist will help you get reminded of when they’re next due to be done.

• • Dust or Change Curtains 

• • Dust and Clean Windows

• • Deep Clean Fridge

• • Dust Ceiling Corners

• • Deep Clean Oven

• • Deep Clean Dishwasher

• • Clean Baseboards

• • Clean Ceiling

Additional Quarterly Cleaning Chores:

• • Deep Clean Laundry/Dryer Machines

• • Change Vents Filters/Vacuum

• • Portable Air Cleaner/HEPA Air (follow manufacturer info)

There you have it. A rundown of my Stay-At-Home Mom: Cleaning Routine. This system helps me get my home in order.

If you want to tackle your mattress with a good deep cleaning, check out this article below.


Recommended Post: How to Deep Clean Your Mattress Quickly and Easily by Goodhousekeeping.com

Final Thoughts on sticking to a Cleaning Schedule:

Get yourself organized in your cleaning routine. Mama, it doesn’t have to be exhausting all the time. Some days you’ll complete your to-do cleaning list; some days are missed. That’s okay too.

The above cleaning routine is what’s working for me, being a stay-at-home mom. A challenge for you, try it out for a month and see if it’s a good fit for you. Tweak the days to your preference. However, if you have your cleaning rhythm already and it’s working for you – stick to it. 

Check out the FREE – Cleaning Routine Sheets. This will help you streamline your cleaning schedule at home. Stay on top of your daily chores, keep every room in your home clean, and be reminded to do the monthly tasks specific to your homemaking.