Whether your kids are in school or you’re homeschooling them, being a work-from-home mom means wearing many hats!
Between meetings, phone calls, lunches, helping with homeschooling or homework, and keeping up with the house, it can feel like there’s never enough time. But with a structured cleaning schedule tailored to your unique life, you can create a system that works—without adding unnecessary stress.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you manage it all:
Step 1: Set Realistic Expectations
Your home is where life happens: kids play, meals are shared, and work gets done. It’s okay if it’s not spotless. Instead, aim for clean enough to function and feel cozy. Focus on high-traffic areas and let go of perfection in the lesser-used spaces. This is hard because if you’re anything like me, you’re thinking about that closet that desperately needs attention. It’s ok to let it go until you have time to tackle it.
Step 2: Build Cleaning into Your Routine
Whether you’re managing a school drop-off schedule or overseeing lessons at home, your cleaning routine should align with your day. For example, tidy up the kitchen after breakfast, or vacuum the living room while the kids do homework or independent study. Small, consistent habits make a big difference.
Step 3: Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks
Instead of setting aside a whole day to clean, divide your tasks across the week. This not only lightens the load but also ensures that chores don’t interfere with work or family time. Here’s a sample schedule:
Monday: Kitchen Deep Clean
– Wipe down countertops and cabinets.
– Clean and disinfect the stovetop and sink.
– Sweep and mop the floor.
– Declutter any papers or schoolwork stored in the kitchen.
Tuesday: Bathroom Refresh
– Wipe mirrors and countertops.
– Scrub sinks, toilets, and tubs.
– Replace towels and restock toiletries.
– Teach older kids how to clean their bathroom areas as part of life skills.
Wednesday: Living Areas
– Dust furniture, light fixtures, and decor.
– Vacuum or sweep floors.
– Gather books, toys, and school supplies and return them to their places.
– Assign kids to dust low surfaces or tidy cushions.
Thursday: Bedrooms
– Change and wash bedding.
– Tidy up desks and workstations.
– Organize kids’ clothes and encourage them to put away laundry.
– Dust shelves and clean windowsills.
Friday: Catch-All Day
– Address tasks that were missed earlier in the week.
– Deep clean one thing (e.g., the fridge, baseboards, or a cluttered drawer).
– Use this time to reorganize any school materials or plan for the following week.
Saturday: Family Clean-Up Day
– Assign age-appropriate chores to everyone in the family for an hour or two.
– Play upbeat music to make it fun.
– Use this as a teaching moment to show kids the importance of teamwork and responsibility.
Sunday: Rest and Reset
– Do light tidying to maintain order. Don’t overdo it. We don’t want cleaning to overshadow our lives.
– Use this day for self-care, lesson prep, and family downtime.
Step 4: Involve the Kids
Whether your kids are home all day or only in the evenings, involve them in keeping the house tidy. Younger kids can sort laundry or pick up toys, while older ones can vacuum or wipe down surfaces. These tasks double as life skills and lighten your load.
Step 5: Use Time-Saving Hacks
– Timers: Set a 15-minute timer to clean one area quickly. When the timer goes off, stop and move on.
– Multi-tasking: Wipe counters while dinner cooks or sweep during a homework break.
– Bins for Clutter: Place labeled bins in each room for quick clean-up. These can hold toys, school supplies, or miscellaneous items.
Step 6: Plan for Flexibility
Unexpected meetings, sick days, or school projects can throw any schedule off track. Don’t stress if you miss a task—you can always catch up on your “Catch-All Day.” Prioritize what needs attention most (like the kitchen or bathrooms) and let less urgent tasks slide when necessary.
Step 7: Give Yourself Grace
Your home is a hub of activity, and it’s okay if it doesn’t always look perfect. Remember, the goal is to create a nurturing environment where your family can learn, grow, and thrive—and a little mess is part of that magic. Celebrate the wins (even small ones!) and remind yourself that you’re doing an incredible job.
At the end of the day, balance is about progress, not perfection. Your cleaning schedule is there to support you, not overwhelm you. It’s ok when things don’t work exactly as you expect them to. So go ahead, tackle one task at a time, sip your coffee, and give yourself some grace—you’ve got this!
