20-Minute Cleaning Schedule
Need a quick routine for a neater home? If so, this 20-minute cleaning schedule is the answer. Get an actionable plan that you can rely on and keep a neater home without sacrificing a weekend.
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When my boys were little, I would spend Saturdays cleaning our home. I remember getting up early to get a head start on things, and many times, I would still be doing laundry and mopping floors well past lunch.
That was long before I learned to break things down. To give myself some grace and stop the marathon cleaning sessions.
The Importance of Routines
Routines are a game changer, especially when running a home. Having a plan for specific days lets you get work done more quickly and stay caught up.
Routines also reduce stress and anxiety. They provide structure and organization, making it easier to manage household tasks and responsibilities.
Having a routine also helps to create more balance in your daily life, allowing you to focus on other areas such as self-care and spending quality time with loved ones.
Creating a Plan
Knowing your plan will help you create a cleaning routine that is quick and efficient. The best way to do this is to have two parts to your plan.
- Daily upkeep tasks – These are simple, quick things you will do each day to keep the high-traffic areas under control.
- Room focus tasks – Each day of the week, you will work in a different room, cleaning the space and refreshing the area.
Weekly Room Focus Plan
Choose the top 5-7 areas in your home and assign each one to a day of the week. Here is a look at my schedule to give you an idea of how it looks.
- Monday – The Bathrooms
- Tuesday – The Bedrooms
- Wednesday – The Kitchen
- Thursday – The Family Room
- Friday – The Office
- Saturday – The Entryway/Porch Area
You can assign whatever room you want to each day, and that is the beauty of this plan; it is fully customizable! Work with your schedule to ensure you assign the best room for your time available.
The 20-Minute Cleaning Schedule
A 20-minute cleaning schedule means you will be cleaning small pockets each day, giving you 6-7 days to cover your entire home.
With such a small amount of time to spend cleaning, having a plan will keep you on track without missing an area.
Day One: Monday – The Bathrooms
- 5 minutes to wipe down the counters and mirrors.
- 5 minutes to clean the toilet, sink, and faucets.
- 5 minutes to scrub the shower/bathtub.
- 5 minutes to sweep and mop the floors.
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Day Two: Tuesday – The Bedrooms
Plan on 10 minutes for each bedroom (if you have multiple). Remember, making the beds will be taken care of during your daily cleaning list that is mapped out below.
- 3 minutes to tidy up any clutter or items on surfaces.
- 2 minutes to wipe down dressers and nightstands.
- 5 minutes to sweep and mop the floors.
Day Three: Wednesday – The Kitchen
At first, you may need longer than 20 minutes for this room. To help make this area more easy to clean, work to remove any excess stuff that you have on the counters and kitchen table area.
- 7 minutes to do the dishes and clean the sink and sink area.
- 3 minutes to wipe down countertops and table.
- 5 minutes to wipe down all appliances.
- 5 minutes to sweep and mop floors.
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Day Four: Thursday – The Family Room
Keep basics in the family room to hold extra blankets, pillows, toys, and misc items. This shortcut tip will help this room look neater.
- 10 minutes to tidy up any clutter or items on surfaces.
- 5 minutes to dust furniture.
- 5 minutes to vacuum or sweep floors.
Day Five: Friday – The Office
If you work from home, set up organizers to help keep things compartmentalized. This will allow you to clean each small area rather than the entire room at once.
- 10 minutes to organize desk and work area.
- 5 minutes to wipe down surfaces and electronics.
- 5 minutes to declutter and shred any unnecessary paperwork.
Day Six: Saturday – The Entryway/Porch Area
The entryway is such an important area as it can set the tone for the entire home. Again, organizers are your friends here. Turn this chaotic point into a hub for running your home more efficiently.
- 10 minutes to tidy up shoes, coats, and other items in the entryway.
- 5 minutes to sweep or mop floors.
- 5 minutes to wipe down any surfaces.
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Find out what a command center is and why it can be a game-changer for running a neat, organized home.
Day Seven: Sunday – Rest and Plan
Finish the week with some downtime and plan for the next 7 days.
- Reflect on the week’s cleaning tasks and make any necessary adjustments for the upcoming week.
- Plan out meals for the next 7-days and make your shopping list.
- Look over the family calendar and make notes of appointments.
Daily Upkeep
Even with a weekly cleaning schedule, it’s important to keep up with daily tasks to maintain a tidy and clean home. These are meant to support your routine and should take just a few minutes each day.
- Make your bed every morning and reset your nightstand area.
- Do a load of laundry and old anything that is dry and put away.
- Wipe down kitchen counters and sink after each meal.
- Put away items in their designated homes after using them.
- Take 5 minutes before bed to do a room reset of your main living areas.
Get tips on doing a room reset here and transform your home in one night!
By following these simple daily tasks, you can prevent clutter and mess from piling up and make your weekly cleaning routine much easier.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to maintaining an organized home. Make it a habit and soon enough, keeping your home clean will become second nature to you.
Additional Tips for Keeping a Cleaner Home
Finally, let’s look at a few quick tips to help keep the overall look of your home more put away.
- Create a designated spot for incoming mail and paperwork to avoid piles of paper clutter.
- Invest in storage solutions such as deep baskets to hold random items that belong in another room.
- Use our Printable Declutter Checklist to regularly declutter and donate items you no longer use or need. This will help prevent clutter from building up in your home.
- Make a habit of never leaving a room empty-handed; this includes your vehicle.
- Schedule a monthly deep cleaning session to tackle areas that are often overlooked, such as baseboards, ceiling fans, and behind appliances.
By following this weekly cleaning schedule and adding in daily upkeep, you can maintain a clean and organized home without feeling overwhelmed.
Finally, don’t do it alone, delegate tasks to your family in areas where they can be most helpful.
Keep this 20-minute cleaning schedule in your home care binder so you can use it as a routine for a neater and more organized home.
