...the cleaning system explained

I've received quite a few emails requesting my weekly chore list. Before I divulge, 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 two 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: imperfect but acceptable. 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.

To create my current plan, I combined three cleaning systems: My friend Kiersta's, the Fly Lady's, and knowledge from my magnificent mother. Together, I was able to make a handy little cleaning system. From the FlyLady, I learned to have three routines per day: a morning routine, a task list, and a bedtime routine. (The FlyLady is a wonderful program, but overall, it was much-too-much for me.) From my friend Kiersta, I learned to divide the chores between the weekdays and take the weekends off. I personally brought a knowledge of what needed to be done to keep the house spick-n-span. (Thanks, Mom.)

My chore list isn't profound. It is probably full of things that you already do in your home, but hopefully it will help someone out there. It is obviously tailored to me and my house, but you can change it to your own specifications.


1. empty dishwasher
2. check calendar + to do list
3. scriptures + journal

MONDAY
01. laundry (including all bed sheets)
02. vacuum
03. mop kitchen
04. wipe down doors
05. deep-clean bathrooms

TUESDAY
01. send out birthday cards + thank yous
02. clean car

WEDNESDAY
01. clean out fridge
02. clean kitchen (floor, rugs, surfaces, cupboards, pantry, etc)

THURSDAY
01. grocery shopping
02. clean bedrooms (vacuum, dust, baseboards)

FRIDAY
01. re-organize kid's rooms (this really has to be done weekly in my home...)
02. clean living + family rooms. (dust, vacuum, baseboards)

SATURDAY:
focus on family day

SUNDAY:
01. update family blog
02. work on church assignment
03. read church book/conference talk

01. pick up house
02. run dishwasher
03. start tomorrow's to do list

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.

And there you have it. Nothing earth-shattering or new. I am almost embarrassed to share. (For some reason, my housekeeping routine seems so personal. Almost like sharing an entry from my diary. Maybe I am self-conscious about my housekeeping skills. Who knows.) I hope it helps!

***If any of you are interested in the spiral bound/cutely designed chore book I am making, please let me know and I'll make it customizable and more universal.
28 comments
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28 comments

  1. DeborahOctober 18, 2009 at 9:55 AM

    Thank you! I appreciate you sharing! I've followed Fly Lady but it does get a bit overwhelming. I like simple. I saw some things on yours that I'd like to incorporate into my home.

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  2. alli/hoorayOctober 18, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    I love to organize tasks into lists like this. Thanks for sharing your system, it was fun to read & see how someone else does it! This seems like a good system.

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  3. {amy k.}October 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    Thanks for sharing! I looked into the fly lady- after what seemed like 23 emails a day, I couldn't do it.... too much for me. I like simplicity. I've been trying to stick to a plan for a while now, it's been going so so. I'm definitely interested in the chore book you're making- maybe a cutely designed task list would be easier for me to follow. :)

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  4. Liz JohnstonOctober 18, 2009 at 1:06 PM

    I am interested in your chore book.

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  5. MelonieOctober 18, 2009 at 1:09 PM

    Love your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing! I've been meaning to make our a weekly chore list for myself for years and finally feel motivated to do it!

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  6. Melissa E PhotographyOctober 18, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Good thinking, Han. I love it.

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  7. Brittani OliverOctober 18, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    I love your ideas! Thank you so much for sharing! I'm definitely interested in your chore book!!

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  8. vanessaOctober 18, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    Ok not that I am HAPPY you have to re organize your kids rooms every week but I am glad I am not the only one!!

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  9. AnonymousOctober 19, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    Thanks for the inspiration Hannah...I'm not a very structured person, so I usually do my house cleaning when I can..kinda of everyday. BUT...I would like to be more structured because I think it would be more effective...so thanks for the idea. I'm gonna take it and alter it a bit to suit me...but it's a great start for me!

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  10. RebeccaOctober 19, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    I love making lists just so I can cross things off. I have often put on my list: 1. take a shower. 2. make bed. But it would definitely be nice to NOT have to clean house all day Saturday by doing a little each day.

    And I would be interested in your chore book too.

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  11. Melissa AOctober 19, 2009 at 8:31 AM

    This is a good idea. I have been procrastinating on doing this, but your little system has motivated me.

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  12. Kevin & Joy HerringOctober 19, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing!! I would be very interested in your chore book.

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  13. KarenOctober 19, 2009 at 2:03 PM

    thanks for sharing. I've been trying to figure out a simple system for keeping my house just a little neater.

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  14. LesleyOctober 19, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    Thank you for this post, I hope to get inspired to do something along these lines. I am hopelessly behind with my housework. And it irritates me! (Not enough to make me want to clean my bathroom though!)

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  15. ElisaOctober 20, 2009 at 6:17 AM

    Thanks so much for sharing, I think this is something I could really incorporate into my home. I have older children (pre-teen & teenager)that are so involved with school & sports & have me volunteering & running around all time, that this sounds like a life-saver for my home ha-ha. I'm also interested in your chore book.

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  16. MegOctober 22, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    Hannah - this is brilliant... seriously. Washing the dishes at night and unloading them in the morning. Brilliant!!! I should have thought of that years ago but of course didn't! I think that I'm going to have to make a practical list like this to keep my place clean this next little while. Thanks for this!!!

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  17. marisaOctober 23, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    thank you for sharing this. I've been struggling with trying to get organized so it's always encouraging to see how others make it work.

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  18. AggieOctober 23, 2009 at 12:23 PM

    First...I really hope you are starting to feel better...I've been fighting something all week too and I am finally starting to breathe through my nose again...

    Second...thank you so much for posting this! I need structure. I crave structure. However for some reason, I am lacking structure in the house cleaning category! It's encouraging to see how others do it and I'm going to work with what you do for yourself. I have that big ole Martha book too...love it :) I am totally interested in that chore book...

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  19. NicoleOctober 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM

    I absolutely love this plan! Brilliant ;c)

    Think I'm going to start making my own cards this evening with a twist. Not sure about details yet but maybe use the rings to keep them together. My quick ideas for it are:

    Create a pretty cover page with our family name then a title page for each day (possibly with tabs on the bottom for fast finding). And have three pages for each day - the Tasks, Meals and a blank To Do / Notes. This way even meals can be planned so no guessing at 5pm every day! Just pick one day a week to update the meal plans (maybe on sunday as another quick way for the whole family to pitch in the ideas).

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  20. MelissaOctober 24, 2009 at 11:28 PM

    Love your chore cards, but I'm especially crazy about the font you used. I thought I'd identified it, but it was a little off. Could I find out what it is? Thanks! BTW - your blog is one I've recently subscribed to and I really enjoy it!

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  21. HannahOctober 24, 2009 at 11:36 PM

    Hi Melissa! Thanks for subscribing!

    I believe the font I used was Arriere Garde.

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  22. martaOctober 27, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    this is a seriously great system. i'd love to have some cards of my own. let me know what i can do to get some. these are fantastically cute, cute enough for me to actually get some chores done!

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  23. AnonymousNovember 2, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    So... I'm thinking I'm just gonna follow the leader here. I'd love to be able to print these out for a spiral bound book of my own. DH would be so impressed. Lol...

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  24. MandyJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:54 PM

    THIS is awesome!

    I would be very interested in the spiral bound/cutely designed chore book that you were working on!

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  25. ezeldabethJanuary 11, 2010 at 11:41 AM

    i just found this, i would be interested in your chore book :) - and now i must look around your blog a bit more :)

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  26. http://bellasnorts.blogspot.com/January 12, 2010 at 1:22 PM

    Thank you so much for posting this- I copied it and gave you credit... see www.Bellasnorts.blogspot.com

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  27. 5norrisgirlsJanuary 23, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    I would be interested in the chore book as well - I love your ideas & the fact that it all looks fabulous!

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  28. crewmomJanuary 19, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    I have looked and looked through your site to find the chore book but it doesn't seem to be there. Is it a printable? I absolutely love your blog and all of the inspiring ways you go about life. PLease let us know where to find your chore book.

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