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MY CLEANING SYSTEM
by HANNAH CRANER of Sherbet Blossom

I'm a busy mom of three, working full time at home. Juggling my magazine design job, motherhood and my housework is no easy task. Growing up, Saturday was housework day. We'd deep clean everything and make the house sparkle. So, naturally, that is what I first implemented in my own home. During the week, however, my kids tore apart the house and I spent ALL Saturday, my only day with my husband home, getting my home back in order. I realized that wasn't going to work for me.

Before I divulge on my cleaning system, 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 three 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. It works for me. 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.

I created this handy little cleaning system using tips from a few friends and books. This chore list splits the day into three small, but doable, tasks lists: one for the morning, one for the day, and one for night. All the chores are split between the weekdays and the weekends are family & free time. These chores are general, and will apply to almost anyone's home.

I created a cutely designed reminder booklet that I sit on a small easel on my desk. (Lists are much easier for me to follow when I like looking at them!) I bound it with metal rings so I can rearrange days & combine tasks when needed.

MORNING ROUTINE:

empty dishwasher

review calendar + to do list

personal (reading, writing, and/or meditation)

DAILY TASKS:

MONDAY (Cleaning Day):

laundry

vacuum & dust

mop floors

wipe down doors

deep-clean bathrooms

TUESDAY (Free Day)

send out birthday cards & thank yous

clean out car

WEDNESDAY (Problem Area Day)

clean out fridge

clean kitchen (floors, rugs, surfaces, cupboards, pantry, etc)

clean one problem area (pick any area in your home that needs a little extra work)

make menu & grocery list (to prepare for tomorrow's errand day)

THURSDAY (Errand Day)

grocery shopping & errands

clean bedrooms

FRIDAY (Date Day)

do something special for significant other

clean living/family rooms

clean out purse/bag

SATURDAY (Family Day)

quickly tidy house

focus on family

SUNDAY (Rest Day)

read & write

NIGHT ROUTINE:

quick home pick up

run dishwasher

start tomorrow's to do list

personal (reading, writing, and/or meditation)

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.

***If any of you are interested in downloading/buying the cute chore chart I designed, you can buy the printed one here or buy the file here and print it yourself.