Try This Home Cleaning Checklist (With Free Printable!)

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Inside: This home cleaning checklist provides cleaning tips busy moms need! Use this as a manageable weekly cleaning schedule, and don’t forget your free printable.

“The house was spotless. It looked brand new!” one potential buyer told their realtor.

We were in the process of selling our home, so our house had to be clean.

Little did the potential buyers know, but our house was always that clean.

Cleaning has become one of my hobbies and now as a busy mom of three, it’s a full-time job.

But, I’ve found some great tricks to make cleaning easier even with kids.

I’m spilling all the details of my weekly cleaning schedule and home cleaning checklist so you can steal my secrets!

RELATED: The Ultimate List of Cleaning Tips For Busy Moms

How Do I Have Time to Clean my House?

For me, having a clean house is non-negotiable. I function so much better in a tidy space. I use these three tactics to ensure I stay on top of things:

1. I make it a priority.

I put a clean home above my blog, playdates, grocery shopping, pretty much everything else until it’s done.

Why??

With a clean home, all other tasks I need to do are much easier. I also have less stress which helps me be a better mom and keeps my mind open for the creativity and focus I need for my work.

2. I enlist my kids.

I’ve also enlisted my kiddos to help me with the weekly cleaning schedule.

Not huge tasks, but things like dusting, taking the garbage out, etc.

They are also in charge of cleaning up any toys/mess they have out before I need to vacuum. Their chore list will grow as they do which will continue to take some of the pressure off of me.

3. I set it and forget it.

I get all of my major cleaning tasks done at the beginning of the week, and I don’t do them again.

Besides sweeping after dinner and wiping down the kitchen counters/table, I only do these tasks once a week.

This saves me time and sanity!

Monday and Tuesday are my “cleaning days,” so I don’t make any plans that day and just stay home.

I’ve done it this way for years, so it’s just part of my weekly routine.

What Supplies Do You Need to Clean a House?

Over the years I’ve simplified my cleaning supplies quite a bit.

I love items that last long and really get the job done, and that are cost-effective and safe for my family.

Here are the products I use weekly to clean my home:

My Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Not everyone has the ability to pack their cleaning into a single day, so I’ve made this checklist flexible to fit any schedule. I’ve gone ahead and spread the items over two days for you, below.

But, whatever way you choose, these are the tasks I recommend doing weekly and in the order that I do them.

Monday – Downstairs Cleaning

I make sure to wash and sanitize my cleaning cloths on Saturday so they are clean and ready to go.

Once my baby is down for her nap, I grab my cleaning bucket and start in the kitchen.

1. Kitchen Home Cleaning Checklist Tasks

Use the kitchen and polishing e-cloth to wipe down the counters, faucet, drawers, and exterior on the island.
Use the kitchen and polishing e-cloth to wipe down the counters, cabinets, and drawers around the rest of the kitchen and any marks I see on the walls or doors.
Use the stainless steel and polishing e-cloth to wipe down the outside of the fridge, dishwasher, and microwave.
Use the kitchen e-cloth to wipe out the inside of the microwave and the microwave plate.
Use the range e-cloth to wipe down the stovetop.
Use the stainless steel and polishing e-cloth to wipe down the oven exterior.
Switch out the kitchen towels.
Wipe down the table and chairs with the kitchen e-cloth and stack the chairs on the table.
Pull the curtains onto the table.
Wipe the sliding glass door with the window cloth.
Scrub the sink with steel wool and Bar Keeper’s Friend. Polish the sink with the stainless steel e-cloth.
Wipe down the trash can with the polishing cloth and a disinfectant wipe.

2. Family Room Tasks

Dust the coffee table, TV stands, and bookcase with the dusting e-cloth.
Wipe down the coffee table, TV stands, and bookcase with the everyday and polishing e-cloth.
Fluff the pillows and straighten the couch.
Pull the curtains onto the couch.

3. Mudroom Tasks

Organize the shoes/clutter.
Wipe down the bench, cubbies, wall, and light switches with the everyday e-cloth.

4. Powder Bathroom Tasks

Wet the bathroom e-cloth and wring out.
Spray cleaner into the sink to soak.
Wipe down the sink and faucet with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Scrub the sink and rinse.
Wipe the mirror with the window e-cloth.
Wipe down the walls around the sink, door, and light switch.
Wipe down the top of the toilet with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Wipe down the toilet handle and toilet seat with disinfectant wipes.
Spray cleaner in the toilet to soak.
Wipe the bottom half of the toilet with Method spray.
Scrub the toilet.
Take out the bathroom trash.

5. Entry Way Tasks

Straighten the bench and pillow.
Wipe down the accent table and window with the polishing cloth.
Wipe down the walls, doors, knobs, and light switch as needed.

Once I’ve done all of those tasks, I sweep and mop the entire downstairs. My goal is to start cleaning by 9 a.m. and I’m usually done with everything at lunchtime.

RELATED: The Best Ever Cleaner For Laminate Floor Care

Tuesday – Upstairs Cleaning

1. Playroom/Office Tasks

Wipe down the walls and stair railing with the everyday e-cloth.
Dust the desks, toy cabinet, and shelves with the dusting e-cloth.
Wipe down the desks, toy cabinet, and shelves with the everyday and polishing e-cloth.
Use the magic eraser as needed on walls (the room where my kids have access to pencils/crayons)
Take out the trash as needed.
Wipe down the walls, doors, knobs, and light switch as needed.

2. Master Bedroom Tasks

Dust the dresser, mirrors, nightstands, and bed with the dusting e-cloth.
Wipe down the dresser, nightstands, and bed with the everyday and polishing e-cloth.
Wipe down the mirrors with the window e-cloth.
Wipe down the walls, doors, knobs, and light switch as needed.

3. Master Bathroom Tasks

Hang the rug and shower curtain on the curtain rod.
Wet the bathroom e-cloth and wring out.
Spray cleaner into the sink and tub to soak.
Wipe down the sink, faucet, and drawers with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Scrub the sink and rinse.
Wipe the mirror with the window e-cloth.
Wipe down the walls around the sink, door, and light switch.
Wipe down the top of the toilet with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Wipe down the toilet handle and toilet seat with disinfectant wipes.
Spray cleaner in the toilet to soak.
Wipe the bottom half of the toilet with Method spray.
Scrub the toilet.
Scrub the tub and wipe down with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Take out the bathroom trash.

4. Kids’ Room Tasks

Dust the dresser, bookshelf, and bed with the dusting e-cloth.
Wipe down the dresser, bookshelf, and bed with the everyday and polishing e-cloth.
Wipe the windows with the window e-cloth.
Wipe down the walls, doors, knobs, and light switch as needed.

5. Kids’ Bathroom Tasks

Hang the rug and shower curtain on the curtain rod.
Wet the bathroom e-cloth and wring out.
Spray cleaner into the sink and tub to soak.
Wipe down the sink, faucet, and drawers with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Scrub the sink and rinse.
Wipe the mirror with the window e-cloth.
Wipe down the walls around the sink, door, and light switch.
Wipe down the top of the toilet with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Wipe down the toilet handle and toilet seat with disinfectant wipes.
Spray cleaner in the toilet to soak.
Wipe the bottom half of the toilet with Method spray.
Scrub the toilet.
Scrub the tub and wipe down with the bathroom and polishing e-cloth.
Take out the bathroom trash.

Once I’ve done all of those tasks, I vacuum our family room rug, the stairs, and the upstairs carpet.

This may look like an overwhelming number of to-dos, but it really is manageable!

Many of these tasks are just wiping things down. The really tough work is scrubbing the tub and vacuuming.

You can group the tougher rooms like the bathrooms and kitchen with a few of the smaller rooms to make things easier or spread the tasks out over the full week, too!

House Cleaning Tips & Tricks

With all of the cleaning I do, I’ve picked up some tips and tricks along the way that will make your housework schedule a lot easier!

1. Use E-Cloths

If you haven’t noticed, I love E-Cloths! These have been a total game-changer for me.

I save so much money on cleaning supplies and I’ve cut down on paper waste by eliminating paper towels.

I also feel much better now that I don’t use so many harsh chemicals around my kids.

RELATED: How I Replaced my Household Cleaning Products with E-cloths

2. Shop at the Dollar Store

I use dollar store brushes to clean my sinks and tubs.

I technically use a scrubbing brush meant for dishes in my sinks, but I find that it works just as well to get into the curves and tight spaces.

RELATED: 60+ Dollar Store finds That Will Make You A Frugal Shopper (Instantly)

3. Clean your kitchen sink last

I clean the kitchen sink last when I’m cleaning downstairs.

I’m constantly rinsing out my e-cloths, so if I clean the sink first, it gets water spots.

By cleaning it last, I can polish it with the stainless steel cloth and at least it’s water-free for a few hours.

4. DIY Your cleaning wipes

I make my own disinfectant wipes!

I saw this in another blog post a few years ago and wondered why I was wasting so much money on brand name wipes.

These are the best disinfectant wipes because they cost so little to make and you can use whatever cleaner you want.

5. Work around your kids

I always sweep/mop after my kids have eaten lunch.

I think it’s obvious why!

I also mop during my kids’ quiet time so I don’t have to worry about little feet walking on the wet floor.

Free Printable House Cleaning Checklist

To make it easier for you to keep track of the tasks, I’ve created a house cleaning checklist for you!

You can also use this if you’re not cleaning your house yourself and need a checklist for a maid or for your kids

Just enter your email below and the home cleaning checklist download will be sent to you.

Want More?

I’ve also got a great spring cleaning schedule! Here are all the best spring cleaning tips for busy moms.

Your Turn

Was this list helpful? Are there tasks I should add to my home cleaning checklist? Let me know in the comments!