Why set up a weekly cleaning schedule?

Setting up a cleaning schedule helps to keep the house clean and organized and allows you to do a little bit each day rather than all the cleaning at once, which can be overwhelming.

How long does it take to do a weekly cleaning?

A typical weekly cleaning, including wiping down the counters, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, and laundry, will take approximately three to five hours for a three-bedroom house. You will spend around 30 to 50 minutes daily if you split the cleaning chores up six days a week.

Should you dust or vacuum a room first?

When cleaning, always dust before vacuuming , as dust particles that you've stirred up while dusting will float down to the floor, and the vacuum will pick them up.

Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos

A Realistic Weekly Cleaning Schedule to Get You Started

Check off your chores every day of the week

By

Apryl Duncan

Updated on 09/27/22

Reviewed by

Brandon Pleshek

Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

Illustration of a weekly cleaning schedule — The Spruce / Candace Madonna

A weekly cleaning schedule that is easy to remember and accomplish will help you appreciate your home and reward you with time saved by streamlining your housekeeping chores. Review this realistic schedule for every day of the week that can get your cleaning on track.

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Weekly Cleaning Schedule Example
Monday	Vacuum and mop floors.
Tuesday	Clean bathrooms.
Wednesday	Wipe counters and other surfaces.
Thursday	Declutter paperwork and other items.
Friday	Wash clothes, bedding, and towels.
Saturday	Clean anywhere for 20 minutes.
Sunday	Rest!

Monday's House Cleaning Schedule

Make it Mop Monday because your floors likely took a beating over the weekend. Between the dog's muddy paws and the kids eating crackers as they ran through the house, there's no better place to begin your weekly cleaning schedule than with your vacuum and mop. If you don't have time to vacuum or mop the entire house one week, work through these high-traffic areas in between full cleanings:

Foyer
Stairs
Family room/den
Mud room
Bedrooms
Under the kitchen table
Bathrooms

person mopping the kitchen — The Spruce / Daria Groza

Tuesday's House Cleaning Schedule

Grab your gloves and the scrub brush. It's all about the bathrooms today on Toilet Tuesday. How often you clean your toilets depends on use, but weekly is a good place to start. It might not be your favorite day of the week, but now you'll have the rest of the week and the weekend to enjoy your clean bathrooms. Chores to do today:

Scrub toilets.
Clean bathtubs and showers.
Disinfect bathroom sinks and counters.
Spray plastic shower curtains with disinfectant.
Change out the towels.
Take bathmats outside, and give them a good shake.
Check toiletries to see what you're running low on.

Person cleaning tile in a shower — The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Wednesday's House Cleaning Schedule

Wipe It Wednesday erases dust, germs, and grime. Basically, if it has a surface, clean it today. Items to dust or wipe down:

Microwave
Toaster
Counters
Tabletops
TV
Toys
Mirrors
Ceiling fans
Doorknobs
Refrigerator handles
Stove
Refrigerator shelves
Windowsills
Mini blinds
Light fixtures
Telephone
Furniture

A person wiping down a countertop surface — The Spruce / Margot Cavin

A Realistic Weekly Cleaning Schedule to Get You Started

Thursday's House Cleaning Schedule

Today is Throw It Out Thursday. Do it every week, so you don't end up with a daunting pile of stuff. Reduce the clutter. Get your home completely organized. And kick these outdated, unwanted, or expired items to the curb:

Junk mail
Magazines
Catalogs
Newspapers
Food
Clothes with holes
School or craft projects you don't plan on keeping

Paper clutter — The Spruce / Daria Groza

Friday's House Cleaning Schedule

Fold It Friday is all about the laundry. Whether it's kids' school clothes or your work clothes, now is the time to get everything clean and folded or hung up. Today you will:

Soak clothes with tough stains.
Make sure the kids' sports uniforms are ready for weekend games.
Strip sheets from beds and launder.
Clean blankets.
Wash towels.
Fold clean laundry.
Iron.
Hand-wash delicate items.
Put clean clothes away.
Wash bed skirts and mattress protectors (once a month).
Get dry clean-only items ready to go out.

folding fresh linens — The Spruce / Daria Groza

Saturday's House Cleaning Schedule

You've worked hard all week, so today is Slow It Down Saturday. Set a timer for just 20 minutes, and clean the areas that need it most. Enlist the help of anyone who lives with you, so you get more done in less time.

Setting a timer for cleaning — The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Sunday's House Cleaning Schedule

Take a break for Self-Care Sunday! There won't be any housekeeping for you today. Your weekly cleaning schedule restarts tomorrow, so enjoy your day off.

FAQ

Why set up a weekly cleaning schedule?

Setting up a cleaning schedule helps to keep the house clean and organized and allows you to do a little bit each day rather than all the cleaning at once, which can be overwhelming.
How long does it take to do a weekly cleaning?

A typical weekly cleaning, including wiping down the counters, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, and laundry, will take approximately three to five hours for a three-bedroom house. You will spend around 30 to 50 minutes daily if you split the cleaning chores up six days a week.
Should you dust or vacuum a room first?

When cleaning, always dust before vacuuming, as dust particles that you've stirred up while dusting will float down to the floor, and the vacuum will pick them up.