Is it increasingly difficult to combine housework with your main job? Or don't you have time to do everything you planned as a housewife? Perhaps the difficulty is in the schedule or lack thereof.
But this is not a problem: we will tell you how to organize things around the house, teach you how to distribute responsibilities, and share the secrets of perfect cleaning. After all, time management concerns not only businessmen, but also housewives.
How to plan a housewife's daily routine? We will show examples and tell you in more detail.
Daily
Kitchen towels
How. Machine wash according to instructions.
Why. Kitchen towels get dirty very quickly because we use them many times a day. This is especially true if you have a large family. Towels may look clean, but contain a huge amount of bacteria.
Dishes
How. Before going to bed, wash all the accumulated dishes or simply put them in the dishwasher.
Why. Leaving dirty dishes and pans overnight will make them harder to clean in the morning. In addition, dried food particles serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and cause an unpleasant odor.
Kitchen table
How. Wipe the table with disinfectant. By the way, do not wipe all kitchen surfaces with one rag: this will only spread germs around the kitchen.
Why. What do we not put on the kitchen table: keys, bags, money, not to mention products brought from the store. Bacteria from all of these items can get into your food.
Pet bowls
How. Most bowls are dishwasher safe. Just be sure to rinse the dishes thoroughly so that no traces of detergent remain on them.
Why. Unwashed water and food bowls attract various pests and can cause health problems for your pets.
The need for a cleaning schedule
Having become a habit, daily light cleaning will not feel like a heavy duty. A special schedule will help you organize yourself.
Benefits of cleaning on a schedule:
- daily maintenance of order will facilitate general cleaning;
- planning household chores will help you prepare the necessary equipment and cleaning supplies in advance;
- inability to miss any area of the apartment or forget about an important matter.
One of the main requirements for maintaining cleanliness in the house is not to break the cleaning routine and overcome laziness. To achieve this, the planned schedule must be realistic.
A housewife and a full-time worker have different opportunities to create cleanliness. When creating a cleaning schedule, you need to soberly assess your strength and availability of free time.
Important! All family members should participate in maintaining order in the house.
You can create an individual house cleaning schedule for each family member and schedule responsibilities for the day, week, month, etc. Joint efforts will not only make the process faster, but will also bring the family closer together.
Once a week
Kitchen cabinets
How. Wipe with a cloth and cleaning agent. Pay special attention to areas where food particles may fall.
Why. Kitchen cabinet doors collect dust and grease from cooking. There may also be pathogenic microbes there.
Toilet
How. Pour 100 ml of white vinegar or 50 ml of chlorine bleach into the toilet (the main thing is never mix them) and leave for a few minutes. Clean everything inside with a brush and then drain the water.
If there is limescale and rust on the toilet, leave the vinegar or bleach on for an hour. Walk outside with a special disinfectant.
Why. Most likely, you yourself know that a lot of bacteria accumulate in the toilet.
Bath
How. After each use, simply rinse the bathtub with water. But once a week you need to wash everything more thoroughly. Use gentle cleaning products to avoid damaging the enamel.
Why. Bacteria accumulate in the bathtub, and the enamel darkens from dirt, grease and hard water.
Shower cabin
How. Wash the cabin walls with warm water and treat with a special antibacterial spray.
Why. This will protect the walls from discoloration, limescale and mold.
Food waste shredder
How. Add ice cubes, frozen lemon juice, or vinegar to the cleaner.
Why. Food particles and bacteria accumulate on the internal blades of the chopper, and ice will help remove them.
Cushioned furniture
How. Vacuum the furniture itself, pillows and don’t forget to go under the chairs and sofas with a vacuum cleaner.
Why. Dust and pet hair accumulate especially quickly on upholstered furniture. Remember to get rid of it, especially if anyone in your family has allergies.
Bin
How. Wash with warm water and soap or a disinfectant solution.
Why. Food particles and bacteria accumulate in the trash can.
Work time
The mode in which cleaning will be carried out depends on the availability of free time. To maintain order in the apartment, it is enough to allocate an hour and a half a day. Time-consuming or complex household chores can be moved to the weekend.
Important! If you don’t run your apartment, keeping it clean throughout the week, a thorough cleaning on the weekend will take less effort and will be completed faster.
Time required to complete basic household chores:
| Household responsibilities (in a small family of three to four people living in a medium-sized apartment) | Approximate cleaning time in minutes |
| Mopping floors | 20 |
| Vacuuming | 15 |
| Ironing | 10–15 |
| Cleaning the work area in the kitchen (after cooking) | 5–15 |
| Wiping dust | 5–10 |
| Cleaning the toilet | 3 |
| Washing dishes after one meal | 5 |
If you take on cleaning energetically and don’t get distracted in the process, you can cope with the daily maintenance of order quickly. Only a few household chores (washing windows, washing curtains, cleaning the microwave and refrigerator) will require time or advance preparation. However, these large-scale events are held much less frequently.
Once in two weeks
Curtain in the bathroom
How. Vacuum gently with the brush attachment. Wash by hand or machine depending on the material.
Why. The bathroom curtain absorbs odors and attracts dust.
Switches and door handles
How. Wipe with a cloth and cleaning agent.
Why. A lot of germs collect on handles and switches every day.
Pet sleeping area
How. Vacuum and wash separately from your clothes. If you just want to get rid of an unpleasant odor, sprinkle baking soda on the bed and leave it for 15 minutes. Then vacuum up the baking soda.
Why. Your pet's bedding collects fur, dander, and dirt.
Bath mat
How. Wash with hot water in the washing machine.
Why. Mold can easily grow on a rug, especially if it doesn’t dry well. In addition, germs and dirt accumulate there.
Microwave
How. If your oven has a turntable, remove it and wash it in warm soapy water or in the dishwasher. To clean the inside of the microwave, place a glass of water with lemon slices in it and heat for 3-4 minutes.
Then wipe off the softened dirt with a damp sponge. To prevent any unpleasant odor, add baking soda to the water. Then wipe everything thoroughly with a dry cloth.
Why. After each use, food particles remain in the microwave.
Zone 1. Entrance, hallway and dining room
This is FlyLady's list. Adapt, change it to suit your needs, the needs of your family, and remember: no cleaning will be effective until you get rid of the trash that surrounds you. Don't overwork yourself! If you're in the process of decluttering, you may not be ready to complete this list yet. BabySteps! FlyLady
List for the hallway:
Start cleaning from top to bottom (i.e. from ceiling to floor)
- Remove cobwebs and clouds of dust from the ceiling
- Wash the window sills and front door
- Clean switches from fingerprints and, if necessary, remove fingerprints from walls
- Rinse the flowers in the shower - this will refresh them. Let them stay there until you're done.
- Remove dust from furniture
- Wash the baseboards
- Put all your clothes back where they belong (in the closet, take them to church, or throw them away)
- Vacuum and/or mop the floors
- Put the flowers back and tidy up - you don't want your DH to end up in the jungle tomorrow morning.
- Add something of your own to make your home better and more welcoming.
List for the dining room (or another room)
Start cleaning from top to bottom (i.e. from ceiling to floor)
- Remove cobwebs and clouds of dust from the ceiling
- Wash the window sills
- Wash the window
- Wash the doors of the cupboard (glass cabinet or cabinet). Don't forget to tidy up the dishes sitting there if necessary.
- Disassemble one of the boxes and/or check the already disassembled boxes
- Wash the dining table thoroughly. A little polish won't hurt.
- Rinse the flowers in the shower.
- Wash the chair legs
- Move the furniture and vacuum underneath it. Just don't touch the buffet! I turned it over once. It wasn't funny at all.
- Add something of your own (a new tablecloth, a cute vase, flowers...)
List for the front door and the space around it (for the lucky owners of private houses: veranda and courtyard)
- Remove cobwebs and clouds of dust (In the summer I don’t remove cobwebs, I feed the spiders LOL)
- Wash the furniture on the veranda (or the bench in the common hallway, or the window on the floor)
- Sweep the floor on the landing (or veranda)
- Throw away any dead plants (leaves are also dead plants)
- Tidy up these indecently shaggy bushes near the entrance
- Replant flowers if necessary (summer only)
- Wipe tables, railings, lamps
- Throw away unnecessary things
- Add something of your own to make your home more welcoming (a wreath for the door, a new mat or a bell)
Once a month
Vacuum cleaner
How. Replace the bag, clean the filters and wipe the inside of the vacuum cleaner.
Why. Regular cleaning of your vacuum cleaner will improve cleaning efficiency.
Dishwasher
How. Remove the filter, soak it in soapy water, and then rinse thoroughly. Insert the filter back, place a glass of vinegar on the bottom of the machine and run a full cycle without dishes. Leave baking soda in the bottom of the car overnight.
In the morning, run the cycle again without dishes.
Why. Over time, dirt, grease, and food particles accumulate in your dishwasher. This causes an unpleasant odor and deposits on the dishes.
Kids toys
How. Once a month, machine wash soft toys on the delicate cycle. Between washes, use a sticky roller to remove dust from your clothes.
Why. Bacteria quickly accumulate on toys, and children do not yet have a strong enough immune system.
Coffee maker
How. Fill the water reservoir with a mixture of water and white vinegar (1:1) and turn on the coffee maker. When several cups have drained, turn off the device and leave for an hour. Then turn it back on and run a few cycles with just water.
Why. This will help remove scale.
Sink and bath drain
How. Pour ½ cup of baking soda into the drain and immediately pour in the same amount of table vinegar. Cover the hole with a rubber glove, let the mixture work for 10-15 minutes, and then turn on the hot water.
Why. Grease and small debris collecting on the walls of pipes causes an unpleasant odor and blockages.
Mopping the floors
Before you start cleaning your apartment, read the recommendations for cleaning floors:
- Add detergent to a bucket of water. This way you will increase the effectiveness of the fight against dangerous microorganisms.
- Start working from the far corners of the room and gradually work towards the exit. This way you won't be trampling on an area that has already been washed.
- Using a sponge mop? Wash the floor surface with even, parallel movements, as in the case of a vacuum cleaner.
- Before mopping the kitchen floor, sweep it thoroughly. Pre-soak greasy stains and dried dirt.
Once in two months
Behind and under the washing machine
How. Carefully vacuum the floor behind and under the washing machine, especially around the power cord.
Why. Dust and debris accumulate under the washing machine, increasing the risk of fire.
Fan
How. Spray each fan blade with white vinegar and then wipe with a rag.
Why. Dust collects on the surface of the blades and spreads throughout the house when the fan operates. This can lead to worsening allergies and respiratory diseases.
Blinds
How. Vacuum. If the blinds are completely dirty, remove them and wash them in the closed position with warm water using a soft brush.
Turn over and repeat the same on the other side. Then open and leave to dry.
Why. A lot of dust accumulates on them, which is especially harmful for allergy sufferers.
Creating an apartment cleaning schedule
It happens that when putting your house in order, some zones and areas remain forgotten or are skipped on purpose. An apartment cleaning plan will allow you to avoid this and rationally distribute energy. A clear schedule of household chores will be an assistant for both housewives and working people.
Some household chores need to be done every day (washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom), while for other jobs, once every few months is enough (for example, washing window glass). All household chores can be grouped according to the frequency with which they need to be completed, and you can create a convenient apartment cleaning calendar.
Once a quarter
Hood
How. Remove the filter from the hood and rinse it in hot soapy water, then rinse thoroughly. It is better not to use a dishwasher.
Why. Dust, grease and food particles accumulate in the filter, which impede the operation of the hood.
Fridge
How. Soak drawers and shelves in warm soapy water and wipe down the inside of the refrigerator with a sponge. To remove stains, it is better to use plain soda rather than disinfectants.
Why. This will reduce the risk of food poisoning and get rid of accumulated bacteria.
Books
How. Remove books from shelves, dust them thoroughly, and quickly flip through them to remove dust from the pages as well. If you store books in a stack, rotate them so that the covers do not become deformed.
Why. Paper pages lose color and deteriorate, and they can also grow mold.
Under the flower pots
How. Once a quarter, move the pots to a different place so that the window sill or floor under them does not fade. And of course, do not forget to wipe the place where your flowers stand at least once a week.
Why. If the pots are always placed in one place, the covering underneath may become darker than other areas due to uneven light distribution.
Stove (hob)
How. Remove all handles and wash them in hot soapy water, and also thoroughly wash the panel behind (under) them and wipe with a dry cloth. If the handles cannot be removed, wipe them with a well-wrung out sponge and a cleaning agent, and use a toothpick in hard-to-reach places.
By the way, the working surface of the stove should be regularly wiped with a special cleaning agent or soda with lemon juice (1: 1).
Why. Dust and food debris not only spoil the appearance, but also serve as a breeding ground for bacteria.
Oven
How. Treat burnt spots with baking soda, and then sprinkle with vinegar to start the reaction. Wash the grate with soap and water.
To clean the glass door, use glass cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar (1:1).
Soak a rag or paper towel in the mixture, wring it out and place it on the glass with the door open. Leave for half an hour to soften the dirt.
Wash with water and dry with paper towels or a lint-free cloth.
Why. Any remaining food particles in the oven smoke when heated.
Zone 4. Master bedroom
This is the list for my bathroom, bedroom and closet. Change it to suit your family's needs. Copy it into your favorite text editor and make the required changes. Then print it out and pin it in your QOL. Until we get rid of the clutter in this area, don't even think about trying to complete this list! You've been surrounded by dirt and clutter for too long, but first you need to work on the clutter. Well, after that, this list will seem like a piece of delicious pie to you. FlyLady
List for the master bathroom:
- Wash the rugs
- Sort out your decorative cosmetics
- Organize all shelves/cabinets
- Wash the shower stall
- Wash the shower door
List for the master bedroom:
- Polish the furniture
- Wipe all horizontal surfaces
- Remove cobwebs and clouds of dust from the ceiling
- Turn over the mattress
- Throw out the trash
- Wash the windows
- Organize the books in the bookcase
- Organize your drawers
- Wash the floor under the bed
List for the dressing room:
- Organize the shelves (don't forget the top ones)
- Place your shoes
- Pack your suitcases
- Wipe down the shoe closet
Twice a year
Pillows and blankets
How. Hand wash or machine wash on delicate cycle and air dry.
Why. This is especially important for those who suffer from allergies.
Mattress
How. Turn the mattress over, alternating between turns from one side to the other and head-to-foot turns.
Why. This will prevent the mattress from deforming.
Lamps
How. Turn off the power before removing any parts of the light fixture. Wipe gently with a damp cloth, or soap.
Why. Dust and dirt accumulated on lamps can darken the light from bulbs by 30%.
Behind and under the refrigerator
How. Unplug the refrigerator, remove the protective grille at the back, clean it and carefully wipe the condenser and fan.
Vacuum the wall behind the refrigerator. Wipe the side walls of the device and the floor underneath with a rag.
Why. Dust on the floor, mixed with moisture, can damage the floor covering. And excess dust on the walls increases the risk of fire.
Plus, cleaning will significantly improve the efficiency of the cooling system, which will increase the life of the refrigerator and save you money.
Shower watering can
How. Remove the watering can and soak it in white vinegar, then rinse thoroughly.
Why. Over time, the watering can becomes clogged, and because of this, the water pressure deteriorates.
Window
How. Go over both sides with a sticky roller to remove dust. If there is a lot of dirt, wash with water and a brush. Mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar in 3.5 liters of water, pour into a spray bottle and wash the windows with this mixture, wiping them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.
Why. Dirty windows let in less light, and dust can cause various respiratory diseases.
Cleaning services
Today, even in relatively small cities you can find companies providing cleaning services - or, simply, cleaning. These businesses offer the services of professional cleaners and cleaners who will come to your home and clean everything until it shines. The cost of their work depends on the area of housing - on average, prices range from 100 to 300 rubles for general cleaning of one square meter.
The advantages of using a cleaning service are obvious:
- thorough professional cleaning of all surfaces through the use of expensive professional equipment from brands such as Cleanfix, Hako, Taski (they produce compact machines and devices for dry cleaning furniture, wet cleaning, and floor washing);
- saving the housewife's time and effort;
- quick result - most cleaning service employees complete general cleaning in two to three hours.
However, this approach also has its drawbacks:
- inaccessibility for families with middle and low incomes;
- the risk of stumbling upon unscrupulous workers or, even worse, thieves;
- The price list for services is not always transparent.
Representatives of cleaning services will do general cleaning quickly and efficiently.
It is worth resorting to the services of professional cleaners when it is almost impossible to cope on your own, for example, after renovation . After a fire, you should also contact cleaning services - with the help of professional equipment they can quickly and effectively get rid of soot and deposits.
When choosing a company for general cleaning, pay attention to:
- website design. The website of a bona fide organization contains a list of reagents and cleaning products used and equipment used;
- price The price list for services should be detailed and understandable;
- reviews from former clients. You should look for them on a third-party site, for example, iRecommend, Otzovik and the like.
Once a year
Carpets
How. Wash and dry the carpet thoroughly. Also, don’t forget to turn the carpet over so it burns evenly.
Why. Carpets accumulate a lot of dust and dirt, especially if you have pets.
Chimney
How. Hire a specialist.
Why. A clogged chimney can cause a fire.
Water heater
How. To flush the water heater, turn it off and shut off the cold water supply. Open the hot tap to relieve pressure inside the tank. Then connect the hose to the nozzle and drain all the water from the heater.
Why. Regular flushing will help extend the life of your water heater and save on energy costs.
Let's throw away the unnecessary: balcony, storage room and mezzanine
General cleaning of an apartment or cottage will not be effective without throwing away unnecessary things. Where does junk most often accumulate and take up space in your home? As a rule, on the balcony and mezzanines, as well as in the storage room.
Clear out old clutter and get rid of unnecessary things. How much rubbish is stored in apartments “just in case”, but this case never comes! Act on the principle: if an item has not been useful to me within a year, I don’t need it! Think about it, what is the use of a broken flower pot, a children's tricycle (when your children are already finishing school), or a broken table lamp that no one will ever fix? Free up space and you will see that there is much more usable space in your apartment or cottage.
If cleaning is carried out after renovation or construction, scraps of wallpaper, empty containers of polyurethane foam or cans of paint should be disposed of first.
When the space is cleared of debris and unnecessary things, thoroughly wash the balcony, storage room, remove dust from the mezzanines, and proceed to the next stage of cleaning.
