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π INTRO: Real Talk β My House is Loud, Messy, and Full of Love
Letβs be honest β raising kids is the most rewarding and the most chaotic job in the world. I have four boys, ages 8, 6, 3, and a baby β and every single day feels like Iβm cleaning up after a birthday party I didnβt agree to host.
Some days I feel on top of the world. Other days I canβt see my couch under the laundry mountain. But over time, Iβve figured out something magical: a simple daily cleaning schedule that helps me stay sane without cleaning all day.
This blog post is your full, real-life guide to keeping your house running β not perfectly, but peacefully.
Youβll learn:
My exact daily cleaning rhythm
Weekly room-by-room tasks
Summer cleaning adjustments
How I clean with kids (including a baby!)
Shortcuts, tools, and routines that actually work And a free printable checklist to make it all doable
Ready?
Letβs go from overwhelmed to organized β one 15-minute reset at a time.
π MORNING RESET: Tidy Starts Before the Day Explodes
Mornings in a mom house can feel like a circus. But the first hour of the day is powerful.
I use it to set the tone β not by doing everything, but by doing just enough to stay ahead.
π‘ Before 9 AM β My Daily Power Four
Make the beds
Empty dishwasher
Wipe down bathroom sink + toilet
Start one load of laundry
These 4 habits create a ripple effect of calm. I donβt go deep β I just reset surfaces and start motion.
A made bed makes the whole room feel cleaner.
A clean bathroom keeps messes manageable.
π§Ό MIDDAY CLEANING: Survival, Not Perfection
By midday, my house has already been through snacktime, diaper blowouts, sibling fights, toddler messes, and toys everywhere. Instead of panicking, I schedule two short resets.
π Nap Time Reset (Around 1β2 PM)
Switch laundry to dryer
Quick kitchen reset (dishes, counters)
15-minute tidy zone (living room or bathroom)
I use a timer. I stay focused.
This isnβt deep cleaning β itβs βmake the house walkable againβ mode.
π EVENING RESET: Ending the Day With a Clean Slate
Evenings are when I pour into my future self.
If I reset the house just a little before bed, the next day feels less overwhelming.
My 5-Part Evening Cleanup Routine:
Load dishwasher + run it
Wipe down all counters + dining table
Sweep high-traffic areas
Quick toy pick-up (with kids)
Prep tomorrowβs to-do list
It takes 20β30 minutes max. Some nights, I skip it. But most nights, it saves me from chaos the next day.
ποΈ WEEKLY ROOM-BY-ROOM CLEANING SCHEDULE
Hereβs the simple weekly breakdown that keeps me sane.
I donβt clean the whole house in one day β I focus on one zone per day.
And yes, I made this into a pretty printable checklist just for you!
π Download your free Daily + Weekly Cleaning Checklist
Just enter your email below and Iβll send it straight to your inbox:
Weekly Cleaning Schedule for Busy Moms
Day | Focus Area | Task Ideas |
Monday | Living Room | Dust surfaces, vacuum floors & couch, organize toys |
Tuesday | Kitchen | Wipe countertops & appliances, clean out fridge, mop floor |
Wednesday | Bathrooms | Scrub toilets & sinks, clean mirrors, wipe counters |
Thursday | Bedrooms | Change bed sheets, declutter nightstands, vacuum floors |
Friday | Laundry + Floors | Wash & fold laundry, mop high-traffic areas, wipe baseboards |
Saturday | Catch-Up/Outdoor | Clean entryway, sweep porch, tidy patio/play area |
Sunday | Weekly Reset | Declutter, meal plan, prep outfits, clean momβs workspace |
πΆ HOW I CLEAN WITH KIDS (Even a Baby!)
I get this question all the time: How do you clean when your hands are literally full?
Hereβs how I make it work with four boys:
π¦ Baby Stage (0β12 Months)
Baby-wear while doing dishes ,or folding laundry.
Clean during naps Keep tasks short and flexible
π§ Toddler Stage (1β3 Years)
Let them βhelpβ with a spray bottle + cloth
Use toy bins labeled with pictures
Do short burst clean-ups (5β10 minutes max)
π¦π¦ Big Kids (4+ Years)
Assign real jobs! (Trash, toys, folding socks)
Use music or timers (cleaning dance parties work!)
Teach βbefore/afterβ pride β they love it!
βοΈ SUMMER CLEANING ADJUSTMENTS
Summer brings:
More dirt + outdoor mess
Popsicle drips + snack wrappers
Extra time at home = more messes
Hereβs how I tweak my cleaning routine for summer survival:
π§Ί 1. Do Laundry Daily
With swimsuits, towels, and sweaty outfits β I aim for 1 load a day, folded at night or during quiet time.
π§½ 2. Add a 5-Minute Porch/Entry Clean
A quick sweep of the entrance keeps dirt from tracking inside.
π§ 3. Wipe Down Fridge Every Friday
With more snacks and cold drinks, spills happen fast.
ποΈ 4. Declutter Weekly
Use βSummer Sundaysβ to toss broken toys, organize sandals, etc.
π‘οΈ 5. Afternoon Reset with Water
Give the kids a spray bottle and mop and turn cleanup into a βcar washβ game!
π§½ CLEANING SUPPLIES I SWEAR BY (Affiliate Picks)
Letβs keep it real: these are the MVPs of my cleaning routineβthe products I keep buying over and over again because they actually work, save time, and help me feel a little more on top of the mom chaos.
β¨ Daily Must-Haves
Multi-Surface Spray: I love Method All-Purpose Cleaner β it smells amazing and is safe around kids.
Microfiber Cloths: These Amazon Basics Microfiber Cloths are perfect for dusting, wiping, and shining without streaks.
Mini Countertop Vacuum: A lifesaver for snack crumbs and cereal spills from the 3-year-old. I use this compact handheld vacuum daily.
π§Ό Weekly Reset Essentials
Toilet Brush Set: I love this sleek, no-drip silicone toilet brush.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: This toilet cleaner smells like forest rain and gets the job done.
Mop and Bucket Combo: I swear by my O-Cedar Spin Mop β itβs oddly satisfying and makes mopping feel less like a chore.
πͺ Deep Cleaning Warriors
Non-Toxic Degreaser: Perfect for tackling stovetops and sticky cabinets. Try this citrus degreaser.
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop: For when I need that deep-clean magic without chemicals β this one is my go-to.
Scrub Brushes with Handles: This set of scrub brushes is great for grout, baseboards, and everything in between.
π§ββοΈ MINDSET SHIFT: Grace Over Guilt
Let me say it again louder for the moms in the back:
β¨ Your worth is not measured by how clean your house is. β¨
You are raising tiny humans. Thatβs sacred. Thatβs exhausting. And thatβs enough.
This schedule isnβt about chasing perfection. Itβs about creating peace. Itβs about making space β for joy, laughter, movie nights, messy crafts, and yes, even popcorn crumbs under the couch.
π₯ DOWNLOAD: Free Printable Checklist
Want to print this whole thing and hang it on your fridge?
π Grab the Daily + Weekly Cleaning Checklist Printable
Itβs cute, mom-approved, and helps you stay on track.
It includes:
Daily AM/PM reset checklist and Weekly tasks
β¨ FINAL THOUGHTS: From Chaos to Calm β One Step at a Time
If youβre drowning in dishes and overwhelmed by the mess β I see you.
Youβre not lazy. Youβre not failing.
You just need a system that fits your life.
This one works because itβs for moms. Itβs flexible, forgiving, and fast. Use what works. Skip what doesnβt. And keep going.
Youβve got this, mama. π§‘
π RELATED POSTS TO KEEP YOU GOING:
25 No-Prep Toddler Activities for Quiet Time