Video:Tips for Creating a Cleaning Schedule

SHARE ON                

Transcript:Tips for Creating a Cleaning Schedule

Hi I'm Valarie Johnson for About.com. Creating a cleaning schedule is a great way to keep your busy household organized and clean. We're creating four different cleaning schedules -- one for daily chores, one for weekly cleaning, another for monthly tasks and one for seasonal cleaning.

Work With Your Family to Create a Cleaning Schedule

Have a meeting with your family to decide how to organize and schedule all the chores for both inside and outside the house. Try to work around everyone's busy schedule but make sure everyone's contributing and committed to completing their chores. Then talk about rotating them every month or every quarter. Whatever works for your family's needs.

Assign Certain Chores for a Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Here are some examples of traditional daily chores: washing dishes, laundry, tidying up living areas, filing papers so they don't pile up and sorting everyday recyclables.

Make a list of the chores in one column, and then assign a family member to be responsible for a specific task in the next column. Don't forget to check it off on the last column when done. Post the schedule in a common area where everyone will see it. The refrigerator is a perfect place for our hungry family.

Include Certain Tasks When You Create a Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Our weekly chore chart is a little more detailed so we created an extra column with more specific tasks: the first column is a general description followed by more detailed instructions.

For example: vacuuming -- not just the carpet but also stairs and furniture; kitchen appliances -- including the refrigerator (inside and out), the stove, inside the oven and don't forget the inside the microwave.

Create a Cleaning Schedule for Monthly and Seasoning Chores

Monthly chores start at the top and end at the bottom of your home including: dusting ceiling fans, hanging lamps, washing windows and use this opportunity to check your smoke alarm too. Consider assigning one person to take care of the cleaning in the higher areas of your home while another takes care of floor duties.

When it comes to outdoor cleaning jobs, seasonal chores vary with your changes of seasons. When the weather is willing, clean exterior doors and outside windows. Check heating and cooling units. On cold days, declutter that closet you've been meaning to re-organize. Make sure you itemize and assign the tasks on your chore chart. It can make the difference in getting everything done in your home.

Thanks for watching. To learn more visit us on the web at About.com.