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Keeping a home clean and organized can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling work, kids, and everything in between. If you often feel like you're constantly tidying but never truly ahead of the mess, a structured approach to cleaning can make all the difference.
The secret? Understanding the difference between a weekly reset routine and daily cleaning tasks and how both work together to keep your home manageable and stress-free.
What is a Weekly Reset Routine?
A weekly reset routine is a once-a-week dedicated cleaning session focused on deep cleaning tasks, organizing, and resetting your home for the week ahead. This is your time to catch up on tasks that don’t need daily attention but are essential for keeping your home in order. Think of it as hitting the refresh button before another busy week begins!
Typical Weekly Reset Tasks:
Putting everything back in its place (clear off those surfaces!!)
Tidying up high-traffic areas like the mudroom or entryway, and main living spaces.
Catching up on laundry, if needed
Vacuuming and mopping all floors
Deep cleaning the bathrooms (shower/tub cleaning is often bi-weekly)
Dusting furniture and surfaces
Wiping down exterior appliances (microwave, fridge, oven door, and stove top).
Don't forget to dust your hood vent if you have one!
Cleaning and swapping out bed linens
Pro Tip: Studies show that clutter can increase stress and anxiety, with 84% of Americans feeling their home isn’t clean enough. A weekly reset helps keep clutter at bay, creating a more peaceful environment.
What is a Daily Cleaning Routine?
A daily cleaning routine consists of lighter tasks that maintain the home’s cleanliness and prevent mess from piling up. These are the non-negotiables that keep your space tidy and manageable throughout the week.
Typical Daily Cleaning Tasks:
Making the beds
Doing the dishes and wiping down kitchen counters
Light vacuum of high-traffic areas (kitchen, dining room, entryway)
Wiping down sinks in the bathroom and kitchen
Taking out the trash (as needed)
Doing a quick pick-up of toys, shoes, and random items
Pro Tip: Spending just 15 minutes a day on maintenance cleaning can prevent major weekend clean-ups, hard to clean spills, and help you stay ahead of household messes. The truth is: the messes will come, so maintenance is key!
Key Differences Between Weekly & Daily Cleaning
Task Type | Daily Routine | Weekly Reset |
General Tidy-Up | Quick pick-up of clutter | Full decluttering session |
Laundry | Load as needed | Catch up on unfinished laundry |
Floors | Spot sweeping | Full vacuum and mop |
Bathrooms | Wipe sinks & counters | Deep clean toilets, showers, and tubs (bi-weekly) |
Kitchen | Dishes & counters wiped down | Clean appliances and pantry tidy-up |
Bedrooms | Make beds & put laundry away | Change linens & declutter surfaces |
Making It Work as a Busy Mom
Balancing cleaning with kids and a packed schedule can be tough, but here are some simple ways to stay on top of it:
Time Block Your Cleaning – Set a 15-minute timer each day for quick tidying and reserve an hour on your preferred day for your weekly reset. It doesn't have to be the traditional Sunday Weekly Reset. For instance, mine is Friday!
Delegate Tasks – Get kids involved! Even toddlers can help with picking up toys, wiping down tables, putting their dishes in the sink, laundry in the hamper and even putting their clothes away! Delegate age-appropriate tasks.
Use a Cleaning Caddy – Keep a small basket with essentials (multi-surface cleaner, microfibre cloths, etc) to make quick clean-ups easy.
Tackle Laundry Throughout the Week – Doing one load a day can prevent a weekend pile-up. Finding a laundry routine that works within your busy schedule is key. What works for me, might not work for you!
Final Thoughts
A clean home doesn’t have to mean hours of scrubbing every single day. By combining a daily cleaning routine with a weekly reset routine, you’ll maintain a tidy home without feeling overwhelmed. Don't forget to take some time to sit back, relax and enjoy all of your hard work! I hope this helps you in some way.
Which cleaning routine do you struggle with the most? Let me know in the comments!
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