Cleaning is one of those things you know you have to do, but do you really want to do it? Some people enjoy keeping their space spotless. Others get stressed just thinking about daily chores. But sometimes, setting a cleaning schedule can help everyone stay on task while keeping their stress low.

Benefits of a Cleaning Schedule

Whether you like to plan every minute of the day or depend on daily appointment reminders, having a schedule can help keep a number of tasks in order. When it comes to cleaning, scheduling some time throughout the day, week, or month can help prioritize important tasks and even help make it easier to keep a healthy home. Here are some of the other benefits of scheduled cleanings:

• Reduce stress and anxiety of living in a cluttered or dirty environment.
• Break down tasks to work more efficiently and avoid overwhelm.
• Improve focus, productivity, and air quality while reducing allergens and bacteria.
• Extend the life of your belongings.
• Free up time for other activities.
• Maintain a professional image.
• Boost morale and create a more positive atmosphere.

When you schedule cleaning tasks into manageable time slots, it becomes more sustainable to keep up with the work and less daunting.

Tips for Setting a Cleaning Schedule

Now that you know the benefits of a cleaning schedule, it’s time to get out your calendar. Here are some tips to get started.

1. List all the areas that need cleaning.
2. Decide how often each area needs attention (daily, monthly, seasonally).
3. Break down specific tasks for each area (dusting, vacuuming, deep cleaning).
4. Estimate how much time each task will take.
5. Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or app to create your schedule.
6. Break up tasks during specific days and times, depending on your daily routine and preferences.
7. Consider color-coding to differentiate between levels of cleaning.
8. Include checklists for accountability and tracking progress.
9. Regularly review and adjust schedules as needed.

Any time you’re creating a new schedule, start small with a few manageable tasks and gradually add more over time. Overwhelming yourself in the beginning is a surefire way to never want to schedule anything again. You control your calendar, so create something you can realistically maintain.