Hello ‘A Bowl Full of Lemons’ readers! I’m Becky and I have a little printables shop – Clean Mama Printables and I blog about all things clean and organized at Clean Mama. I am guest posting today while Toni gets settled with her move.
Today I’d like to share some simple cleaning routine tips with you.
Just Start
Start with a whole routine or just one thing – you know your personality and what will work for you. If you would do better by just adding one little thing and changing your routine slowly, start there.
Start Small
Add a little bit at a time – don’t try to clean your home from top to bottom in a day or week – you’ll get frustrated – start with little things (like a load of laundry every day) that you can do every day to build up consistency.
Don’t Try To Play Catch Up
If you are sick or super busy with work, kids, whatever, and you miss a day, don’t try to catch up. Just start over on the next day.
Figure Out a System That Works for You
Do you work Monday through Friday? Or maybe you’re a stay at home mom, but Mondays and Tuesdays are completely filled with activities and running all over. Maybe those days are better for just the basics (like wiping down counters and loading and unloading the dishwasher and sink daily) and you do the majority of your cleaning on Saturday mornings. Be realistic and don’t set unattainable expectations for yourself.
Keep Track of Your Cleaning In a Cute Way
A cute checklist can help keep you on track – laminate your list and use a fine tip marker to track your progress for the week or month.
I have a couple cleaning routine solutions in my shop if you are interested in starting a cleaning routine.
The New Cleaning Kit – 5 documents
If you want an editable document that you can adjust according to your cleaning routine and busy schedule, I have The Editable Monthly Cleaning Checklist
and The Seasonal Deep Cleaning Checklist – perfect for keeping track of seasonal cleaning tasks and chores.
Tags: cleaning, how to clean
Blog, Cleaning, guest post Posted in
115 comments
115 comments on “Cleaning day… & a giveaway.”
I’m absolutely terrible at cleaning … my husband are in the throws of figuring out a system that would help me! Your printables look like a great place to start 🙂 Eulynn Gargano
My cleaning day is always “tomorrow.” haha! That’s terrible, but that’s why I need to win this giveaway and get a better system in place!
1. done
2. done
3. Everyday is cleaning day, a little each day will keep you on top of things.But i must admit I’ve got to start early… or it isn’t going to happen.
1. Done
3. My cleaning day is wednesday, I do all the major things in the middle of the week, and enjoy the weekends without too much housework
Thanks for the generous give-away chance, I am following ABFOL on Facebook.
Thanks for the generous give-away chance, I am following Clean Mama on Facebook.
Liked ABFOL!
Liked Clean Mama!
I’ve read many organizing books and tried several different cleaning schedules that were suggested, but still haven’t quite gotten the hang of it. Currently, I’m using the one I read in “Large Family Logistics”, which isn’t too bad, but I really need to get a home management binder together to keep me on the current day … {{{sigh}}}
My cleaning is everyday…….. a little at a time !!!!!
I like ABFOL and Clean Mama on Facebook. I have to do a little cleaning everyday. Some days are better than others.
Liked ABFOL and Clean Mama on Facebook! Every day I wake up thinking I will clean a little, but it rarely happens. And then I get so overwhelmed that I have a meltdown and my wonderful husband steps in to help me! I NEED a plan!!!
I am already a follower of ABFOL and liked it on Facebook and I just like Clean Mama on facebook as well. I love the checklists! I hoping this will keep me on better cleaning schedule instead of running around crazy trying to clean when I know people are coming over. Hope it will help my husband and 4 year old get on board with helping out too.
I clean just about every day but I want to get a good routine down for the deep cleaning and not just the picking up stuff!!
navy_wife9360 at yahoo dot com
I like ABFOL on facebook
navy_wife9360 at yahoo dot com
I love both of your blogs! They have been lifesavers! My house had become a disaster zone and I felt completely overwhelmed and embarrassed!
Inspired by both of you I’ve worked room by room taking my house back. I’ve fallen in love with my house again and I am proud to have people over again. My kids are enjoying having everything organized and we’ve been decorating for Halloween together. I can finally sit back and smile at what I see. Of course, now I’m always looking to see what I can improve on. Anyways, thanks so much for giving me the push that I needed!
I like Clean Mama on facebook!
navy_wife9360 at yahoo dot com
I like you on facebook
jlstan825 at hotmail dot com
I like Clean Mama on facebook
jlstan825 at hotmail dot com
I try to clean a little each day, but usually end up doing some “catch-up” on Saturday!
jlstan825 at hotmail dot com
My cleaning day is…oh, that’s right…EVERYDAY of my life!!!! I might need some organization!
My cleaning is just pretty much just EVERYDAY. I am super unorganized!!!
I liked both Facebook pages. My cleaning days are whenever I have enough energy to do something. I can’t go crazy and do it all at once, or my Fibromyalgia will flare and I’ll hurt a lot the next day or two. A schedule would certainly make me feel like I could actually get it done.
I have been married 18.5 years and I still don’t have a “cleaning day”! But I would love your little organizers. And love that Clean Mama Facebook page — so glad I “liked” it!
1. Done
2. Done
3. My cleaning days are Firday and Saturday. I pick up throughout the week and then I really clean and do laundry thoes days. Friday laundry is clothes, and Saturday laundry is sheets and towels. My husband is a graduate student and he doesn’t have school in the afternoon on Fridays so he can help clean or watch the kiddos (2 year old and newborn) so things get done quicker!
swimfishy2008@yahoo.com
I seem to clean every darn day! With 5 kids I get super busy. We used to have the deep cleaning every Saturday too
FB fan Clean Mama
ABFOL FB fan
Marisa Meme
i like ABFOL of facebook!
i like clean mama on facebook!
My cleaning time is right before our church small group comes over on Sundays 🙂
Today is cleaning day, so is tomorrow!
I Like ABFOL on Facebook.
I Like Clean Mama on Facebook.
My “cleaning day” is when I know we will be having guests over.
I like A Bowl Full of Lemons of FB!
I like Clean Mama on Facebook!
Since I am a working Mom, everyday is a cleaning day. I try to get one big cleaning chore out of the way each night so I can spend the weekend with my family instead of cleaning!
Just made sure to ‘LIKE’ you on facebook! 🙂 My cleaning day is today, Wednesday. This is the day I am completely alone because everyone is out of the house and our dog goes to a full day of doggy day-care for his socializing day. On these days I can do my favorite thing, vacuuming! I love to vacuum, but wish someone would do our laundry for me as that’s the one thing I don’t care to do.
I clean when the mood strikes. Not too often, unfortunately. I’m crazy about my bathrooms, though.
I clean on weekends mostly. It makes me feel so great when my house is clean!
1. I like ABFOL on FB!
2. I like Clean Mama on fb.
Cleaning day is Thursday! So the house is clean before any guests come over on the weekend!
Did all of them! I’m still trying to get into a cleaning schedule, which is why I’d love these printouts. It’s been a major source of stress in my life that I don’t have this house cleaning thing figured out, and seeing these tips has helped me a lot.
Cleaning day is the day before company comes, but I do a little every day. 🙂
I liked Clean Mama on facebook
I liked ABFOL on facebook
My cleaning day is never today! I need to get some routines going!
1.done
2.done
3.My cleaning day is everyday but the heavy duty stuff when I can, usually Saturday mornings!
I like both on facebook:) I try and clean a little everyday(which I need to get better at) and my big cleaning day is usually Sunday!
1. Done 2. Done 3. I am retired so each day I do some cleaning chore for as long as it takes/energy runs out!
lets be honest – i do not have a designated cleaning day! i so wish i did! BUT i work 2 jobs so it is just impossible. recently though it has been mondays!!
Like ABFOL!
Like Clean Mama! You have the cutest stuff!
I try to have cleaning days on Mondays & Wednesdays (while cleaning everyday!).
1. check!
2. check!
3. I have been working hard on getting a cleaning routine established and sticking with it. I’m learning that doing a little bit of cleaning each day works best for me. I find a lot of inspiration from ABFOL and Clean Mama. I would LOVE to win a $25 certificate and would definitely put the printables to good use. 🙂
I’ve liked ABFOL on facebook for awhile now
I liked Clean Mama on Facebook
My cleaning day is whenever I can get someone else to do it … or at least help … or when the clutter gets to me so much that something has to be done 🙂 (really it doesn’t take that much clutter to get to that point. I hate messy houses – and we have 5 kids and run a licensed daycare, so it never gets terrible. I just don’t like cleaning!)
1. Done 🙂
2. Done 🙂
3. Currently on Saturday.
1.Done
2. Done
3. I clean a little but every day so I don;t have to spend 1 whole day doing it.
Carol S.
I liked both on Facebook. I end up cleaning pretty much everyday. I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle here!
I mostly try to do a little bit each day, but if I get behind, Mondays are my catch up day!
Adriennewalters at gmail dot com
I like ABFOL on facebook.
Friday is my cleaning day…if nothing else gets in the way.
I liked ABFOL on facebook. I am LOVING this site!
I also liked CleanMama on Facebook.
I don’t have a cleaning day. I am trying to organize and create a routine and that is what led me to your site. You have so much great information and your home tour is beautiful! I would LOVE to win some printables to get me started. (Fingers crossed) 🙂
1.Done.
2. Done.
3. Every single hour of every single day minus sleep. It is the curse of two cutie long-haired canines.
This was a great post!
I like ABFOL on FB!
I like Clean Mama on FB!
I have something that I clean every day Monday to Wednesday. I will do some tasks on the weekends if I need to catch up or for extra monthly tasks.
Just ‘liked’ both the pages.
Our cleaning day is Saturday and Sunday. I stay at home with my son and nanny. I try to keep up on some cleaning during the week, but aren’t able to.
On Saturday, my son and I go out and my husband cleans. And on Sunday I do 5+ loads of laundry.
“Like” both pages!
My cleaning day is pretty much when I get the chance. I am a full time student then spend afternoons with Kindergarteners and come home to a 21 month old. So, I try to get something done EVERY day, rather a load of laundry, dishes, or just basic De-cluttering!
Cleaning day is every other Friday when Hazel comes….trying to keep it clean in between her visits is challenging enough!
I “like” ABFOL and Clean Mama. My cleaning day…it never ends because I never finish. I get so side tracked on some other “project.” I need help focusing!!!
I already like ABFOL on FB.
Shelby Swiatek
mrs.swiatek@comcast.net
I like Clean Mama on FB.
Shelby Swiatek
mrs.swiatek@comcast.net
I clean everyday except on the weekend. I try to enjoy those days with my family as much as possible.
Nice to see you here, Becky! 😉
I haven’t been able to set specific clean days yet… I clean as is warranted! Typically, I vacuum every other day (Cheerios and my carpet seem to be MFEO) and bathrooms get done when I notice how gross they’re getting… Not the best system but I’m just happy things get done. 😉
I already like ABFOL on FB.
I already like Clean Mama on FB.
I “Liked” A Bowl Full of Lemons on facebook.
tori.palmer
I Liked Clean Mama on Facebook
tori.palmer
I clean everyday of the week. I try to split it up between each day if I can.
I am a ABFOL FB fan!
I try to clean on Fridays, but typically it is an all weekend thing – a little bit here, a little bit there. The printables would be great for tracking the ‘big’ house cleaning, like ceiling fans and dusting the top of the cabinets.
My cleaning day is every day! With 4 little bambino’s running around it has to be. We have chores and fun ways to earn family dollars to get every one involved. It’s better to stay on top of things. I’m hoping to finish out the ABFOL 21 day challenge…I’m on day 4 yippee!
I like both on FB. I clean whenever I can pass my kids off to my husband so I can work unfettered, or I enlist my preschooler to help me while my youngest two are napping in the afternoons.
1. Check. 2. Check. 3. As a graduate student and newly married woman, Saturday is my cleaning/marathon laundry day, AFTER MY COFFEE, because my husband is at work and the school work is set aside. Who knew that adding one person (husband) could add SO MUCH laundry!
I am now a follower of both on facebook. I do at least 1 load of laundry everyday, as well as some basic daily cleaning, but Sunday is our family cleaning day. The kids each clean their rooms, they make sure our main living area is tidy, and we clean the floors and bathrooms before we do anything else for the day.
My cleaning day is the day before company is coming over! ;o)
I liked ABFOL on facebook
I liked Clean Mama on Facebook
I do routine cleanups on evenings during the week and try to get the laundry and the rest of cleaning finished up on Saturday. I have delegated some chores to our teens (sorting laundry, cleaning bathrooms, etc) and I attempt to be finished by Sat. evening so that we can have a “family day” on Sunday with not much to do other than maintain.
I liked you both on Facebook! 😀 I try to clean a little bit every weekday, but fall short sometimes. I work Monday through Friday, with an hour to and an hour from commute. So I have to really balance cleaning time with relaxing time.
I liked both on FB.
& I don’t have a cleaning day, or a plan in place. We are moving in a week to a new house and I’d really like to start a plan, and stay motivated to keep our new house perfect 🙂 I’d love to win!
I liked ABFOL on FB 🙂
I liked Clean Mama on FB too!! 🙂
My cleaning day tends to be whichever day my boys go to my mom’s house for a couple hours. I love getting all my cleaning done at once and then just managing it and straightening up throughout the week 🙂
1. Done 🙂
2. Done 🙂
3. I just had a baby, so my ‘cleaning day’ is whenever I have a few spare minutes!!
I liked Clean Mama on facebook. (I’ve been following ABFOL on fb for a while now.) Our main cleaning day is Wednesday mornings right now, but I’m hoping to return to a (less stressful) daily cleaning routine soon. These printables would be very helpful in accomplishing that goal! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
vidaearnshaw (at) bellsouth (dot) net
Done! And… every day!
I like ABFOL on facebook!
…and now I like Clean Mama on facebook, too!
My cleaning day is EVERYDAY!
My super crazy deep cleaning day, though, is anyday just before hosting new guests. :/
1. Check!
2. Check!
3. I don’t have one. Whenever the house gets unbearable then we clean all day.
michellehaskell at gmail dot com
I try to clean a little bit every day. But my big cleaning day is always “the day before someone’s coming to visit”!
I like ABFOLs on facebook 🙂
I like Clean Mama on facebook 🙂
I clean every day, a little bit at a time but am struggling to get everything organized and to get a better plan in place. Thank you for offering such a generous giveaway!
I Like ABOFL on Facebook.
lexieex at gmail dot com
I Like Clean Mama on Facebook.
lexieex at gmail dot com
I usually try and do my cleaning on Friday.
However… by Monday it’s a disaster (with everyone being home for the weekend).
I’ve tried cleaning certain parts of the house and certain days.. and I really like that.
1. I liked ABFOL on Facebook.
2. I like Clean Mama on Facebook.
3. I try to do a little something every day.