Have you heard of the 30-3 rule from @rylie.jasmine? As a homeschool mom of five, she designed this genius system to keep her home clean and tidy without sacrificing her sanity. The premise is simple but so effective: dedicate 30 minutes to cleaning, three times a day. That’s an hour and a half total, spread out over your busy schedule, to get ahead of the mess before it takes over.
When I first came across her post, I couldn’t help but appreciate the brilliance of this method. It’s flexible, practical, and grounded in prioritization. Instead of trying to deep-clean your home during an already hectic day, the 30-3 system focuses on manageable chunks of time! She even breaks down exactly what to focus on during each shift so nothing gets overlooked.
Spoiler alert? It works. Here’s why.
Why the 30-3 Rule Works
When it comes to maintaining your home, consistency is everything. Rylie’s approach is rooted in small, intentional steps that prevent messes from snowballing into overwhelming chaos. Here’s her system in a nutshell:
Morning (30 minutes):
- Start a load of laundry (5 min)
- Unload the dishwasher (5 min)
- Wipe down the bathrooms (counters, mirrors, quick floor check) (5 min)
- Make the beds (5 min)
- House tidy-up (5 min)
Afternoon (30 minutes):
- Weekly chore (20 min)
- Put away a load of laundry (10 min)
Evening (30 minutes):
- Load and start the dishwasher (10 min)
- Clean kitchen top to bottom (10 min)
- Tidy and reset the house for the morning (10 min)
This consistent rhythm of short cleaning sessions helps you stay ahead rather than constantly falling behind. By sticking to small, actionable chunks, you avoid the temptation to push tasks off and create piles of laundry or dishes that take double the time to tackle later. The result? A home that’s tidy and clean without dedicating all your waking hours to scrubbing.
My Personal Routine
While I love Rylie’s system, you know I have my own cleaning routine. It’s more of a 30-2 rule. Instead of three cleaning shifts a day, I do two focused 30-minute cleaning sessions, one in the morning (click here for my blog post on my morning routine) and one in the evening (click here for my post on my evening routine). To make the most of my time and to keep things as simple as possible, I use podcast cleaning routines as my guide! I have some free episodes of them here.
These routines are my holy grail. They’re audio-guided cleaning sessions paired with vintage 1950s radio shows, so I can zone out, follow the steps, and even enjoy an entertaining radio show while I clean. Here’s what my 30-2 rule looks like in action.
Morning Routine (30 minutes):
Mornings set the tone for the day, so I use this time to tackle foundational tasks that make my home feel instantly more put-together. With the help of my Domestic Daydreams Morning Cleaning Routine (featuring the comforting old-timey vibes of a Dragnet! radio show), here’s what I accomplish in half an hour:
- Air the beds (5 min): I pull back the covers and crack open a window to freshen things up (bye, dust mites!).
- Start a load of laundry (5 min): Nope, not a mountain of laundry. Just one load, pre-planned with a specific day-to-day rotation.
- Unload and reload the dishwasher (5 min): This instantly resets the kitchen.
- Pick up clutter (10 min): A quick lap through the house with a basket, gathering misplaced items, works like magic.
- Weekly cleaning task (15 min): Whether it’s vacuuming, dusting, or a quick bathroom wipe-down, I tackle one pre-assigned task for the day and call it done.
By the time 30 minutes are up, I’ve already addressed the main chaos culprits. And because the routine guides me every step of the way, there’s no decision fatigue or second-guessing. Click here or the image below for some free episodes!
Evening Routine (30 minutes):
Evenings are all about resetting the space for the next day. With my Domestic Daydreams Evening Cleaning Routine (this one features the suspenseful drama of a Suspense! radio show), I handle tasks like these while winding down from the day:
- Fold and put away laundry (10 min): One load in the morning, one folded in the evening = no laundry backlog!
- Load and start the dishwasher (10 min): Having a clean sink at bedtime helps me wake up feeling calm.
- Pick up clutter (5 min): Another quick sweep to tidy things that went astray during the day.
- Spot clean floors (5 min): Just a quick pass in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and entryway.
- Self-care moment (5 min): Skincare, cozy pajamas, or a little red-light therapy. This is my quiet time to recharge before bed.
https://radio.domesticdaydreams.com/free-evening-routineThese routines make it so much easier to stay consistent, especially on busy days when my brain just doesn’t have the bandwidth to plan a cleaning schedule. Click here or the image below for some free episodes.
Why My Cleaning Routines Make It Work
One of the hardest parts of sticking to a cleaning plan is staying on task. Ever find yourself starting a cleaning project, only to get distracted halfway through? Same. That’s why I created my podcast-style Domestic Daydreams Cleaning Routines. They prevent overwhelm and help you move through tasks seamlessly.
With my routines, you get step-by-step guidance built into a 30-minute audio companion. It’s like having a cheerleader in your earbuds saying, “Okay, now grab that laundry basket!” But it’s not just functional. The vintage 1950s radio vibes make the whole process feel fun. You’re not just cleaning; you’re multitasking, enjoying a story, and resetting your home all at once.
Here’s why they’re game-changers for so many homemakers (myself included):
- No decision fatigue: You press play, and the routine tells you exactly what to do.
- Motivation on autopilot: The nostalgia of vintage radio shows keeps it interesting while you clean.
- Perfectly timed: Each routine is 30 minutes, so you know precisely when you’re done.
And the best part? I offer free episodes for anyone who wants to give it a try. There’s no risk, just a cleaner home waiting for you at the end of it.
Which Rule Is Right for You?
Rylie’s 30-3 rule is fantastic if you prefer three cleaning bursts throughout the day or if you have a busier household that needs that extra attention. My 30-2 rule is perfect if you’re a fan of consolidating tasks into two focused sessions while listening to something delightful in the background.
Whatever you choose, the key is consistency. Small, manageable chunks of effort make a massive difference over time. Whether you’re wiping counters or folding laundry, remember this: it’s not about perfection. Progress is the real win.
If you’re ready to give my podcast cleaning routines a try, grab a free episode of Domestic Daydreams today. Trust me, it might just become your favorite part of the day.
Until next time, keep it simple and take it easy. You’ve got this! ✨