For the longest time, I felt like I was stuck in what I call my messy house era. You know the feeling, right? You wake up swearing that today’s the day you’ll finally get on top of things, only to end the day buried under laundry, dishes, and crumbs thinking, “What is wrong with me?”
Meanwhile, there were women out there with these immaculate homes that seemed to sparkle effortlessly. I couldn’t help but ask myself what their secret was. Why did it feel so impossible for me? Was it some kind of secret Houdini-level cleaning magic?
The truth, as I’ve come to learn, is that you don’t need magic, perfection, or an army of helpers to have a clean home. What worked for me was creating realistic routines that fit into my life as a working mom. It’s not about doing everything, but about doing enough every day to keep things under control.
This is how I rescued myself from my messy house era.
1. My Daily Cleaning Schedule
I realized that it wasn’t the big cleaning tasks that were tripping me up; it was the tiny, neglected things that piled up into a mountain by the end of the week. Now, I start each day with a quick, no-brainer routine that makes life 100 times easier. My daily checklist looks like this:
- Air the Beds
First thing in the morning, I pull down the bedding to give it a little fresh air, and crack the window. It’s a tiny step, but it makes the beds feel neat and cozy without extra effort later. - Do a Load of Laundry
Laundry is no longer a dreaded, once-a-week nightmare for me. I do just one load a day (more on my laundry schedule below), wash, dry, fold it, and PUT IT AWAY. Trust me, this is key. - Do the Dishes
My secret? I clean as I cook. Before every meal, I fill the sink or a tub with hot, soapy water. Dishes get scraped and dumped in there as I go so that by the time I finish eating, there’s barely anything left to clean up. After dinner, I load the dishwasher and start it. No piles, no stress. (Click here for my blog post on how to clean as you cook!) - Clear Clutter
Clutter happens, but it doesn’t have to pile up for days. I spend a few minutes here and there putting things back where they belong. Sometimes I’ll even grab a laundry basket to gather out-of-place items and “deliver” them to their proper rooms.
That’s it! Simple, achievable, and something I can stick to even on the busiest days.
2. My Weekly Cleaning Schedule
Once I nailed my daily routine, I needed a plan that made the rest of the house feel clean without taking forever. Enter my weekly cleaning schedule. Each task takes just 15 minutes. Here’s how I break it down:
- Monday: Declutter or deep clean in one zone of the house. (More on zones below!)
- Tuesday: Bathrooms get their shine on.
- Wednesday: Clean out the fridge, meal plan, and add groceries to my cart.
- Thursday: Dust surfaces. I finally get to all those sneaky spots like baseboards and shelves.
- Friday: Vacuum and mop for fresh, inviting floors.
- Saturday: Another quick 15 minutes of decluttering or zone cleaning.
- Sunday: Rest. Yep, I actually give myself permission to skip cleaning. I usually plan for the week ahead, but mostly, I soak up the satisfaction of a house that feels clean and manageable.
When you only need 15 minutes for each task, cleaning doesn’t feel so overwhelming anymore. It slowly becomes a habit, and you start seeing results fast.
3. My Laundry Schedule
Laundry has this weird way of taking over your life if you don’t stay on top of it. But instead of leaving it all for one marathon laundry day (which I do not recommend), I spread mine out like this:
- Monday: Whites/lights
- Tuesday: Delicates/baby clothes
- Wednesday: Activewear, casual clothes, and socks
- Thursday: Darks
- Friday: Rags and towels
- Saturday: Sheets
One load a day keeps the laundry monsters away! By following this schedule, I avoid ever being buried under a mountain of clothes to deal with all at once.
How I Made Cleaning Feel Less Lonely
I don’t know about you, but sometimes cleaning can feel so boring. Like, how are you supposed to stay motivated with nothing but your own thoughts for company? That’s why I created Domestic Daydreams Radio and use it every day!
Imagine being guided through your cleaning tasks while listening to nostalgic 1950s radio shows like suspenseful crime dramas, romantic soap operas, or quirky comedies. With Domestic Daydreams Radio, you’re not just cleaning; you’re turning your chores into me-time (or Family Time! get those stinkers listening and helping too!),
Here’s why it works:
- Step-By-Step Guidance: Each episode gives you a cleaning task to follow along with (it actually follows this exact cleaning schedule I outlined in this post!). It’s like having a friend walk you through it.
- Short and Sweet: Episodes fit right into my 15-minute cleaning blocks or daily routines.
- Fun and Nostalgic: Those vintage radio shows? Total escapism. It’s like being transported to a simpler time where cleaning doesn’t feel like a burden.
If you’ve been stuck in your messy house era like I was, Domestic Daydreams Radio might just be your new best friend. You can try out some free episodes right here and see how it can transform your cleaning routine.
Exiting my messy house era wasn’t about becoming a perfect homemaker. It was about finding a system that worked for me. Now my home feels livable, manageable, and honestly kind of cozy. And the best part? I don’t go to bed feeling like I’ve failed anymore.
If I can do it, so can you. Start small. Take it one day at a time. And don’t forget to make it fun! With these routines in place and a little help from Domestic Daydreams Radio, you’re going to crush it.
You’ve got this!