Implementing a new cleaning routine can be tremendously rewarding. To keep from feeling overwhelmed, take it one concept or task at a time. These suggestions will help you get started.

Establish Priorities
Cleaning is a highly personal endeavor. Decide what "clean" means for you and your family and keep house accordingly. Don't worry if other people's standards aren't the same as your own.

Determine what housekeeping tasks you feel must be done on a regular basis, which ones should be done, and which ones would be nice to have done. Then, work on them in that order.

Schedule
Establish a cleaning routine that reflects your priorities. Here are two of the most popular methodologies:

1. Zone Oriented Cleaning - Completely cleaning one room or group of rooms at a time. Example: Completely cleaning the living room before continuing to the dining room; or completely cleaning the first floor of a house on Tuesday, then cleaning the second floor on Wednesday. This is a good option for ladies who like the idea of working in a room once, then being completely finished with it until its next scheduled cleaning day.
2. Task Oriented Cleaning - Focusing on specific cleaning tasks throughout the house (within multiple rooms or zones) at one time. Example: Dusting all the wood furniture throughout the house at one time, then the next day cleaning all the floors. This method is best for the homemaker whose house is small or medium sized, and who values completing a specific task over being completely finished with an individual room.

Choose a method that feels most comfortable with your schedule and personality. The two methods can also be combined and customized to suit your needs.

Clutter Control
Your household cleaning will be much easier if you effectively manage clutter.

Set Time Limits
If you are pressed for time, clean within 15 or 30 minute intervals each day. Do what you can, when you can.

Delegate
If your children are old enough, assign to them age appropriate cleaning tasks. Make cleaning fun by occasionally hiding small pieces of candy underneath toys that they will be picking up, or by setting the timer for 5 minutes and helping them clean a room as fast as possible.

Copyright © by Brenda King