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Busy families are generally well versed in doing household chores, but don’t always have a great plan. In other words, chores just tend to get done when they need to.
But that’s stressful and tough to manage! We’ve compiled a thorough chore list for every day, week, and month for you to use.
Contents
Household Chore List For Families
We break the household chore list into daily chores, weekly chores, and monthly chores, along with a section on seasonal chores.
The good news is that most of the small, yet time-consuming house chores around the house can be done by anyone. That is why it is easy to allocate household chores to every family member.
Daily Chore List
Daily chores are just that – they are meant to be done every day. None of the daily chores on our household chore list should take you more than 5 minutes. They are designed to be quick and easy.
Doing these daily chores sets the foundation for a clean home. Not only that, but performing these household chores every day will make your weekly and monthly chores that much easier.
1. Making Beds
This is a daily and must-do activity for every member of the household. Nobody likes a messed-up bed and this should be top of the chore list.
It is best to set parameters for a fully made bed looks like. Generally speaking, pulling the sheets, covers, and comforters back over the bed and taught is a good start. Organizing the pillows at the top of the bed should also be included.
Making your bed every day has been proven to make you happier throughout the day.
2. Taking Out the Trash
This is another daily and critical house chore that every member of the household should responsibly do. Trash buildup over night allows bacteria to form, while also attracting rodents and ants. Not to mention, sometimes you’ll wake up to a smelly house if you don’t take the trash out.
Family members can take turns if that makes the chore easier to handle. Stay on top of this chore, as this is one task that should not be overlooked.
3. Washing Dishes
Letting dishes pile up is both unsanitary and unsatisfying. Since the kitchen is such a prominent focal point of the home, staring at a pile of dirty dishes is really difficult to do. Keeping the dishes at bay every day will keep you house tidy.
There are many different ways to tackle this chore. Some institute a policy that the cook doesn’t have to clean. Others assign this chore out in a rotation. Still others just tag team to make sure that the dishwasher is loaded every night.
4. Sweeping and Vacuuming
It is important to keep the most used parts of the house clean. A quick sweep or vacuum of the main entry areas, the living room/family room, and the dining area reduces the dirt and debris in your house by 70-80%.
This is where a good stick vacuum makes a lot of sense. They are easy to whip out of a closet and quickly clean the main areas of your house. For added convenience, pick up a cordless cleaning model.
5. Spot Cleaning the Kitchen
Many would argue that the kitchen is the most important room in the house. Keeping the family kitchen clean is critical. While doing the dishes daily helps, spot cleaning the surfaces is also vital.
Wipe down the countertops and stove. Put away anything that might have been left out, and ensure that drawers are closed.
6. Checking the Mail
This is a fairly easy chore but one that needs to be done. A family can either pick one member to do this task exclusively, or take turns doing it.
Make sure to designate a place where the mail belongs. Often times, without a specific location, it just ends up cluttering the dining room table or the kitchen countertop.
7. Tidying Up Messes
This is not something you can predict, but definitely something that is part of most people’s lives. This is very true for households with little children.
Parents/elders tend to be quite reactive when it comes to spills and unnecessary messes. But, the fact is when you are a family, especially one with kids, this is bound to happen.
Don’t’ react. Just train everyone to put away things and clean up their mess. This will make your life easier and will make them more careful.
8. Spot Cleaning Bathroom Sinks
Don’t mistake this for cleaning the bathroom. This is just a simple wipe down of the bathroom sinks, but its a vital household chore to perform frequently.
Quickly wiping down the bathroom sink each night with water or spray and a towel can go a long ways in making it easier for you to clean your bathroom, when the time comes.
Weekly Chore List
A chore list for every week is typically a little more involved, and take 20-40 minutes each. It is best if you have a plan for when they are done, and often structuring time to do them together as a family works really well.
If you are succeeding at performing the daily household chores that we recommended above, you’ll find that these weekly chores take a lot less time.
1.Cleaning the Bathroom
Bathroom sinks and counters should be spot cleaned daily. However, an additional household chore that is vital is a weekly, thorough cleaning of the bathroom.
This includes the bathtub, the toilet area, the bathroom mirror, cabinets, and the bathroom floor. Don’t delay this particular weekly chore as the more you delay, the harder it will be to clean when you finally get down to it.
2. Mopping and Dusting Floors
If you’ve kept on your daily chore of lightly vacuuming your house, then all that remains is a weekly dust and mop of the floors to keep your house clean.
This can be done weekly as long as you dust and mop the high-traffic areas daily. If you live in an extra dusty region, you may want to do this every other day.
If you don’t have carpets, then you probably would make use of a vacuum specifically made for hardwood flooring. These cleans typically don’t have a lot of the bulky (and expensive) components that equivalent carpet cleaner vacs have.
3. Vacuuming Floors
Again, families should vacuum high traffic areas daily. Vacuum the entire house once a week at least. If you want, you can divide the task or assign one week to every family member.
This should include corners and behind furniture. You can save the drapes and blinds for once per month.
If you have pets, then this is even more vital. Cleaning up pet hair before it becomes a larger problem will help to keep your home clean.
4. Changing Bed Sheets and Towels
This should ideally be done once a week. We spend at least eight hours sleeping, or in bed trying to sleep. Make sure this area is clean, and the bed sheets are germ-free.
Typically it is easiest to combine this chore with the weekly laundry.
5. Doing Laundry
While some families may prefer doing their laundry daily or on alternate days, others may prefer to dedicate one day a week for laundry. This does depend on your work/school schedule, but everyone needs clean clothes.
Don’t be lazy when it comes to laundry. If you have a washer/dryer at home, it makes things easier. If you live in an apartment complex where the laundry area is shared, try to find the right time that fits your schedule.
6. Cleaning the Fridge and Freezer
Again, this home chore is essential for maintaining the health and well-being of all household members. You can do this once a week, but you should clean your fridge and freezer thoroughly.
Most people generally combine this with their grocery day as it is the ideal time to throw out old stuff and replace it with new. While you’re at it, you might as well wipe down and clean the fridge and freezer.
7. Cleaning the Kitchen
Most families become careless when it comes to cleaning cabinets and cleaning appliances in their kitchen. But it’s best that you do it once a week, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time on this chore.
In addition, it helps keep your kitchen look nice and clean. The kitchen is a critical space for families, and this space must be clean at all times.
Monthly Chore List
Monthly chores are typically focused on areas of your home that don’t get used as often, or for very long durations. These household chores are easy to let slide. And, being honest, if you have to get behind on any area of your household chore list, the monthly chores are the best ones.
Many families develop a nice rhythm for their monthly household chores by designating a specific time each month for them, such as the first Saturday morning of every month.
1. Washing Mattress Covers & Duvets
This might seem unnecessary but believe it when we say that dust and germs accumulate in your mattress and covers. Your sleep area should be neat and tidy.
This is not limited to changing your bed sheets every week. You do need to clean your duvets/blankets/comforters too. You should also make sure your mattress pad and covers are neat.
2. Cleaning Furniture
This includes furniture in the living room, family room, bedroom, study/library/den, and patio.
Using a vacuum that has a detachable hose for cleaning your blinds and drapes, and attach the extension wand to clean the furniture.
Don’t wait for a social event or friends and family coming over before you decide to do it. Dedicate one day a month to cleaning furniture.
3. Cleaning the Oven
With so many cleaning liquids and techniques out there, you should not avoid this particular house chore. Your oven should be clean. You don’t have to do it daily, but its best to do it once per month.
4. Cleaning the Dishwasher
Similar to the oven, you should also clean your dishwasher at least once a month. After all, this is the appliance which cleans your dishes daily.
5. Cleaning Doors, Windows, & Handles
Clean your doors, handles, and windows once in a while. It will definitely change the look of your home.
Note that we’re not referring to washing the windows, but cleaning the window sills.
Seasonal Chore List
1. Cleaning Closets, Drawers, & Dressers
Most families prefer to do this during spring cleaning. Others prefer to do so twice a year, once in spring and once in fall. Whatever your home cleaning schedule is, make sure you fit this in the right seasons.
2. Washing Windows
This is an ideal summer chore and teenagers can be a great help to wash windows.. The whole family can join in the fun.
Water, soap, and a garden hose are all you need to have fun on a sunny day. And the result? You get clean and spotless windows.
3. Deep Cleaning Carpets & Rugs
If a family is DIY inclined, this could be something you could all do together. Your carpet fibers are a magnet for storing bacteria, dirt, and debris.
Whether you use a carpet cleaner or not, also clean your area rugs. Don’t forget to clean the floor under any rugs as well by either using a vacuum or a tile floor mop depending on the surface.
4. Cleaning Vents
This is also necessary for maintaining a clean and tidy home. Your vents will pick up dust while the heater is running in the winter and the air conditioner in the summer. Clean these out with your vacuum extender wand.
Take care to change out your air filters as well. You might need to have your air ducts professionally cleaned every few years, and this is a good time to get a flashlight out and take a look to see if you need it.
Dial In Your Chores
Household chores are part of everyone’s lives. The concept that only adults are responsible for everything and that children somehow get a free pass is not beneficial and can negatively affect your child’s performance at a later stage. Make your list and hang your chore chart in an easy-to-see-place.