Daily and Weekly Home Cleaning with Kids

Creating a daily and weekly cleaning schedule is essential when you have children. It helps you stay in control of your environment, prevents clutter, organizes your day and week, and reduces exhaustion. Here’s a guide to maintaining a clean home by doing a little each day rather than tackling everything at once.

10 Daily Cleaning Habits for Homes with Kids

Make the beds: Making all the beds daily is quick and keeps bedrooms tidy. The bed is the focal point of every bedroom.
Vacuum floors: Daily vacuuming removes dirt, dust, and pet hair from carpets and hardwood floors, improving the overall look and reducing allergens.
Empty the trash: Take out trash daily, especially from kitchens and bathrooms, to avoid attracting pests and unpleasant odors. Place bins strategically and empty them every night.
Keep sinks free of dirty dishes: This prevents bad smells and hardened food on dishes and utensils.
Clean the dishwasher: Wipe and scrub the dishwasher regularly to eliminate germs.
Sweep/mop kitchen floors: Clean spills immediately and vacuum daily, especially after meals, to prevent dirt buildup.
Wipe tables with a damp cloth: Keep surfaces tidy in the kitchen and living areas.
Clean the stovetop after cooking: Removing grease while it’s fresh makes cleaning easier and prevents buildup.
Wipe bathroom sinks: Bathrooms accumulate dirt quickly; keep a microfiber cloth handy to clean soap residue and water spots.
Clean surrounding surfaces: Wipe faucets, mirrors, and windows after each use to maintain daily hygiene.

Daily Chores for Young Children (Ages 3–7)

At this age, the goal is participation, not perfection. Tasks include:

Picking up toys and books and putting them away.
Placing dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
Dressing themselves with easy clothing like socks or pants.
Setting the table with unbreakable utensils and napkins.
Wiping low surfaces with a small duster or cloth.
Helping stir or mix ingredients for simple meals under supervision.

Chores for Older Children (Ages 8–12)

Older kids can take on more responsibility:

Vacuuming small areas in the home.
Dusting furniture, shelves, and surfaces.
Taking out trash and replacing bags.
Folding clean clothes and putting them in drawers.
Washing dishes by hand or loading/unloading the dishwasher.
Organizing their cabinets and drawers.
Preparing simple meals like sandwiches, salads, or scrambled eggs.
Starting laundry cycles or transferring clothes from washer to dryer.

Weekly Cleaning Schedule with Kids

Divide weekly tasks into one or two per day to avoid weekend overload and maintain cleanliness consistently:

Clean toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks.
Dust surfaces, including furniture, decor, and light fixtures.
Vacuum carpets and rugs.
Mop hard floors.
Change and wash bed linens, towels, and bathroom mats.
Clean the microwave interior and wipe the exterior.
Empty trash bins and wipe inside and outside of containers.

Completing these weekly tasks helps maintain your daily cleaning routine and prevents tasks from piling up.