Cleaning Schedule.. and DEFINITION of CLEAN!

Ok, for this post, if you do NOT have kids, you cannot JUDGE! haha There is something about being a parent that makes your definition of "clean" change.. Maybe its the ability for your kids to empty a whole container in a matter of milliseconds, or the fact that you will NEVER be caught up on laundry because the second you are, someone spills or has an accident.  As a matter of fact, my girls are emptying an en entire tin of dominoes as i type and I don't care because they are entertained and having fun together! HA!  So the point of this post is for me to share what my definition of a "clean house" is and how I achieve it every.single.day! (well.. 6 out of 7 days a week)  It is VERY possible and a MUST  for my own well being!

The whole idea here is to follow a schedule.  I understand that not every mom chooses or has the opportunity to stay home but my routine seriously takes 30 min a day, which I think is very reasonable.

I have a list of chores that I do DAILY, WEEKLY, and MONTHLY.  

DAILY:

• Empty and load the dishwasher (its amazing how good you feel when you have an empty sink right?!)
• Wipe down all counter tops in kitchen AND bathroom! (Ill do a post on all my cleaners soon)
• Sweep kitchen and spot mop if needed
• Pick up and tidy every room in the house (this is what takes the majority of the time, especially if you have toddlers.. BUT just make sure toys and other things are in their appropriate room of the house.  If you do this everyday, you will be amazed how easy and fast it becomes)

WEEKLY:

• Monday: Vacuum 
• Tuesday: Dust and clean mirrors/windows
• Wednesday: Scrub toilets and tubs
• Thursday: Mop all floors
• Friday: catch up day/do monthly chore
• Saturday: Wash sheets and towels
• Sunday: Do all family laundry (you could do this on Saturday if you choose)

MONTHLY:

• 1st week: Clean out fridge and organize pantry
• 2nd week: Wash all base boards, blinds, and walls
• 3rd week: Clean kid's toys
• 4th week: Organize office/desk area and any closets that need attention

Yes there are some weeks when I need to vacuum more than once, or I skip a chore because I just don't have the time.  Sticking to this schedule and doing just a few little things a day makes me feel like I live in a clean home.  

Now onto my definition of clean and being a mom on 2 busy kids.. 
CLEAN: being dirt and dust free

Yep that's about it.. as long as my floors are not dirty with dirt and my shelves don't have dust on them and my house smells good.. I consider my house to be clean!  It is nice when I can have a clutter free home with no toys all over the floors but in reality, that very rarely happens with kids.  I came across a saying a few years ago and it replays in my head almost daily:

"If you have come to see me and my family, come on in! If you have come to see my house, please make an appointment!"