Fall Back into a Great Autumn Cleaning Routine

As we get closer and closer to the end of Daylight Savings Time, it's important to set a new fall routine so you can stay on top of everything in your house. The days may get a little shorter, but don't let that stop you! After all, spring cleaning is already a thing: Why not add fall cleaning to your list?

Creating good cleaning habits is all about consistency – and here at Merry Maids®, we can help you keep a consistent cleaning schedule all year round. Using our time-tested methods, we’ll ensure that both the high-traffic and low-traffic areas of your house stay sparkling clean, by performing regular weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning services.

Committed to re-booting your autumn schedule? Here are a few other ways you can perfect your cleaning routine and develop better habits this fall.

Sort all the cleaning tasks in your household.

To reset your cleaning habits and create a more effective household schedule, you should start with documenting all the crucial cleaning tasks in your house, then sort them into distinct categories based on how often they should recur. A good rule of thumb is to have at least a few monthly, weekly, and daily tasks that you could easily do yourself or assign to another household member.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

· Monthly tasks: Window cleaning, cupboard clearing, appliance cleaning, fixture scrubbing, organizing and decluttering.

· Weekly tasks: Vacuuming carpets, mopping the hardwood floors, cleaning bathrooms and mirrors, doing the laundry.

· Daily tasks: Dusting, garbage removal, picking up laundry and clutter, loading the dishwasher, cleaning down countertops, sorting the mail.

Once you have your list, simply write up a rotating chore list and get everyone on board with your new fall routine!

Create a 15-minute ritual after work (or the school run.)

It’s difficult to enjoy your weekend when you’re still thinking about all the cleaning chores on your list. To reclaim that time as your own, commit to a simple 15-minute cleaning ritual at the end of every work or school day. This ritual should consist of a few essential cleaning tasks, as well as one larger “weekly” task that you rotate every day.

When building your ritual, the most important thing is to keep it simple, and to stick to roughly the same time every week day. Although it may sound exhausting to pick up a duster or mop after a long day, you’ll be surprised at how much freer you feel on weekends!

Prioritize the rooms that matter most.

When you’re busy managing day-to-day messes, you may feel like it’s impossible to get the perfect clean, even when you diligently observe a cleaning schedule. In some cases, that can be fixed by sitting down and thinking about your true cleaning priorities. Do you love to take long, luxurious baths in a clean bathroom oasis at the end of the day? Or do you need the family room to be spic-and-span when you sit down with your kids to surf through Netflix?

No matter what your particular cleaning needs may be, pick the top two or three rooms where you spend the most time and energy in the evenings. By maintaining those rooms throughout the week and rotating other rooms on the weekend, you might not feel as stressed about the state of your entire house.

Upgrade Your Cleaning Routine with Merry Maids®

While all of these tips can help you preserve your sanity and manage the daily tide of clutter, a professional cleaning expert can save you even more time and energy for the weekend! For more than 40 years, Merry Maids® has been transforming America’s homes and making it easier for home owners to rest and relax. Because we can customize our services to meet your exact standards and needs, you’ll feel like you have a trusted partner in the war against grime – and you just might find that your fall routine gets a little easier.

Want more tips and tricks for keeping your house clean? Check out our previous articles for DIY suggestions, organization tips, and more!