I don’t know about you, but I have always really struggled with having the time and energy to keep up with my house. I am the mother to 6 beautiful children. My oldest is 9 years old and my youngest is 3 months.
I have had to come up with a game plan that works for my family in the season of life that we are currently in. In the last 10 years I have been pregnant or exclusively breastfeeding for 90% of that time. As a result, my energy levels fluctuate pretty frequently. So based on the busyness of our schedule, the quality of our sleep, and my overall health I need a system that is flexible.
I went on a spiritual retreat in January where I came up with a system that has worked pretty well for me for the past 7 months.
My household task list is based on my energy level for the day or whether I have help to accomplish the tasks on my list. I am a SAHM, but my husband only works 4 days a week and he helps me with household tasks when he is home. So we divide and conquer.
On days that my energy level is little higher, more like a medium-level, I will add more tasks to my day.
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Why a low-energy cleaning checklist?
This gives me a list of the bare minimum tasks I need to get done to feel productive. When I get these tasks done, I can feel good about myself because even at my lowest, I’ve still completed a few things to keep my house running. We always need clothes to wear, food to eat, and something to eat on as well. My biggest priority is the health, safety, and wellbeing of my family and these tasks keep me accountable for them.
Do I always complete even my low-energy list?
Nope. There have been days in the last 7 months that I haven’t even completed the bare minimum, but that’s okay, I had a baby. Some of the tasks were to uncomfortable to do at the end of my pregnancy. Some weren’t necessarily safe for me to do directly postpartum. My husband is amazing and is always willing to pick up the slack when my pregnancies keep me from doing the tasks that I normally am responsible for maintaining.
Now that I am 3 months postpartum and my body is feeling better and stronger. I am completing my lists pretty much every day. It does also help to involve my kiddos as well. My 9yo’s daily chore is to bring down the laundry. My 7yo’s is to unload the dishwasher. All of us do the 20min tidy together because while I tidy surfaces, they pick up all of their games and toys.
One of my greatest suggestions for any mother who struggles with getting it all done is to make sure they are including their children in their cleaning.
Firstly, because it is important for them understand the importance of community and teamwork.
Secondly, they need to be responsible for their belongings and also the messes that they have made.
Thirdly, because it really does make the job easier. When we are all doing a 20min tidy I will turn some music on, and separate the tasks either by category (books, toys, clothes, etc.) or by room (TV room, Living room, dining room, foyer, etc.). Each of my children are assigned one and then we work until either timer goes off or the rooms are all tidied. It works very well for us.
My Low-Energy Cleaning Checklist
Bring dirty laundry to laundry room
We have one hamper in the bathroom upstairs, but they naturally just seem spread throughout the whole house if we don’t keep it in check.
This is actually my 9yo’s daily chore, but I added to the list because if he isn’t able to do it, it still needs to get done.
Wash/dry one load of laundry
I’m sure not everyone needs to do 1 load a day, but we have a family of 8 and between my 4mo, 2yo, and 4yo a load a day is definitely necessary. If you don’t need to do a load a day, adjust the list to fit your needs.
Empty dishwasher
We typically run the dishwasher every evening and then I try to make sure I empty it first thing in the morning so that I can just load after each meal. It makes my day run so smoothly.
This is 7yo’s chore. If it isn’t emptied by the time he gets home from school, he’ll he do it after school.
Load/run dishwasher
Even if the dishwasher isn’t full I will be sure to run it every night. We try not to have a whole lot of extra dishes around, so making sure that the few that we have are clean is vital.
Clean kitchen sink
Making sure my sink is clean night makes me feel less stressed in the morning when I wake up. It is a great practice to get in the habit of, plus it only takes a few extra minutes.
Wipe down kitchen counters
I hate cluttered kitchen counters, but that’s what inevitably happens if I don’t clear them every day to wipe them down. I get to kill two birds with one stone. It’s a win-win.
Wipe down bathroom sinks/counters
With 6 kids, 5 that brush their teeth twice a day, the bathroom counters end up so gross. I usually will just wipe them down with a spray of cleaner that I keep in the bathroom and the hand towel. It is super simple and takes 30 seconds.
20minute tidy
I set a timer and get it done. I never regret spending 20min tidying. If the room is a real disaster I’ll bring basket with me to relocate items that don’t belong and a trash bag, because trash is inevitable.
Do you need to use the same list as me?
Absolutely not. Not everything on my list makes sense for everyone. If you have only hardwood floors, maybe you don’t need to vacuum as often. If you have a smaller family, you probably don’t need to do a load of laundry every day.
How to make your own low-energy cleaning
checklist
Write down a few non-negotiable tasks that keep your house running on a daily basis.
Test it out for a few days to make sure that they are essential and that it is able to be accomplished every day.
That’s it.
I made a second list of tasks to complete if I have a bit more time and energy.
I will confess that the majority of my week is low-energy these days. I’ll have 2, maybe 3, medium-energy days a week. I haven’t had a high-energy level day since I was nesting, but now that my baby is sleeping and nursing well. I’m hoping my energy levels will increase more and more.
Here are some of my favorite cleaning items that keep my house moving:
These small, flexible laundry baskets are perfect for my family. They are the perfect size for one load of laundry and are also the perfect size for my 7 and 9yo to take up and down the stairs. They are flexible, but sturdy.
I am not an MLM lover, personally, but I am always impressed by how effective Young Living’s Thieves Cleaner is. Typically,I buy it off of Amazon and it has been great for daily use. I haven’t found anything that gets the sticky gross food mess that is left behind in the high chair from my infants and toddlers. It seriously work so well.
The magic eraser truly is magic. I have had some unsightly stains on my counters for the last 2 years and had tried everything to get them off. Nothing touched them. They frustrated me so much I told my husband I just wanted new countertops. By happenstance, my mom brought over a magic eraser for a different task , but left it on my counter and I decided to try it on a whim. It worked perfectly! My counters have never been so clean.
I also love this mirror cleaning rag because it works amazing well and I only need to add water. It is leaves my mirrors streak-free.
I am also a big fan of the Scrub Daddy for my dishes and these microfiber sponges for counters and tables.
These microfiber sponges are also really great. I use them for my counters and surfaces because the rough side doesn’t scratch and they are washable. I have been using the same set of 6 for the last 3 years and they are still working amazing.
These products make my daily tasks easier and less stressful because they make they work. In my mind, they are worth the hype if you have means to buy them.
I hope that this post was helpful for you if you struggle with having the energy and to keep your house clean like I have.