Circuit Chores
-Easy Weekly Cleaning Routine for Busy Moms
Who really wants to spend an entire day cleaning and dusting the whole house? Who still has time for that? Well… maybe you do — but I don’t. I prefer to divide my chores across different days — and why not even different weeks? I call it “circuit chores.”
When I was 16, my parents doubled my allowance on the condition that I would do the weekly cleaning. That included vacuuming and mopping the floors. At the time, it sounded like a good deal — I mean, who didn’t want some extra money? — and it only took me 1–2 hours. My siblings had already moved out, and I had learned not to toss things around, since I’d be the one cleaning it up anyway.
I wish cleaning the house were still that easy. But with kids around, the house never stays organized anymore. You turn your head, and somehow there’s a new mess waiting to be cleaned again. Life does get a bit less cluttered as kids get older and start keeping their toys in their own rooms, but we still have a dinner table and a living room table under constant mess.
My kids happen to love the arts, and I’ve always encouraged them to draw and paint, so when they have a project going on, we end up with so many things scattered across the tables.
Having said that, I’ve realized there’s so much more to clean than just the floors — and that’s exactly where my idea of circuit chores comes in. The idea behind circuit chores is simple: divide the cleaning into main focus areas, then give one area your full attention each week. The next week, move on to the next, and repeat the cycle.
I’ve divided my chores into a three-week rotation, but if you have a bigger house, you might want to split surface-wiping across two weeks — for example, downstairs one week and upstairs the next. I’d say a four-week cycle is still manageable, as you typically won’t see dust building up on furniture in that time — though of course, it depends on where you live. Either way, it’s always a good idea to give your kitchen sink and counters a quick touch-up every now and then.
My Circuit Chores:
Week 1: Deep Clean the Kitchen
This includes wiping all the kitchen counters, the sink, fridge, oven, stove, oven fan, microwave, cabinet doors — everything. I make a paste with baking soda and water for the sink, and scrub it clean with vinegar and a brush to get all the grime off.
Week 2: Deep Clean the Bathrooms
In the second week, I clean the toilets, wipe the bathroom counters and sinks, clean the laundry baskets, the kids’ toothbrush holders, showers, and mirrors. I use a wet microfiber towel for the counters and chrome parts, alcohol wipes for the sinks, and eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaners for the toilets.
Week 3: Wipe Counters, Furniture, and Mirrors
In the third week, I clean everything except the kitchen and bathroom (though I do clean the mirrors again). I use a bucket of warm water with a drop of dish soap and a microfiber towel to wipe down all the furniture, windowsills, and picture frames as I go through the whole house. I don’t use a duster because I feel like it just stirs the dust into the air and makes the room feel even drier and dustier. For mirrors, the TV screen, and other glass surfaces, I use a special glass wipe.
Dividing my cleaning routine this way has saved me time — and honestly, a good amount of sanity. It helps me keep the house relatively clean all the time without feeling overwhelmed. Of course, clutter still builds up, and the floors still need attention a few times a week (we don’t wear shoes indoors), but now the cleaning feels manageable —it usually doesn’t take me more than an hour
This focused, area-by-area cleaning routine has given me more time to work, run errands, and live. And the best part? When guests or in-laws suddenly decide to visit, it doesn’t take me long to get the house ready — YAY!
