Cleaning Schedule Makes for a Happier Home

To make your own Magic Minimum plan, list the rock-bottom essential maintenance chores that need to be tackled to keep the household clean, fed, and on time. A sample list might look like this:

Every Day:
Load and run dishwasher
Tidy kitchen
Run one load of laundry, fold and put away
Family pickup time

Every Week:
Review checkbook and pay bills
Shop for groceries
Clean bathrooms

Next step: Delegate! Assign one or more minimum chores to each family member. Every family member has a stake in keeping the household functioning, so everyone should be expected to help.

Finally, post your Magic Minimum list in a public place. Families using a Household Notebook will include their list under the “home management” divider. Another time-honored choice is the refrigerator door, but use whatever area is central to your family. The written list aids accountability, because everyone knows what must be done to keep the household functioning during times of stress.