I Tried the Little House Cleaning Schedule for One Week
As someone who alternates between ambitious deep cleaning sprees and complete avoidance of the mop, I’m constantly seeking a routine that feels both manageable and sustainable. That’s why, when I stumbled upon the Little House Cleaning Method, made popular by @littlehouseonchestnut, I knew I had to try it. The appeal? A simplified, one-task-per-day approach to housekeeping—no marathon cleaning sessions required.
So, I challenged myself to stick to this cleaning schedule for one whole week. Here’s what happened, what worked, what didn't, and whether I’d recommend it to fellow overwhelmed homebodies.
What Is the Little House Cleaning Schedule?
In a nutshell, the Little House Cleaning Method breaks down household chores into smaller tasks assigned to specific days of the week. The idea is to clean one area per day, which keeps your home in order without the stress of dedicating your entire weekend to it.
The schedule looks like this:
Monday: Bathrooms
Tuesday: Dusting
Wednesday: Vacuuming
Thursday: Mopping
Friday: Catch-up Day
Saturday: Sheets & Towels
Sunday: Rest
What makes this system so appealing is its built-in flexibility. If life happens (and it always does), the Friday catch-up day offers some much-needed grace.
Day-by-Day Breakdown of My Cleaning Week
Monday: Tackling the Bathrooms
I started the week feeling energized. Cleaning bathrooms is usually my least favorite task, so I appreciated knocking it out early. I scrubbed sinks, wiped down mirrors, cleaned the toilet, and refreshed surfaces. The focused attention made me realize that cleaning just the bathrooms on one day took less than 30 minutes. It felt easy and oddly satisfying.
Tuesday: Dusting Day
I underestimated how dusty my apartment had gotten. Armed with microfiber cloths and some wood-friendly spray, I dusted shelves, baseboards, lamp shades, and the tops of frames. Dedicating a full day to dusting allowed me to be thorough without rushing. By evening, my space felt noticeably fresher.
Wednesday: Vacuuming Vibes
Vacuuming midweek felt like hitting refresh. I live with two cats, so pet hair tends to accumulate fast. I went beyond the floors and tackled the couches and cushions. Setting aside one day for vacuuming gave me freedom to focus on areas I usually miss—like behind furniture and along baseboards, and it took about 40 minutes from start to finish.
Thursday: Mopping Mania
Honestly, I dreaded this one. Mopping always feels like more of an ordeal, but knowing it was my only task for the day made it manageable. I hit my kitchen, bathroom, and entryway tiles. The process only took about 25 minutes, and everything smelled lemony fresh afterward. I also appreciated doing this the day after vacuuming, since the floors were already free of crumbs and debris.
Friday: Catch-Up (and I Needed It)
Despite my best intentions, I didn’t finish dusting every room on Tuesday due to a packed work schedule. So Friday’s “catch-up" time came in handy. I also wiped down a few neglected window sills and restocked cleaning supplies. I liked having this buffer day—it reduced any pressure I felt earlier in the week.
Saturday: Sheets & Towels Reset
I usually change my bedding and towels sporadically, so having a set day helped build a good habit. This task took minimal effort—throw everything in the wash, dry, and reset. My home felt instantly fresher.
Sunday: Glorious Rest
No cleaning today! I actually looked forward to it. Having a full day designated for rest made the whole system feel like something I could stick with long-term. I enjoyed my Sunday by lighting a candle and soaking up the calm of a clean home.
What I Loved About the Little House Cleaning Method
This isn’t just another cleaning schedule—it’s a mindset shift. Here’s what stood out:
Consistency: Cleaning small areas regularly keeps messes from piling up.
Low Time Commitment: Most tasks took me less than 30–40 minutes.
Flexibility: Life got busy, and the built-in Friday catch-up saved me.
Mental Clarity: Knowing exactly what to clean each day eased decision fatigue.
Motivation Boost: The daily wins gave me momentum to stay on track.
What Didn’t Work So Well
No system is perfect. The Little House method is ideal for maintenance, but:
It’s not deep cleaning-focused: You’ll still need to schedule deep cleans sometimes (hello, oven and baseboards!).
Small spaces may not need a full day of tasks: My apartment doesn't have tons of square footage, so some tasks felt too brief.
Unexpected messes throw things off: If something messy happens mid-week (like a pet accident), it may disrupt the schedule with extra cleanups.
My Final Verdict
After just one week, the Little House Cleaning Schedule has completely changed how I approach housekeeping. The manageable daily structure made it so much easier to keep my living space consistently clean. I didn’t burn out. I didn’t avoid cleaning. And most importantly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed.
Will I stick with it? Absolutely. I might customize the schedule a bit (for example, combining dusting and mopping in one day and using that extra day to declutter), but as a framework, it delivers exactly what it promises: simple, stress-free cleaning.
Tips for Making It Work for You
Set calendar reminders: Make it part of your routine until it becomes a habit.
Batch-clean where possible: If Tuesday’s dusting takes 10 minutes, and you’re up to it, tackle another small task.
Customize it: Swap tasks around based on your lifestyle. The best schedule is the one you’ll follow.
Use good tools: Invest in tools that make each task quicker and more enjoyable (reusable mop pads, extendable dusters, etc.).
Final Thoughts
Cleaning doesn’t have to mean devoting entire weekends to scrubbing. Thanks to the Little House Cleaning Schedule, I’ve discovered a method that actually works with my life—not against it. For anyone feeling inundated by clutter and chaos, this schedule might just be the cozy-cleaning solution you've been searching for.
Ready to give it a shot? Start on a Monday—and thank yourself by Sunday.
