help with domestic tasks

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Stuck doing all the household chores? This practical guide can help

Andee Tagle

Michelle Aslam

A text message about blueberries a few years ago nearly ended Eve Rodsky's marriage. It came from her husband. He was upset she hadn't picked up any blueberries from the grocery store. And she burst into angry tears.

This was supposed to be her afternoon off, recalled Rodsky in her 2019 book, Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) . Instead, she was in her car, running errands. The idea that she now had to pick up blueberries, she said, sent her over the edge.

What Rodsky was experiencing was an unfair division of household labor, which she says made her feel a sense of "seething resentment" toward her husband.

And she's not alone. In many households, one person shoulders the brunt of the chores and childcare – and that's often the woman. In fact, a 2020 Gallup Poll of more than 3,000 American heterosexual couples found that women handle the majority of the domestic workload , including doing the laundry, cleaning and cooking. And for many women, the workload has only worsened in the pandemic.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Rodsky, an attorney and author, says it's possible to divide domestic tasks fairly, which can help reduce stress at home and give back precious time to each member of the household. And it starts with candid conversations about our domestic contributions and a reevaluation of what matters in your home.

She and Jacqueline Misla , a lifestyle coach and co-host of Curious Fox , a love and relationship podcast, share a practical guide on how to divvy up, prioritize and assign chores.

1. List every chore and errand

The first thing you want to do, says Rodsky, is list out each and every task required to manage the home. It will help each member of the household understand the full extent of responsibilities – and hopefully encourage them to take measures to balance the workload.

Set aside an hour or two to draw up the list. Do it in a place that's easy for everyone to see and access: a shared notes app, a spreadsheet or a whiteboard, for example. Include essential tasks like washing dishes or taking the kids to school and errands like grocery shopping or picking up the dry cleaning. Don't forget to add tasks that might be less visible, such as coordinating carpools or writing thank you cards. (Rodsky actually developed a resource called Fair Play , a set of 100 cards printed with various household tasks, to help people with this exercise.)

2. Narrow down the list

Once you have those tasks in front of you, discuss each item with your partner or your housemate.

• Go through the list and note who's been typically responsible for each task. You might be surprised. Your partner, for example, may be doing more chores than you expected. Or they might find you've been doing the lion's share of the labor. Seeing the breakdown of the domestic workload can provide you with a starting point for what's working and what might need to change.
• Create a shortlist of essential duties. Prioritize the must-do chores – that includes everyday tasks like taking out the trash and washing the dishes — and activities that are important to your household, says Rodsky, such as date nights or a redecorating project you've been meaning to finish.
• Cut unnecessary tasks. Lighten the workload by removing any chores from the list that don't make sense to your household. Maybe you and your partner have been taking the time to make the bed every day, when neither one of you really cares about that unless you have company. Or perhaps you and your roommates constantly bicker about whose turn it is to deep clean the bathroom. In that case, you might consider pooling your resources together to hire a cleaner every few months.
• Set clear expectations of how and when a task should be done. Go through your pared-down list and come to a consensus with your partner or roommate about what each task means in your household. Take mopping the floor for example – should that be done on a weekly or a monthly basis? Would it be OK to use something like a Swiffer, or is a traditional mop and bucket strongly preferred by a member of the household? This exercise can help get everyone on the same page, says Misla, and avert conflict around how chores are executed down the line.

From here, stay flexible. Your list of essential chores are bound to change depending on the needs of your household – and that's OK, says Misla. "Give yourself some space to let the rules evolve. Check in with each other and say: Is this still working for us? If not, what do we need to change?"

3. Assign the tasks

When it comes to splitting up the housework, says Misla, "nothing is ever equal. How many dishes done equals laundry folded? How many trips with the kid to the dentist equals checkups to the car?"

While you may not be able to divide the chores 50-50, you can try to aim for a workload that feels fair to each member of the household. Here are some helpful tips on how to assign chores:

• Own the tasks you love. If you have chores and workflows in place that are already working for you and your partner or roommate, don't worry about reassigning them, says Rodsky. Continue doing the tasks that bring you joy, whether it's cooking dinner or folding the laundry while watching Netflix. 

• Share the load on burdensome tasks. No one should have to be responsible for one task forever, especially if it's unpleasant. Find a way to divvy up the most time-consuming or least-favorite tasks like nighttime baby care or picking up dog poop in the backyard. That could mean taking turns on the task or agreeing to do that chore together.
• Consider your housemate or partner's circumstances for the week. Are this week's conference calls completely at odds with your carpool schedule? Does your roommate need a bit of a break because they have friends in town? Does one of you need some extra time this week to crank out thank you notes for those housewarming gifts? Set regular check-in times to walk through your weekly schedule and reassign chores and duties where necessary, says Rodsky. 

4. Be fully responsible for your duties

Lastly – if you're in charge of a household chore, take full ownership of it, says Rodsky. Don't expect your partner or roommate to pick up the slack if you can't complete the task. It's your responsibility to account for what you need. Your partner and household are depending on you.

If it's your turn to cook dinner, for example, account for the time you will need to buy the ingredients, prep and cook. Avoid stealing your partner's time with one-off or last-minute duties they haven't accounted for, like running to the store for a forgotten ingredient or chopping vegetables.

And if it's your partner's turn to cook dinner – let them do it! Resist the urge to micromanage the way they season meat or the time they take to make it. Use your extra time and energy to focus on something else — whether it's another task or just relaxing.

When everyone does their part to keep the household running smoothly, you can free up more time to be "consistently interested in your own life," says Rodsky — which is exactly the goal of a balanced domestic workload.

Print out this zine on how to divvy up domestic chores

You can print out a mini-book — or zine — to help you Fold it using these directions (courtesy of The Oregonian ). Use it as a tool as you discuss the division of household responsibilities with your household.

The audio portion of this episode was produced by Michelle Aslam. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823 , or email us at [email protected] .

I Created a System to Make Sure My Husband and I Divide Household Duties Fairly. Here’s How It Works

I was just pulling up to the departures gate at LAX, where I was catching an early morning flight to my one-day business meeting up in Seattle, when I got the following text from my husband, Seth: Some guy left his jacket and beer bottle on our lawn.

Weird. Gross. And, more importantly, what am I supposed to do about it from the road?

When I returned home 16 hours later and long after the sun had gone down, I’d forgotten about the text until I pulled into my driveway, and there they were sitting in the dark — some guy’s jacket and beer bottle on our lawn. Seriously? I began to seethe. As I unlocked the front door, I quickly tried to work out why.

I was reminded of the many girlfriends who had described “the text” and its spiritual cousin, “the email forward,” as trigger issues in their marriages — a correspondence comes through to both you and your partner from your child’s school, coach, music teacher, doctor’s office or the DMV, and your partner forwards it to you. The implication: I don’t have time to handle this — it’s on you.

That night, standing in the doorway to our bedroom, I understood that my husband expected me to put down my carry-on, grab a trash bag and a pair of rubber gloves, walk outside, pick up the jacket and beer bottle, throw them into the bag, walk the whole thing to the bin in the alley and return home. When I did just that, I made note of how long it took me to do this: 12 minutes. Of my time. That I’ll never get back. I briefly considered these 12 minutes multiplied by thousands of “this is on you” instances required to get through each of my days and began to understand acutely why so many women are running against the clock from the moment we wake up.

What might not be so clear, because it wasn’t to me that night, is: Why was this on me?

Why domestic work falls to women

The answer came to me 12 minutes later when I returned to our bedroom after cleaning up the mess in the front yard, still wearing rubber gloves: Seth was not valuing my time equally to his.

In my day job, I’m a Harvard-trained lawyer and mediator who works with families. But at my own home, I realized, I wasn’t cutting a very good deal for myself. Like so many women — whether they work outside the home or not — I was picking up more than my fair share of the slack in the running of our household . In heterosexual partnerships, women still do the bulk of childcare and domestic work — the National Survey of Families and Households showed that as recently as 2010, married mothers like myself and many of my friends did about 1.9 times the housework of married fathers .

It turned out that my husband (a good guy and progressive in many aspects of our life together — really!) took on less housework after our kids came along , just as a 2015 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family showed is common. I determined to find out why even men like him assume that domestic responsibilities should be so unevenly stacked. In my interviews and conversations on this topic over the last several years with more than 500 people — women and men in straight and same-sex relationships and from all U.S. Census categories in terms of ethnicity and socioeconomic status — overwhelmingly expressed a related idea that contributes to the same outcome: the notion that men’s time is finite and women’s time is infinite. And while women’s time is known to be treated as less valuable in the workplace (see the ongoing battle to achieve equal pay), according to my research, this mental discrepancy where men’s time is guarded as a finite resource (like diamonds) and women’s time is abundant (like sand) can feel even more stark at home and after kids.

So what’s the solution? In an attempt to make visible all the invisible and often unacknowledged work it takes to run a family, I created a document I proudly called the “Sh-t I Do List” that included every single thing I did day-to-day with a quantifiable time component. Tallying every brain-zapping, time-sucking detail of my domestic responsibilities was no small feat, but when I was finished — with the help of women all over the country who wrote in with their own list items — I’d enumerated and categorized 100 household tasks with 20 subtasks that totaled over 1,000 items of invisible work (from laundry to pet care to meal prep to birthday presents) that kept our happy home running smoothly.

When I sent my master list to Seth one triumphant afternoon, expecting a pat on the back (or at least a little recognition for a job well done), he’d texted me back a single emoji: 🙈.

Not even the courtesy of the full trio. Regardless, I got the message — he didn’t want to see, hear or speak of it.

My husband is a smart, caring guy. So why was it so hard for him to understand and appreciate how much extra work I was doing to benefit our family and the home — and the eventual burnout effect it was likely to have on me? Then it hit me: lists alone don’t work; but systems do.

How I fostered more fairness at home

For more than a decade, I’ve consulted with hundreds of families in my professional life by providing my expertise in organizational-management strategy. What if I applied these strategies in my own house by creating a new system in which every task that benefits our home is not only named and counted but also explicitly defined and specifically assigned?

I began to fantasize about what my life and the lives of all of my friends would look like if — in partnership with our spouses — we brought systematic function to what was currently a sh-t show of family dysfunction. I couldn’t think of a couple out there who wouldn’t benefit from a practical plan of action to optimize productivity and efficiency, as well as a new consciousness and language for thinking and talking about domestic life.

The result is a system I termed Fair Play, a figurative game played with your partner, where each partner holds certain “cards” that correspond to domestic tasks. Here are my four easy-to-follow rules that set you up to play.

Rule #1: All time is created equal.

Both partners need to reframe how you value time, and then commit to the goal of rebalancing the hours that domestic work requires between the two of you. The reality is that many straight couples, the mental load will continue to fall on the female partner as the list-maker/planner/household manager until both recognize that time is a limited commodity. You both only have 24 hours in a day. Only when you both believe that your time is equally valuable will the division of labor shift toward parity in your relationship.

Rule #2: Reclaim your right to be interesting .

When your time and your mind become fully focused on the tasks required to run a household, it’s easy to feel like your personal passions aren’t priorities. Both partners deserve to reclaim or discover the interests that make you each uniquely you , beyond your roles as wonderful parents and partners. And Fair Play requires you both to demand time and mental space to explore this right — and to honor that right for each other.

Rule #3: Start where you are now.

You cannot get to where you want to go without first understanding: Who am I? Who am I really in a relationship with? And what is my specific intention for engaging my partner in renegotiating the household workload? Ask yourself: Am I seeking more acknowledgment of everything I do for us? More efficiency so I can have more time for myself? Less resentment and a greater sense of fairness? When you have a clear sense of what you want, you’re more likely to get it. Start the conversation by laying it all out to your partner.

Rule #4: Establish your values and standards .

Take stock of your domestic ecosystem and choose what you want to do in service of the home based on what’s most valuable to you and your partner. Just because you’re in the habit of doing a task doesn’t mean it’s a task that absolutely needs to be done. Maybe you value cooking a homemade breakfast for your child each morning — or maybe, when you and your partner consider what’s most important to you, you decide you’d rather have a few minutes in bed to check in before you start the day, and fruit and yogurt to-go are perfectly fine. After you and your partner determine what “cards” — tasks that must be done because they hold value to your family — are in play, you must mutually agree on a reasonable standard for how those tasks are handled. It’s not enough for your spouse to say he’ll be in charge of the “baseball” card — he has to pack the sports bag with all the necessary gear and snacks, arrange for pick-up and drop-off from practice, make sure all the games are on the family calendar and then show up on the right field at the right time. The more you invest in unpacking the details, the more you will be rewarded.

It didn’t happen overnight, but starting with Rule #1, attitudes started to shift within our home. After the drunk guy’s jacket incident, my husband began to notice and appreciate that we both have the same number of minutes in a day. (The “All Time Is Created Equal” sign that I posted on the bathroom mirror did help to hammer home the point.) It hasn’t always been easy; a shift in thinking takes deliberate effort. Whenever Seth and I would revert to our old, familiar dialogue like, “I don’t have time… so, can you?” or “I don’t have time either, but I guess this is on me,” I’d attempt to reframe the conversation with words that honor and respect how we each choose to spend our finite time. I finally understood that how I’d spent those particular 12 minutes picking up the drunk guy’s jacket and beer bottle was really irrelevant. I wasn’t interested in keeping a minute-by-minute scorecard with my husband; I simply wanted both of us to begin to value our time equally — and to act accordingly.

From FAIR PLAY by Eve Rodsky, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright (c) 2019 by by Unicorn Space, LLC.

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The complete household chores list

Without a plan for keeping your house clean, it can seem like the to-do list is endless: the spice rack is impossible to navigate, the towels constantly need to be washed, there’s a weird stain in the cupboard by the stove. And everyone’s already busy this weekend. Nip this problem in the bud by creating a household chores list as soon as you move into your new home.

Table of contents

Why a household chores list is important.

A household chores list helps you and the members of your household put upkeep on autopilot. Not only does creating one ensure that everything gets done on time, it also takes the guesswork out of navigating conversations about cleaning. It can be awkward to broach this subject with the people you live with, and if you haven’t practiced communicating about household tasks, you might be tempted to avoid it, eventually compounding the issue. That’s why creating this list (maybe as an addendum to your roommate agreement , if you have one) is essential. 

Once your list is made, check out our guide to creating a roommate chore chart to split the responsibilities.

How to create a household chores list

Whether you live alone, with a partner, or with roommates, the process for creating a chore list is pretty consistent: You compile a comprehensive list of all the tidying and cleaning tasks that needs to be completed for your home to feel clean. If you live alone, you’ll compile this list yourself, according to your own standards. If you live with others, you’ll need to put your heads together to create a list that captures everyone’s preferences.

What to include on a household chores list

If you colive with others, you’ll want to include both personal chores and communal chores. Personal chores are things you need to do to keep your own space clean and tidy; communal chores are those that go towards the spaces you share. 

You can organize your master list by room or type of task, but a more action-oriented method of organization is grouping by frequency. Everyone’s list will be a bit different depending on what type of space you live in and what’s important to the members of your household. Below are some common types of chores to get you started.

Consistent household tasks

Some tasks are even more frequent than daily household chores . Decide which tasks fall under this category in your home and discuss expectations surrounding them. Some examples could include:

Meal preparation

Doing dishes after each meal 

Removing shoes when you enter the home

Putting items in shared spaces like the living room away in their proper places

Cleaning up messes like hair in the bathroom, spills, or stray food scraps

Daily chores

Daily chores can also change depending on your individual needs, but here are some common ones.

Taking out the trash when it’s full

Taking the trash out for pickup, if required 

Unloading, loading, and running the dishwasher if you have one

Sweeping the kitchen floor

Wiping down countertops

Squeegeeing shower doors and walls

Weekly chores

Your weekly chore list is probably the most important. This should consist of:

Cleaning the bathrooms, including:

Scrubbing sinks, tubs, showers, and (yes) toilets, 

Sweeping and mopping the floor

Windexing mirrors

Cleaning the kitchen, including: 

Removing items from countertops and cleaning the countertops with soap and water

Wiping down the outside of the items if they’re dirty

Cleaning the stovetop

Cleaning inside of the microwave

Cleaning out the fridge, throwing away food that’s gone bad and washing out containers that can be reused

Vacuuming and/or mopping floors 

Dusting surfaces

Laundering and replacing dish and hand towels

Maintaining your personal space, including changing your sheets, tidying up your room, and sorting your mail

If you’ve decided to do shared shopping, making a grocery list and visiting the store, then putting grocery items away

Monthly or seasonal chores

Some tasks aren’t realistic to accomplish once a week, but setting a monthly reminder can help maintain your home over time. Some of these things fall under the category of deep cleaning , which you might want to do monthly or even seasonally. We’re talking about stuff like:

Cleaning inside and outside of kitchen cabinets 

Scrubbing out the fridge

Reorganizing and wiping down the pantry and cupboards in the kitchen

Reorganizing closets, storage cupboards, and medicine cabinets

Laundering curtains, carpets, furniture, and other fabrics throughout your home

Tackling tough dirt that has accumulated on floors, walls, baseboards, and tile

Checking for mold and mildew in bathrooms and scrubbing grout on tile floors and walls

Washing windows inside and out (if you’re able to do so safely)

Dusting difficult-to-reach spots like light fixtures

Living in an organized space free of grime and germs will improve your mental and physical health, and communicating with your roommates about chores will improve your relationships. It can even be cathartic and satisfying to put away your phone for a few hours, blast some tunes, and make your new home sparkle. So don’t fear the household chores list—instead, fill it up and learn to love checking off those to-dos.

Having a cleaning service come monthly reduces your chore-load—leaving more time for doing the things you love. Bungalow offers private rooms in shared homes where monthly cleaning is always on the books—and included in your monthly rental cost. Find a Bungalow near you .

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The Ultimate Household Chores List (and Free Printable Template!)

Created On: September 28   |   Updated: September 28   |   1 Comment

This household chores list can help you stay on top of your cleaning and better plan your days! Grab the free printable list of chores now and learn how to put it to good use!

If you ask any busy Momma out there, she’d probably say that the number one biggest contributor of stress in her life is keeping up with the cleaning.

When you single-handedly clean an entire house that four or more people live in (including two preteen daughters that drop their shoes literal inches in front of the shoe rack but not on the rack), it’s rough.

I get it. And I despise cleaning, too. Especially when I feel like the house is just going to be dirty again in two days. Definitely seems like a waste of time.

But one of the things that I find to be part of that time not-so-well spent is the hassle of figuring out what to clean first or what needs to be done in each room… but that’s where a Household Chores Checklist can help!

*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure for more info.

Why You Need a Household Chores List

You may be wondering how a list of household chores can help you? Like you need another list , right?!

But actually having a printed checklist of chores has a number of benefits like these:

• A household chore list helps you plan your time. I find it easiest to plan my productive time when I have a complete list of all of the things that I need to get done (cleaning or otherwise). And I use that list to set my intentions for each day.
• Use your list of chores to quickly assign tasks to your family. You can easily pick off a chore from the list and delegate to your kids when you need some help around the house.
• Having a printed chore list means you have one less thing to remember. Much like a brain dump can help you get all of your to-do’s and important things to remember out of your head and on to paper, a chores list can help you not forget things that you need to get done around the house.

How to Use a Household Chores List

It’s one thing to have a cute and colorful list of household chores hanging on your fridge… But it’s another thing to actually put it to good use to help you stay on top of your home cleaning and upkeep.

Here are some ideas for how to use the printable list of chores that I’ve got for you at the end of this post:

Laminate the list of household chores to hang on your fridge.

This is my favorite way to use the printable chores list down below. Having my list of chores hanging front and center on the fridge is a great way to keep your daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning jobs top of mind… every time you open the fridge you’ll be reminded to complete your chores for the day.

Just laminate the printable list of chores ( this is the laminator that I have and LOVE !) and use a dry erase marker to check things off the list as you complete them. Doesn’t get much easier than that!

Print one copy of the chores list for each week.

If you don’t have a laminator or if you prefer having a fresh chore list for each week, you can also print off multiple copies of the printable cleaning list. Then, you can hang the list on a clipboard in your family command center or on the fridge. Just use a pen to mark out the jobs that are done, and get a fresh household chores list at the beginning of the following week.

Add the printable household chores checklist to your planner.

If you like to organize your whole life with a paper planner, then why not include your chores list in there also? You can add specific chores to different days of the week in your weekly planner to help keep up with your cleaning list.

Or, just print out the giant list of chores at the end of this post and add it to your planner as is for when you have some extra time and feel like being productive.

Use the list of chores to get help around the house.

Sometimes I feel too busy to even think about delegating chores and other household tasks to my kids and husband… As a full-time working Mom, I know that I need the help keeping up with housework, but thinking of jobs for my kids to do or actually vocalizing what specific chores I need help with is just ONE. MORE. THING. on my to-do list.

Maybe you can relate?

But having a list of chores at the ready can take one thing off your plate… Even if it’s as simple as cleaning out the dishwasher.

When you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, simply tell your kids to each pick one chore from the chore list and get it done. This allows them to choose how they want to be helpful, and it also helps to alleviate your workload. Win win!

Daily Household Chores List

The key to keeping a clean home is to clean every day. I know that sounds worse than getting a root canal, but smaller daily household chores really can make a big difference in the overall cleanliness of your home. Here’s a list of daily household chores that you can add to your cleaning list:

• Make all the beds
• Put all dirty clothes in the hamper
• Put away any clean clothes
• Wipe down and  declutter the kitchen counters

• Load and unload the dishwasher
• Wash dishes
• Make sure there are no dishes left in the sink at night
• Sort paper clutter – Organizing important mail, filing away kids’ school papers, trashing junk mail, etc.
• Take out trash
• Wipe down the dining table
• Sweep under the dining table/eating areas
• Sweep the kitchen
• General tidying up

Weekly Household Chores List

These jobs can be done weekly to help you maintain a nice and tidy house:

• Vacuum, sweep, or mop all floors – I really LOVE this steam mop for my hard surface floors!
• Dust shelves, picture frames, tabletops, and other flat surfaces
• Wash bed linens and bath towels
• Sweep and mop under the dining table
• Wipe down appliances in the kitchen
• Wash all kitchen linens – kitchen towels, dish cloths, cloth napkins, etc.
• Scrub the kitchen sink
• Sweep/mop the kitchen floors
• Change out kitchen towels and dish rags
• Spot clean dining chairs (if needed)
• Spot clean rug and couches (if needed)
• Wipe down all mirrors
• Clean the toilets
• Clean bathroom counters and faucets
• Sweep/mop bathroom floors
• Vacuum bedroom floors
• Dust all bedroom furniture
• Clean off nightstands
• Water the plants
• Pay bills and sort paper clutter – I’ve got an awesome guide for creating an at home filing system for your family paper work here !

• General decluttering
• Organize and declutter mudroom and/or entryway
• Dust mudroom or entryway furniture

Monthly Cleaning Jobs

Here are some ideas for monthly cleaning jobs to add to your household chores list:

• Wipe down cabinet and drawer fronts
• Dust all window blinds
• Dust all light fixtures
• Clean window sills
• Shampoo rugs if needed
• Clean out and organize the fridge and freezer – I’ve also got an awesome  free printable freezer inventory sheet  you can use to keep your freezer organized after you’re done!

• Clean baseboards
• Change air filters
• Clean the garbage disposal – I’m a fan of these garbage disposal cleaning tabs .
• Clean the insides and outsides of kitchen and bathroom trash cans
• Organize and declutter bathroom countertops and drawers

List of Household Chores – Separated by Room

Instead of focusing on what chores need to be done daily, weekly, and monthly, you may find it easier to separate your list of chores by room instead. This is sometimes referred to as “ zone cleaning ” and it can help the gigantic task of keeping your entire house clean feel not so daunting, because it allows you to focus on only one room at a time.

If this Zone Cleaning system seems more your style, then here’s a household chores list separated by rooms or “zones” to help you get started:

Kitchen Chores List

For a giant list of kitchen chores that can be done daily, weekly, and monthly check out this post: Kitchen Cleaning Checklist for Daily, Weekly, and Deep Cleaning – And you can even grab this super cute free printable kitchen cleaning checklist:

And here are some kitchen cleaning jobs to add to your list of household chores:

• Do the dishes – I try to make sure every night before I go to sleep that the dishes are done and the sink is completely cleaned out.
• Wipe down the countertops
• Spot clean food splatters with a quick-clean mop if needed
• Change the trash bag if needed
• Put away any paperwork or mail from the day
• Put away any other items that are out of place in the kitchen
• Clean and disinfect the kitchen sink and garbage disposal
• Clean and disinfect kitchen countertops
• Clean and organize the refrigerator and freezer
• Clean the inside and outside of the microwave
• Clean the stovetop and outside of the oven, and run the self-cleaning cycle on the oven if needed
• Wipe down outside and inside of trash can
• Dust top of cabinets
• Clean baseboards of cabinets
• Clean backsplash
• Wash dish towels and rags
• Change water filters on coffee maker and fridge if needed

Living Room Chores List

• Sweep/mop/vacuum living room
• Spot clean rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture
• Dust living room furniture
• Fold blankets and fluff pillows
• Declutter and organize the living room storage areas (like bookshelves, hutches, etc)
• Clear off coffee and end tables
• Vacuum upholstered furniture
• Dust fireplace mantel and clean off hearth (if applicable)

Bedroom Chores to Do

• Wash all bed linens
• Make the bed and straighten throw pillows and blankets
• Sweep/mop/vacuum bedroom floors and rugs
• Dust all bedroom furniture, picture frames, and decorative items
• Clean and deodorize the mattress
• Declutter nightstand and dresser tops
• Remove all trash from the bedroom
• Sort through and organize dresser and nightstand drawers
• Declutter and organize the closet
• General decluttering in the bedroom – And you can check out this post to help you with bedroom clutter and grab this free printable checklist: How to Declutter Your Messy Bedroom Today – Free Checklist!

Dining Room Cleaning List

Our dining room is fairly easy to clean, probably because we don’t have a lot of “stuff” in there. Hopefully this is an easy room for you to clean as well:

• Sweep/mop/vacuum dining room floors
• Dust and polish dining room table and furniture
• Spot clean dining room chairs and rug
• Dust decorative items and wall art in the dining room
• Organize and declutter any dining room storage areas (buffet, hutch, etc.)
• Refill any dining supplies like napkins, plastic cutlery, etc.
• Clean baseboards in the dining room
• Dust light fixtures, curtain rods, etc.
• Check bottoms of chair legs for felt sliders if needed (to prevent damage to your hard floors)

Bathroom Chores List

The bathrooms can be one of the most daunting places to clean in any house… for me personally, I would rather go to the dentist than have to clean the shower.

And since these rooms can be overwhelming to clean, I’ve devoted an entire blog post to daily, weekly, and deep cleaning jobs for the bathroom ! And be sure to grab these cute free printable cleaning checklists too:

Be sure to hop over to that bathroom cleaning post for more ideas, but here are some general cleaning jobs for the bathroom “zone”:

• Wipe down bathroom counter and faucets
• Rinse toothpaste and other debris from the sinks
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper
• Put away out of place items
• Empty and clean the trash can
• Clean sinks and vanity top
• Windex mirror
• Clean toilet
• Wash towels, washcloths, and bath rug if needed
• Hang bath mat to dry
• Check toilet paper and hand soap supply
• Clean shower/tub
• Spot clean splatters on cabinets
• Wash/spot clean shower curtain or glass

Laundry Room Chores List

Good news… the laundry room is one of the smaller rooms in the house, so there’s not as many household chores to do in this area of the home (at least that’s how it is in my house). Here are some common chores for the laundry room:

• Wipe down outside of washer and dryer
• Sweep/mop/vacuum floors
• Run a cleaning cycle on the washing machine
• Check stock of supplies (detergent, dryer sheets, etc.)
• Clean or dust baseboards, door, and trim
• Dust or wipe down any countertops or shelves

Printable Chore Checklists

I LOVE creating printables to help around the house! Some people read books, do crafts, or watch Netflix in their free time… but I enjoy making PDF templates that help make Mom Life easier! Here are some of my awesome printable chore lists:

Free Printable Household Chores List – Just click the link below to grab a super cute printable list of common household chores! Then hang the list on your fridge or add it to your planner as a reminder of the cleaning jobs that you want to get done!

Click HERE for the Household Chores List!

Weekly Cleaning Schedule Templates – These cleaning list templates are actually fillable, which means you can type directly in to the PDF to customize your own Weekly Cleaning Schedule! Then, hang the checklist on the fridge or add it to your planner to stay on track of your household chores!

I hope these cleaning checklists and chore lists help you to be a little less overwhelmed with all of the house work!

How do you keep up with your cleaning schedule? Do you have a list of jobs that you use, or are you more of the “just wing it” type? Leave me a comment down below! I’d LOVE to hear from you!

And happy cleaning (if there is such a thing!).

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this really helped me find some chores to do for mothers day! thank you so much !

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Household chores — a helpful list for parents

- Household chores can typically be broken down into daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal/occasional tasks.

- Making a chores checklist lets you keep track of the tasks that need doing, and it also helps ensure that work is being divided fairly among household members.

- The household chores lists below cover all the most common tasks, but you’ll want to make your own customized list so that it matches your specific situation.

Keeping up with household tasks can feel like a never-ending battle. There are always dishes to be done, laundry to be folded, and knickknacks to be stashed away. And even when all the daily chores get done, there likely are still some deep-cleaning tasks to keep you busy! But fear not: With a little advance planning, you can get a handle on all the chores that need doing.

These household chores lists will help you prepare for a more efficient (and hopefully more enjoyable) household maintenance experience.

All the household chores, divided into 4 handy lists 🧼

Without further ado, here’s a roundup of typical household chores that you’ll likely need to include on your ultimate household chores list. Not all of these apply to every household, and the frequency of the chores might change depending on your preferences.

For simplicity, let’s break these down into daily chores, weekly chores, monthly chores, and seasonal chores/occasional household tasks.

Daily chores list 🧽

Daily chores are best handled, well, daily 😉 These tasks are pretty much essential to maintain a clean-ish household, although some may not be required every single day.

Washing dishes

Loading/unloading the dishwasher

Sweeping the kitchen floor

Wiping down the countertops

Taking out the trash (when it’s full)

Cooking meals

Preparing lunches for kids

Feeding pets

Walking dogs/scooping cats’ litter boxes

Making beds

Checking the mail

Weekly chores list 🧹

Weekly chores include a bit more deep cleaning of the kitchen and cleaning of bathrooms and floors. Some of these tasks are must-dos every week (i.e., grocery shopping), while others may vary in frequency requirements depending on your household situation and your own preferences. 

Cleaning bathrooms

Taking trash and recycling out to the curb or alley

Sweeping and mopping hard floors

Cleaning the kitchen (wiping down stovetop, microwave, fridge, etc.)

Grocery shopping

Weekly meal planning

Replacing dish towels and hand towels

Dusting household surfaces

Vacuuming carpets

Changing bed sheets and bedding

Loading the washing machine and dryer — towels, bed sheets, clothes

Folding laundry

Weeding the garden (in spring and summer)

Mowing the lawn (in spring and summer)

Decluttering living spaces

Monthly chores list 🗓

Monthly chores often involve deeper cleaning tasks, as well as odd jobs that just aren’t necessary too frequently. It’s often a good idea to set aside a “cleaning day” once a month or so to tackle some of these more time-consuming chores, although some folks prefer to chip away at this list a little at a time.

Deep cleaning the kitchen (scrubbing the stovetop, scrubbing the kitchen floor, polishing faucets, cleaning the oven, etc.)

Deep cleaning the bathroom (cleaning the shower, scrubbing the bathroom floor, etc.)

Deep cleaning the living room (dusting window sills, wiping down all surfaces, etc.)

Cleaning out the fridge

Washing bedspreads and other linens in the guest room

Bathing pets

Dusting/cleaning light fixtures

Dusting/cleaning the baseboards

Checking for mold and mildew in moist areas (bathroom, kitchen, etc.)

Organizing and decluttering throughout the home

Washing cars

Vacuuming car interiors

Seasonal chores list /occasional household tasks 🍂

These less-frequent chores may come about seasonally or otherwise infrequently, but they’re still important as part of long-term maintenance and household care.

Cleaning gutters

Decluttering and cleaning the garage

Detailing/deep cleaning vehicle interiors

Going through dry goods and canned food to check expiration dates

Spring cleaning/deep cleaning the entire household

Checking and replacing air filters and HVAC components

Cleaning furniture upholstery

Washing windows and building exteriors

Checking batteries in smoke detectors

Draining water heater tank water sediment

Storing/decluttering seasonal clothing

Conducting preventative pest control

Cleaning patio furniture and patio/deck

Cleaning sidewalks and shared spaces

How to plan out a household chores list 💡

The first step of any good household chores plan is to make a chores checklist of all the tasks you need to accomplish — along with how often you’d like those chores to be done. From there, you can start splitting up work between family members. A chore chart or chore schedule can help everyone visualize what needs to get done. 

Every household will choose to structure their household chores plan differently, but here are some general tips to keep in mind:

Divide chores equitably: Whether you live with a partner, roommates, kids, or all of the above, it’s important to divide up chores equitably between all household members.

Utilize strengths and preferences: When divvying up tasks, be sure to consider each household member’s individual strengths, preferences, and ability levels. For instance, maybe Dad loves to cook and is great at it but hates washing dishes. Maybe Mom can commit to cleaning up after dinner each night so these common daily chores are divided fairly.

Get kids involved: If you have kids in your household, be sure to get them involved in household chores. At a minimum, they should be helping clean up their own spaces (bedrooms, play areas, etc.). As kids get older, they’ll benefit from taking on more responsibility around the house. You can tie their allowance to their chores or offer bonus perks if they complete additional tasks beyond their required chores list. The Greenlight app makes it simple to reward kids for completing chores, while also helping them learn how to manage their own finances.

Batch similar tasks: To save time and be more efficient, it’s a good idea to “batch” similar tasks. For instance, if you’re mopping the kitchen floor, you might as well mop the living room and bathroom floors while you’re at it — even if you don’t have time to do a full deep clean of the bathroom and living room.

Outsource as needed: There’s nothing wrong with paying someone else to tackle chores that you’re unable to do or that you simply don’t want to do. If you have the room in your budget, hiring a cleaner, yard care professional, or other outside helper can reduce your stress level if you feel overwhelmed by balancing work, life, and household responsibilities.

Print out chores lists and schedules: If you have kids or if you’re someone who enjoys visual organization, it’s a good idea to print out cleaning checklists and chore schedules. You can find printable chores checklists online, or create your own . Prefer to go digital? Within the Greenlight app , kids and parents can work together to tackle chores lists and even mark tasks complete once they’re finished. 

Reward yourself (and your kids): Nobody loves chores, but everyone loves treats and rewards! If you can pair something fun with those long deep-cleaning days, you can perhaps enjoy the process more. For instance, maybe you order takeout once a month on your monthly chores day or help your kids earn money toward a fun purchase when they help out with chores.

Planning ahead helps make household chores easier.

Just like with most things in life, organization is key — help make chores and cleaning tasks more efficient and free up more of your time for the things you love.  Add your household chores to Greenlight, and let the whole family join in on the fun.

Don't have Greenlight? Download the chores and allowance app for kids and teens today to make chores extra fun. Try your first month, on us .

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How to get your partner to do more around the house, for real.

Women in marriages or cohabitating relationships are still doing the majority of the household labor and child care. Women do more than twice as much unpaid care and domestic work as men do, according to the United Nations.

This has always been frustrating and unfair, but in the wake of COVID-19, the amount of work that needs to be done around the house has increased substantially with more meals to cook, more clothes to launder, kids to home-school, and trying to do this all while working a full-time job remotely in many cases. For many women, this pandemic has been uniquely overwhelming.

If you're a woman married to or living with a man who isn't as involved with the housework as you are, here is exactly how to create a more equal division of labor—even if you've been stuck in this unbalanced dynamic for the entirety of your relationship:

Acknowledge how necessary this is.

"The first step is to acknowledge and process your existing anger and resentment," clinical psychologist Lina Perl, Psy.D. , tells mbg. "After years of an unbalanced division of labor, you are likely to feel very frustrated, unappreciated, and even hopeless about the possibility of change. This is why so many women don't start this conversation. They imagine that if they start it, the emotion will be explosive and destructive. But tamping it down and alternately blaming your husband for not doing more and blaming yourself for not saying more is not the answer."

The conversation will likely be uncomfortable for both of you, but on the other side of it is something better. You can get to an easier, more satisfying place with your partner.

Step one: Have a direct conversation about this. Yes, it's time to sit down and do it.

Lead with how you feel.

"Trying to force your partner to do anything rarely succeeds in the long term, even if it is successful in the moment at getting what you want (or maybe even need)," Joanna R. Pepin, Ph.D. , a sociologist whose research focuses on gender inequality within the family, tells mbg. "Talking with your partner about how you are feeling, such as the sources of stress and anxiety, offers your partner a way to show up for you rather than feeling defensive for what they haven't been doing."

Ask for what you need to feel how you want to feel, Pepin recommends rather than making this about how your partner has been failing you. What would make you feel more equal and supported?

Avoid the blame game.

Here's Perl's recommendation for how to structure this conversation, in her words:

• State the problem in the most objective, factual way possible. "I feel like I'm doing a lot more of the nonwork tasks related to taking care of our family."
• State how this makes you feel. Use "I" statements. Don't say: "You don't do anything around here!" Do say: "This leaves me feeling overwhelmed and sometimes resentful and angry." Newsflash: This will likely not be surprising to your partner. He probably knows you're upset.
• Set a reasonable goal. "I'd like us to start talking about how we can both be aware of what needs to get done, so I don't feel like it's all falling on me."
• Explain what's in it for everyone. "My goal is to feel closer to you and more like a team. I love you, and I don't want to be angry and overwhelmed."

Acknowledge why it's hard.

It's OK to admit the truth: Sexism, patriarchy, and gender inequality are alive and well in your household. It's OK. It's not your fault or your partner's fault. This is true for most heterosexual relationships, and no one person or couple is to blame. This is the culture we live in.

"As women and men in this moment in history, we are in the unique and difficult position of renegotiating long-standing gender roles, and it's not easy," Perl says. "Repeat after me: This is happening to both of us! We are both the product of a society where gender roles have been polarized."

Have this be part of the conversation you have with your partner. Acknowledge out loud how unfair gender roles are hurting your relationship (and your own personal well-being), and agree that it's worth trying to work against them. Make equality an open priority.

Stop saying women are just "naturally" better at this stuff.

You've probably heard some variation of this: "Well, women are just better with kids!" Same with cleaning and organizing, and meal prep, and so on.

Back in the day, we used to say women did more housework because men were the primary earners for the family, Pepin explains. But now that more women are becoming the breadwinners and couples typically share financial responsibilities in the household, she says we've reached for another excuse: personality. Couples will actually "amplify personality differences, which are often based on myths about gender differences."

Pepin's own research has demonstrated that people still believe women are better caretakers and homemakers than men are , even though other research has debunked the myth. For example, studies have shown that women are not better multitaskers than men are 1 and that men's perceptions of how messy a room is 2 are virtually the same as women's perceptions of that room.

Ladies, you're not naturally better than your man at doing house stuff. You've been taught how to do it, you've been taught to care about doing it, and you've now been doing it for so long that you are very good at it. Explain that to your partner, and give him the opportunity to learn and get good at it too if he's not already.

Avoid gatekeeping.

Gatekeeping can be a big barrier to an equal division of labor. That can look like constantly criticizing the way your partner does certain chores, swooping in to "fix" his completed work, or monitoring him as he does them because you don't trust him to do it "right." These behaviors discourage your partner from being actively engaged in the work and taking initiative.

Trust your partner to get the job done. If something falls short, try not to criticize him or argue with him about what the "right" way is to do things—that will cause defensiveness and frustration. Instead, explain to him why you care about a certain way of doing a certain task. For example, organizing the laundry into colors helps preserve your delicate whites; cleaning the dishes immediately after use avoids a buildup later, and the buildup is what stresses you out.

Ask him to care about the things you care about, as a way he can show you love.

Additionally, learn to let go where possible. There will be some inefficiencies at first, and that will annoy you. But recognize that allowing your partner to take charge of responsibilities is more important in the long run than getting everything done as fast as possible today.

Use positive encouragement instead of complaints.

"Research shows that happy couples actively look for positive traits in their partner. In times of stress, it's easy to focus on what isn't going well. But most people are much more motivated by positive encouragement than avoiding complaints," Pepin explains.

Say thank you, often. This can be a practice you institute as a couple to make yourselves more conscious of how much the other person does. Whenever either of you notices the other has done a household task, directly thank them.

• "Thank you for putting the laundry in the dryer."
• "Thank you for unloading the dishwasher."
• "Thank you for putting the baby to sleep last night."

Yes, there will be a lot of thank-yous every single day, and you'll repeat the same ones over and over. That's the point. It'll create a lot more positivity around the house, and if one partner is doing more than the other, it'll be pretty clear right away. The partner doing less than their fair share can then take the initiative without being asked.

Do things together.

Often when couples want to encourage a more egalitarian dynamic in their housework, they'll sit down and try to divide up the chores down the middle in the fairest way they can. But Aliya Hamid Rao, Ph.D. , a sociologist and author of Crunch Time: How Married Couples Confront Unemployment , points out that these individual-level changes can feel like an unsatisfactory solution when pitted against centuries-old gendered dynamics. You'll often find that even though on paper it looks like the tasks are divided up equally, oftentimes men will gravitate toward tasks they find more desirable—like yard work and taking care of the car—rather than the more tedious daily tasks. Or otherwise they're doing half of the chores, but the woman is the one in charge of making sure it all gets done.

Dan Carlson, Ph.D. , a sociologist who studies gender dynamics in the household, recommends doing tasks together as much as possible.

"In order to avoid having one partner overburdened, or to avoid one partner slacking on their assigned tasks, try to do tasks together," he wrote in a recent Twitter thread . "When couples divvy tasks between them (e.g., I do laundry, she does dishes) inequities can develop, especially if tasks are of unequal desirability. Though not always possible, if you can do things together, your division will be more equitable and satisfying."

One possible way to do that: When one partner is doing dishes after dinner, the other partner takes that time to grab the laundry or tidy the living room. Or maybe you both set aside a chunk of your weekend for tag-teaming on chores, alternating who does which task each week. That way, you're ensuring that you're each generally spending the same amount of time doing chores. This isn't always feasible, of course, but trying to do things together as much as possible can at least create an atmosphere of teamwork.

Address the mental load.

If divvying up tasks between you feels like your preferred system, go for it—but don't forget to take into account the "invisible" or "cognitive" labor, Rao says.

"Examples of this are that even when husbands do unpaid work (like housework and child care), they still depend on wives to tell them what to do and when. So let's say a husband is going to grocery shop for the family. The wife will be the one who looks at their fridge, their pantry, thinks about what they are missing, what they will need in the next week or so, and makes a list. The husband goes and shops, often even calling the wife if he can't find an item to get her to guide him," Rao explains. "Any negotiation of housework should incorporate this kind of work too."

Some people refer to this as the " mental load ." Here's a helpful comic about the mental load that can help you further understand what this looks like. Share it with your partner so they know what you mean. How can you not only divide up tasks but also the responsibility for managing all the tasks?

Be flexible.

Whatever strategy you come up with that works for you as a couple, remember to be flexible with it. Unexpected tasks and special situations will come up that you hadn't allotted for—that's OK.

"Stick to the adage: structure with flexibility," Perl says. "You need a base to work from, but you also need to see this as something that changes with you and your changing lives."

It's OK to have to swap tasks or do something outside your decided game plan sometimes. Be gracious, generous, and forgiving. Most of all, be patient.

Keep checking in.

You are not going to solve this in one conversation. This is something you're going to have to return to time and time again before you get to a place that truly feels good, easy, and natural for both people. Perl recommends setting a weekly check-in time to see how things are going and how you're both feeling. Scheduling those check-ins can also help you both take this seriously and really commit to making changes.

"When in doubt, come back to this idea: 'We are in this together,'" Perl says. "You and your partner are not adversaries."

• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0220150
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0049124119852395

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Ultimate Household Chore List: Keeping Every Room Fresh & Clean

Household chores aren't necessarily anyone's idea of fun. Still, getting them done is paramount to keeping your home clean, healthy, functional and all-around pleasant. Whether you have kids, live with roommates or reside only with a partner, a chores list can help things run more   smoothly.

Your house chores list won't look exactly the same as the next person's, but this guide will go over some of the most common daily, weekly and monthly   chores.

Here's the full list of household chores we'll cover:

Washing dishes

Loading/unloading the dishwasher

Cooking or preparing meals

Packing lunches

Sweeping or vacuuming the kitchen and eating area

Feeding pets and getting them fresh water

Walking the dog

Taking out the trash

Clearing the counters and putting things away

Making the bed

Vacuuming all rugs and carpets

Sweeping or vacuuming and mopping all hard floors

Dusting shelves and window sills

Cleaning the bathrooms

Scrubbing all sinks, drains and faucets

Changing out hand and kitchen towels

Changing out bedding

Doing laundry

Planning weekly meals

Grocery shopping

Watering plants

Rolling out the garbage and recycling bins

Mowing the lawn

Cleaning all windows and mirrors

Cleaning out the refrigerator

Tossing out expired pantry food

Cleaning out the oven and microwave

Changing the HVAC filter

Dusting the blinds or shutters

Vacuuming or steaming the curtains

Vacuuming furniture

Cleaning the walls

Dusting the baseboards

Organizing the closets

Bathing the pets

Washing the car

Vacuuming out the car

Weeding the garden

Read on for details, insights and tips for creating your own chore chart.

Benefits of a Household Chores List

Why make a home chores chart? In a perfect world, all tasks would get done in a timely manner without you having to ask or remind your family or housemates. But realistically, pulling it off takes a bit more planning and organization.

Making a list of chores to do around the house can ensure everyone does their fair share of work. Plus, it can take some of the mental burden (or emotional labor , if you will) off the person who typically does the remembering and reminding. Listing everything out and assigning tasks will help put housework on autopilot.

A chore chart can also help you make sure things get done on time. And when things are done on time, tasks won't pile up and become insurmountable. For instance, not folding and putting away clothes one week means you'll have twice as much to do the following week. But if you get it done every weekend, it won't feel so overwhelming. And in the end, a clean, orderly home is simply more enjoyable to be in.

What to Put On Your Chores Checklist

So, what tasks should you include on your household chores checklist? It depends. As mentioned, a chore list for adults with roommates will probably look a little different from a family chore chart or a list of household chores for couples. And of course, you probably have personal to-dos on top of the communal tasks that need to be done.

You can get an idea of what to put on your daily, weekly and monthly chart by checking out the lists below.

What Household Chores Should Be Done Daily?

There are a handful of things that need to get done daily, but that doesn't mean they’ll take much time or effort. Like brushing your teeth, completing a task every day may eventually feel more like a habit than doing a chore.

Your daily chore list might include:

Setting thes table

Checking the mail

As noted, some tasks are more personal, like putting your belongings away and making your bed, though there might be some grey area with couples and families with younger kids. 

Want to make your personal chores list all the more satisfying? Learn How to Layer Your Bed Like a Stylist .

What Household Chores Should Be Done Weekly?

Weekly tasks are things that may not require daily attention but still need to be completed on a regular basis. While every home and household is different, the following list can help get your wheels turning when creating your own chart.

Your weekly chore list might include:

Scrubbing all sinks, drains, and faucets

Depending on your personal needs and preferences, you might do some of these tasks more than once a week, while others may be completed bi-weekly or even monthly.

What Household Chores Should Be Done Monthly?

Each month, you can tackle things that aren't as urgent or that may take a bit longer to complete, such as deep-cleaning and organizing. Still, getting them done is as important as your household's daily and weekly tasks.

Your monthly chores list might include:

Some tasks can be done every few months or even annually, such as cleaning out the garage or replenishing cleaning products, toilet paper and other household essentials. You might also have some seasonal outdoor projects, like cleaning the gutters, pressure-washing the driveway and washing the outside of the windows.

Read our article for the quintessential Bedroom Organizing Tips .

Laundry Chores

Laundry is among the more time-consuming and tedious household chores, but it still needs to get done on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your household and who lives with you, you might be able to break it up so that one person doesn't bear the entire burden. Here's what to consider.

Washing, Folding and Putting Away Clothes

Dirty clothes typically pile up the fastest, so it's vital they're not only washed but also folded and put away. If one person is in charge of washing and folding, you might have another person make sure everything's put back in the proper drawers or closets.

Read our blog to learn How to Wash, Dry and Care for Bathrobes , then check out our How to Wash Organic Cotton Clothing and Organic Clothing Guide for insight into finding and caring for the best high-quality garments for you and your family.

Washing Bedding

You should change out your bedding about once every seven to ten days, whether you do it by grabbing a fresh set from the linen closet or washing your sheets and duvet cover (See our guide on How to Wash Sheets the Right Way ). Putting this on your weekend chores list makes the most sense for many households. However, some people like to switch out their pillowcase multiple times a week to minimize the amount of oil buildup and bacteria that touches their face.

For a deeper dive into this topic, see our article How Often Should I Wash Cotton Sheets? And check out our guide on How to Wash and Properly Care for Bedding and for step-by-step instructions.

Washing Bath Linens

Bath towels , hand towels, washcloths and other bath linens should be washed about every three or four uses — or at least once a week, if that's what your schedule allows. Since towels are heavy and bulky, tossing in a few wool dryer balls can help prevent twisting, speed up the tumbling time and even make them fluffier (and if you’re wondering, yes, wool dryer balls really work and are better than dryer sheets!)

Some people like using a fresh makeup towel every night for skincare purposes, in which case it might be worth getting a set of seven. That way, you can wash them once a week and keep a folded stack in your bathroom.

Here’s some helpful resources for keeping your towels fresh and clean:

How to Wash and Properly Care for Towels  

Keeping Towels Fresh: How to Get a Smell Out of Your Towels

How to Fold & Style Towels Like a Hotel

Washing Other Household Linens

You probably have various other household linens that need weekly laundering. These may include tablecloths , cloth napkins, fabric placemats, dish towels, cloth rags and bath mats .

Items like rugs , shower curtains, throws and decorative pillow covers can be cleaned monthly or bi-monthly. Just make sure they're machine-washable before tossing them in your washing machine.

Check out our guides to learn How to Wash, Dry and Care for Bath Mats and Rugs .

Bedroom Chores

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Household chores often include tasks that are more or less everyone's responsibility. So then, what should your bedroom chores list look like? On a daily basis, you can make your bed, tidy up your vanity, put dirty clothes in the laundry and bring any water glasses back to the kitchen.

Once a week, you can put your clean clothes away in drawers and on hangers, vacuum the floor, wash your bedding and dust all the hard surfaces. Bedroom tasks you can do less often include cleaning your comforter and bed pillows, organizing your drawers, doing closet inventory and donating unused items.

Wondering if it's time to replace your bed pillows? Read our article How Often to Replace Pillows for Health and Comfort .

Check out our other blogs to learn How to Care for Down Bedding and to discover Why Making Your Bed Matters .

Bathroom Chores

While cleaning the bathroom probably isn't the funnest thing on your chores list, it's definitely not something you want to skip. Whether it's a half bath, a powder room, a guest bathroom or an en-suite primary bath, cleaning this space regularly will ensure it smells fresh while keeping mold and mildew at bay.

In addition to washing the towels weekly, your list might include vacuuming and mopping the floors, cleaning the counters, scrubbing the tile, sanitizing the faucets, wiping down the tub, squeegeeing the shower walls and cleaning the mirror. You may want to launder your shower curtain and clean the liner once a month as well.

See our guide for a complete rundown of Bathroom Essentials and Functional Necessities every home needs.

Living Room Chores

Since the living room is a shared space and generally a high-traffic area, your living room chores list should cover both daily and weekly tasks. Your daily chart might include folding blankets, straightening throw pillows, putting toys away and placing the remotes back in their designated spot. 

Once a week, you can tackle vacuuming the floors, fluffing up the furniture cushions, dusting all hard surfaces, wiping down the coffee table and end tables and watering plants.

For specific decor tips, see our guide on How to Style Throw Pillows Like a Designer , and check out these 23 Basket Storage Ideas .

Kitchen Chores

What about the kitchen? As with the living room, this high-traffic space is shared by everyone in your home. Since it's used multiple times per day for cooking and eating food, regular cleaning is crucial for preventing stinky smells, mold and pest infestations.

Sweeping and mopping the floors, wiping down the counters and disinfecting all high-touch surfaces are important to-dos. Beyond that, your chores list should focus on doing dishes, taking out the trash, recycling and cleaning out the fridge, pantry and cabinets. Here's what to consider.

Setting the kitchen table is probably a daily chore as you’re preparing for dinner. Here’s a thorough guide on the Best Stylish and Functional Kitchen Table Top Decor Ideas .

Doing Dishes

If you live with roommates and typically prepare your own meals, it might make the most sense for each person to be in charge of their own dishes. But if your home has a dishwasher, you may want to take turns with emptying duties.

For couples and families with kids who eat shared meals, divvying up the kitchen chores list can make things more fair and manageable. For example, if one person cooks dinner, someone else might clean up the dinnerware afterward, and another person might be in charge of emptying or loading the dishwasher.

Taking Out the Trash

As mentioned, household chores are particularly critical in the kitchen to prevent odors. Doing the dishes and wiping down the counters is part of the equation, but taking out the trash daily (or at least every couple of days) will help keep the space smelling fresh.

If your kitchen has a garbage disposal in the sink, be sure to run it after doing dishes. And if your family composts, make sure the bin is regularly emptied.

Recycling is key to keeping your home not only clean but also green . In addition to trash and potentially compost, your kitchen should have designated bins for paper products, plastic containers, aluminum cans and glass. (The rules on combining materials vary by region, so check with your local waste-management provider if you're not sure how to separate your recycling).

If you're like the growing number of modern households that receive a package daily, you'll want to have a system in place for cardboard boxes. To minimize clutter and stay on top of your recycling, be sure to break boxes down promptly and put them in the appropriate bin.

Parachute is committed to sustainability and green business practices. Ongoing efforts include a circular program for recycled down pillows , a pledge to be carbon-neutral , strategies to reduce packaging waste, Oeko-Tex and GOTSⓇ certification for our core products, and a goal to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester.

Some things are easier to get rid of than others. Here's How to Donate, Recycle and Reuse Old Bed Sheets and Towels .

Cleaning Out the Fridge

Cleaning out your fridge is an essential household chore for maintaining a fresh-smelling kitchen. Each time you buy groceries, do a quick scan of produce, meats, cheeses and other foods that are no longer good.

Once every month or so, check the dates on condiments and other less-perishable items and toss anything that's expired. To prevent your fridge from smelling like a lunch box, you're also wise to take everything out each month and wipe down all the shelves and drawers. Put fridge cleaning on your monthly or bi-monthly chores list.

Cleaning the Pantry and Cupboards

Spices, canned food, baking essentials, snacks and other dry goods typically don't go bad as quickly as refrigerated items. However, anything that's been opened — even if it's resealed or secured with a chip clip — will go stale a little quicker.

As with your fridge, it's a good idea to toss out expired pantry food each time you bring groceries home. Then on a monthly basis, you can do a more thorough inventory and wipe down the shelves while you're at it.

Keeping Your Closets and Cabinets Organized

On a similar note, keeping your closets and cabinets organized can actually help you keep your entire home clean. How so? When each item has a designated spot, it's easier to tidy up, and (bonus!) you're less likely to misplace things.

But it's not quite as simple as throwing stuff into a closet or cabinet. Ideally, the interior should be organized into zones with assigned shelves, bins or sections. This is where a label maker can really come in handy.

Also, you'll want to avoid overstuffing your storage areas. There are definitely some exceptions, but a good rule of thumb is to take something out of your home every time you bring a new item in. For instance, if you buy a new sweater, you might donate an old cardigan you no longer wear.

How Should You Organize Your Linen Closet ? Read on to find out.

When and Where to Deep-Clean

Deep cleaning is kind of like organizing in that it needs to be done but not necessarily very often. So, where does it fit into your chore schedule? This depends on how many people live in your home, whether you have kids or pets and the space in question. Generally speaking, you should prioritize high-traffic areas.

For example, kitchens and bathrooms can often use a thorough scrub-down every couple of weeks. Garages and attics, on the other hand, may only need to be deep-cleaned once a year. A home office might fall somewhere in between and require dusting every month or two.

Keeping a House Clean With Kids and/or Pets

Maintaining a clean and orderly home is easier said than done when you have kids, pets or both. However, creating a household chores list can make things feel less chaotic while preventing an accumulation of sticky residues, crumbs and fur.

Encouraging each child to do a chore can help them develop a sense of responsibility and feel good about contributing. That said, a family task list won't look the same as a chore chart for adults.

Consider the age of each child, and assign duties accordingly. Younger children can do simpler tasks, such as putting away their folded clothes, feeding the pets and cleaning up their toys. Older kids can do tasks like emptying the dishwasher, running a load of laundry, checking the mail, walking the dog or taking out the garbage.

Here’s some helpful resources for Washing & Caring for Baby Bedding and Towels to keep your little ones safe with non-toxic washing techniques. 

Eco-Friendly Housewares for a Clean, Green Home

Cleaning can be enjoyable, but it's safe to say not everyone likes doing chores and housework. That's why making a list of what needs to be done, creating a schedule and assigning tasks to each member of the household can make things a bit more doable.

If you're looking for ways to make your lifestyle and home more eco-friendly , Parachute has you covered. From sustainably made bedding and organic linens to natural laundry essentials and artisan-made decor , you'll find something that speaks to you.

Browse the environmentally conscious collections today!

Simple Ways to Freshen Your Home for Spring

Spring Organization: An Expert Guide

How to Keep White Bed Sheets White

Best Sustainable Fabrics for an Eco-Friendly Home

What is a Good Thread Count for Sheets?

How to Donate, Recycle, and Dispose of Old Furniture

Furniture recycling doesn’t have to be a chore. See how in this guide on what to do with old furniture.

The Eco Mattress: Everything You Need to Know

Thoughtfully designed and masterfully crafted for the best sleep ever.

Video: How to Put on a Duvet Cover

Learn how to easily put on a Duvet Cover over your comforter as Parachute Founder and CEO demonstrates in this short how-to video.

Household Chore List

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Learn about our Editorial Policy .

A clear household chore list is important to keep the household running smoothly and to keep everything tidy. Start with a master list and then break it down into individual lists for each member of the family. In this way, all the chores are divided evenly, and no one has an unfair amount of work to do to keep the home in shape.

The Master Household Chore List

A master list of household chores is the place to begin. You can do this on paper or on a computer spreadsheet. On this list, write down every chore that needs to be done and how often it is needed. This should also include outside tasks as well as indoor tasks. If you would rather use a pre-formatted document instead of creating your own, click to download a free printable household chore checklist. If you need help downloading the printable checklist, check out these helpful tips .

• How to Make Cleaning Fun: 10 Ways to Add Joy to Your Chores

For example, you may begin by listing daily chores like:

• Washing dishes
• Feeding pets
• Doing laundry
• Preparing meals
• Cleaning bathrooms

Next, you'll list weekly chores such as:

• Washing bedding
• Mopping floors
• Watering plants
• Mowing the lawn
• Weeding the garden
• Taking out the trash
• Wash the car

Monthly chores should be listed next:

• Washing windows
• Bathing pets
• Clean refrigerator
• Change air filters on a furnace or air conditioner
• Clean blinds
• Vacuum curtains

Even yearly chores can be included such as:

• Shampooing the carpets
• Winterize the house
• Clean garage
• Prune trees and shrubs

By this point you have a pretty substantial list of tasks that need to be done on a regular basis to keep everything running smoothly. You can probably think of many more items to add from the list. You probably also see some that do not apply to you. That's okay. Simply create a master list that reflects what needs to be done in your family.

Individual Lists

Now that you have your master list, you are ready to break it down into smaller lists for the individuals in your home. It is important to consider the ages and abilities of those in the family, so you don't place too high of expectations on anyone. You should also consider breaking some chores down into smaller jobs that can be accomplished by youngsters who may not be able to handle the whole job.

Breaking Down Chores

For example, you have "dishes" on your master list. Dishes can actually be broken down into several smaller tasks. If you have children, they can accomplish this one chore together. It will be more fun having someone to work with and it will allow smaller children to feel valued and able to help out. Here is how the chore dishes can be broken down:

• Rinse dishes
• Unload clean dishes from the dishwasher
• Put away dishes (for taller kids who can reach the shelves after smaller kids pile them on the counter)
• Load dirty dishes
• Add soap and run dishwasher

If you hand wash your dishes, one child can gather the dishes off the table (and maybe put away leftovers), another can wash and rinse dishes, another can dry and put away dishes. Drying and putting away can be two separate tasks as well, depending on the abilities of each child.

Personalize Chore Lists

Create a list for each person in the house with each task broken down as much as necessary so that everyone has a job to do. Consider swapping lists occasionally so everyone can learn different jobs, and there is less chance of someone being bored from doing the same thing over and over. In this way, the entire chore list for the household is broken down into manageable tasks that everyone can help with. Everyone can enjoy the sense of pride from doing important things that keep the home running smoothly and looking nice all the time.

Cooperation

When you are compiling your individual lists, it is a good idea to call your family together and discuss what they are willing to do and what they just can't tolerate. If one family member gags at the mere thought of cleaning the litter box , it's probably not going to be a good idea to put that task on that person's list. You will either not see the job accomplished or you will have a very unhappy family member.

Understanding Responsibility

When you discuss your master list with your family members, make it clear that everyone will have jobs that they are responsible for. It is also helpful to make a rule that recreational activities will be withheld for those who do not complete their household chore list in a timely manner. For example, no TV or video games until all chores are done.

Finding Motivation

You might even want to create a system for motivation to encourage young ones to accomplish their jobs with minimal prodding. Some kids are happy with a chart and stars each time they finish a job. Some might be better motivated by a family activity each week (or month) that chores are accomplished without fighting or arguing. You know what works best for your kids. Also, be prepared to try different things. If the chart isn't doing the job, try something else. Ask the kids what a good reward system should consist of and go from there.

Tips for Household Chore Lists Without Kids

If you don't have kids to help with chores , having a list is still a great way to keep yourself organized and on track. Try these simple tricks to keep you on top of your chores.

When you are single staying on top of your chores might not be top on your plate. To make sure that your friends don't walk into the danger zone, you can try:

• Create a master list for each room and hang it there to remind you of what needs to be done and when.
• Make a cleaning schedule.
• Stay on top of daily chores like dishes.
• Don't forget to use the cleaning aids like vacuums and dishwashers.

Couples and Roommates

Chores can easily erode a marriage or a roommate relationship. Especially if the chores aren't considered even or someone isn't doing their share. To make sure that both people are happy, give these tips a try:

• Clearly establish what clean means to each of you to make sure you are both meeting expectations.
• Discuss the chores that each will complete. Making sure to equally divvy up the daily chores, like making the bed, and weekly chores, like cleaning the bathroom.
• Keep a checklist so that you can check off the chore to keep yourself accountable.
• Set a timetable for the chores to be completed by. For example, dishes can't go longer than two days, etc.
• Be flexible. Sometimes things come up that are unavoidable. Helping your partner with their chores or doing them together can keep you both happy.
• Re-evaluate the chore list every few weeks and possibly switch it up.

Happy Housework

Chores can cause a lot of headache for parents, singles, couples and roommates alike. Therefore creating a chore list can ease stress and make everyone accountable. Just remember that as you create your chore list that no one is perfect. Be flexible and do your best. Focus on what you have done instead of what you have not done. You'll feel better about yourself and your home if you avoid becoming a perfectionist.

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Answering Your Questions: How Can I Get My Husband to Help with Household Chores

Stress levels in your home can increase when household chores are not allocated fairly.  Prevent arguments and strengthen your relationship by sharing household responsibilities.  According to Pew Research Center, 56% of adults in the United States ranked sharing household responsibilities as being among the top three things that make marriage successful. Following having shared interests (64%) and a satisfying sexual relationship (61%), sharing housework is of greater importance than having children (43%) or having an adequate income (42%) when it comes to marriage satisfaction (Geiger, 2016). Given the importance to couples of shared household responsibilities, what can couples do to equally share the load? According to marriage consultant, Sheri Stritof, there are several steps couples can take to divide up household chores:

Learn about priorities. As a couple discuss what is truly important to each of you. You may like a neat and tidy home while mess does not bother your partner, so in this instance, you will need to compromise and find a solution that will satisfy you both. Discuss and share opinions on home cooked meals vs. quick meals, paying bills, the differences in how each of you cleans, making the bed, etc. Share everything you can think of so that you both understand what each person feels is important.

Anticipate roadblocks .  Make a list of chores each of you hates to do. What one hates the other may be able to tolerate. If you both hate the same chore, figure out a way to compromise to get the task done or do it together as a team.

Agree on a timetable . Be considerate of each other’s body clocks. Not everyone is a morning person! Projects and chores forced on someone when they aren’t ready to do them only creates tension. Timing is important.

Touch base on a plan each week . Discuss the upcoming weeks schedule with one another then decide who is going to do what, make a list, and post the list. Then let it go. Don’t nag each other about what you chose to do. If a task isn’t completed by the following week, that is the time to bring it up and discuss expectations. 

Keep reevaluating. When one or the other of you doesn’t follow through on doing the work, try to discover why there is resistance. Did you overcommit? Did he or she underestimate the time it takes to get something done? Don’t blame, instead discuss, reevaluate, and adjust your plan as needed. If you can’t come to an agreement then make some choices. Are there items on your plan that you can cut back on? Do you perhaps need to organize your home better? Reevaluate then plan so that chores become less draining emotionally and physically.

Hire help. If you don’t want to lower your standards and your budget can handle it, hire some outside help. You can create a list of tasks and choose in which areas of the house you’d like help. This help should be directed towards both partners, not just one.

• Geiger, A. W. (2016, November 30). Sharing chores a key to good marriage, say majority of married adults . Fact Tank. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/30/sharing-chores-a-key-to-good-marriage-say-majority-of-married-adults/
• Stritof, S. (2020, February 20). How to keep housework from hurting your marriage. Verywell Mind.
• https://www.verywellmind.com/chores-conflict-in-marriage-2300980#:~:text=Sit%20down%20together%20and%20make,this%20particular%20unpleasant%20task%20done .Klein, W., Izquerido, C., & Bradbury, T. (2013, March 1). The difference between a happy marriage and a miserable one: Chores . The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/03/the-difference-between-a-happy-marriage-and-miserable-one-chores/273615/ .

107 Daily, Weekly, Monthly Household Chores List

Let’s talk about household chores.

I’ve put together a list of household tasks that need completing in most family homes in order to maintain a clutter-free, organised and clean living space. 

It’s not an exhaustive list, but I’ve tried to cover all areas of the home focusing on weekly chores, monthly chores and the list of chores that are a good idea to tackle by all family members.

So let’s start with the specific chores for each day of the week, finally ending with the master list of house chores you’ll want to adopt for good habits on a regular basis.

Article Contents

Daily Household Chores

Firstly let’s being with the daily chores. These are daily tasks that you can do to keep your home organized, clutter-free and calm. There may be some here that you don’t tackle on a daily basis; it’s personal choice. But following the plan will help you stay on top of jobs so the home doesn’t become overwhelming.

• Make Beds : Start the day by tidying up the sleeping areas, encouraging a neat and orderly environment.
• Wash Dishes : Clean up dishes after each meal to avoid pile-ups in the sink, promoting a clean kitchen.
• Sweep Floors : Daily sweeping of high-traffic areas prevents dirt accumulation and keeps floors tidy.
• Wipe Down Counters : Keep kitchen and bathroom counters clean by wiping them down, maintaining hygiene and order.
• Sort and Process Mail : Avoid clutter by sorting through mail daily, recycling junk mail, and organizing important documents.
• Laundry : Do a load of laundry if needed to prevent accumulation, keeping the family’s wardrobe clean and available.
• Tidy Common Areas : Spend a few minutes straightening living spaces, ensuring they are welcoming and clutter-free.
• Empty Trash Bins : Regularly empty all household trash bins to maintain cleanliness and prevent odors.
• Wipe Kitchen Appliances : A quick wipe of frequently used appliances keeps the kitchen looking clean and well-maintained.
• Declutter : Allocate a few minutes to declutter a small area each day, making it manageable and effective over time.
• Prepare Meals : Plan and prepare meals, keeping the family’s nutrition and schedule in mind.
• Water Plants : Tend to indoor and outdoor plants to keep them healthy, adding life and freshness to your home.
• Check Food Supplies : Monitor pantry and refrigerator contents for restocking essentials, ensuring a smoothly run kitchen.
• Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces : Daily sanitizing of doorknobs, switches, and remotes helps minimize germ spread.
• Set and Clear the Dining Table : Encourage family participation in setting up for meals and clearing the table afterwards.
• Review Family Calendar : Check the family’s schedule for upcoming events or appointments, keeping everyone informed.
• Pet Care : Feed pets, clean their areas, and ensure they have fresh water, contributing to their well-being and your home’s cleanliness.
• Pack Bags for the Next Day : Organize work, school bags, and any other essentials to streamline morning routines.
• Wipe Down Bathroom Surfaces : Quick maintenance of the bathroom counters and sinks keeps the space sanitary and presentable.
• Nightly Tidy-Up : A brief family tidy-up session before bed can address any messes or items out of place, ensuring a clean start the next day.

Weekly Household Chores

These weekly chores help maintain a home’s cleanliness, organization, and functionality, creating a pleasant and efficient living environment for the family. Again you may find some of them not applicable to you and your home. That’s fine. Simply take from them what you need.

• Deep Clean Bathrooms : Thoroughly clean toilets, showers, and bathtubs to maintain hygiene and freshness.
• Vacuum Carpets and Rugs : Vacuum all carpets and rugs to remove dust and debris, keeping the flooring clean.
• Mop Floors : Mop hard floors to remove dirt and stains, enhancing the cleanliness of your home.
• Dust Surfaces : Dust all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and electronics, to keep the environment allergen-free.
• Grocery Shopping : Make a list and shop for the week’s groceries to ensure the pantry and fridge are well-stocked.
• Change Bed Linens : Replace bed linens with clean sets to ensure a comfortable and hygienic sleeping environment.
• Laundry for Bedding and Towels : Wash bedding and towels to maintain a fresh and clean supply.
• Clean Kitchen Appliances : Perform a deeper clean of appliances like the oven and refrigerator to maintain their efficiency and cleanliness.
• Organize and Declutter : Dedicate time to sort through and organize different areas or items, reducing clutter and keeping the home tidy.
• Garden Maintenance : Attend to the garden by weeding, pruning, and watering, keeping outdoor spaces neat and vibrant.
• Check and Replace Household Items : Inspect and replace, as necessary, items like light bulbs, batteries, and filters to ensure the smooth running of your home.
• Wash Windows : Clean the inside and, where possible, the outside of windows to enhance natural light and views.
• Plan Meals for the Week : Organize a meal plan to streamline cooking and grocery shopping, reducing daily stress.
• Clean Out the Refrigerator : Clear out any expired or unused items and wipe down shelves, keeping the fridge clean and organized.
• Trash and Recycling : Take out the trash and sort recycling, maintaining a clean and environmentally friendly home.
• Car Maintenance : Check and clean the family vehicle, ensuring it’s safe and clean for use.
• Ironing and Clothing Maintenance : Tackle any ironing or mending of clothes to keep the family’s wardrobe in good condition.
• Clean Mirrors and Glass Surfaces : Wipe down mirrors and glass surfaces to keep them streak-free and clear.
• Family Meeting : Hold a weekly family meeting to coordinate schedules, distribute chores, and discuss any household needs or issues.
• Review Finances : Check on household expenses, budgeting, and planning to ensure financial health and readiness for upcoming expenses.

Monthly Household Chores

• Deep Cleaning the Entire House : Engage the whole family in a deep cleaning session to tackle areas not covered on a weekly basis. This promotes a clean space and is a great way to teach younger kids and older kids the importance of thorough cleaning.
• Inspect and Clean Light Fixtures : Removing dust and debris from light fixtures is a simple task that can brighten your home and is an important life lesson in maintenance.
• Clean Behind and Underneath Furniture : Moving furniture to clean behind and underneath ensures a clutter-free home and eliminates dust and allergens.
• Clean Out the Garage and Shed : Sorting through the garage or shed to organize tools and dispose of unnecessary items is an example of chores that teach children about decluttering and organization.
• Wash Windows Externally : Cleaning external windows is a bigger chore that improves the appearance of your home and is an essential part of a cleaning schedule.
• Garden Maintenance : Preparing garden beds, trimming trees, and other yard work are outdoor chores that can be divided among the whole family, fostering a strong work ethic.
• Check Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers : Ensuring safety devices are in working order is a crucial monthly task that teaches children about safety in real life.
• Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs : Using a professional service or renting a machine to deep clean carpets and rugs extends their life and maintains a clean home environment.
• Organize Closets and Donate Unused Items : Sorting through closets to donate clothes that no longer fit or are not worn is a great way to keep your home organized and teach children about charity.
• Clean the Kitchen Sink and Garbage Disposal : A thorough clean of the kitchen sink and garbage disposal using cleaning products like baking soda and white vinegar can prevent odors and maintain hygiene.
• Service Major Appliances : Checking and maintaining major appliances such as the washing machine, dryer, and refrigerator ensures they run efficiently and can save much time and money in the long run.
• Seasonal Decoration : Swapping out or organizing seasonal decorations keeps your home looking fresh and is a fun activity for the whole family.
• Review and Restock Essential Supplies : Making a trip to the grocery store to stock up on household essentials ensures you’re prepared for the following month.
• Plan and Schedule Upcoming Appointments : Organizing appointments for family members, home maintenance, or pet care for the following month helps manage your family’s time effectively.
• Wash Bedspreads and Large Linens : Larger items that don’t fit in a standard washing machine may require a trip to the dry cleaners or use of large commercial machines.
• Pest Control : Checking for and addressing any pest issues monthly can prevent infestations, contributing to a healthier home environment.
• Update Household Chore Chart : Reviewing and updating the chore chart to include new tasks or adjust for children’s ages and abilities ensures a fair division of labor and keeps the cleaning schedule current.

List of Household Chores for Couples

• Laundry for Clean Clothes : Managing laundry, including washing, drying, and putting away clothes, is a fundamental domestic task. It’s a good chore list item that ensures you always have clean clothes ready. Consider splitting the task so one person washes and the other folds and puts away.
• Dishwashing and Kitchen Chores : Keeping the kitchen sink clear of dirty dishes and the countertops wiped down after use maintains a clean and inviting kitchen space. This can be a daily routine or done as needed throughout the day.
• Decluttering Common Areas : Spending a little time each day to declutter living spaces, like the living room or dining area, can significantly enhance your family life and create a more peaceful environment.
• Managing the To-Do List : Regularly updating a shared to-do list with weekly tasks, monthly tasks, and bigger chores can help both partners stay on track and ensure that nothing important is overlooked.
• Dusting and Vacuuming Smaller Rooms : In a small apartment or home, keeping dust at bay with regular dusting and vacuuming can make a big difference in maintaining a clean space with little effort.
• Bed Making and Bedroom Tidying : Starting or ending the day by making the bed and tidying the bedroom sets a positive tone and contributes to a serene domestic space.
• Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning : Collaborating on a grocery list and meal plan for the following week allows for efficient shopping trips and reduces the daily stress of meal decisions.
• Sorting Mail and Paying Bills : Handling mail promptly and managing bill payments are examples of chores that are crucial for adult lives, preventing clutter and financial stress.
• Watering Plants and Garden Maintenance : Whether it’s caring for indoor plants or tending to a garden, sharing the responsibility helps keep your home vibrant and is a great way to spend extra time together.
• Deep Cleaning as Needed : Allocating time for deep cleaning tasks, such as cleaning out the fridge or organizing a closet, can be done on an as-needed basis, fitting into seasonal lists or when both partners have available time.

List of Household Chores for Children

Assigning age-appropriate chores to children is a best way to teach them responsibility, important life skills, and the value of contributing to the family. Here’s a list of household chores suitable for children.

• Tidying Up Toys : Encourage young children to pick up and put away their toys at the end of the day. This simple task helps them learn the importance of keeping their own space organized.
• Feeding Pets : Assigning pet-related chores, like feeding the dog or cat, teaches children about daily routines and caring for another living being.
• Helping with Laundry : Younger children can help sort dirty clothes by color, and older children can learn to operate the washing machine with supervision. Folding and putting away their clean clothes teaches them domestic tasks and responsibility for their belongings.
• Setting the Table : Even young children can help set the table before meals, a simple task that involves them in daily routines and teaches them about preparation and fair play.
• Assisting with Meal Preparation : Under supervision, children of different ages can help with meal prep, such as washing vegetables or stirring ingredients. This is a positive reinforcement of healthy eating habits and basic cooking skills.
• Watering Plants : Teaching children to water indoor or outdoor plants is a great way to introduce them to caring for the environment and understanding the needs of living things.
• Sweeping and Vacuuming : Older children can handle sweeping floors or using a lightweight vacuum. This helps them contribute to maintaining a clean home and understanding the work involved in upkeep.
• Wiping Down Surfaces : Assigning children the task of wiping down kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, or dusting teaches them about hygiene and the importance of clean living spaces.
• Taking Out Trash : Older children can be responsible for collecting trash from around the house and taking it out to the bin. This teaches them about the importance of cleanliness and routine.
• Organizing Their Room : Encouraging children to keep their room tidy, make their bed daily, and organize their belongings instills a sense of pride in their own space and is a foundational domestic task.

Assigning chores to children should always consider their age and ability, offering guidance and encouragement to build confidence. Using a household chores checklist can help keep track of their tasks and accomplishments, providing a visual reminder of their contribution and fostering a sense of achievement.

List of Household Chores for Family

Creating a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility within the family is crucial for maintaining a harmonious and well-organized home. Here’s a list of 10 household chores designed for family members to tackle together or individually

• Weekly Family Cleaning Day : Dedicate a day for the whole family to engage in cleaning tasks, using a household chores checklist to ensure all areas are covered. This can transform a daunting task into a bonding experience and teach everyone the importance of contributing to the care of their own home.
• Laundry Sorting and Folding : Gather as a family to sort laundry into lights and darks, and then fold clean clothes together. This simple task helps distribute the workload and makes the process go by a little bit faster.
• Meal Planning and Preparation : Involve everyone in planning meals for the week and preparing them. Assign children chores in the kitchen, such as washing vegetables or setting the table, while adults handle cooking. This promotes healthy eating habits and teamwork.
• Gardening and Outdoor Maintenance : Whether it’s mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, or planting flowers, outdoor chores offer a great way for the family to spend time outside and beautify their own home together.
• Grocery Shopping : Turn grocery shopping into a family outing. Everyone can help with the list and find items in the store, making it a practical learning experience for children and ensuring that everyone gets a say in the family meals.
• Decluttering Sessions : Set aside time for the whole family to go through their belongings and declutter. Deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away can be a simple task that significantly reduces the amount of stuff in your home.
• Car Wash Day : Washing the family car can be a fun and productive activity for everyone. It’s a simple task that saves money and can be quite enjoyable on a sunny day.
• DIY Home Improvement Projects : Whether it’s painting a room or building a piece of furniture, involving the whole family in home improvement projects can be a rewarding way to improve your living space and learn new skills.
• Organizing Family Photos and Memorabilia : Spend an afternoon sorting through photos and memorabilia, deciding what to display or put in albums. This task allows for reminiscing and storytelling, strengthening family bonds.
• Financial Planning Meeting : For families with older children, holding regular meetings to discuss budgeting, savings, and financial goals can be an important life skill. It helps everyone understand the value of money and the costs associated with running a household.

By sharing these tasks, each family member can contribute their part, learn valuable skills, and feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s a way to teach responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of caring for their living environment.

Living Room Chore List

​If you like to break down chores per room, these small list of living room chores is ideal for keeping the main living space neat and tidy.

• Dusting Surfaces : Regularly dust all surfaces, including shelves, TV stands, and electronics, to keep the area allergen-free.
• Vacuuming Carpets and Rugs : Vacuum the floors to remove dirt and dust, maintaining a clean and inviting space.
• Organizing Magazines and Books : Keep shelves and tables clutter-free by organizing reading materials in a tidy manner.
• Cleaning Windows and Mirrors : Clean glass surfaces to enhance natural light and maintain a polished look.
• Straightening Cushions and Throws : Fluff pillows and fold throws daily to keep the living area looking neat and welcoming.

Kitchen Chore List

The kitchen can be a space that becomes overwhelmed quite quickly so add these chores to a to-do list and you’ll be on top of the room in no time.

• Washing Dishes : Clean dishes, pots, and utensils after each meal to prevent pile-ups and maintain hygiene.
• Wiping Down Countertops and Stove : After cooking, wipe down surfaces to remove crumbs and spills, keeping the area clean and ready for use.
• Sweeping and Mopping Floors : Regularly clean the floors to remove food particles and spills, preventing pests and keeping the space sanitary.
• Organizing the Pantry and Refrigerator : Periodically check and organize contents, discarding expired items and keeping the storage areas neat.
• Cleaning Appliances : Weekly deep cleaning of appliances like the microwave, oven, and refrigerator to maintain their efficiency and cleanliness.

Bedroom Chore List

I feel the bedroom organization can often be overlooked, so it’s a good idea to get into the habit of doing your bedroom chores.

• Making the Bed : Start each day by making the bed, instantly improving the room’s appearance and creating a positive start to the day.
• Decluttering and Organizing : Regularly sort through belongings to keep the room tidy and functional.
• Dusting Furniture : Dust all surfaces, including nightstands, dressers, and headboards, to keep the room clean and allergen-free.
• Vacuuming or Sweeping Floors : Clean the floors to remove dust and maintain a clean environment.
• Changing Bed Linens : Weekly changing of sheets and pillowcases to ensure a fresh and comfortable sleeping area.

Bathroom Chore List

The bathroom needs attention on a daily basis, particularly when you have children, and this short list helps keep it tidy and clean.

• Cleaning the Toilet : Disinfect the toilet bowl and seat regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of germs.
• Scrubbing the Shower and Tub : Weekly scrubbing to remove soap scum and mildew, keeping the area clean and sanitary.
• Wiping Down Countertops and Sink : Daily wiping to maintain cleanliness and a clutter-free space.
• Cleaning Mirrors : Keep mirrors streak-free for a clean, reflective surface that enhances light.
• Washing Bath Mats and Towels : Regular laundering of mats and towels to ensure they are fresh and hygienic.

Laundry Room Chore List

A family generates a LOT of laundry – I should know – so staying organised with the clothes can help the family, and the room stay organized. 

• Sorting Laundry : Sort clothes by color and fabric type before washing to maintain fabric quality and color vibrancy.
• Cleaning the Washing Machine and Dryer : Monthly cleaning to remove detergent buildup and lint, ensuring the appliances run efficiently.
• Organizing Laundry Supplies : Keep detergents, fabric softeners, and other supplies in order for easy access and to prevent spills.
• Managing Lint Traps and Vents : Regularly clean lint traps and check dryer vents to prevent fire hazards and improve efficiency.
• Folding and Ironing Clothes : Promptly fold and iron clothes after drying to prevent wrinkles and keep clothing items ready for use.

In conclusion, maintaining a clean and organized home requires consistent effort. By following daily, weekly, and monthly chore lists, you can keep your space welcoming and functional. The key is regularity, teamwork, and flexibility to adjust chores to your family’s needs. Dividing tasks among household members helps manage chores efficiently, reducing stress and freeing up time for relaxation. Adopt these routines for a smoother, more organized home life.

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Jen is an award winning digital publisher and has been creating interiors and home decor content for over 10 years. She has an insatiable love of home interiors, has worked with hundreds of brands, and currently supports many bloggers within the creative industries to share their expertise through writing. She spends most of her time in her little garden office pod, has 2 daughters and 2 (fighting) cats.

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Ultimate Household Chores List: By Day, Week, Month And Season

Because you don’t want to miss a thing.

The whole thing about chores is that they’re really not very fun. And when we say fun, we mean like in the traditional way. Some people really enjoy chores. They get a thrill from organizing. The satisfaction of having streak-free stainless steel appliances and completely transparent windows is enough to get them through the week. But most people find fun elsewhere. You know, going dancing or playing board games or taking a bike ride or enjoying a cocktail on a sunny patio.

Importance of having a household chore list

We’re talking to you guys, those who don’t find the cleaning to be enjoyable. We get it. But if you have a list and stick to it, no matter what you’re doing, things tend to get done. They even may get done efficiently, once you own all the proper tools and get the hang of the general order of operations. So we’re gifting you this massive cleaning guide and checklist in hope that you will embrace it, and maybe even find the joy in cleaning. If not, that’s cool (it’s a big ask).

But you’ll at least be able to bask in the freshness of your home once you’ve begrudgingly completed all (or most) of these tasks.

So brace yourself, friends. Here is our ultimate household chores list, divided up by weekly, monthly and seasonal chores—and further split up by room, for your cleaning pleasure. You received ten million gold stars on your chore tracker calendar if you get through the entire thing. (Plus you’ll gain the peace of mind that you live in the most spotless house on the block, and maybe even in the entire neighborhood!)

Daily cleaning schedule + checklist

Living areas

Pick up your stuff.

• How many pairs of shoes do you have occupying corners and lurking beneath tables?
• What’s up with all those cords? Are you actively using them to charge anything? Designate them a drawer or basket (anywhere but that dreadful tangled nest on the floor).
• Why all the water glasses? Try to use the same one all week, we dare you. Bring the rest into the kitchen, wash them and put them away.
• Laundry. Do it, and actually put it away. The putting it away is the hard part.
• Organize unruly piles of accumulated mail and papers.
• Put away (most of) your kid’s and pet’s toys at the end of each day. They likely won’t stay organized long, but enjoy that brief, blissful moment while they are.

Mind your couch.

• Shake out, fluff and/or refold blankets and pillows regularly, especially if you took a recent couch nap, had company over or your pet’s been spending long hours on them.
• Hit the couch, pillows and blankets with some Febreze Fabric spray to freshen up the scene.
• Are there fingerprints all over your television, iPad, laptop screen and remote control? Give them a gentle wipe down with a microfiber rag and some DIY window cleaner. (*Never spray cleaning solution directly onto your electronics!)
• Staying on top of cleaning up after your pet is crucial to having a reasonably clean home. Hit their beds and favorite dwellings with a handheld vacuum or vacuum hose attachment often.
• If you’ve got carpet or rugs and also pets, you should run a quick vacuum over it every day (or at least every other day!).
• It’s really easy to just toss the dishes in the sink and walk away, but you don’t want to wake up tomorrow morning to yesterday’s dishes. That’s just a bad habit.
• We recommend washing your dishes as you go, or at least loading them in the dishwasher and running it at the end of every day, if not after each meal. Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray is great for staying on top of dishes—just spray, wipe, and rinse—done!
• We like to keep a diluted white vinegar spray or a multipurpose surface cleaner under the kitchen sink for wiping down everything from countertops and cabinets to stainless steel appliances and stovetops.
• Don’t let crumbs sit and sauces congeal—be proactive. Otherwise you end up with sticky, stubborn stains and potentially curious, opportunistic ants.
• Stovetop grease splatters often have impressive range, so be sure to hit the backsplash, cabinets and countertops surrounding your stove post-meal, as well.
• We give you permission to clean the burners less often (see our weekly cleaning schedule + checklist ), unless you get them majorly filthy and they could present a fire hazard for your next meal (or at the very least, a smoky situation that will leave your house a stinky mess).
• It’s tempting to just close the microwave door and walk away, but stop right there. If your microwave looks like a murder scene, give it a wipe before the mess has time to sit and harden. You’ll be glad you did.
• Do their dishes, just like you’d do your own.
• If you see sticky, greasy fingerprints on stainless steel items and appliances , hit them with a spritz of your diluted white vinegar, and buff them clean with a microfiber rag.
• Are your sheets clean? When’s the last time you washed your duvet? Your pillow cases? Fluff those decorative pillows.
• Again with the water glasses! Limit yourself to just one, and bring the rest into the kitchen to clean.
• If it’s dusty, dust it. You’re breathing all that stuff into your lungs while you sleep.
• You’ve probably got a laundry situation somewhere in here . Whether it’s dirty clothes on the floor or cleanish clothes you intend to wear again in the near future, tend to it, and don’t let it grow out of control. You’ve got dressers and closets for a reason.
• Be sure to always run the exhaust fan when showering or taking a bath , then let it run for about 30 minutes afterward to eliminate lingering humidity that could cause future mold or mildew to develop.
• Wipe any toothpaste splatter from the sink basin or faucet hardware.
• Spot treat countertop stains from makeup, lotion, hair products or toothpaste.
• Is the toilet paper roll empty? Change it.
• Don’t let dirty clothes (especially sweaty gym clothes) sit in piles on the bathroom floor, adding potential humidity to the room.
• Use a Swiffer Dry Mop to get rid of loose dust bunnies and hair balls on your bathroom floor.

Weekly cleaning schedule + checklist

• Uh oh, is that too much work? If you do these things regularly and often, it’ll be a breeze. Pick one day of the week to do these chores, and stick to it.
• We like to use Swiffer 2-in-1 Dry + Wet Mop to streamline this scenario. The dry mop collects and traps dust, hair and debris from the floor, then the wet mop pad allows you to easily mop without having to mess with a bucket. You can just dispose of both the dry and wet mop pads when you’re done.
• Use a Swiffer Duster to hit your walls, blinds, electronics, shelves, baseboards and doors. Its dust-lock adhesive material actually grabs debris, instead of just moving it around or sending it airborne.
• There’s even a Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Super Extender model for reaching ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, hard-to-reach corners and the tops of bookcases.
• Got pets? Definitely do this weekly. Be sure to get beneath the pillows, in the crevices and zippers, plus the arms and sides.
• You can also wash their toys with white vinegar to neutralize dog-breath smells.
• Careful not to let standing water settle in the bases of your plants’ pots.
• Hooray for decluttering! Untangle cords, sort mail and toss unnecessary stuff.
• Kitchen floors can get grimy fast, but they’re usually the easiest to clean.
• We like to keep a diluted white vinegar spray under the kitchen sink for wiping down everything from countertops and cabinets to stainless steel appliances and stovetops.
• Don’t let grease smears sit and sauces congeal. Be proactive!
• Yes, it’s time to address those crusty, burnt bits lingering beneath the burners. You’ll be glad you did next time you go to cook a meal and the stove is pleasantly smoke-free.
• Toss anything questionable, expired or stinky.
• Wipe out your kitchen sink with some white vinegar and baking soda.
• If your dishwasher smells funky , run it on an empty cycle with some Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner or a bowl of white vinegar.
• If your garbage disposal smells funky, toss some ice cubes into it, and run it to clean the blades. Then throw in some citrus peels, and turn it on to freshen up any odors.
• Hit them with a spritz of diluted white vinegar, and buff off any greasy fingerprints with a microfiber rag.
• Take out the trash and recycling (and compost, if applicable).
• Wash your sheets, pillow cases and duvet.
• You can make an assortment of DIY mattress cleaning solutions with isopropyl alcohol, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide to spot treat stains with a spray bottle.
• Always let the mattress air dry completely before putting sheets back on.
• Dust your dressers, shelves, windowsills and bedside tables.
• Sweep + mop.
• If it’s out of hand (again), take care of it. And actually put it away. We see you.
• Launder your towels and bath mats. Replace them with fresh linens.
• Clean out your sink and countertops. Don’t forget to wipe down the faucet and handles, too.
• We’ve got a great recipe for a DIY glass cleaning solution.
• If your shower drain is clogged , tend to that ASAP. No store-bought drain declogger on hand? All you’ve got to do is pour some boiling water down the drain, followed by some white vinegar and baking soda, then some more boiling water.
• Take out the trash.
• Scrub your toilet bowl. Maybe even hit the outside of the toilet, including the flusher, any attachments and the back. Then sanitize the entire area with a ready-made cleaner, like Microban 24.

Monthly cleaning schedule + checklist

• You can use the Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Super Extender model for reaching ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, hard-to-reach corners and the tops of bookcases.
• Bookshelves
• Screens (including your TV)
• Record players or stereo systems
• Wash the windows, windowsills and ledges.
• Dust and wash doors.
• Walls actually absorb and trap all sorts of smells.
• Chaise lounges
• Anything that’s upholstered
• Or if you’re feeling lazy, sprinkle baking soda all over your carpet, let it sit overnight to neutralize any smells and vacuum it up in the morning. We’ll give you a hall pass on this one.
• Be sure to read the care instructions first.
• If you can’t wash them, hit them with some Febreze Fabric to freshen them up a bit.
• Remote controls
• High-touch items
• Light switches
• Televisions
• Clear off tables and shelves.
• Bring unused cups (and rogue dishes!) into the kitchen.
• Put your shoes away. For real.
• Remove and soak stove grates in a bath of dish soap and water.
• Break out the beloved Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get rid of grease and burnt-on food.
• If you’re going to run your oven’s self-cleaning cycle, preclean by wiping (or scraping, if necessary!) out any caked-on burnt stuff in there—or you might risk starting a fire.
• Don’t forget the door and handle.
• Clean and descale your coffee maker.
• Vacuum beneath refrigerator.
• Clean both the inside and outside of cabinets, doors and shelves.
• Throw away expired items.
• Empty the toast tray in your toaster .
• Cabinet handles
• Countertops
• Sink faucet handles
• Refrigerator handle
• Toss a few fresh lemon peels down the drain to freshen its smell.
• Ice cubes in the garbage disposal help knock bits of clinging-on food from the blades.
• Clean your dishwasher filter.
• Run an empty cycle with Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner to eliminate limescale, grease or odors.
• Mr. Clean Clean Freak Mist works great to eliminate fingerprints and grease from stainless steel.
• Clean your kitchen blinds.
• Wash the windows.
• Wipe down walls and baseboards.
• Clean and sanitize trash and recycling receptacles.
• Lamps (replace burnt-out bulbs, if necessary)
• Bedside tables
• Knickknacks
• Vacuum your curtains and/or wash the blinds.
• Wash windows, windowsills and ledges.
• Rotate your mattress.
• Trash old receipts, dead batteries, etc.
• Shampoo any rugs or carpets, especially if you’ve got pets.
• We recommend the Swiffer Dusters Cleaner Starter Kit , which traps and locks in dust and hair particles. Plus you can toss the dust pad when you’re done.
• Be sure to get all ceiling fans and vents.
• Don’t skip the walls and baseboards.
• We love Microban 24 Bathroom Cleaner .
• Scrub the grout .
• Clean the showerhead.
• Clean shower doors .
• Clean faucets, handles, hardware and drains.
• Clean window treatments.
• Dust and wash your blinds.
• Don’t forget the windowsills and ledges.
• Trash expired makeup.
• Wipe out shelves and inside drawers.
• Vacuum linen closet floor.
• the nearby floor
• toilet seat
• back of toilet/shelf
• attachments
• Wash out toothbrush caddy. (Just throw it in the dishwasher.)
• Wipe down baseboards.
• Sanitize the trash can.
• Clean light fixtures.

Seasonal chores

Outdoor season chores

• Clean out gutters and downspouts.
• Clean your window screens.
• Clean your grill .
• Clean patio furniture and outdoor pillows.
• This should be done every three months.
• Replace batteries, if necessary.
• Sweep out the chimney.
• Check for mold and mildew near AC units and pipes, beneath sinks and in the basement.
• Clean out and wash cars.

Indoor seasonal chores

• Donate clothes that no longer fit to a thrift store or friend.
• Take your shoes out of the closet, and actually sweep and vacuum the closet floor.
• Add a couple drops of bleach to a gallon of water, soak them overnight and let them air dry.
• You can use a hair dryer to fluff their fur back up afterward.
• Vacuum + launder your pet’s bed.
• Throw out any especially gross toys, and replace them with fresh ones.
• Sprinkle baking soda on everything, let it sit overnight and vacuum it up in the morning. It works great on upholstery, pet beds, soft toys, etc.
• Spray Febreze AIR Heavy Duty Pet Odor Eliminator around the pet zones for a burst of freshness.

OMG, you made it. Rejoice! If you’re keeping to this schedule, your home is immaculate. Now go put your feet up, we insist.

Stay on top of chores by downloading our daily , weekly , and deep cleaning checklists!

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Erica Finamore is Real Simple 's home director, sharing her knowledge on decorating, organizing, cleaning and DIYing. She has over 10 years' experience and favors statement sofas, gallery walls and organizing books in rainbow order.

Daily Cleaning Tasks

Weekly cleaning tasks, monthly cleaning tasks, laundry room, tasks to do every three to six months, tasks to do every six to 12 months, seasonal cleaning tasks.

Let's face it: Very few people actually like cleaning. Sure, we like a clean house, but who wouldn't happily shun scrubbing a toilet or vacuuming the stairs (though there are plenty of models of vacuums to tackle that easily) to hang out with friends or disappear into a good book? There's a reason why robot vacuums were invented. You can even level up your hands-free game with a self-emptying vacuum . For everything else, there are ways to make cleaning less of a chore—even tackling the inside of your oven . By setting household jobs on a regular schedule—put your washer and dryer set to good use—you can keep your home clean without spending all your time with a sponge.

This cleaning checklist includes all of the essential chores to address all year long, so there’s no reason to spend the start of a spring scrubbing our hearts out. Instead, follow this plan to keep up with your home bit by bit throughout the year, and take it a little easier come March and April. Scroll down to check out this to-do list, then click the links to get into the nitty gritty of the trickier tasks.

Illustrations by Bayoun Kim

• Make your bed (you'll feel better, we swear!).
• Wipe down and sanitize the counters in the kitchen, bathroom(s), and laundry room.
• Empty/load the dishwasher .
• Take out kitchen trash (you can skip a day to two if it's not full and doesn't contain food waste)
• Do a nighttime sweep to put toys, loose papers, and other stray objects in their place.
• Wipe down kitchen counters, table, and sink .
• Vacuum and/or mop floors.
• Wipe down major appliances, like smudgy fingerprints on the fridge.
• Clean up any spatters or grease along the kitchen backsplash and inside the microwave.
• Wipe down mirrors .
• Scrub and disinfect the kitchen sink.
• Disinfect the toilets . Hit the bowl, seat, sides, tank, and flusher.
• Clean and scrub showers and tubs.
• Launder your linens: sheets, all towels (the bath, hand, and dish varieties), and bath mats. Want to  keep your towels smelling fresh ? Here's how.
• Toss any food that has expired . It happens!
• Sanitize high-touch points: doorknobs, faucets, light switches, pulls and handles, keyboards, and remote controls.

Some spots take a little longer to get dirty. Tackle these every four weeks or less.

• Dust all surfaces: side tables, your TV and con-sole, bookshelves, picture frames, etc. You may need to do this biweekly. Read more about  how to get rid of dust  from all your surfaces.
• Spritz and wipe the inside of the windows with glass cleaner and a clean rag.
• Dust the baseboards with a microfiber cloth, then clean them  according to these instructions .
• Dust blinds with the brush attachment on your vacuum, or wipe each slat with a microfiber cloth. If they're looking super filthy, consider a  deeper clean .
• If you can, rinse your vacuum’s filter. (Deep-clean the entire machine once a year.)
• Dust ceiling fans and vents.
• Clean mirrors  and fixtures. Spray solution onto your microfiber cloth instead of the mirror to keep spots from forming.
• Launder your shower curtain and liner if they can go into the washing machine. (Most can!) If you need to clean yours by hand, try an enzyme stain spray and  these tips.
• Scrub stovetop, including icky sticky burner grates.
• Scrub the cabinet doors  and appliance fronts with a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water.
• Wipe out and disinfect wastebaskets.
• De-stink the dishwasher  by running a cycle with just a bowl of distilled white vinegar on the top rack. And clean the filter. While you're at it, wash the door rack and gasket too.
• Dust and clean the top of the fridge if it’s exposed.

Living Room

• Vacuum the couch and other upholstered furniture. Use the  appropriate attachment  and remove the cushions to get every last crumb. Be on the look-out for loose change.
• Deep- clean your washing machine . Don’t forget the gasket. Tip: Leave the door open between cycles to help prevent mildew.
• Clean blinds
• Clean and condition leather and wood furniture
• Deep-clean your carpets and rugs .
• Polish stainless steel appliances
• Clean and descale coffee maker
• Launder  throw pillow covers  and fluff inserts.
• Deep-clean your oven . Clean the range hood too—and the  toaster  while you’re at it.
• Empty and clean cabinet and pantry shelves.
• Vacuum or dust refrigerator condenser coil .
• Vacuum your mattresses with the upholstery attachment. If you need to,  spot treat it , too.

It helps to mark the tasks on your calendar. Or just save these pages until you’re in the groove.

• Disconnect the dryer and use the hose attachment on your vacuum to remove lint from the vent and  clean it .
• Clean the windows —this time, the outside! Hire someone to do the second story (or the entire task).
• Deep-clean your grill. Start by turning off the propane tank, carefully detach the gas tubes and burner, and then  follow these steps .
• Sweep and power-wash the deck, patio, and driveway. Scrub mold off of unpainted siding with bleach and water and a stiff-bristle brush.
• Clean outdoor furniture  and  wipe down the cushions  using a soft bristled brush. (Stash the cushions inside when not in use.)
• Give your HVAC system a checkup. Schedule a tech visit to make sure every-thing is in working order before the weather turns.Note: Filters should be changed every season.
• Do a yard cleanup and pick up errant sticks.
• Reset the garage. Dust, sweep, vacuum, and  organize all that equipment .
• Clean out your medicine stockpile. Cold and flu season is approaching, and you don’t want. expired stuff taking up space in there. Remember, makeup and toiletries have  expiration dates , too!
• Remove ash from the fireplace regularly. A  yearly inspection  by a chimney sweep will help keep the flue clear.
• Shake out and wipe down boot trays or shoe racks.
• Have rugs professionally cleaned (unless they're washable, like these ones ).
• Pull out large appliances and furniture to clean behind and underneath.

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What Does a Domestic Helper Do?

Find out what a Domestic Helper does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Domestic Helper.

The role of a Domestic Helper encompasses a broad spectrum of household responsibilities, ensuring the smooth operation of day-to-day life within a home. This position is integral to maintaining a clean, organized, and comfortable living environment for families and individuals. By handling routine tasks and chores, from cleaning and laundry to sometimes assisting with cooking and childcare, Domestic Helpers enable homeowners to focus on their work, personal interests, and family time without the added stress of household management. Their contributions are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each household, making their role adaptable and personalized. Through their diligent work, Domestic Helpers foster a sense of harmony and efficiency, allowing for a balanced and well-maintained home life.

Domestic Helper Job Duties

• Perform thorough cleaning of all rooms in the residence, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and polishing as needed.
• Prepare daily meals for the household, adhering to any dietary restrictions and preferences.
• Launder clothing and linens, including washing, drying, ironing, and organizing them in their designated areas.
• Run errands for the household, such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and mailing packages.
• Care for indoor plants and perform light gardening duties to maintain the home’s exterior aesthetic.
• Organize closets, pantries, and storage areas, ensuring items are neatly stored and easily accessible.
• Assist with pet care, including feeding, walking, grooming, and taking pets to veterinary appointments.
• Coordinate with external service providers for home maintenance and repair tasks, ensuring the household runs smoothly.

Domestic Helper Salary & Outlook

Factors influencing a Domestic Helper’s salary include years of experience, range of skills (e.g., cooking, childcare, elderly care), employer’s household size, and specific job duties. Additionally, live-in versus live-out arrangements and the provision of benefits such as health insurance can significantly affect compensation.

• Median Annual Salary: $45,179 ($21.72/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $69,000 ($33.17/hour)

The employment of domestic helpers is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

This growth is driven by aging populations requiring in-home care, increasing dual-income households seeking assistance with domestic chores, and a rising preference for personalized, at-home services over institutional care, reflecting societal shifts towards more flexible, family-centric support solutions.

Domestic Helper Job Requirements

Education: A Domestic Helper typically requires a high school diploma, with emphasis on classes related to home economics, basic accounting, and interpersonal communication. These courses foster skills in household management, budgeting, and effective communication with employers and other household staff. Additionally, understanding basic nutrition and child care can be beneficial, aligning with the diverse responsibilities the job entails. While specific majors are not required, a background in these areas can enhance a candidate’s capability and efficiency in the role.

Experience: Domestic Helpers often start with no prior experience, learning through on-the-job training. Employers typically seek individuals with a knack for household tasks, including cleaning, cooking, and childcare. Training programs, though not mandatory, can enhance skills in these areas. Experience in similar roles, even informally, is beneficial. Adaptability, a willingness to learn, and the ability to follow instructions are crucial for success in this role, with continuous learning opportunities available to improve and expand one’s skill set.

Certifications & Licenses: Generally, no specific certifications or licenses are required for the job of a Domestic Helper.

Domestic Helper Skills

Time Management: Efficiently balancing the meticulous cleaning of a large residence, meal preparation, and completion of all household tasks within a set timeframe requires a well-organized approach and effective prioritization. Domestic helpers must manage their day to ensure high-priority tasks are addressed first while also making room for unexpected requests or emergencies.

Meal Preparation: Crafting nutritious and balanced meals that meet the dietary preferences and restrictions of each household member demonstrates a domestic helper’s culinary skills and attentive care. This ability ensures the well-being of those served and enhances household harmony by accommodating individual tastes and health needs.

Child Care: Domestic helpers engage in activities that promote the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of children, from preparing healthy meals to assisting with homework and facilitating recreational outings. Patience, creativity, and an understanding of age-appropriate needs and behaviors are crucial for creating a nurturing and structured environment.

Elderly Care: Compassionate support and companionship for aging individuals are provided by domestic helpers, who ensure daily needs, from medication management to mobility assistance, are met with patience and understanding. Sensitivity to the challenges faced by the elderly, coupled with the ability to perform tasks for a safe and comfortable living environment, is required.

Household Cleaning: Maintaining a clean and organized living environment involves a systematic approach to various cleaning tasks, including dusting, vacuuming, and deep-cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. Domestic helpers must manage their time effectively to ensure regular attention to all home areas, keeping the household hygienic and orderly.

Laundry and Ironing: Sorting clothes by color, fabric type, and washing instructions prevents garment damage and extends their longevity. Familiarity with various types of ironing equipment and knowledge of fabric-specific temperature settings are necessary for presenting clothes in their best condition, reflecting the household’s standards.

Domestic Helper Work Environment

Domestic helpers often find themselves in varied physical settings, primarily within their employers’ homes. Their workspace is as diverse as the tasks at hand, from kitchens and living rooms to outdoor areas, requiring adaptability to different environments. The tools and equipment used are generally household items, from cleaning supplies to cooking utensils, emphasizing the need for familiarity with a wide range of domestic tools.

Work hours can be irregular, with expectations for flexibility depending on the employers’ needs, which might include weekends or evenings. Typically, there’s an informal dress code, prioritizing practical and comfortable attire suitable for a range of tasks, from cleaning to childcare.

The social environment is unique, often blending professional boundaries with a personal touch, given the intimate nature of the work. Interaction levels vary, from working independently to engaging closely with household members. Health and safety considerations are paramount, with attention to proper use of cleaning chemicals and ergonomics to prevent injury.

In such a setting, the pace of work, noise level, and emotional environment can fluctuate daily, requiring a high degree of adaptability and emotional resilience from the domestic helper. Opportunities for professional development might be limited within the role itself but gaining skills in various household tasks can be valuable. Technology use is minimal, focusing on basic household appliances and possibly coordinating schedules or tasks through smartphones or computers. Work-life balance and accessibility are largely dependent on the specific arrangements with the employer, with some roles offering live-in options that blend boundaries between work and personal space.

Advancement Prospects

Domestic helpers can advance their careers by specializing in areas such as elderly care, childcare, or housekeeping management. Gaining experience in these niches can lead to positions such as senior caregivers or head housekeepers, where responsibilities and salaries are higher.

To accomplish this, domestic helpers should seek employment opportunities that allow them to work closely with their area of interest. For example, those looking to move into elderly care can start by working in households with aging family members, gradually taking on more specialized tasks related to elder care.

Additionally, domestic helpers can enhance their prospects by becoming proficient in languages spoken by their employers, especially in multicultural cities. This skill not only improves communication but also opens doors to working for high-net-worth individuals or expatriate families, where demand and compensation for skilled domestic helpers are often higher.

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Helping someone with everyday tasks in the home

Knowing how to do everyday tasks around the home may seem like it is just common sense. But many carers report that these tasks often become a lot more difficult when you have to do them for and with someone you care for. You often have to relearn how to do them completely.

Below are just a selection of the many and varied tasks that you may need to carry out regularly. We have included some further details about what each task may involve, what might be required from you, as well as some tips from other carers to make it as easy as possible.

Help with eating and drinking

One of the most fundamental ways that a carer can help their friend or relative is by ensuring they have plenty of nutritionally-balanced food and drink. This is particularly vital if they are unwell, as one of the best ways to fight illness, maintain their immune system and boost their energy levels is through ensuring they eat well and stay hydrated.

For most people, this means getting six to eight glasses of water and three balanced meals every day. Their meals should include a mix of:

• At least five portions of fruit or vegetables.
• Starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta.
• Dairy like milk, cheese or yogurt.
• Proteins such as beans, fish, eggs or meat.

The NHS Eatwell Guide gives more advice about how to prepare balanced meals, as well as ideas for easy and healthy recipes you might like to try.

If your friend or family member has one of the many conditions that can require a more specialised diet, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis or dementia, then your assistance with this element of their care can be even more vital to keeping them healthy. Talk to their medical team for further advice about any particular foods to be encouraged or avoided. In these cases, your caring role could also extend to helping them to learn which foods they should and shouldn’t eat and how to decipher a food label to see if it is suitable.

Even when trying to ensure their meals are balanced, healthy and in line with any specialised diet they might require, it is still important to try and involve the person you care for in choosing their food and drink as much as possible. Take time to find out what they like and don’t like and what their favourite meals are. Don’t necessarily rely on what you remember their preferences to be. Not only is it nice to be asked what you would like, but somebody’s tastes can also change over time or due to illness.

It is not just knowing what they should eat that can be complicated for carers, but also how it should be prepared. In some cases this is guided by the person you care for’s medical needs: if they have problems with chewing and swallowing, they may need meals that are easier to eat like purees, mashed food and long-cooked stews and soups. It can also make a big difference to the person you are caring for if you take into consideration how they like their food to be prepared. Something as simple as cutting their sandwich into halves when they have always cut them into triangles can be quite upsetting when you already feel like so much of your life is out of your control. Anything that makes them feel like their normal life is still there and that their preferences are respected can help hugely.

With so many things to consider, it can be very tempting to just step in and make meals yourself for the person you care for, especially when you are already very busy. But it is better, if possible, to support them to be able to accomplish tasks themselves as much as they can, by working together with them to prepare the meal safely. This not only keeps up their skills but can also help their self-esteem, and they may even enjoy it! Why not also cook for yourself at the same time and use meals as an chance to sit down and eat together, turning it into a nice opportunity to socialise too.

We understand though that it can be difficult to find the time in a busy day to ensure that this happens. Some tips that can help to make it more convenient include:

• Planning the meals for the week ahead, and then buying the ingredients needed in advance. This can take the stress out of having to decide what to make every day.
• Batch cooking , where together you prepare food for multiple meals in one go. You could make a big pot of soup, stew, chilli or curry, for instance, then divide it into smaller portions and freeze them. That way there is a meal that is ready to grab and reheat on particularly busy days.
• Ordering shopping online , which can soon become much quicker and easier than going to the supermarket.

It is also important to not always rely on your friend or relative to say when they are thirsty or hungry. Particular conditions, including Alzheimer’s, stroke or old age, can diminish feelings of hunger or thirst. Also, if the person you care for worries about struggling when they need to use the toilet, prepare meals or wash up dishes, this can also lead to them making an effort to eat and drink less. This means they may not always ask for food or drink, even if they really need it. It can also mean you may need to make amends to how they eat and drink. For instance, if the person you care for has a reduced appetite, they may struggle to eat much during their meals so require frequent snacks in between to provide them with enough calories. Or you may need to increase the flavour in their food through things like herbs and spices to counteract their diminished taste buds.

Help with washing, grooming and dressing

These tasks make up a significant portion of what is known as ‘personal care’. This can cover a wide variety of different tasks, including helping your friend or relative to bathe, comb their hair, brush their teeth, cut their nails, apply creams and lotions, put on make-up, shave, and get dressed and undressed. It is often having to help with tasks like these that makes people realise they have become a ‘carer’, rather than just someone who provides normal day-to-day support for a friend or family member.

Helping someone who struggles with these things is crucial. Without help they could try and do them alone when they are not physically able to and injure themselves, for instance by slipping on a wet floor, falling when getting in or out of the bath or burning themselves on hot water. Or alternatively, they may just avoid washing, grooming or dressing themselves entirely, which can impact on both their physical and mental health.

Because of the nature of this type of care, it is even more important to allow the person you care for to do as much as they can of each of these tasks for themselves. This will allow them to retain as much dignity as possible. They may only need you to set up a safe environment for them or to give them reminders. Or they may just need your help to get in and out of the bath, and want to then be left alone to wash themselves. Even if you do need to be present to supervise them, it is good to try and be as discreet as possible and avert your eyes.

For those elements that you do have to do for your friend or relative, it is worth talking to them to find out what their preferences are for these activities. For instance, you could find out whether they prefer a bath or shower, what temperature they like the water at, if they want to wash their hair or their body first, whether they prefer to wash in the morning or the evening, or if they have any particular toiletries that they like to use. Simple things like having the chance to choose their own clothes for the day – even if it is just a choice between two outfits you have picked out, to make it simpler – can make them feel empowered and more in control of their own life.

It is also important to give them notice in advance of when these tasks are going to happen so they can prepare themselves and it is not an unpleasant surprise for them. Anything else you can do to minimise their discomfort, such as having a warm towel and clothes ready for when they get out the bath, can also help. It can also be nice to think of treats you could provide such as bubble bath, candles or even a professional massage or spa treatment. These can help them to relax, give them something to look forward to, and counter some of the potentially negative associations they might have with being helped with such personal tasks.

Help with incontinence and going to the toilet

Helping your friend or relative to go to the toilet can feel even more invasive than helping with washing and dressing them. It is often the part of caring that people say is the hardest for both them and the person they are caring for.

There are a range of different tasks that they may need help with in order to go to the toilet. They could need support getting to the bathroom and then sitting down when they get there. You may need to help them with undoing zips and buttons or removing some of their clothes. They may need you to pass them toilet paper, or you may need to clean them yourself afterwards. And then you may need to help them wash their hands when they are finished.

It is common for people who require help using the toilet to get urinary tract infections from holding it in, so making it as pleasant as possible for them can make a big difference. Try to be patient and sensitive. Reassure them and put them at their ease. It is good to try and give them as much privacy as possible during this process by either leaving the room or turning away from them. Ask them to tell you when they are finished, rather than guessing yourself. It can also help to make sure the whole process isn’t rushed, and that the person you care for feels they have plenty of time.

If they have a condition that makes it difficult for them to communicate their needs or to realise they need the toilet, then try to look out for more subtle ways they might communicate they need to go, such as fidgeting or standing up and down a lot. You could also consider providing them with a flashcard or picture of a toilet for them to either hold up or point at.

If the person you care for suffers from incontinence, this can make trying to get them to the toilet much more urgent which can add to the stress of the situation and increase the risk of them getting injured. It can also lead to more accidents, meaning having to change their clothes and sheets more often. Or the person you care for may not be able to use a toilet, for instance if they cannot get out of bed or if the bathroom is on another floor and they struggle to climb the stairs. In these cases, other options such as incontinence pads, bedpans, sheaths or commodes might be helpful. See our guide ' Equipment and assistive aids to help the person you care for ' for more information on all the options available.

Helping someone to use the toilet is one of the bits of being a carer than can have the greatest impact on your relationship. It may be worth considering whether there is another option for this care, such as hiring in external carers if you can afford them. Take a look at our guide ' How your relationships can change when you become a carer ' for further advice about managing your relationship with the person you care for.

Help with sleep

It is common for older people or those with health conditions to have trouble sleeping. This could be because they are in pain or discomfort, it could be a symptom of their illness (dementia, for example, can affect a person’s body clock), or it could be due to emotional or mental health issues including stress, depression and anxiety. However, getting a good night’s sleep can make a world of difference. Sleep boosts the immune system, helps the body to repair itself and allows the mind to de-stress. [1]

There are a few things you can do to help the person you care for get a better night’s sleep:

• You could encourage your friend or relative to limit the amount of caffeine they have by cutting back on things like coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks and even chocolate, especially towards the end of the day.
• If they drink alcohol regularly, you could suggest they avoid it as this can also disrupt sleep for some people.
• Why not introduce a relaxing bedtime routine for them, including things like having a soak in a warm bath, making them a cup of camomile tea, listening to calming classical music or reading them a book? It can be worth trying a few different things to see what works best for them. The most crucial part though is consistency – whatever you decide to do, make sure it is the same every night.
• It is often counterproductive for them to lie in bed for a long time, tossing and turning and getting increasingly frustrated that they can’t sleep. You could let them know that it can sometimes help to get up and do something else for a bit , such as reading a book, before going back to bed and trying again.
• If they haven’t had much sleep the night before, it might help for them to have a short daytime nap to top up their sleep. Be careful about them having a nap too late in the day though or for too long, as it might stop them falling asleep that night. You might want to gently wake them if they seem to be napping too long or too late.

If you find they are regularly struggling to sleep, and particularly if it is impacting their life in other ways, it could be worth talking to their GP or their wider medical team about any support they can provide.

It can also be hard for you as their carer if their sleep issues regularly disturb your sleep too. Being sleep deprived can make every part of your own role harder. If you are finding it too difficult to manage, you could consider getting a paid carer in overnight to look after your friend or relative when they wake so that you can have a good night’s rest. If you aren’t able to do this, then it might be worth instead trying to arrange to have a break so that you can rest and recuperate. Check out our guide ' Taking breaks as a carer ' for more details.

Help with cleaning, tidying, gardening and maintenance

Many people who require care also need at least some help with keeping on top of their day-to-day household chores. These tasks could include vacuuming, dusting, mopping, washing dishes, doing laundry, changing bedding and making the bed. There could also be low-level maintenance tasks like changing a light bulb or plunging a toilet, or gardening jobs like watering plants, cutting hedges, weeding and lawnmowing that need doing. And if they have a pet, they could need feeding and walking too.

These household chores can sometimes be the first things to fall by the wayside for people who are struggling to manage by themselves. But if they are not done, it can add significantly to their stress and upset. It can also be bad for their health, through being unhygienic and providing potential trip hazards. And it can have wider repercussions – if they are embarrassed that their house isn’t clean and tidy, then they might not allow their friends and family to come and visit them leading to them becoming increasingly isolated. And once they get behind on doing these tasks, it can build up and build up until it feels impossible for them to get back on top of it.

Any assistance you can provide to help them manage these household chores can therefore make a big difference to their overall wellbeing. Although this can often mean just doing them yourself, it is still better to try and include the person you are caring for as much as possible. If they struggle to stand at the sink for a long time to wash dishes, for instance, you could do that part but get them to sit next to you and dry up instead. This is also an area where equipment and aids can be particularly helpful as there are lots and lots of options available that can make it easier for them to complete household chores independently. Take a look at our guide ' Equipment and assistive aids to help the person you care for ' for more information.

If you are finding you are spending far more time than you would like doing their household chores and you would prefer to be spending your available time actually with your friend or relative instead, then it may be useful to hire in help from a cleaner, laundry service, gardener, dog walker or handyman.

Help with medical tasks

Another part of your caring role could be helping your friend or relative with some of their less complicated medical needs. Anything particularly involved, like stomas and catheters, will likely be dealt with by a medical professional such as a community nurse. But there are other elements which may end up falling to you as their carer.

For instance, they may need help with medication. This could be anything from reminding them to take it at certain times of day, to organising repeat prescriptions and administering some medicines yourself, including some injections. They may also need help with other tasks, such as changing dressings or bandages.

It is normal for carers to feel worried or concerned about having responsibility for someone’s medications. It can be daunting being in charge of something so important, especially if there a number of medications for you to coordinate or this is the first time you have had this responsibility. Rest assured that you are not on your own, and that there is a lot of support available to help you feel more at ease. You can clarify any questions you may have with the person you are caring for’s medical team when the medication is prescribed. They will want to make sure that you fully understand what is required, so will be happy to help. If at a later stage you feel like you would benefit from some further support with understanding any medications, your local pharmacy can provide additional information and reassurance. Just get in touch with them and ask for their New Medicine Service (NMS).

You also may end up being the person you care for's advocate for all medical issues, making sure that their voice is heard, their conditions taken seriously and that they receive the treatment they need. If you feel that you would like some assistance with this part of the role, then it may be worth looking into getting an independent advocate for them. This is somebody who is separate to social services and the NHS whose role is solely to speak up for the patient and to make sure that they are heard. If you think this is something that would be helpful, take a look at our guide ' Getting an independent advocate '.

Help with administration, financial and legal matters

Another of the tasks that can often fall to a carer is assisting with all of the administration that your friend or relative may now struggle with. This could include making sure their bills are paid and that they are receiving all the benefits and other support they are entitled to. It can also mean ensuring that there is a plan for their care, with a timetable of when everyone is going to be looking after them. It can even include things like sending birthday and Christmas cards to their loved ones on their behalf.

Emotional support and companionship

Emotional support for your friend or relative is an often overlooked element of being a carer. People needing care are often at risk of suffering with their mental health and of being socially isolated and lonely. Providing emotional support and companionship are therefore two absolutely vital elements of looking after somebody.

The best way to provide emotional support and companionship for somebody is to simply to spend time with them. Talk to them about how they are feeling, listen to them when they talk to you and provide reassurance and support if they are upset or anxious. Simply being there with them and providing a reassuring presence and a friendly face can sometimes be enough to help them feel a bit better. Treat them as though you are just their friend or relative rather than also their carer. Although your days can sometimes seem overwhelmingly busy, it is important to take time out to sit down with the person you are caring for and have a chat, perhaps over a cup of tea in the garden or during a meal.

It can also help if you facilitate them getting emotional support and companionship from other sources. This could be by arranging for them to speak to or see their other friends and relatives. Or it could be through arranging for them to speak to a trained counsellor about any problems they might be facing.

Have fun together

Being a carer for someone doesn’t have to be all about work. Bringing some light-hearted fun to your friend or relative's life is also a really important part of your role. It deserves to be prioritised as much as washing the dishes or brushing their hair.

It’s important that the activities you choose to do together are fun for you both, so speak to the person you are caring for about what they would like to do. Ask them about their favourite games, hobbies and interests, and see which ones could be adapted to be suitable for you both to do together. This could be playing a game of Scrabble, doing a crossword, watching an episode of a soap opera you both enjoy, having a sing-a-long, or looking through old photographs together.

Don’t forget to trust your own instincts

The day-to-day lives of carers can be very varied so not all our advice may be applicable to you and the person you care for. Not only are there vast differences in the needs of every person that is cared for, but there are also very big differences between the role that each carer takes on. Some carers even find that their tasks can vary hugely from one day to the next.

We have therefore provided a general overview of the most common tasks and the things that other carers say have helped them. This is not a substitute for your own experience and instincts as a carer though, and if you feel that anything we have recommended wouldn’t work well for you or for the person you care for, then that should definitely trump our advice. We hope that everyone should be able to find some ideas here that work for them and their situation.

Further support

For each of these tasks, you may be assisted in a more substantial way by either getting training in a particular area, using specially-designed aids and equipment or having your home adapted. For more information about any of these areas, take a look at our guides ' Training to help you in your caring role ', ' Equipment and assistive aids to help the person you care for ' and ' Home adaptations to help the person you care for '. We also have a separate topic covering tasks outside of the home. See our guide ' Helping someone to get out and about ' for further details.

Online Help and Advice

Visit our online support section where we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics to help you in your caring role.

11 Best Home Robots in 2024, According to Tech Experts and Engineers

Useful domestic robots for home cleaning, daily assistance, companionship and more.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , our Media & Tech lab tests the latest innovations, ranging from consumer electronics such as smart home devices to household appliances like smart air conditioners . While home robots aren't all mainstream technology, we've tested and reviewed several top models for performance capabilities, ease of use and tech specifications. These are the best home robots to help you out in 2022 according to our pros.

Our top picks:

Best Home Robot for Grill Cleaning

Grillbot automatic grill cleaning robot.

Best Home Robot for Lawn Mowing

Husqvarna automower 115h.

Best Home Robot Pet

Sony aibo companion robot.

Best Home Robot for Home Monitoring

Amazon astro.

Best home robot for pool cleaning

Dolphin nautilus.

Best Home Robot for Window Cleaning

Gladwell gecko robot window cleaner.

Best Home Robot for Floor Cleaning

Roborock s7 robot vacuum and mop.

Best STEM Education Home Robot

Wonder workshop dash.

Best Home Robot for Creative Development

Lego boost creative toolbox.

Best Home Robot Assistant

Vector vector 2.0.

If you find that your grill always seems to cling to residue after a barbeque no matter how hard you try to get it off, the Grillbot is a handy little tool that'll help do the scrubbing and scrapping on the grill grate for you! All you have to do is turn it on, close the grill and once it's done cleaning it'll sound an alarm. Though our Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation lab pros haven't yet had the chance to test it in the Lab, our engineers like that this gadget is powered by three electric motors, is equipped with three nylon brushes and can be used on hot or cold surfaces up to 250 degrees.

Sometimes mowing the lawn when it's scorching hot outside is an activity best avoided, and that's where this home robot comes in. Able to cover 0.4 acres and cut grass that's up to 3.6" tall, this robotic mower is perfect for small to mid-sized gardens and yards. But if you have a larger backyard, you can always opt for the feature-rich and smart home-friendly Husqvarna Automower 430X . In our tests, Chief Technologist and Head Engineer, Rachel Rothman , found that this robot lawnmower, which hails from a reliable brand, worked very well and is a worthy investment.

To get started with the automower, you'll need to install guide and boundary wires, but then you're free to sit back and relax. When it comes to battery life, this lawnmower is a lot like a robot vacuum and will head back to its recharging station when it needs more juice. Rothman says, "the app is surprisingly intuitive and easy once all set up, but it does mean that the mower is running for far longer than a traditional lawnmower would have to."

Want a dog but can't handle all that fur or a rigorous walking schedule? Enter aibo, the robotic pup that doesn't shed and certainly doesn't need to go out for walks (but you can still train it to do tricks, go potty and eat virtual food)! Though it's not a replacement for a real pet, aibo has a wide range of sensors built in to help respond and react accordingly to humans, though it does require a cloud plan to store data, grow and evolve. "Its expressions were impressively life-like. Though aibo doesn't look like a real pet by any means, we were impressed with the detail and natural movements," says Rothman.

Though Astro isn't available to the general public quite yet, this robot is worth mentioning for its home monitoring and assistant capabilities, and you can request an invitation to purchase one now. Able to check on specific rooms while you're away and send activity alerts , Astro keeps an eye on everything. It can also play music, podcasts and shows, bring snacks and help you make calls or set reminders with Alexa. Don't want to hunt down your kids to tell them dinner is on the table? Leave it to Astro! It also can be integrated with a Ring Protect Pro plan for enhanced home security when you're out of town.

Concerned this Alexa on wheels will hear everything? Turning off the mics, cameras and motion is simple with a physical button, and you can program out-of-bound zones like a bedroom or bathroom.

If you have a pool in your backyard but find it a hassle to clean the floors and walls (we can't blame you), this robot from Dolphin is suitable for pools with a length up to 50 feet. According to the manufacturer, this robot filters out dirt and debris and leaves your pool clean in two hours. Though the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab hasn't tested it out yet, our pros think this is a useful tool for regular pool maintenance and upkeep.

We all know cleaning the windows can be a daunting task, but this home robot helps you reach all the hard-to-reach corners of your windows. Though our engineers haven't tested this tool out yet in the Lab, suction technology is used to stick the robot to your windows and you can then manually control it through an app to get even the hardest to reach corners. The microfiber pads, which scrub the windows gently, are washable for future use.

Ranked as one of the Good Housekeeping Institute's best robot vacuums and winner of the 2021 Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards , this 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop can handle all sorts of floors, from bare hardwood to carpets . Our Cleaning Lab experts found the setup easy and the app a breeze, and they praised the robot's high-end features such as using sound waves to scrub and the ability to create custom cleaning schedules for individual rooms.

Home robots aren't just for helping out with household chores — they can also be a great source of education for young ones! Voted one of the Good Housekeeping Institute's best STEM toys for kids , Dash is a robotic toy that not only responds to voice commands but comes with five free apps that introduce coding and critical thinking skills through fun projects and puzzles. Able to also sing, draw and move around, there's no doubt that Dash will keep kids engaged. Rothman loves that it introduces robotics and coding to kids in an engaging, kid-friendly way and can level up with them as they acclimate to the basic functions.

This 840-piece mega set is made for LEGO lovers and children between the ages of 7 to 12 who want a taste of coding and robotics . All you have to do is download the free LEGO Boost app and you can bring to life five different robots, ranging from a rover to a guitar or cat! In addition to building robots, kids can participate in more than 60 activities found in the app and complete challenges that improve coding skills. Rothman loves that it makes coding approachable with a simple drag-and-drop interface, teaching kids all about loops and variables while simultaneously strengthening problem-solving, creativity and imaginative play skills.

Once your child grows out of this toolbox, you can upgrade to the more complex LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor for more unique, stimulating designs to build.

Vector 2.0 is the robot sidekick whose company you won't mind. Able to take photos, answer questions, set reminders and avoid obstacles as it navigates your home , this little robot is both delightful and entertaining and can assist you with day-to-day tasks. Vector can even react to touch and give you a fist bump if you ask and it recognizes faces and may even greet you by name, though it does require a membership subscription.

ElliQ ElliQ

ElliQ is a home robot companion best suited for elderly folks or loved ones who are looking for a little extra support than you'd get with Alexa or Google Assistant. This voice-activated robot provides companionship, health and wellness support, entertainment and more. For instance, ElliQ is able to initiate conversations and remember context to inform future follow-up conversations, like asking how your day was. Able to build relationships, this home robot offers more than basic functions and features, though it does require a subscription.

How we choose the best home robots

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Cleaning, Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation, Parenting Lab and Media & Tech Lab experts have tested thousands of products and innovations across industries. To choose the best home robots, analysts and engineering pros evaluated each home robot for ease of use and performance capabilities, also considering brand experience, industry expertise and tech specifications. As home robot technology advances and evolves, our pros will continue to attend demos and test the latest models and editions as they hit the market.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski oversees product testing and covers everything from connected devices to appliances, health, home and fitness. With a B.A. from George Washington University and a master’s in communications from Sciences Po Paris, Olivia has several years of experience writing about tech and trends. She continues to stay on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best gadgets to hit the market.

Rachel Rothman , Chief Technologist and head engineer, has a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics with a mathematics minor from the University of Pennsylvania and has been at GH for 14 years. She leads efforts for the constant evolution of GH’s technical and testing protocols, responding both to market drivers and growth opportunities. Rachel is the lead expert and key brand ambassador for GH across a number of categories — including electronics, smart home, automotive, toys, parenting, fitness, tech, startups and more — and a sought-after speaker at large-scale events like CES.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

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How many household chores can you automate right now?

We break down the smart home gadgets to get you out of doing chores.

Ever since the first washing machine was invented over two centuries ago, we've been trying to get out of doing our chores. And now, thanks to lazy people-turned-tech-developers, we're halfway there. Robot vacuums roam thousands of homes, and it seems like you'll be able to avoid almost all your chores in a few years.

But it's 2017, and the question is, how many chores can you automate right now? Here's the breakdown.

Robot vacuums have come into their own in the past few years. Sure, they're pricier than their hand-pushed brethren, but some, like the Neato Botvac Connected Robot Vacuum , perform competitively with the best conventional vacuums on the market.

Here's the one problem: robot vacuums -- even smart ones that map house layouts effectively -- still suffer from limited mobility. They can't traverse stairs, they won't snag crumbs your kid left on the couch, and they will occasionally get stuck or miss spots.

Can you automate vacuuming? Yes... ish. But you might need a hand vac to finish the stairs and furniture.

Mowing the lawn

The chore I hated most as a kid was mowing the lawn. Okay, to be honest I still hate it the most. But push and riding mowers might soon be a thing of the past. Last year, one CNET editor tried out the Robomow RS612 -- think: Roomba for your lawn -- and actually liked it. The robot lawnmower kept the lawn tidy over time, and it was a relatively hands-off experience.

Robomow wasn't perfect, though. First, its efforts were thwarted by rain and wet grass. Second, yards with steep grades or large acreage are off the table for the robot mower. Plus, its going rate is $1,600 (about £1,250 or AU$2,134 -- a lot more than push mowers , and even some riding mowers .

Can you automate mowing the lawn? Surprisingly, yes. It even works pretty well.

Dishes and laundry

Dishwashers and washing machines are pretty standard fare these days, whether you live in a house or an apartment. Some of these large appliances are adding extra smarts -- such as self-ordering detergent pods using Amazon Dash , and allowing users to check cycle statuses by asking Alexa.

Of course, we still haven't seen a robot that can fold your laundry (well, not one available for purchase ) or put up the clean dishes, so you'll still have some work to do.

Can you automate dishwashing and laundry? Sure. But the process hasn't changed much in 50 years.

Feeding the family

Whether you're making dinner for yourself or cooking for the whole family, this chore can take up tons of time everyday. But some cooking devices are trying to help make it a more painless process. For anyone who wants their meal to cook itself while they catch up on "Bob's Burgers," sous vide immersion cookers and slow cookers might be your solutions. Both small appliances are relatively hands-free after you finish the preparations -- but you'll have to plan ahead.

If you like cooking, but you hate burning your pancakes -- oh, and have $650 to blow -- the Hestan Cue also adds automation to cooking. The smart pan-and-induction-cooktop walk you step-by-step through recipes, adjusting the temperature for you, and telling you when to flip the flapjacks via the app. It's a cool device, albeit imperfect and expensive.

Can you automate cooking dinner? To a degree. Smart cookware seems more like a sous chef than a personal chef.

Feeding the pets

I know, I know: pets are part of the family. But feeding them is different, which means automating that process is different.

The good news is, smart dog and cat bowls are finally becoming available. The bad news is, they don't work so well yet. When CNET tested the Petnet SmartFeeder , the device worked well for the most part -- holding a few pounds of food, and doling it out on a schedule. Problem was, it clogged a couple times, delivering none or only part of the meal. And when it comes to feeding your pets, even a single missed meal can feel like a pretty big deal.

Can you automate feeding your pets? Sort of. But you won't want to trust your smart bowl that much.

Cleaning the gutters

Teetering on a ladder for hours to clean out your clogged gutters is annoying and can be dangerous. The iRobot Looj 330 claims to solve that problem, trolling your gutters and clearing out dead leaves and debris with its auger.

While CNET hasn't tested the Looj, users seem to have mixed feelings about it. Some report that the Looj has trouble with dense detritus, but others say it takes care of small clogs without much problem.

Can you automate cleaning the gutters? Yes. Although how effective the Looj is likely depends on your particular property.

Cleaning the windows

Spring cleaning gets intense when you start working on the windows -- especially if you have vaulted ceilings.

The good news is a device built exactly to clean windows is on the market. The Winbot attaches to windows like a vertically-inclined robot vacuum, and cleans them using two cleaning pads and a squeegee.

The problem? According to many users, the Winbot leaves streaks. Plus, you have to move the device from window to window, so depending on your house's layout, the Winbot could actually add work. But it's an interesting concept, especially for home owners with larger windows.

Can you automate cleaning the windows? Sure. But you can't automate carrying around the Winbot.

Watering the lawn

If you're serious about lawn care, you may already have an automated irrigation system with timed sprinklers. But a growing contingent of retrofit devices adds more smarts and convenience to these systems. Devices like the Sprinkl Conserve and Blossom Smart Watering Controller will cancel watering schedules if it rains, and lets users control their sprinklers with an app. The Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller even adds voice control through the Amazon Echo.

The down side of these devices is they require an existing irrigation system. A few alternative options do exist, like the Edyn water valve, a hose-fed device.

Can you automate watering the lawn? Yes.

Can you automate your chores?

Technology has done a surprisingly good job of automating chores, but as you can see with most of these, none of the solutions are perfect. Whether that automation actually adds work, or just takes a little oversight depends on the chore. But in 10 years, maybe all the chore-bots will be as standard -- and as dependable -- as a washing machine.

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I’m Starting to Think My Husband Is Not Feminist Enough for Me

This mother’s day fight really brought up a lot..

Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column.  Have a question for Care and Feeding?  Submit it here .

Dear Care and Feeding,

My husband of eight years is a great guy. Attentive and devoted dad to our two kids, very hands-on, and splits the household work and child care, etc. We have had some issues—we argue a lot—exacerbated by my anxiety and periodic mild depression, which I’m seeking treatment for.

Recently, he asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day. A few times actually, and when the first couple of ideas looked like they weren’t going to work out (no brunch offered, no reservations available, etc.), he described a third option. I snapped at him, “Can you just plan it? I don’t want to take on all this emotional labor.”

Not only was he offended, but he stated that he has never heard of the phrase “emotional labor.” I was incredulous! Look it up, I said. Women do all the emotional labor. To which he replied that I am always bringing up gender dynamics and basically hating on men …

I couldn’t believe he had never heard that, and although we do share the work around here pretty equally, I am the one who the kids cry to and who buys birthday presents for friends’ birthday parties, etc.

I guess I’m also disappointed that he’s not as progressive as me. He wouldn’t rush to describe himself as a feminist; he remains “understanding” of friends who hold conservative positions (whereas I am still mystified about how a young person could tolerate the homophobia/transphobia/sexism of the right). Am I right to feel annoyed about being asked to weigh in on Mother’s Day plans?

—Labor Explainer

Dear Explainer,

There are a couple of different things going on here. Let’s start with the specific issue. You have the right to feel any way you feel, and what you wanted out of Mother’s Day was for someone else—him—to take the lead on making plans. When he didn’t, you felt annoyed. He also has the right to feel any way he feels, and my guess is that he feels upset that he thought he was giving you something you wanted, and then you snapped at him. This is worth revisiting, in a calmer, more retrospective way—with no one using this extremely common disagreement as a launchpad into recriminations or grievance-airing or a global audit of anyone’s personal politics. You tell him how you felt; he tells you how he felt; you both commit to trying to communicate more clearly and taking each other’s feelings better into account.

Now, what to do about the broader problem of you feeling as though his ideals and beliefs don’t match yours? Plenty of couples have wonderful, successful relationships despite political differences far more extreme than the ones you’re describing here. (Mary Matalin and James Carville have made whole horrible careers out of it!) From your description it doesn’t sound as though his less-progressive beliefs keep him from contributing equally to most aspects of family life. If you feel he is falling down somewhat on the emotional labor side of things, simply ask him, clearly, to take the initiative on things like this. My guess is the more you tie your request to a grander sociopolitical philosophy, or employ what will sound to his ears like jargon, the more he is likely to roll his eyes. But if he is truly a great guy, he will come around.

In the meantime, I’m glad you’re seeking treatment for your anxiety and depression. You might consider couples counseling as well—talking with a neutral third party could really help both of you identify the stumbling blocks in your communication styles, and help each of you talk about what you want and need in ways that don’t unnecessarily push the other’s buttons.

I’ve grown tired of my husband for many reasons (I’ll specify in a later letter), but one thing has really been bothering me lately.  We have a nanny.  She’s wonderful and goes above and beyond caring for our child and home.  The problem is that my husband, who is terminally lazy, treats her like a maid.  I appreciate that she does dishes and puts away toys at the end of each day, but he has zero problem leaving the house a pigsty each night so that either I clean everything or the nanny walks into a disaster.  I’ve brought it up to him that she is not responsible for cleaning our messes, but he is shameless and does not care.  How do I address this?  I’m regularly left resentful for always being the one to clean or embarrassed that our nanny is doing double duty as a caregiver and housekeeper.

—Sick of Spouse

What on Earth ?! What is this shameless, lazy, careless oaf doing every evening that renders your house a “pigsty”? Wallowing in actual mud?

Remember that last letter, where before Labor Explainer launched into her complaint about her husband, she led off with a couple of sentences of reassurance that really, he’s kind, supportive, a good father, etc.? That’s very common in letters to advice columns, and is code for “Look, I do actually love this person and do not wish to get divorced at this time.” Not only didn’t you bother to do that in your letter, you prefaced your complaint about your husband with the suggestion that there are also a bunch of other things you hate about him, but alas, you do not have time to get into them right now. So before you “address this” issue with him, I want you to address with yourself: What, if anything, does he bring to your family? Do you even have any interest in staying together with him?

If the answer, for some reason, is yes, then you must lay down the law. Neither you nor the nanny is a maid. If he doesn’t agree to clean up after himself, to exhibit some evidence of caring about your household, and perhaps to join you in couples counseling, he should be out on his ass no later than the winter. Use some of the alimony to give your nanny a Christmas bonus.

My husband died six months ago and I am sick of being in this house. It is too big, too empty, and has too many ghosts. I want to move back near my family and downsize to a smaller place.

My problem is that my two stepchildren refuse to discuss taking their belongings out. Both of them lived here during their college years and use the house as free storage after their mother moved back east. There are boxes and boxes of just stuff cluttering closets.

Most of their father’s valuables went to them: his watch, their grandmother’s jewelry, his car, etc. But my husband loved to golf and work wood. His woodshop has unfinished projects that bring tears to my eyes. I have tried to discuss donating the shop on the condition someone finishes the projects and my stepdaughter screamed in my face. She accused me of being greedy.

I know they are hurting, but I feel myself being hollowed out here. They both have their own places and any time I try to speak about them coming to get their stuff or seeing if there is anything else they want, they tell me that don’t have time and it is too hard for them.

What do I do here?

I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry that in their grief, your stepchildren are making it more difficult to take the steps you need to in your life. But you have a right to move forward. Put the house on the market. Do it as soon as possible. Let your stepchildren know you are doing so, politely but without putting it up for discussion. If they respond unkindly, do not rise to the bait.

Set a firm, clear deadline for when they must remove their things—perhaps this is closing date, or perhaps for staging reasons you need them to do it sooner—and let them know that you’ll have to dispose of, or donate, anything that’s left behind.

You can communicate all of this kindly, telling your stepchildren that you know it’s difficult to grapple with all this in the face of loss. Nonetheless, it must be done, and a firm deadline will ensure that it will.

Years ago, I gave my mother a hand-crafted piece of art for Christmas. It was never going to be on display at a museum anywhere, but it was fun and I loved seeing it every time I visited her home. This year, she thought my son needed a holiday decoration for his apartment, so she and a friend decided to hot-glue some old Christmas ornaments to my artwork and regift it. I feel like she just vandalized something that she never valued as art. I would gladly have taken it off her hands if she didn’t want it. Now I can’t look at it without getting angry. Am I wrong to be insulted by this? Do I say something or just let it slide?

—Regifting Regret

Dear Regret,

Look, in an ideal world, perhaps she might have asked before hot-gluing a bunch of tchotchkes to a gift you made for her. But once you give someone a present, it’s theirs, not yours, to decide what to do with it. She could have thrown it in the trash, or given it to Goodwill, or buried it in the yard while shouting “abomination!” Instead, she did a thoughtful thing for your son, who now is faced with the unique dilemma of owning a twice-gifted homemade sculpture covered in Christmas crap. What will he do with it?! Give yourself the gift of not being precious about this object, and let it go.