The Cleaning + Laundry Routine of a Mom with Four Kids
Some routines are born out of necessity, others from inspiration—and sometimes, they come from a little bit of both. In today’s This Routine Life community feature, we’re spotlighting Allyson, a mom of four (ages 10, 8, 7, and 1), who’s figured out a system to keep her house clean and stay on top of laundry before it becomes overwhelming.
As moms, we all know how quickly the mess can take over—especially when there are little ones running around. What starts as “I’ll get to it later” can easily turn into laundry piles that seem to multiply overnight. But with a little structure (and a routine that actually fits your season of life), those everyday tasks can feel a lot more manageable.
Allyson’s routine is a great example of how small, intentional habits can bring a sense of calm and order to even the busiest household.
What routine/self-care habit would you like to share with the This Routine Life community?
I would like to share my weekly cleaning and laundry routine. This routine helps me stay on top of cleaning without it ever feeling like an all-day project. It’s a simple but powerful routine that gives me more time to enjoy my family—and less time stressing about the mess.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
Four kids: 10, 8, 7 and 1
When and how did you start this routine/habit?
About a year ago, I started my laundry routine after Kristen suggested giving each person their own laundry day. From there, I added in specific days for washing linens and cleaning rags, too.
I created my cleaning routine around the same time because I was feeling completely overwhelmed trying to do everything every day. I finally realized I was setting myself up with unrealistic expectations—and that spreading tasks out throughout the week made everything feel so much more doable.
Related Post: 7 Different Laundry Routines
How consistent are you with this routine/habit?
I definitely have days where I slack a little, but for the most part, it’s something I keep up with every day. It’s not always perfect, but consistency is what keeps it working!
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How is your life different because you make time for this routine/habit?
My home stays presentable at all times, and laundry no longer feels like a daunting task. I finally feel in control of my days because I know exactly what needs to get done — and when I’m going to do it. Thanks to Kristen’s help with time blocking, I now have a “morning routine” block that includes my daily cleaning and laundry tasks.
Related Post: How to Time Block Your Schedule as a Stay-at-Home Mom
How do you treat yourself if you miss a day of your routine/habit?
I don’t make a big deal out of missing a day. I show myself grace and shift missed tasks to the next day.
Why do you think you’ve been so consistent?
The outcome is so rewarding! Looking around my house and seeing a clean, clutter free home (and knowing I put in the time to make this happen) makes my mind calmer.
If we were to watch you go through your routine/habit, what would we see?
I have daily tasks and weekly tasks. My everyday task includes wiping down surfaces in the bathroom, cleaning the kitchen, tidying up the living room and bedrooms, sweeping and cleaning glass doors.
Each day has a special cleaning chore assigned as well:
- Monday: Laundry- Mine. Dust ceiling fans, mop kitchen/dining room, dust dining room blinds
- Tuesday: Laundry- Girls. Disinfect light switches, door knobs, phones, tablets and remotes
- Wednesday: Laundry- Boys. Mop and dust bedrooms
- Thursday: Laundry- Darks & Whites. Clean tv screens and mop bathroom floors
- Friday: Laundry- Dish Rags, Kitchen Towels and Cleaning Rags. Mop and dust living room and hallway. Dust living room and blinds.
- Saturday: Laundry- Bedding, Towels, Rags. Clean shower walls and appliance exteriors
- Sunday: Laundry- Bonnets & Headscarves. Scrub stovetop and clean microwave.
Related Post: A Realistic Cleaning Routine for Busy Moms
How do you make time for this routine/habit?
I organize my tasks into time blocks throughout the day — it helps me stay focused and realistic about what actually fits into my schedule. If something doesn’t get done during my morning block, I don’t stress about it. I just move it to my “overflow block,” which is that golden hour before the kids get out of school. It’s my built-in buffer to catch up on anything I missed so I can wrap up the day feeling accomplished instead of behind.
What advice do you have to give to a mom who wants to start making time for herself or wants to start a new routine, but is struggling to make it happen?
Play around with different routines until you find what truly works for your family. Start by writing out the things you must do each day, then assign them a time and build from there. Whether you use your phone calendar or a paper planner, create checklists and set alarms to help you stay on track and hold yourself accountable.
And if you’re feeling stuck, I highly recommend collaborating with Kristen to create a block schedule — that became the foundation for building a cleaning and laundry routine that actually works for my household.
If you’re interested in creating a time block schedule and task management system to lessen your overwhelm and help you enjoy motherhood more, just like Allyson did, check out the “Routine Mom Coaching” program by clicking here!
