Zone Cleaning Made Easy: Free Printable Cleaning Schedule
Zone cleaning is a simple house cleaning plan that is perfect for busy moms. Grab a printable zone cleaning planner and get started with your new, organized home cleaning system.
What if I told you that I only spend about an hour once or twice a week cleaning my home? You’d probably think that I was lying, that my kids must not makes messes, or that my house is really dirty. But none of that is actually true.
Afterall, we’re a homeschooling family, with 3 very active boys. We have a small homestead, and I give it my best effort to cook most of our meals from scratch. All of that means that our house can, and does, get really chaotic and messy on a daily basis.
I also value a clean and tidy space. I don’t work well, or feel great, when my home isn’t clean. But I don’t have tons of time to spend deep cleaning each week.
This is why deep cleaning by zones is perfect for my busy schedule. Let me show you how I do it!
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Quick Guide to Zone Cleaning
Before you get grab your free printable cleaning schedule, let’s go over a few zone cleaning principles to make sure you get the best results!
What is Zone Cleaning
If you hang around any cleaning social media accounts, you may be familiar with the FlyLady Cleaning Method, which utilizes zone cleaning. But what exactly does it mean to “zone clean”?
It is a simple method of cleaning that divides your home into specific areas. This can be by room type, house layout, or task based. The purpose of this method is to keep you from feeling like you need to clean the whole house in one day.
By using a rotating zone cleaning schedule, you’ll be able to hit all areas of your home on a regular basis without it being overwhelming.
Zone Cleaning verses Tidying Up
While zone cleaning and tidying up both contribute to a clean home, they serve different purposes:
- Zone Cleaning is a structured, deep-cleaning method that ensures every area of the home is cleaned regularly. It involves scheduled tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, and decluttering specific zones.
- Tidying Up focuses on quick, daily maintenance like putting items back in place, wiping down surfaces, and keeping clutter at bay. It helps keep the home looking neat between cleaning sessions.
Both approaches work well together—tidying up maintains order daily, while zone cleaning ensures deeper cleanliness on a scheduled basis.
How Often Do I need to Zone Clean?
That’s really up to you and based on what your schedule allows. Some people like to clean 1 zone a day, while others have time for cleaning 1 zone a week.
If you want more details on how to set up your zone cleaning schedule, I recommend checking out this Full Guide to Zone Cleaning I’ve put together.
Who is Zone Cleaning Good For
Zone cleaning is beneficial for anyone looking to maintain a clean home without dedicating long hours to cleaning each day. It’s particularly useful for:
- Busy individuals who don’t have time for full-day cleaning sessions.
- Parents managing a household with kids and multiple responsibilities.
- Those who prefer a structured, routine-based approach to cleaning.
How to Get Started with Zone Cleaning
For a full guide on setting up your personal zone cleaning schedule, be sure to check out this post. But in short:
- Divide Your Home into Zones – Break down your home into 4-6 zones.
- Assign a Cleaning Schedule – Decide how often you’ll clean each zone – weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.
- List Tasks for Each Zone – Create a checklist of cleaning tasks for every zone. That’s what this printable helps you with!
- Set a Timer – If you’re crunched for time, but still want to clean, set a timer to keep you focused and efficient.
- Stay Consistent – Stick to your schedule to build a habit and keep your home consistently clean.
What to Clean in Each Zone
Sometimes when we sit down to make a plan, our brain goes completely blank – or is that just me? Either way, I’ve put together a list of cleaning chores by room type to help you out when you’re making your plans! Don’t feel like you need to include all of these things – it’s just a list to inspire you.
Kitchen/Dining Room
- Wipe down countertops and table
- Clean sink and faucet
- Wipe down appliances (microwave, fridge, oven, dishwasher)
- Wipe cabinet doors
- Sweep and mop floors
- Clean out fridge and pantry
- Dust light fixtures and baseboards
- Wash tablecloths, rugs, etc.
Living Room
- Dust surfaces and electronics
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Fluff and straighten pillows and blankets
- Wipe down coffee table and end tables
- Clean under furniture
- Organize books, magazines, and remote controls
Bedrooms
- Change bed linens
- Dust surfaces and furniture
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Put away all clothing
- Wipe down mirrors and windows
- Declutter nightstands
Bathrooms
- Scrub sinks, countertops, and faucets
- Clean toilet (inside and out)
- Wipe down mirrors
- Scrub shower/tub
- Sweep and mop floors
- Empty trash
- Wash rugs
Entryway
- Sweep or vacuum floor
- Wipe down doors and handles
- Organize shoes and coats
- Dust entryway table or shelves
- Clean windows and mirrors
Laundry Area
- Wipe down washer and dryer
- Clean lint trap
- Sweep and mop floor
- Organize laundry supplies
Playroom/Schoolroom
- Put away toys and supplies
- Wipe down tables and shelves
- Vacuum or sweep floor
- Empty trash
How to Set up a Zone Cleaning Printable
Now you’re ready to get your printable and set it up.
- Print It Out – Once your printable is downloaded, you’ll need to print it. It is designed to print on US Letter sized paper (8.5 x 11 inches) and you can print as many copies as you need.
- Customize It – You’re going to get two layouts with this printable. One has space for 4 zones and the other has space for 6. Under each zone you’ll be able to list out cleaning tasks for each individual space.
- Use It with Your Family – Place the completed cleaning plans on the fridge, or a centralized location, so that everyone can see what needs to be done. This is a wonderful way to get the whole family involved in caring for your home.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR ZONE CLEANING PAGES!
This one simple tool can be so effective in reducing overwhelming feelings that are associated with cleaning. Give it a try and see if it helps transform your cleaning routine!
Free Home Management Printables You’ll Love
I love being able to offer free printables to help you manage your home better. So, here’s a few more pages that I think you’ll enjoy!
- Make a Meal Planning Master List – Keep all your favorite meals in one place to make meal planning a breeze.
- Weekly Meal Planner Printable – Create a meal plan for the week and do away with the daily question of “what’s for dinner”.
- Daily Routine Chart – Perfect for kids and adults trying to implement new daily routines.
