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 Stanbrook
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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