Are you tired of feeling like your home is never as clean as you'd like it to be? Do you find it difficult to create a realistic cleaning schedule that you can actually stick to? Then you are not alone. Many of us know the problem: finding time and motivation for household chores is a real challenge. The solution comes from the so-called cleanfluencers: people who love cleaning and organizing and theirbest tips for a clean homesplit. From“Simply Clean”above“Speed Cleaning”up toFly-Lady-Methode– the goal is always the same: achieve maximum cleanliness with a minimum of time. One of the best tricks is this10 minute method. In addition, a well-thought-out cleaning plan provides structure and reduces stress.
What is behind the 10 minute rule?
The approach is as simple as it is effective: Instead of spending several hours once a week on major cleaning, dedicate it every day10 to a maximum of 15 minutescertain tasks. The result? A consistently clean apartment without you feeling overwhelmed.
Becky Rapinchuk, the well-known cleanfluencer and author behind the“Simply Clean”-Method, developed this approach from her own experience as a busy mother. She found that small, regular cleaning sessions are far more effective and less stressful than a one-off major cleaning on the weekend. Becky, who describes herself as “not a naturally tidy person,” was looking for a way to maintain her home without overworking herself. Your bookSimply Cleanoffers clear, structured plans and realistic tips that are especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed by chaos and clutter. She emphasizes that order and cleanliness can be achieved in small steps and do not have to dominate everyday life.
AlsoCarrie von messyjoyfuljourney.comswears by the 10-minute rule. In her inspiring blog post “The Ten Minute Cleaning Routine that Gave Me Back My Sanity” she shares her very personal experience of how the method has made her life easier. Carrie candidly describes how she used to be constantly burdened by clutter and the pressure to do everything alone. After introducing the 10-minute routine, she finally found more peace and order in her home. She highlights the importance of clearly communicating expectations and involving the family. With a simple timer and playful elements, tidying became a communal ritual in her family.
Her story impressively shows that it is often not about perfection, but aboutlittle habitsthat bring about big changes. The tip of tidying up for 5 minutes in the morning and evening has changed Carrie's everyday life forever - and ensures that she now enjoys her evenings with her family instead of falling asleep exhausted by the chaos.
This is how the 10 minute method works
The 10-minute rule is based on short,focused cleaning unitsthat you integrate into your daily routine. The trick lies in consistency and the system. This way your home will always be maintained and you will avoidoverpowering cleaning actions.
1.The daily cleaning schedule (10 minutes per day)
Share 10 minutes a day forsmall, simple tasksa. The highlight? Set a timer - this provides motivation and prevents distraction. Daily care prevents dirt and mess from accumulating. The kitchen in particular is a room that needs quick attention. Tasks such as wiping can be carried out hereKitchen faucets, cleaning the sink or tidying up leftover food must be done daily. For children, such tasks can be made an integral part of their routine in a playful way.
Here are some more examples:
- Make the bed
- Wipe down kitchen countertops
- Load or unload the dishwasher
- Clean up items lying around
- Remove the shower screen after showering
2.Weekly tasks (about 15 minutes per day)
In addition to the daily tasks, there are also larger tasks that need to be completed weekly to keep the home in tip-top shape. It is advisable to schedule these tasks on specific days.
Here are 10 tasks you can spread out throughout the week:
- Dusting in living rooms and bedrooms
- Clean bathroom (toilet, shower, floor)
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Change bed linen
- Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
- Wipe out kitchen appliances
- Take out trash and clean buckets
- Dust window sills and radiators
- Wipe down door handles and light switches
- Eliminate clutter in drawers or shelves
3.Monthly or seasonal tasks
Some work you only do monthly or seasonally. Of course, they take a little longer – around 1-2 hours. These include, for example:
- clean windows
- Clean and organize refrigerator
- Clean carpets
- Wash curtains
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
It's easier together: distribute tasks sensibly
A clean home is not a one-man job. Make sure everyone in the household pitches in as best they can. Whether big or small tasks – there is a doable activity for every family member. This way the load remains fairly distributed and cleaning becomes a team task.
The key to a cleaning schedule that works is:Everyone has clear, age-appropriate tasks. The following applies: Toddlers start with simple jobs such as tidying up toys or dusting, while older children can help with vacuuming or wiping the mirrors.
Specific examples:
- 3-5 years:Put away toys, fluff up pillows.
- 6-8 years:Set and clear the table, dust small areas.
- 9-12 years:Vacuum, make the bed, take out the trash.
- Teens & Adults:Mop the kitchen, clean the bathroom thoroughly, mop the floors.
Your free cleaning plan to check off
So that you can keep track of things, we have prepared an individual cleaning plan for you to check off (daily, weekly, monthly). Download it and customize the tasks to suit your family's needs. Cleaning is almost done by itself!
Download the cleaning plan here
A helpful system is to combine weekly tasks with daily duties. For example, a list of 5 daily tasks and 2 weekly tasks per day.
The bonus tip: two 10-minute clean-up sessions per day
A particularly helpful addition to the 10-minute rule is:daily clean-up rounds10 minutes each – one in the morning and one in the evening.
This is how it works:
- Morning before work: Go through each room and put away anything that is out of place (toys, clothes, dishes).
- In the evening before going to bed: go through the house again briefly and tidy up everything that has accumulated over the day.
These little rounds of tidying up prevent chaos and keep your home looking tidy all day long. You will see: the feeling of starting the morning in a tidy apartment is priceless!
Benefits of the 10-minute rule
Why does this tip work so well? Here are the biggest advantages:
- Small bites instead of overwhelming: 10 minutes is manageable and can be more easily integrated into everyday life.
- Consistency instead of chaos: Regularity will help you avoid the infamous major cleaning.
- Family friendly: Children and partners can also take part. A timer turns it into a playful experience.
- More free time: Instead of spending hours cleaning, you can enjoy your free time in a more relaxed manner.
Conclusion: A clean household in small steps
The 10-minute rule isn't rocket science, but it works wonders. If you use the method consistently, you will quickly notice how much cleaner and more relaxed your home appears. And best of all: the effort remains minimal. So, why not try it out today?We all have 10 minutes – and it’s worth it!
