A Weekend Cleaning Schedule That Really Works—and Still Leaves You Time to Relax

Ahhh, the weekend ... a time to relax, recharge, and, well, clean. The chores that don't get done during the hustle and bustle of the week usually get pushed until your days off—and can seriously get in the way of your R&R.

We chatted with two cleaning experts who shared an easy weekend schedule for folks who want things tidy, while also enjoying their time off. The secret is in quick resets that make your home feel calmer without taking over your Saturday and Sunday. Let’s get to it!

Saturday Morning

To get the weekend started, resetting the areas you use the most during the week is key. This will instantly make your space feel more put-together and will alleviate some of the stress caused by visual clutter, kicking your weekend off right.

Start in the Kitchen 

The kitchen is the sight of so much activity, making this central hub the sight of more than its fair share of clutter and chores.

Rhonda Wilson, lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, recommends starting your process in the kitchen. She says that unloading the dishwasher is the perfect place to start. “With that out of the way, I do a bit of decluttering,” she says. “Not really the haul-everything-out task, but just put everything in its proper place.” 

Finish by wiping down counters, sinks, and tables, and ensuring that dishes have been cleared out of the sink.

Tidy the Main Living Areas

Once your kitchen feels a little more under control, Wilson says she likes to move into the living room and entryway since they set the mood when you come into the house.

Resetting this space by folding throw blankets, putting shoes away, and fluffing pillows. 

Saturday Afternoon

The afternoon is the time to do a few small tasks to complete your Saturday chores without feeling overwhelmed.

Bathroom Basics

A few minutes of attention can go a long way here. Co-owner of Primavera Cleaning Service Jhon LeBaron likes to do a quick wipe of the toilets, mirrors, and sinks.

To make sure you don’t spend too much time in the bathroom cleaning, consider keeping a few essentials (like multi-purpose spray, glass cleaner, and microfiber cloths) under the sink. This will save major time searching for supplies.

Focus on Flooring

Vacuum or sweep your main living spaces, and then it's time to call it a day. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday.

Sunday Quick Reset

If Saturday is about creating a calm, tidy space, Sunday is about maintenance and preparation for the week ahead.

Tackle Laundry and Linens

Fresh bedding makes the whole room feel clean and signals a reset for the week. “On Sunday, I do laundry, fold and put it away, and change the sheets in the bedrooms,” says LeBaron. “It’s not about perfection, it’s about hitting the things that matter most so your home feels fresh going into the new week.”

Or, Choose One Major Task

If laundry doesn't need to be done, Wilson suggests keeping Sundays focused with one singular, bigger chore. "Sunday is for one major task, whether it is changing sheets or helping the kids with homework—and I always wrap it up with groceries and a bit of meal prep to set up the weekdays," Wilson says.

Consider dedicating your "one major task" slot to something that seems to pile up for you, such as meal prep like Wilson, dusting, or sorting through the mail. This approach is an ideal way to make your Sunday feel productive but not too overwhelming.