Living Alone Guide Part 5: Creating a Cleaning Routine

Kept Putting It Off Until...

Honestly, I hate cleaning. When I first started living alone, I kept saying "I'll do it later" until my place got messier and messier... Eventually I spent half a day doing a massive cleanup.

That's when I realized: doing a little bit often is way easier than doing a lot at once. Today I'm sharing a minimal routine that even cleaning-haters can maintain.

1. Core Cleaning Principles

Little and Often Is Key

The secret to cleaning is simple:

• 5 minutes daily: Just tidy what's visible
• 30 minutes weekly: Floors, bathroom, etc.
• 1 hour monthly: Deep clean the corners

Do this and you'll rarely need a massive cleanup.

Don't Aim for Perfect

Thinking "if I clean, I have to do it properly" actually makes you avoid cleaning. 80% is good enough.

Cleaning roughly often beats cleaning perfectly once.

2. Daily 5-Minute Routine

Just invest 5 minutes when you get home.

Morning (2 minutes)

• Make the bed: Just roughly straighten it
• Wash dishes: Do breakfast dishes immediately (they stick if you don't)

Evening (3 minutes)

• Quick sweep: Just the visible dust and hair
• Wipe sink area: After dishes, wipe down
• Collect trash: From desk, floor, etc.

What You Don't Need to Do

• Mopping daily (once a week is fine)
• Bathroom cleaning daily (once a week is fine)
• Perfect organization (just roughly tidy up)

3. Weekly Cleaning (30 minutes)

I do this Sunday morning. Takes 30 minutes total.

Floors (10 minutes)

• Sweep first
• Quick mop
• Don't worry about corners - focus on the main areas!

Bathroom (10 minutes)

• Toilet: Spray cleaner, scrub with brush
• Sink: Rinse and wipe
• Mirror: Wipe water spots
• Floor: Spray water and mop

Kitchen (5 minutes)

• Wipe stovetop
• Tidy sink area
• Wipe fridge door

Other (5 minutes)

• Take out trash
• Put away laundry
• Return items to their places

4. Monthly Deep Clean (1 hour)

Once a month, clean the spots you usually skip.

Good Things to Do

• Wash bedding: Sheets, pillowcases
• Clean windows: At least the inside
• Clean appliances: AC filter, inside of microwave
• Drains: Bathroom and kitchen drains
• Fridge cleanout: Toss expired items

Set a specific day like the 1st or last Sunday of the month so you don't forget.

5. Area-Specific Tips

Bathroom

• Ventilate: Run fan 30 min after shower, leave door open
• Remove moisture: Squeegee after showers prevents mold
• Hair: Put a drain cover to prevent clogs

Kitchen

• Wipe after cooking: Grease is easier to clean before it hardens
• Wash dishes immediately: Food gets hard and difficult to clean
• Drain: Remove food scraps right away

Living Area/Bedroom

• Return items: Put things back after using
• Dust: Wipe desk, TV weekly
• Ventilate: Open windows 10 min daily

6. Setup for Easier Cleaning

Reduce Your Stuff

Less stuff = easier cleaning. Nothing to organize.

Keep Cleaning Supplies Within Reach

• Broom: By the entrance
• Wipes: Under living room table
• Bathroom cleaner: Next to toilet

If supplies are far away, you won't clean.

Multiple Trash Cans

• Kitchen: Food waste + general
• Room: Small trash can
• Bathroom: Small trash can

7. Cleaning Checklist

Daily (5 minutes)

• ☐ Make bed
• ☐ Wash dishes
• ☐ Quick sweep

Weekly (30 minutes)

• ☐ Mop floors
• ☐ Clean bathroom
• ☐ Tidy kitchen
• ☐ Take out trash

Monthly (1 hour)

• ☐ Wash bedding
• ☐ Clean windows
• ☐ Clean appliances
• ☐ Clean drains

Wrapping Up

Cleaning is a habit. Push through the first two weeks and it becomes automatic. Don't try to be perfect - just start.

Next up: The Complete Laundry Guide. Ever ruined clothes by fading or shrinking them?