The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist (Without the Overwhelm!)
Last Updated on 11/02/2025 by Nicky
The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist (Without the Overwhelm!)
Why Cleaning Feels So Hard Sometimes
I don’t know about you, but it seems like housework is literally never done. And it’s exhausting. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for my house, but running a household can be a lot. But one thing that makes me feel super accomplished is checking off boxes on a checklist!
What is it about checklists that gives you that sense of purpose and direction? And then when you complete one, you get this dopamine boost that us ladies with ADHD crave. So why not put checklists and house cleaning together?
Because honestly, I get a dopamine boost from cleaning my house too! So by the time you finish using the checklist I’m going to share, you will be so proud of yourself you won’t know what to do!
✨ Pro Tip: If you want to make cleaning even easier, grab my Declutter & Clean Journal or Printable Cleaning Planner — it’s designed to keep your tasks organized so you can stay focused and stress-free.
This post contains affiliate links to great products that will help you in your health journey. I will get a commission if you decide to buy from these links but I’m only recommending products that I feel confident about and from companies that I trust like Amazon and others. Please let me know if you have any questions.
* 🧠 Get Your Mind Right Before You Start Cleaning *
Want to read this post later? Click here to save the picture below to one of your Pinterest boards!
Before you grab a broom, let’s be honest for a second. Cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing and dusting. It’s about getting your head in the right place.
Because when your brain is tired, scattered, or already dreading it, no amount of motivational quotes will help.
You’ll end up scrolling on your phone, standing in the kitchen eating Doritos, or staring at a pile of clothes trying to figure out how they multiplied overnight.
So before we clean the house, let’s start by cleaning up the mental clutter first.
1. Start small. Really small.
Pick one spot. I mean one. A counter, a drawer, or even the bathroom sink. I used to have one tiny organizational project to complete a day…one that would take like 30 minutes or less to finish, so you can try that as well.
Finishing one little thing helps your brain calm down and gives you a sense of progress. It’s like proving to yourself, “Hey, I can do this.”
2. Set a short timer.
If getting started feels impossible, tell yourself you’ll clean for 1 minute. That’s it. As scatterbrained as I am, I think I can clean for one minute without getting distracted.
And once the timer goes off, you can stop if you want. But nine times out of ten, you’ll keep going because momentum kicks in.
3. Make it pleasant.
Turn on music, light a candle, or put on a funny podcast. I watch a lot of cleaning motivational videos, and for some reason, they always have some cute little fizzy drink of varying hues that they drink.
So if a refreshing drink will motivate you to clean, then grab one from the fridge and pour it into a cute glass. Cleaning doesn’t have to feel like punishment.
When your space smells nice and you’ve got something uplifting in the background, it feels more like self-care than a chore.
4. Clear your head before you start.
If your mind is racing, take thirty seconds to breathe. Say a quick prayer if you like—something simple, like “God, help me let go of what’s weighing me down.” It’s amazing how much lighter you’ll feel once you do that.
5. Try Body Doubling
One thing that motivates me to start cleaning is to go on YouTube and watch one or two (or three) cleaning videos. I don’t know why that works. It’s not true body doubling, but something about seeing someone else have a super clean house makes me want to follow suit.
* 🧽 The Ultimate No-Overwhelm Cleaning Checklist *
Now that your brain’s on board (hopefully), let’s actually get some things done.
This isn’t one of those unrealistic “deep clean your whole house in one day” lists. No ma’am. This is the kind of checklist that helps you feel accomplished, not defeated.
You can do one room a day, one task at a time, or whatever fits your mood and energy.
The goal is progress, not perfection, because that is not a thing.
Living Room
• Throw away any trash, cups, or snack wrappers.
• Straighten up your pillows and blankets.
• Wipe off tables, remotes, and dusty surfaces.
• Sweep or vacuum — bonus points if you light a candle when you’re done.
Kitchen
• Clear off the counters. (If you’re overwhelmed, just shove it all in a bin for now — we’ll deal with it later.)
• Wipe down counters, stove, and appliances.
• Load or unload the dishwasher.
• Sweep or mop the floor.
• Take out the trash — your future self will thank you.
Bedroom
• Make your bed. It’s instant visual peace.
• Pick up clothes — dirty ones in the hamper, clean ones hung or folded.
• Wipe nightstands or dresser tops.
• Quick vacuum or sweep to finish.
Bathroom
• Spray the sink and counter and wipe them down.
• Scrub the toilet (least fun but most satisfying).
• Clean the mirror — it makes a huge difference.
• Change out the towels.
• Sweep and mop the floor if you’ve got the energy.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the energy to vacuum or mop, invest in a robo vacuum and a steam mop. I resisted getting a robo vac for some strange reason, but I have 2 now and I absolutely love them. And I love the steam mop because I don’t have to worry about filling up a bucket and emptying the dirty water. It makes mopping so much easier!
Entryway or Hallway
• Pick up shoes, mail, and bags.
• Wipe down handles or light switches.
• Sweep or vacuum — especially if you track in dirt.
Laundry
• Pick one laundry day and stick to it if you can.
• Fold and put things away right after drying (or at least the same day. No judgment).
• Keep a “donate” bin close by for clothes you’re ready to part with.
This is the kind of list that doesn’t guilt you. It just gives you a clear next step. Print it, check it off, and celebrate every little win.
* Hacks to Keep It Simple and Stay Consistent*
Here’s the thing about cleaning. It’s not the doing it once that’s hard. It’s keeping it up that can feel impossible some weeks. The goal isn’t to have a spotless home every single day.
It’s to build little habits that make it easier to get back on track when life happens.
Here are a few tricks that actually work (even for easily distracted brains like mine):
1. Do a 5-Minute Reset Every Night
Before bed, take five minutes to tidy up one or two main areas …the kitchen counter, the couch, or your bathroom sink. It’s just enough to make tomorrow feel easier.
I promise, waking up to a semi-clean space changes your whole mood in the morning.
2. Keep a Cleaning Caddy on Each Floor
This one saves so much time. Instead of running all over the house looking for cleaning supplies, keep a small set on each floor (or just in the rooms you clean the most).
It removes that mental barrier of “ugh, I don’t feel like finding the spray.”
3. Use Visual Reminders
If you’re the type who forgets what you were doing halfway through, use sticky notes, dry erase boards, or your phone reminders. A little note that says “start laundry” or “wipe counters” can keep you from spiraling into distraction land.
4. Reward Yourself
You don’t need to wait until your house looks Pinterest-perfect to feel proud. Celebrate small wins…light your favorite candle, sip a latte, or relax with your favorite show.
Cleaning is an act of care, not punishment. The more you associate it with something pleasant, the easier it becomes to keep going.
* What to Do When You Truly Can’t Clean Anything *
Want to read this post later? Save the picture below to one of your Pinterest boards!
Some days, you really do mean to clean — but your body says no, your brain says no, and your energy left the building hours ago. We’ve all been there.
First things first: you’re not lazy. You’re human. Life gets heavy sometimes, and when your mental or physical energy is low, forcing yourself to scrub baseboards isn’t the answer.
Here’s what to do instead.
1. Do the Bare Minimum
When you’re in survival mode, focus on three things only:
- Trash out
- Dishes done (or at least rinsed)
- Laundry contained (even if it’s just in baskets)
That’s it. Those three things keep your space functional and help you feel less like you’re drowning.
2. Rest Without Guilt
If your body is begging for rest, honor that. Sit down. Take a nap. Read your Bible. Watch something light. You’ll clean more effectively when your energy is restored. Rest is productive, too — it keeps you from burning out.
3. Use Faith and Gentle Self-Talk
When you start beating yourself up, pause and pray instead. Ask God to help you release the guilt and remind you that progress looks different every day. Sometimes victory is a fully clean house. Sometimes it’s just brushing your teeth and doing one load of laundry.
4. Try Again Tomorrow
Every day is a reset. You don’t have to make up for yesterday. You just have to show up today, even if that means one drawer, one dish, or one step forward.
* One Step at a Time *
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about keeping a clean house, it’s that it’s never really done. There’s always another load of laundry, another counter to wipe, another random sock that shows up out of nowhere. But that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you live here.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s peace. And peace comes from small, steady steps…not from burning yourself out trying to do everything at once.
So take your time. Use this checklist when you can. Celebrate the little wins, because they matter more than you think.
And if you need a little extra help staying on top of things, my Declutter & Clean Planner was made for days just like this. It’ll help you create calm and order in your home, one small task at a time, without the overwhelm.
Because a peaceful home doesn’t come from doing it all… it comes from doing what you can, with grace.
If The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist (Without the Overwhelm!) has helped you, please pin it on Pinterest and share it on Facebook!
