Sometimes it can feel like you don’t know where to start when cleaning your home—especially on those lazy Saturday afternoons when you’d rather do anything else. Even though it can be intimidating, it can also be satisfying when it’s finally finished. Here are the daily cleaning tasks you can do to make your life infinitely easier.

Create a list

It’s always good to break down your cleaning projects and figure out what needs to be done individually. If you make a list, it will help you understand what you need to clean in each room and when. A good strategy is to break it down by day:

Monday: Laundry and dusting (complete a few loads of laundry while you dust).

Tuesday: Vacuum and mop the floors.

Wednesday: Clean up the living areas (family room and living room).

Thursday: Tidy up the bathrooms.

Friday: Clean up the kitchen.

Saturday: Organize and complete any miscellaneous tasks.

Set a timer

It can keep you on task so you can complete your list, and it’s a big help if you get distracted easily. By cleaning in 20-minute increments, you don’t have to worry about spending all day on each task. Timers will also help when doing laundry, as you won’t forget you have clothes in the washer or dryer.

Declutter first

Prioritizing decluttering is always good idea. Decluttering can help cut down on the time you need to spend cleaning. You should also be sure to have a spot for everything you need. Complete one room at a time, focusing on categorizing items like papers, clothing, books, etc., and organizing those items in groups.

Don’t clean alone

Make sure to get your family or roommates involved. It creates bonding time for everyone as well as delegates work. It can also teach children the benefits of keeping a clean home. A good rule to establish is to never leave a room empty handed. If there is something that doesn’t belong in a room, make sure to take it with you to the proper room when you leave.

Set a routine

• Make your bed every day. Your bed is the most visible thing in the bedroom and therefore it should look presentable. If it is not clean or presentable, it can make the whole room look messy—even if it’s not. And be sure to change the sheets when cleaning to keep your bed fresh.
• Empty the dishwasher every morning. You can work it into your routine rather easily while you get ready for work, and it will keep the dishes from piling up excessively.
• Sort and recycle paper quickly and consistently. But sorting and recycling you will stop them from pilling up in the kitchen or dining room area. It will help you sort through your priorities and help stay organized with bills and other needs. Also deal with your mail as you walk through the door, it will also help sort and organize your paperwork.

Getting into the details is helpful in any situation, especially when it comes to tedious work like cleaning. Always put on a good playlist or podcast to help cleaning go faster and make it more interesting. A little dance party while cleaning can make it much more bearable.