Don't Stick to the Same Cleaning Routine After Your Kids Move Out - I Cut Mine in Half

"When my children were young and in high school, I stuck to a strict weekly cleaning routine. I also hired a housecleaner twice a month to tackle deep-cleaning chores, like scrubbing the kitchen, vacuuming the basement, and thoroughly cleaning the bathrooms. My son and daughter each had their own bedrooms, and I allowed some flexibility in how they chose to maintain their spaces."

"During that 10-year period, my weekly routine included stripping beds and replacing linens and vacuuming throughout our home. I regularly wiped down desks and dressers, cleared away trash such as clothing tags and water bottles, and emptied waste bins as part of my tidying process."

A self-employed writer shares how her home cleaning routine evolved through different life stages. When her two children were in high school, she maintained a strict weekly cleaning schedule while hiring a housecleaner twice monthly for deep cleaning tasks. She managed a four-bedroom home with a finished basement, allowing her children flexibility in maintaining their own bedrooms. Her weekly routine included stripping beds, vacuuming, wiping surfaces, and clearing trash. As her children went to college and she became an empty nester with just her husband, her cleaning responsibilities and routines adapted significantly, requiring fewer tasks and less frequent maintenance.

Read at Apartment Therapy