Let’s Talk Housework: Why I Hate It (But Still Try to Keep My House Clean)

Let’s talk housework. I hate it. That’s the simple truth.

I wish I had a magic wand, or that I could twitch my nose like Samantha Stephens from Bewitched (yes, I’ve seen the show a hundred times—the original, not the Nicole Kidman movie), and poof, my house would be spotless. But that’s not reality.

One thing I am incredibly grateful for is a husband who is not afraid to do housework. He takes on so much both at work and at home, and I feel like we’re in a true partnership. While I cook, he cleans the kitchen—every single night. He’s a rockstar, truly.

Our Attempt at Keeping the House Clean

Here’s how we try to stay on top of it:

Laundry? Multiple times a week.
Kitchen? Cleaned every night (again—shout out to my husband).
Floors? I try to sweep and mop at least once a week.
Bathrooms? We make do.

Is it always perfect? Absolutely not. Do we try? Yes.

My July Cleaning Focus: Creating a Routine

This month, one of my main goals is to make our cleaning routine more manageable and take a little off my husband’s plate. To help with that, I’m using the Home Planner by Passionate Penny Pincher. It breaks everything down into:

Daily morning tasks
Daily evening tasks
Special tasks for each day of the week

Am I completing it all? Not yet. But I’m carving out just 30 minutes a day to try and check off those boxes. Progress > perfection.

My Childhood Cleaning Routine

Growing up, cleaning day was Saturday morning. My mom would blare music (usually Led Zeppelin), and we’d all jump in—well, when we were told. Sometimes she let us off the hook, but if she really meant business… we knew it. Then we’d go grocery shopping and put everything away as a family.

Do my kids do that now? Nope. But they do take out the trash, clean baseboards, and pitch in here and there. We’re working on building responsibility, even if it doesn’t follow a strict routine.

My Cleaning Goals Moving Forward

I want to create a routine that:

Works for our family
Keeps the house in “visitor-friendly mode”
Reduces the overwhelm of letting messes build up
Gives us more peace of mind (because clutter = chaos)

Do I expect the house to be spotless all the time? Absolutely not. But I do believe that with small habits and daily effort, we can make housework feel less overwhelming.

Let’s Crowdsource This: I Need Your Cleaning Tips!

🧽 Do you have a cleaning routine that works for your family?
🧼 Are there cleaning products or systems you swear by?
🗓️ How do you keep your house in “company-ready” shape without burning out?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s help each other build homes that are less chaotic, more welcoming, and filled with grace—not pressure.