Managing Common Household Tasks

Laundry

Goal: Complete a load of laundry from start to finish.

• Step 1: Sort laundry by colour or fabric type (e.g., whites, darks, delicates).

• Step 2: Load the washing machine with clothes.

• Step 3: Add detergent to the machine (or follow instructions on the detergent bottle).

• Step 4: Start the washing machine.

• Step 5: Set a timer for the wash cycle (e.g., 30 minutes) to remind you when it's done.

• Step 6: When the wash cycle is finished, transfer clothes to the dryer or drying area.

• Step 7: Set a timer again for the drying cycle (e.g., 45 minutes).

• Step 8: Once dry, remove clothes and fold them in batches.

• Step 9: Put clothes away, starting with one section of the wardrobe or drawers.

Dishes

Goal: Clean all dishes in the sink or on the counter.

• Step 1: Gather all dirty dishes into the sink or a central location.

• Step 2: Fill the sink with warm, soapy water.

• Step 3: Wash dishes one at a time, starting with the least greasy items (e.g., glasses or silverware).

• Step 4: Rinse and place washed dishes on a drying rack or towel.

• Step 5: Repeat steps for plates, bowls, and pots.

• Step 6: Wipe down counters and sink once all dishes are done.

• Step 7: Dry dishes with a towel or leave them to air dry.

• Step 8: Put away dry dishes into cabinets or drawers.

Vacuuming

Goal: Clean all floors using a vacuum.

• Step 1: Make sure the vacuum is plugged in or charged.

• Step 2: Start in one corner of the room.

• Step 3: Vacuum in straight lines (or around furniture if needed), moving the vacuum forward and backward.

• Step 4: Vacuum one room at a time. If distracted, focus on just one area at a time.

• Step 5: Empty the vacuum’s bin when full.

• Step 6: Continue vacuuming until the whole room is done.

• Step 7: Move to the next room and repeat the steps.

Cleaning the Bathroom

Goal: Clean the bathroom thoroughly (sink, mirror, toilet, and floor).

• Step 1: Gather cleaning supplies (multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, paper towels, etc.).

• Step 2: Spray cleaning products on the sink, mirrors, and toilet (let them sit for a few minutes).

• Step 3: Wipe down the sink and taps.

• Step 4: Clean the mirror with glass cleaner.

• Step 5: Scrub the toilet using toilet bowl cleaner and a brush.

• Step 6: Wipe down the toilet seat, lid, and outer parts with disinfectant wipes.

• Step 7: Sweep or vacuum the floor.

• Step 8: Mop the floor if needed.

• Step 9: Replace towels and empty the rubbish if necessary.

Cooking a Meal

Goal: Prepare and cook a simple meal.

• Step 1: Decide on a meal and gather ingredients (break the recipe down into smaller steps if it’s complex).

• Step 2: Set up your cooking space: gather all pots, pans, and utensils.

• Step 3: Prepare ingredients (e.g., chop vegetables, measure spices, etc.).

• Step 4: Start cooking according to the recipe, taking it step by step.

• Step 5: Set a timer for each cooking stage (e.g., 10 minutes to simmer, 15 minutes to bake).

• Step 6: Once finished, plate the food.

• Step 7: Clean up as you go if possible (e.g., rinse utensils, wipe counter).

• Step 8: Store leftovers or clean dishes once done eating.

Tidying Up a Room

Goal: Clean and organise one room.

• Step 1: Pick a room to clean (start with the one that needs the most attention).

• Step 2: Gather items that need to be put away (e.g., clothing, books, dishes).

• Step 3: Put away items in the appropriate places (e.g., clothes in drawers, books on shelves).

• Step 4: Dust surfaces (tables, shelves) and wipe down surfaces as needed.

• Step 5: Vacuum or sweep the floor.

• Step 6: Straighten pillows, cushions, or any other furniture.

• Step 7: Empty rubbish bins if needed.

• Step 8: Step back and look at your progress. Celebrate your work!

Grocery Shopping

Goal: Complete a grocery shopping trip.

• Step 1: Write down a grocery list (prioritise items needed most).

• Step 2: Organise the list by categories (e.g., dairy, vegetables, snacks) to make it easier to find items in-store.

• Step 3: Set a timer or reminder for when to leave (e.g., 15 minutes before you plan to go).

• Step 4: Go to the supermarket and follow your list, focusing on one aisle at a time.

• Step 5: Only buy what’s on the list to avoid distractions.

• Step 6: Use self-checkout if that feels less overwhelming, or ask a store employee for help if needed.

• Step 7: Return home, unpack groceries, and store them immediately to avoid clutter.

Organising a Space (Desk, Wardrobe, or Drawer)

Goal: Organise and declutter one area.

• Step 1: Choose a small area to start with (e.g., a desk drawer or wardrobe shelf).

• Step 2: Remove everything from the space.

• Step 3: Sort through items: keep, donate, or toss.

• Step 4: Fold, arrange, or categorise items that you’re keeping.

• Step 5: Put items back in an organised way, using bins or organisers if needed.

• Step 6: Wipe down the surface or shelves where the items were stored.

• Step 7: Step back and admire your work! Take a photo if it helps track progress.

Making the Bed

Goal: Set up the bed for a clean, inviting sleep space.

• Step 1: Remove any dirty sheets or blankets from the bed.

• Step 2: Put on fresh sheets (if needed).

• Step 3: Smooth out the fitted sheet on the mattress.

• Step 4: Lay the flat sheet on top and tuck in the sides.

• Step 5: Place blankets or duvets neatly on top.

• Step 6: Arrange pillows at the head of the bed.

Taking Care of Pets

Goal: Ensure your pets are fed, clean, and happy.

• Step 1: Feed your pet (prepare their food in advance to make it easier).

• Step 2: Provide fresh water for your pet.

• Step 3: Clean their litter box (if applicable) or take them for a walk.

• Step 4: Brush or groom them, if needed.

• Step 5: Clean up any pet messes or accidents in the house.

General Tips for Staying on Track:

• Use Timers: Set a timer for each task to help stay on track and prevent procrastination.

• Breaks: Take breaks between tasks if you need to. Even 5-10 minutes can help refresh your focus.

• Celebrate Small Wins: After completing a task, take a moment to appreciate your progress. This helps motivate you for the next task.

• Use Visual Reminders: If you're struggling to remember what needs to be done, put up sticky notes or visual reminders in the area where you work.

Template Weekly Housework Schedule

Visual Format: You can create this as a weekly chart using colour coding or icons for each task, making it visually clear and easy to follow.

Daily Tasks:

Monday

Morning - Laundry (1st load)

Afternoon - Fold clothes

Evening - Kitchen cleaning

Tuesday

Morning - Dusting and surface wipe

Afternoon - Vacuuming

Evening - Empty rubbish bins

Wednesday

Morning - Laundry (2nd load)

Afternoon - Clean bathroom (sink, mirrors)

Evening - Prep dinner

Thursday

Morning - Clean windows or mirrors

Afternoon - Water plants

Evening - Organise living room

Friday

Morning - Vacuuming (all rooms)

Afternoon - Mop floors

Evening - Clean kitchen counters

Saturday

Morning - Grocery shopping

Afternoon - Wipe down appliances

Evening - Organise pantry

Sunday

Morning - Meal prep for the week

Afternoon - Laundry (final load)

Evening - Rest or light cleaning

Weekly Overview with Colour Coding:

• Blue: Laundry Tasks

• Green: Cleaning Tasks

• Red: Cooking/Meal Prep

• Yellow: Shopping/Organisation

You can colour code tasks so that they’re easier to follow, depending on what works best for the individual.

Time Blocks:

You can break down the day into specific time blocks like:

• Morning (8:00 am - 10:00 am): Laundry & light cleaning

• Afternoon (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm): Grocery shopping & cooking

• Evening (5:00 pm - 7:00 pm): Tidying up, prepping for the next day

Task Reminders:

• Timers or Alarms: Set reminders for starting and finishing tasks (helps with time management).

• Visual Cues: Use images or icons (washing machine for laundry, broom for cleaning, trolley for shopping) to represent each task.

• Breaks: Schedule a 10-15 minute break after completing each task to avoid overwhelming.

Support for Flexibility:

• Allow flexibility in case the person needs extra time for specific tasks.

• If a task feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller steps.

Final Thoughts

To make it a visual chart, you can use apps like Canva or Google Docs to create a printable version of this schedule. You could add pictures and clear icons to further simplify it. By breaking tasks into smaller steps and using external reminders, you can make household chores feel more manageable. Adjust the steps to fit your pace, and be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned!