Simplified FlyLady Cleaning Schedule (FREE PRINTABLE)
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When I first discovered the FlyLady cleaning system through her book Sink Reflections, I cried.
I hadn’t realized it until then, but I desperately needed someone to show me how to approach caring for my home, my family, and myself in a way that felt honoring rather than overwhelming. FlyLady’s method and encouragement resonated deeply with me.
I’ve always loved the original system, but during a season of chronic fatigue, I found myself unable to keep up with all the routines.
I knew I needed to adapt it to fit my energy levels while still focusing on what was most impactful.
That’s when I created this streamlined version—a free printable that has helped me stay organized, flexible, and focused, even on my hardest days.
Now, I’m sharing it with you.
Whether you’re new to FlyLady or just looking for a lighter way to approach it, this printable keeps the heart of the FlyLady method while providing the flexibility to support you through busy or demanding seasons.
Let me show you how you can use this free printable to make the FlyLady system your own—all while honoring its original brilliance.
How My Version of the FlyLady Cleaning Schedule Works
I’ve kept the heart of the FlyLady system while simplifying it to make it more approachable and flexible for everyday life. My version is built around three key components, all included in a free printable that lays everything out at a glance:
Daily Tasks: A small, impactful list of chores that cover the essentials and keep your home running smoothly. These tasks are designed to fit into your day without taking over.
Weekly Home Blessing: A one-hour refresh for your home, with customizable tasks that make the biggest difference for you.
Zones: A simplified approach to zone cleaning that lets you focus on one area of your home at a time, creating consistent progress.
The biggest change I made was condensing everything into one simple, at-a-glance printable.
I replaced the detailed daily routines with a small list of basic tasks, and I adjusted the system to focus on what felt most practical and impactful for my life.
This version is flexible enough to adapt to busy schedules and low-energy days while still making steady progress. Most days, it takes less than an hour to complete everything.
How to Fill Out and Use the Printable
The printable is easy to set up and use each month. Let me walk you through the steps, so you can personalize it for your home and your life.
Step 1: Personalize Your Home Blessing Tasks
The Weekly Home Blessing is such a lovely part of this system. It’s not about deep cleaning—it’s about giving your home a little love. The great thing is that you can make it your own by choosing tasks that make the most sense for your home.
Here’s how you can personalize your Home Blessing:
Use FlyLady’s:
Change bed linens.
Dust surfaces.
Vacuum high-traffic areas.
Mop hard floors.
Clean mirrors and glass.
Empty trash cans.
Use Mine:
Wash sheets and make beds.
Spot-clean mirrors and glass.
Clean the toilet, sink, and shower.
Clear out the fridge.
Vacuum and mop.
Water plants and tend to pets.
Sort through the paper basket and review the budget.
Create Your Own:
If neither list feels quite right, mix and match tasks or make your own. Just remember to keep it simple—you’ll spend no more than an hour each week.
Write down your personalized Home Blessing tasks under the Home Blessing section and you’re ready to go.
Step 2: Set Up Your Monthly Calendar
This part is so quick and easy—it’s one of the reasons I love this system! Here’s what I do at the start of each month:
Add the Month and Dates: At the top of the calendar, write in the current month and fill in the dates.
Choose Your Home Blessing Days: Pick one day each week for your Home Blessing (Fridays are my favorite!) and write "HB" on those days.
Decide on Task Planning:
Sometimes, I like to write specific tasks for each day, depending on the current zone. For example, in Zone 2 (kitchen) , I might write “declutter + wipe freezer” for Monday. “wipe upper cabinet fronts” on Tuesday and so on.
Other months, I leave the spaces blank to give myself flexibility to decide what I feel like working on that day.
That’s all it takes! With your calendar ready, you’ll have a clear plan for the month.
How to Work Through the Daily Tasks
The daily tasks are the foundation of this system. They’re simple, quick, and make a big impact when done consistently. I love how they create a sense of order and momentum in my home. Let me walk you through each one and how to approach them:
Get Dressed to Shoes
Starting your day dressed and ready—even if you’re staying home—sets a positive tone. Shoes might seem small, but they help you feel more productive and ready to tackle the day.Make the Bed
A made bed transforms the whole room. It takes just a minute or two and creates a sense of calm every time you walk in. Plus, it’s a great way to kick-start your progress for the day.One Load of Laundry
Keeping up with laundry can feel like a chore, but doing one load daily makes it manageable. Wash, dry, and put it away all in the same day. I often fold laundry while listening to music or a podcast, making it feel less like a task.Kitchen Tidy
At a minimum, aim for one kitchen tidy per day, but if you have the time and energy, try to do one after each cooking session. This keeps the kitchen running smoothly and prevents overwhelm. You’ll find that with practice, this task gets so fast it often doesn’t take the full 15 minutes!
Here’s my rhythm for a kitchen tidy:Put away clean dishes.
Tidy the counters (put items where they belong, and gather dirty dishes by the sink).
Load the dishwasher and run it, or hand wash a few items if needed.
Wipe down surfaces, ending at the sink to shine it.
If time allows, sweep or vacuum the floor.
10-Minute Pickup
This is a quick, whole-home reset. Choose a starting spot (like the living room), and work your way through your home, putting things back where they belong. If something belongs in a room that’s messy or overwhelming, just place it in that space—you’ll deal with it during zone cleaning later.Plan Dinner
Knowing what’s for dinner reduces so much stress! I take a minute to check my meal plan or pantry and decide what’s on the menu. If needed, I’ll thaw something or prep ingredients early in the day.3–15 Minutes in the Current Zone
Once you’ve completed the basics, spend a few minutes focusing on the current zone. Whether it’s decluttering, deep cleaning, or organizing, this time allows you to make steady progress on one area of your home. Set a timer to keep it manageable and focus on just one small task.
Examples of a Day in the Life Using the Schedule
Here’s what a typical day looks like using the FlyLady Cleaning Schedule—both on a regular day and a Home Blessing day.
Example 1: Regular Day (No Home Blessing)
Daily Tasks:
I get ready and dressed for the day + make the bed. (15 mins)
I start one load of laundry. (1 min)
After we have breakfast, I do the first kitchen of the day (15 mins)
I’ll check in with the laundry and switch it over to the dryer. (1 min)
I do a 10-minute pickup around the house, putting things back where they belong. Run robot vacuum (10 mins)
2nd kitchen tidy after lunch (5 mins)
I check the menu for dinner and prep anything needed (5 mins)
I spend 3-15 minutes in the current zone. Today, I was in Zone 2—the kitchen—and I cleaned the dishwasher filter (10 mins)
Put away the laundry (3 mins)
3rd kitchen tidy (10 mins)
Total time spent: Around an hour and 15 minutes. Actual time cleaning is under an hour if you remove the time spent getting ready! Some days I only do one kitchen tidy and that significantly reduces the time clocked cleaning!
Home Blessing Day
Daily Tasks:
I get ready + dressed for the day & start by stripping the bed. The sheets go straight into the washer (that’s my daily load of laundry). (10 mins)
After breakfast and a quick kitchen tidy, I’ll start preparing for dinner. On home blessing day I try to plan a freezer crock pot meal. (10 mins)
Move the sheets to the dryer. If you have other bed sheets to wash this would be a great time to start those! (1 min)
Quick 10-minute pick up around the house + run robot vacuum. (10 mins)
Home Blessing (60 mins) *made bed during this time
Kitchen tidy after dinner (15 mins)
Total time spent: 1 hour and 46 minuets. Just a little under 2 hours! Remember that includes the 1 hour home blessing and the daily tasks.
Here’s a time breakdown of the 1 hour Home Blessing:
No zone cleaning on Home Blessing Day instead I set a timer for one hour & work through my list:
Clean/sanitize the sink, bathtub + toilet (10 mins)
Spot-clean mirrors and glass. (5 mins)
Vacuum carpets (10 mins)
Quick steam mop. (10 mins)
Clean out the fridge + spot clean spills. (5 mins)
Finish by remaking the bed with fresh sheets (5 mins)
Water/tend to house plants (5 mins)
Refresh the cat’s dish + empty her litter box. (5 mins)
Sort paper basket + file anything away (5 mins)
Why This Schedule Works
This system is designed to work for you, no matter your season of life.
It’s flexible, forgiving, and focused on progress over perfection.
By spending just a little time each day on small tasks, you’ll build habits that make maintaining your home easier and more enjoyable.
Most importantly, this schedule gives you the freedom to adjust as needed. Whether you pre-plan tasks or decide day by day, you’ll see progress—and that’s what matters.
You’ve got this! With small, consistent steps, you’ll create a home that feels peaceful and manageable!
Download Your Free FlyLady Cleaning Schedule
If you’d like to learn more about the original FlyLady system, visit FlyLady’s website—it’s full of wonderful resources and inspiration.
Let me know how this printable works for you—I’d love to hear your success stories or answer any questions. Hugs.
For more inspiration on the Flylady cleaning schedule follow me on Pinterest!
Updated on: 11/19/2024