The Best Nighttime Cleaning Routine for Moms

A nighttime cleaning routine can be a game-changer when it comes to maintaining a clean and organized home. By consistently tidying up and doing a few essential tasks before bed, you can wake up to a clutter-free space, making your mornings more enjoyable and stress-free. You can minimize or eliminate your morning cleaning routine. Establishing a structured routine not only helps keep your living area clean but also contributes to better mental health, productivity, and overall happiness.

How To Create A Nighttime Cleaning Routine

Begin by determining which tasks are most important or beneficial for your specific situation. For many people, this includes washing the dishes, wiping down countertops, and a quick sweep of the floors. Additionally, you may want to include more personalized chores, such as putting away laundry or decluttering your work area.

Keep in mind that consistency is key, so try to choose tasks that can realistically be completed every night.

As you fine-tune your nighttime cleaning routine, remember to prioritize efficiency and effectiveness. By creating a system that works best for you, you’ll soon notice a difference in the overall cleanliness and organization of your home, setting you up for success each day.

Make a point to stick to your routine and enjoy the transformation it brings to your daily life. The cleaning motivation builds itself as you continue to improve the general condition of your house.

Here is an example of a simple evening cleaning routine:

Washing dishes or filling the dishwasher and putting it on
Wiping kitchen countertops and cleaning up clutter
Picking up toys and clutter from the floor in main living area or play room.
Filling up washing machine with dirty laundry, adding detergent – ready for the morning
Doing a quick sweep or vacuum in kitchen.
Setting out clothes for the morning.
Wiping bathroom sink, and cleaning toilet bowl

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Why Create a Nighttime Cleaning Routine

An evening cleaning routine can have a significant impact on your overall well-being, as it can help reduce stress and anxiety levels while promoting better rest.

Developing a consistent evening cleaning routine before bed allows you to decompress and declutter your living space, in turn, creating a peaceful environment that is conducive to relaxation.

Think about this. Would you prefer to go to bed with everything (ish) cleaned up, or clutter laying around that you are GOING TO wake up to in the morning!

Cleaning tasks that may be included in your nighttime cleaning routine:

Putting away clutter
Washing dirty dishes or putting the dishwasher on
Wiping down kitchen surfaces
Folding and putting away laundry
Preparing items for the next day (setting up your coffee machine, overnight oats etc)

The Benefits of Having an Evening Cleaning Routine

One of the benefits of establishing a nighttime cleaning routine is the reduced stress levels you’ll experience when you wake up. Starting your day in a clean, organized environment can help to alleviate the pressure faced in the morning, making it easier to focus on the tasks ahead.

Not having to worry about completing chores first thing in the morning allows you to feel more in control and mentally prepared for the day.

I like the fact that even if I wake up late, I can just press start on my coffee machine, and then run upstairs to get the kids.

MOM TIP: I ALWAYS have uncrustables in the freezer, so if we are running late in the morning, I can grab a couple of them for the kids without having to make lunch!

In addition, a clean and organized living space has been shown to help decrease anxiety. Engaging in a simple evening cleaning routine can help in providing a sense of accomplishment, as it demonstrates your ability to maintain a tidy space despite a busy schedule.

Check out our super popular busy mom cleaning routine

Lastly, a nighttime cleaning routine ultimately contributes to better rest quality. A tidy space allows for fewer distractions and interruptions, as you are not surrounded by items that may remind you of unfinished tasks or evoke feelings of stress.

Being surrounded by clutter can make it difficult to fully relax, so a clean space can ease your mind into a tranquil state, promoting restful sleep.

Incorporating a nighttime cleaning routine into your daily schedule can provide the psychological benefits of reduced stress, lowered anxiety, and improved sleep quality. Remember to keep it brief and maintain a consistent routine to reap the maximum benefits.

Creating a Nighttime To-Do List

Important Tasks

A nighttime cleaning routine helps maintain order, reduce morning stress, and most importantly, help to set you up for an easier start to your day!

Start by creating a to-do list, prioritizing the most important tasks. Focus on areas and activities essential for the next day, such as kitchen cleanup and decluttering common areas.

Nobody wants to wake up to dirty dishes in the sink. So, as you start to put together a simple evening cleaning routine for yourself, I want you to focus on some of the tasks I mention below that maybe you are not doing right now.

If you are not able to add all of these tasks to your nightly evening routine, that’s okay, just focus on two big ones. My goal is always to have the kitchen sink empty before I go to bed. Yes I am lucky enough to have a dishwasher, but when we lived in the RV, I did not and still got all the dishes cleaned. Yes, sometimes I used paper plates and I’m not ashamed to admit that! Anything for an easy life!

Recenty I have started using these pods in my dishwasher, I have tested and tested these pods. Instead of washing plates etc before putting them in the dishwasher, now I only have to scrape the food off and toss them in the dishwasher, it’s a huge time saver!

The below cleaning tasks should take you less than 30 minutes

Put all dinner dishes in the dishwasher or wash them manually
Wipe down kitchen counters, stove, and kitchen sink
Tidy up/declutter kitchen counters and living room

Once you make your simple evening cleaning routine into a habit, these tasks will start to take less time, because you essentially already have a clean home!

Your kids will also get used to your nighttime cleaning routine and will need to reminded less and less as time goes by.

Your Simple Evening Cleaning Routine for the Kitchen

#1 Declutter (5 mins)

A nighttime cleaning routine in the kitchen can make your mornings more pleasant and help maintain the overall cleanliness of this essential space.

To begin, it’s important to tackle any clutter or misplaced items. Use a basket to collect all toys, blankets, clothing, and other items that are out of place. In the morning or throughout the day, when you have more energy, return them to where they belong.

#2 Clean Stovetop (2mins)

As tired as you may be, take the 5 minutes to remove any leftover or baked-on food and then wipe it down completely with a dish soap solution. Also, clean the front and rear panels and any knobs, doing this will keep your stovetop looking clean.

#3 Clean The Countertops (2 mins)

Next come the countertops and workspaces. Depending on your countertop material, clean it according to the installation directions. Usually, a lightly soapy sponge or microfiber cloth will do the trick. Make sure to remove any spills, stains or food crumbs.

#4 Sink and Dishes

The sink area is next. Rinse and load the dishwasher with any dirty dishes, and wash dishes and pans or other items that are not dishwasher safe by hand. Sanitize the sink area with dish soap or an antibacterial cleanser. Lastly run a good amount of soapy water through the garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.

#5 Load of Laundry

It is a great idea to incorporate laundry into your nightly routine. At the very least, you can prepare a load and have it ready to hit “start” when you get up the next morning. Staying on top of the laundry makes a huge difference in keeping your bedroom clear of clutter at all times. A clutter-free bedroom not only looks tidy, but it can also help reduce stress and help you to get a better sleep.

However if you are a working mom and prefer to get things done in the evening, add laundry to your evening cleaning routine. Make sure to put the washer on early in the evening, so you have time to get it washed and dried.

Folding clothes and putting them away helps keep a neat and manageable living space. If you are doing a load of laundry at night, I highly recommend that you hang the clothes that need to be hanged, and throw underwear, socks etc into the hamper, these can be folded etc when you are watching tv.

#6 Floors (3mins)

Last thing to do is to take care of the floors. Sweep up any dust, dirt, or food crumbs that may be on the kitchen floor. You can use a Swiffer or vacuum, or broom and dust pan. Again, this is where I use my faithful iRobot and send it off to clean up for me while I focus on other cleaning tasks.

By completing these steps, you’ll keep your kitchen clean and orderly, making it easy to maintain without requiring excessive time and effort.

If You have Time Add These to Your Evening Cleaning Routine

After completing the essential tasks, focus on tasks of lesser priority. Although these tasks might not be crucial, addressing them can still benefit your overall cleaning schedule. For instance, set aside 10-15 minutes for weekly tasks, such as vacuuming or dusting.

It is a great idea to create an evening cleaning checklist to help schedule out these tasks and make the weekly cleaning schedule as efficient as possible. Staying on top of this process also helps minimize the need for deep cleaning, spring cleaning, etc. A few chores each day eliminates the “messy house” in just a few minutes each day.

Weekly Tasks to include in your evening cleaning routine: (Again, only if you have the time)

Monday: Clean bathrooms
Tuesday: Dust surfaces downstairs
Wednesday: Vacuum floors
Thursday: Wash floors
Friday: Catch up on anything missed
Saturday: Change sheets + towels

Adding these tasks to your evening cleaning routine will add more free time to your weekend. These tasks should only take you a few minutes to complete. You’re not doing a deep clean, you’re just making your house a little tidier for the next morning. Cleaning the bathroom means to wipe down surfaces, clean up any mess that might have been left there earlier, and clean the toilet bowl, this should take less than 5 minutes.

Remember that the goal is not to complete everything in one night but to maintain a manageable and realistic cleaning routine. Adjust your nighttime cleaning schedules according to your personal responsibilities and schedule, ensuring consistency in completing tasks.

Tidying Up the Living Room

The living room can quickly accumulate clutter and mess at the end of the day. A simple and effective nighttime cleaning routine can ensure a stress-free environment and a fresh start every morning.

Organize and Declutter

Start by organizing and putting away any toys, remotes, and miscellaneous items that are scattered around the room. Utilize storage bins or baskets to store toys and maintain a neat appearance. I have a decorative tray on our couch and I keep our remote on it, I find that any trash from the kids ends up on this tray, which makes it much easier to clean up!

If you have children, consider involving them in this task to help build good cleaning habits early on. Yes, even young kids can help with this task, with older children helping, you can do this task in 2 minutes.

When you take a few minutes every night and make this a habit, you will wake up to a clean home every morning.

A Nighttime Cleaning Routine for Your Bedroom

Bedding

A nighttime cleaning routine for your bedroom can help create a more soothing environment for restful sleep. One essential task is taking care of your bedding. Stripping and washing the bedding once a week will keep things feeling very fresh and reduce allergens such as dust mites.

It is a great idea to have more than one set of bedding for each bed so that you are not rushing to get them washed. This is where I will change my bed sheets and pillows etc, and put them in the wash with some detergent, but I will not put on a wash until the morning.

If you are a night owl and stay up later at night, putting an a wash at night might better suit your needs.

I get up at 5am, so I know that I need to be chilling by 8pm at the latest. I know that I have to get everything done before I sit down, otherwise it’s not getting done.

Bathroom Nighttime Cleaning Routine

A well-maintained bathroom is essential for keeping your home clean and organized. Attention to a few key areas can make a big difference to keeping your house clean.

Adding the bathroom to your nightly cleaning routine will make a big difference in keeping your house clean, and the best part is, it only takes a few minutes.

After you brush your teeth, wipe down the hard surfaces around the sink srea, and wipe down your sink. Also give your toilet bowl a quick clean, and that’s it. All in all, this should take less than 2 minutes of your time! When you start doing this every night, it will become second nature, and now at the weekend, when you go to clean your bathroom, you will find it quite clean already!

Applying these strategies into your nighttime bathroom maintenance routine can help you maintain a clean, organized, and comfortable space. Regular upkeep can save you time and energy by minimizing the need to deep clean in the long run, plus it keeps your bathroom looking nice.

Creating a Nightly Cleaning Routine that Works!

With a little bit of effort and a tried-and-true nighttime cleaning routine that works for you, you can take care of most of your home in no time. Doing small daily cleaning tasks will save you time, energy, and stress the next day.

It’s also essential for creating an environment that is calm and relaxing- a small step that can have a huge impact on your overall health and well-being as a mum.

When it comes to creating a simple evening cleaning routine, it has to work for you. So if you’ve been up since 5 with the baby, and it’s now 8pm, and you know you’re going to be up in a few hours, maybe getting the dishwasher on, and the kitchen wiped down is all you’re up for. That is okay.

There are some nights when you simply won’t get everything that is on your nighttime cleaning routine, but having a nighttime cleaning routine will help you to keep your house clean and tidy on a regular basis.

My Best Tips for Setting a Nightly Cleaning Routine for Moms with Young Children!

If you have littles that are unable to help you with keeping your house clean. Do this!

After dinner, get them set up with their favorite tv show, and begin your nightly cleaning routine. If your hubby is home, always include him in your cleaning routines. You could have him put the kids to bed while you clean up, or vice versa

If the kids can help you clean up, give them each a chore to do. This will make them feel more important, and apt to actually do the chore! If you want toys put away, have a place for the kids to actually put them, I find large baskets work great for stuffed animals, and cube boxes work well for other toys. Make sure to spend time praising them and let them know how much of a help to you they were.

Make this a nighttime habit, and the kids will start this chore on their own after a few weeks of doing it. Show them what a clean home you have, because of their help cleaning up their toys.

I have had an evening cleaning routine for years, it helps me to go to bed in a clean home every night. I don’t wake up to a messy kitchen, or toys on the floor. Instead I wake up to my coffee machine ready to go, my dishes all clean in the dishwasher, and laundry ready to go if I feel like it.

Moms -Adding This to Your Simple Evening Routine is a Game Changer!

If you find yourself always running late in the morning, do this at nighttime.

Have the kids lunch made and ready to go in the fridge
Set out the clothes that everyone is wearing the next day
Have any school book bags by the front door ready to go.

Pre-Sleep Relaxation Techniques

Incorporating relaxing activities into your nighttime cleaning routine can help transition your mind from the day’s stress to a restful night’s sleep. One popular relaxation technique is reading. Engaging in a book or an article before bed can take your mind off of daily concerns, giving your brain a chance to unwind. Opt for light reading material rather than emotionally intense content to avoid stimulating your mind too much before sleeping.

Another pre-sleep relaxation technique is practicing mindfulness, with activities such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. Meditation can be done at any time before bed, and it helps to calm the mind and release stress. Similarly, deep breathing exercises can also promote relaxation, aiding in easier sleep.

It’s important to note that modifying your diet and exercise habits in the evening can greatly influence your ability to relax. Limit your caffeine intake several hours before bedtime, as it can interfere with your ability to fall asleep. You could try a soothing cup of nightime tea to help you relax before bedtime.

Some people may find it helpful to take a gentle walk shortly after dinner, as mild physical activity can help release stress and improve sleep quality. If taking a walk doesn’t work, you could go outside into yoru back yard and run around with the kids

If you have a hard time relaxing after such a hectic day running around after your kids, try any of the below:

Reading a book or article
Practicing meditation and deep breathing
Limiting caffeine intake
Taking a gentle walk after dinner
Journaling

By incorporating these pre-sleep relaxation techniques into your routine, you can facilitate a better night’s sleep and overall well-being.

If you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of creating a nighttime cleaning routine, start slowly. Please believe when I say, having a nightly cleaning routine really does make a HUGE difference in your morning.

Start incorporating some of the above tasks into your nightly cleaning routine, and see what a difference in makes to your daily routine. Within one week, you will have a new habit and wonder why you didn’t do this years ago!

The Best Nighttime Cleaning Routine for Moms

How To Create A Nighttime Cleaning Routine

Why Create a Nighttime Cleaning Routine

The Benefits of Having an Evening Cleaning Routine