Perpetual Calendar and Time Trial Sheets

Today you get your first look at the highly efficient perpetual cleaning calendar. If it only did the actual cleaning it would be perfect!

Do you know why I like charts? Even before it was so easy to make simple computerized forms, designing a chart or writing an article ratcheted up the professional level of a home project. My charts are embarrassingly simple, functional, not made to win design contests, but to get things done efficiently in a home that could always use just a little more time. Some of you amazing design whizzes out there can surely make them fancier. . .just send me a copy when you do. I appreciate good artwork.

Here is the  Perpetual Cleaning Chart.

Remember some simple codes will help you as you insert your own cleaning tasks. I’ll list mine after the break.

For a bonus, since the sun is shining and the snow is melting and a visit to one of my two favorite sisters is only a week away:

Here is a blank  Time Tracking Activity Chart  sheet. Print one of these and carry it around timing everything in sight for several weeks; time things more than once: four, five, six times or even more. Time your Bible study, dish washing, taking showers, getting to work, grocery shopping, team meetings, bed making, resolving childish arguments (the children’s arguments, mind you–not the adults having a childish argument). I guarantee you, you will be amazed at how little time some things take that you always put off doing because you don’t have time. Have fun!

 Entry Codes for the Perpetual Cleaning Calendar

Start each entry with a code for how often the task appears on the calendar:

• M: monthly
• Q: quarterly
• 6x: bi-monthly
• 2x: semi-annually
• 1x: yearly

Then for the bi-monthly and semi-annually tasks, add an additional number to remind you what time this cleaning appointment is:

6x/1: first time done in the year; 6x/5: fifth time done in the year (This helps you decide if a task really needs to be done as often as it is scheduled). Likewise:

2x/1 and 2x/2 for semi-annual tasks.

Use room codes:

• k: kitchen
• B1: bedroom 1
• B2: bedroom 2
• bt: bath (if only one)
• lr: living room
• gr: great room
• l: laundry

You get the idea, right?

Use codes for areas that frequently get broken down into smaller cleaning modules:

• s: shelves (for book cases, shelves in closets, garages, etc)
• dr: drawers (drawers in dressers, kitchen drawers, work bench drawers, etc)
• dk: desk drawers
• cb: cupboards
• cl: closet
• fl: floor

Use locators for duplicate items:

• db: downstairs bath
• ub: upstairs bath
• N, S, E, W: north, south, east, or west (for those of you who actually know the geographical orientation of your home and rooms!)

Examples:

• 6x/4: db: s1: means the 4th time out of 6 times in the year that the first shelf in the downstairs bath gets attention
• 2x/1: wk: counter: means the 1st time out of 2 times in the year that the work shop counter gets attention
• Q: inside dw: means its time for one of the quarterly cleaning appointments for the inside of the dishwasher

Final Word:

Of course, you need to decide what level of cleaning each task requires. Does it meaning straightening? Dusting? Scrubbing? Rearranging?  Having task expectations written down makes it easier for you to train apprentices (or yourself) to meet an objective standard. Maybe they will do a good enough job on a task to receive a clean cup star of approval rating! No, I never designed approval stars, though it is a good idea.  Maybe for the grandchildren. Do you think grandchildren would like a grandma who brings clean cup stickers with her for a visit?