Don’t Stick to the Same Cleaning Routine After Your Kids Move Out — I Cut Mine in Half

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As a recent empty nester, I’ve been noticing the changes between my current routines and the ones I had for years with kids in the house. Being a self-employed writer allowed me to work around my children’s schedules, though balancing household tasks and caring for our dog was also part of the routine. And as a home-based parent, I was also responsible for most of our house cleaning — but my routines have looked a little different throughout the years. 

With four bedrooms and a finished basement, this is how I managed to clean our home, adapted my routine when my kids went to college, and how I now keep my home neat and organized now that it’s just my husband and me.

When my children were young and in high school, I stuck to a strict weekly cleaning routine. I also hired a housecleaner twice a month to tackle deep-cleaning chores, like scrubbing the kitchen, vacuuming the basement, and thoroughly cleaning the bathrooms. My son and daughter each had their own bedrooms, and I allowed some flexibility in how they chose to maintain their spaces — not caring too much when my son’s sports trophies or my daughter’s crystal figurines sometimes gathered dust.

During that 10-year period, my weekly routine included stripping beds and replacing linens and vacuuming throughout our home. I regularly wiped down desks and dressers, cleared away trash such as clothing tags and water bottles, and emptied waste bins as part of my tidying process. 

The children shared a full bath, and I cleaned vanity spaces and sinks as needed, scrubbed the toilet and sprayed this shower to prevent grime buildup. I also washed bathmats when necessary. I tended to clean our master bathroom more frequently, since the kids often used it. The toilet, shower, and vanities received regular attention, and the large soaking tub was cleaned about twice a month.

The main upstairs hallway and stairs were vacuumed twice a week. For nearly 11 years, we had a yellow labrador retriever (who shed a lot) — from the time the kids were in middle school until they went off to college. Downstairs, where our dog spent most of her time, I regularly used a Swiffer for hair, vacuumed, and cleaned up muddy paw prints. The kitchen was wiped down after meals, including counters, island, stove top, microwave, and floors. The den was cleaned daily, with coffee tables organized and blankets washed at least twice a month. Picture frames and various items were dusted every two weeks. The basement needed extra care since it was our children’s hangout spot for watching TV, playing video games, and socializing with friends. Although I encouraged the kids to take their trash upstairs, I relied on my housecleaner to give the area special attention. During this time, I spent 6 hours per week devoted to cleaning our whole house.

When my daughter moved out and went to college, my son was still in high school. As we adjusted to being a three-person household, the biggest change to the cleaning routine was that I only cleaned her room bi-monthly (she’d still come home during breaks). My son helped with chores, and our overall routine remained the same. 

The basement was the main concern since it was the popular spot for my son and his friends to hang out on weekends. I took extra care to ensure that the basement stayed clean and free of food and trash. When our house cleaner moved away during my son’s senior year, I chose not to hire a replacement. I delegated kitchen and vacuuming duties to my husband and he continued handling trash, yard work, repairs, and folding laundry. Our teamwork has helped us maintain a happy marriage for more than 25 years. 

After my daughter left for college and my twice monthly house cleaner left, I reduced my weekly cleaning time to about 5 hours.

Once both my kids were in college, they came home mainly for breaks, taking our trio down to a duo: my husband and me. Sadly, our dog passed away, but a year later we got another yellow labrador — having a dog is a joy every day, and I can’t picture life without one, so cleaning her hair is a small act.

Life as an empty nester is rewarding. Household tasks are easier, and though I miss my kids, they’re thriving in their careers and lives. As a parent, that’s all I could hope for.

My current cleaning routine covers the downstairs half-bath, daily tidying of the kitchen and family room, weekly vacuuming, and keeping the upstairs full baths clean. My husband handles folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, and picking up the dog’s toys daily. We eat most meals at home on weekdays, and spend about 10 minutes cleaning up together daily. Overall, I devote around 3 hours a week to cleaning for us both. With half the family gone, I cut down my routine from six hours of cleaning to just three. The math surely makes sense! Now I have more time to write, walk, travel, spoil our dog, and plan trips to visit our grown children.