How to Make a Vintage Homekeeping Schedule

As part of the Mother Series and just in time for a new homeschool year, I present: how to make a vintage homekeeping schedule (in 5 simple steps + referenced from real vintage books). This really simplified things for me!  Grab your pencil and our free ebook below.

 

You Will Need:

Before you begin, you will want to download this free ebook. It includes a worksheet and the tutorial below.

The simple system I present is based on "the best of" two vintage books from my personal collection (sources below) and the years of tweaking that a homeschool mother must do.

​Other resources in this Mother's Series include:

• Part 1: A Mother's Homekeeping Time Cards
• Part 2: A Mother's Color Coded Priority Time Table
• A Mother's Companion for a Happy Home: Volume 1: A Full Year of Day-by-Day Lessons

Step 1: Mealtimes

The first step in making a vintage homekeeping schedule is to plan your mealtimes. Give ample time for preparation, eating, and clean-up.

• 8:00 to 8:30:  Breakfast and dishes.
• 12:00 to 1:00:  Luncheon and dishes.
• 5:00 to 6:00:  Dinner and dishes.

Step 2: Daily Tasks

The second step to making a vintage homekeeping schedule is to list the daily tasks with ample time for each. 

Before and Around Breakfast.

1. Air bedroom. On arising, open wide the windows in bedroom for air circulation. Tidy a few minutes. 10 min.
2. Prepare breakfast and set table. 15 min.
3. Clear and wash table, wash dishes, and put away food. 15 min.

Daily Tasks After Breakfast.
    4.  Make the beds. Tidy bedroom with extra time and close window. 15 min.
    5.  Empty trash cans and reline. Spray with fresh lemon scent. 10 min.
    6.  Open windows for air circulation. 5 min.
    7.  Miscellaneous tasks: water plants, feed pets, etc. 10 min.
    8.  Straighten furniture and tidy throughout the home. 15 min.
    9.  Surface dust throughout the home. 10 min.
    10. Surface sweep throughout the home. 15 min.

Tip! Are you someone who doesn't like schedules?
You can skip the scheduling and use this as a daily checklist.

Step 3: Weekly Tasks

The third step in making a vintage homekeeping schedule is to list your weekly tasks. It is suggested to clean one room per day, but not on your laundry day.

• Washing. 
• Ironing and Mending.
• Living room.
• Extra room.
• Dining room.
• Bedrooms.
• Bathrooms.
• Hallways and Stairs.
• Kitchen.
• Meal Planning and Shopping.​

Step 4: Seasonal Tasks

The next step for a vintage homekeeping schedule is to list tasks that need done occasionally or by season. Here I will make a few suggestions:

• Decorate for the season.
• Clean and organize drawers and closets.
• Clean and organize attic and basement.
• Gardening.
• Sewing.
• Refresh wardrobe.
• Make doctor, dental, hair appointments.

​Specific seasonal cleaning tasks are included in our vintage booklist here.​

Step 5: Schedule

Now it’s time to put it all together. Get out a piece of paper and jot down times for your vintage homekeeping schedule. Remember to include:

• Mealtimes
• Daily Tasks
• Weekly Tasks
• Seasonal Tasks

You can look at my sample schedules + blank schedule free printable. 
​

• Sample 1: Homekeeping Only!  This is for the new bride or those without children at home.
• Sample 2: Homekeeping & Homeschool!  This is for the mother or those who homeschool. (This starts a bit earlier, but if you don’t want to get up earlier, simply move tasks to the afternoon.)

​Either way, all tasks easily fit into the day with time out for anything you want in the afternoons. Please see the free ebook for the schedules. I include a blank schedule so you can make your own.

SOURCES

• The Bride's Encyclopedia edited by Dorothy Sara
• Making Homekeeping Easy by Dorothy Lois Abel