A realistic guide for one housekeeper. Times are averages for a home in reasonable condition, so use them to plan your list, not as a promise.
Kitchen & meals
- Kitchen reset, benches, sink, taps, stovetop and appliance fronts: 25 to 35 min
- Wash up, or load and unload the dishwasher: 15 to 20 min
- Microwave cleaned inside: 10 min
- Fridge wiped out inside: 20 to 30 min
- Pantry tidy and reset: 30 to 45 min
Bathrooms & laundry
- Bathroom cleaned, basin, toilet, shower, mirror and floor: 25 to 30 min each
- Laundry started, one load washed and hung or dried: 10 min handling
- Laundry folded and put away, one load: 15 to 20 min
- Bed stripped and fresh linen made up: 10 min per bed
Living & bedrooms
- Living or dining reset, dust, tidy, cushions and surfaces: 20 to 25 min
- Bedroom reset, bed made, dusted, surfaces tidied: 10 to 15 min each
- Vacuum through the home: 15 to 25 min
- Mop hard floors: 10 to 15 min
- Dusting throughout: 15 to 20 min
Tidy, organise & extras
- Reset one zone, entryway, bench, coffee table or toy corner: 15 to 20 min
- Wardrobe or drawers folded and reset: 30 to 45 min
- Linen cupboard tidy: 20 to 30 min
- Balcony or outdoor area tidy: 15 to 25 min
- Interior windows, per room: 15 to 20 min
- Groceries unpacked and put away: 15 to 20 min
Longer jobs to budget for: an oven reset (around 45 to 60 minutes with soak time), a full pantry or wardrobe overhaul, or ironing a basket. These are worth their own slot on your list, so nothing else gets squeezed.