Why the ‘Zone Cleaning’ Method Is the Perfect Solution if You’re Always Overwhelmed by Housework

Whether you live in a cozy space or have a lot of square footage to cover, keeping your home tidy and organized is an ongoing project that often feels tricky to keep up with.  Adopting the “zone cleaning” approach—a simplified way of tackling every corner of your living space—might just make all the difference, though.

In fact, organizing pros say it’s the key to making home maintenance more manageable. Here’s everything you need to know, including what the “zone cleaning” method entails and a full how-to on incorporating the method into your own routine. 

What is the ‘Zone Cleaning’ Method? 

Zone cleaning is when you divide your home into different “zones” and tackle each area one at a time. It’s a “bit by bit” approach—like completing a hike one step at a time or finishing a puzzle piece by piece—that leverages a bit of psychological trickery. By isolating and conquering one section at a time, the whole cleaning and organizing process feels more manageable. 

“I truly believe that zone cleaning is a great method to stay on top of household tasks because it gives you a dedicated task for a designated time,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space. “Also, the flexibility of zone cleaning allows you to tailor your cleaning schedule to your needs and available time.”

Another benefit of zone cleaning is that it allows you to create a customized maintenance schedule that automates your routine. The less you have to think about what to tackle, the more time you have to do the tackling!  

How to Follow the ‘Zone Cleaning’ Method 

So how do you create a zone cleaning schedule? Not to get too meta, but it’s a step-by-step process. Follow this how-to. 

Divide Your Home Into Zones

First thing’s first: You must define the different areas of your home, says Tracy McCubbin, organizing expert and founder of dClutterfly. Think about how you naturally use each space and break it down into manageable sections. For example, you might designate the kitchen as one zone, the living room as another, and divide bedrooms and bathrooms into their own categories. And if certain areas tend to get messier more quickly—like entryways or high-traffic spots—you may want to give them their own dedicated zones as well.

Here’s an example of what your zones may look like:

• Zone 1 – Entryway & Porch
• Zone 2 – Kitchen & Dining
• Zone 3 – Bathrooms
• Zone 4 – Bedrooms
• Zone 5 – Living Room 

Create a Schedule

The key to effective zone cleaning is creating a set schedule of which zones to clean when. This ensures cleaning tasks are completed consistently. 

“For example, I personally do not like leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight, so I clean my kitchen daily as part of my zone cleaning routine,” says Duckworth. “However, something like the bathroom doesn’t need daily attention, so I schedule that as a weekly task. I also personally clean my bathroom and bedroom once a week.” 

When deciding how often to clean each room, Duckworth says to ask yourself: 

• How often does this space become messy or cluttered?
• How frequently is this area used?
• How much time do I have during the week to maintain this space?

Write down your schedule and post it somewhere visible so everyone in the household is aware of it. 

Tackle One Zone at a Time 

Now that you have a set schedule, follow it as best as you can. Really dedicate your time toward cleaning this area when the time comes; the zone cleaning approach allows you to give that area the attention it needs without feeling overwhelmed. Set a timer, put on a playlist or podcast, and dive in—knowing that the rest of your home will get its turn soon.

“In terms of decluttering each zone, target the top level clutter,” McCubbin advises. “Items that need to be returned to their proper home are always the first order of business.” From there, work your way from top to bottom of the room. Dust and wipe down shelves, clean furniture and objects, then tackle the floors. 

Maintain Small Tasks In-Between

Duckworth notes that zone cleaning doesn’t mean ignoring small tasks in-between the larger, dedicated cleanup time. For example, taking out the garbage when it’s full—even if it’s not your scheduled cleaning day—helps make zone cleaning faster, more efficient, and easier to manage. 

Similarly, wiping down the kitchen counters after cooking or doing a quick sweep of the entryway when you notice dirt helps maintain a baseline of cleanliness. These small habits prevent messes from piling up.