For years, housewives have complained that there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day. While you’re busy taking care of your family, those pesky chores – picking up children’s waste, keeping toys and school supplies organized, and keeping your home clean – can easily add up and become overwhelming. But with a little ingenuity and some planning, you can have the perfect home you dream of without losing your mind or breaking your back. The following are just a few tips to keep your chores in check and your sanity intact.

Make a plan

For a safe way to ensure you never leave a single corner of your home neglected, establish a detailed plan for your cleaning activities. Although it may seem like an exaggeration, a monthly plan will be the most effective. First, create a to-do list, including daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly tasks.

If you don’t know where to start, take a moment to consider your expectations. Do you go crazy if your house is not immaculate or you feel comfortable letting a few things pass from time to time? Determine how often you would like to complete each task, assigning a higher priority to the areas of the house that matter most to you, perhaps the kitchen floor or the guest bathroom. Once you’ve set your priorities, start adding tasks to your calendar. Your goal should be to have only a few tasks to complete each day so that you are never faced with hours and hours of cleaning.

Try a timer

If you’re someone who absolutely dreads housework in all its forms, consider setting a kitchen timer, perhaps 15 minutes, to tackle some of the day’s chores. Clean up only until the time is up and save the rest of the day’s tasks for your next session. Although 15 minutes may not sound like a lot, you might be surprised what you can accomplish if you force yourself to do it just a few times a day, especially if you’ve planned your work ahead of time.

The timer approach is a great way to encourage yourself to do any type of activity that you don’t particularly enjoy. Not only will it motivate you to move faster, but it will also prevent you from being overwhelmed by the tasks at hand.

Invest in the right tools

The right tools make all the difference when it comes to efficiently completing household tasks. Your floors in particular, as well as your back, will benefit from an investment in the right equipment.

If you have hardwood or tile floors, a steam mop (about $ 99 for a good one) will save you time and effort, and can help remove household allergens without the use of harsh chemicals. Rather than relying on a bucket of water and a cleaning solution, a steam mop uses very hot water to lift dirt off your floors in a fraction of the time it normally takes to mop. Relatively lightweight and easy to use, a steam mop is also much kinder to your back – no heavy lifting or scrubbing required.

For the more technologically adventurous, relatively new “robot” vacuum cleaners can save a lot of time. While regular vacuuming will be required from time to time, these automatic carpet and hard floor cleaners can be scheduled to give your entire home a daily check, whether you’re there to supervise or not.

Dry dusters, mini vacuums, and pre-moistened cleaning cloths are just a few more ways to save time while keeping your home clean and tidy, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the activities you love.