Frugal Friends Podcast Episode Summary: "2025 Simple Cleaning Schedule & Products"

Release Date: January 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In Episode 477 of the Frugal Friends Podcast, hosts Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni delve into the challenging task of maintaining a clean home without breaking the bank. This episode, titled "2025 Simple Cleaning Schedule & Products," offers listeners a comprehensive guide to organizing a sustainable cleaning routine, complemented by practical tips and budget-friendly cleaning solutions. The conversation is infused with the hosts' trademark humor, making the topic both informative and entertaining.

Creating a Simple Cleaning Schedule

Jill's Personal Journey
Jill opens up about her longstanding struggle with keeping a clean home, sharing, "Having a clean home and keeping on top of the tasks has always felt really stressful to me." Her breakthrough came last year when she discovered a system that worked, which she now passionately shares with listeners.

Step-by-Step Guide Based on Better Homes and Gardens
The hosts reference an article from Better Homes and Gardens titled "A House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To," structuring their discussion around nine actionable steps.

1. Get Ready ([05:37])
   Jen humorously remarks, "I'm never ready to clean," highlighting the common barrier of procrastination. The hosts recommend starting with pen and paper or a digital note-taking app to list all cleaning tasks.

2. Choose Your Rooms ([06:10] - [08:09])
   Jill emphasizes the importance of inventorying each room and identifying both major and minor cleaning tasks. For example, in the kitchen, tasks range from "wiping down the counters" to "deep cleaning the oven."

3. Identify and Customize Tasks ([08:09] - [09:46])
   Jen advises against overwhelming lists, stating, "They always put too many tasks on those lists." Instead, she suggests a minimalist approach, focusing on essential tasks like dusting, sweeping, and sanitizing surfaces.

4. Assign Frequencies ([09:46] - [15:19])
   Jill shares her personal method of using post-it notes to categorize tasks by frequency—weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc. She explains, "Laundry I wanna do weekly... cleaning the range hood... mopping the floors biweekly." This visual organization made the process less daunting and more manageable.

5. Identify Your Cleaning Style ([15:19] - [16:09])
   Jen discusses the effectiveness of timed cleaning sessions, especially for those with ADHD. "If I make a list of things I need to do and my one thing is, like, I have to cross this thing off the list, it never gets crossed off because it only gets half done," she shares. Using a timer allows her to achieve small victories without feeling overwhelmed.

6. Organize Into a Calendar ([17:30] - [26:32])
   Jill elaborates on integrating the cleaning schedule into a weekly calendar. She details her routine:

   • Mondays: Laundry and alternating between washing mats and bedding.
   • Tuesdays: Cleaning toilets and bathroom sinks.
   • Wednesdays: Tackling larger tasks like cleaning the dishwasher or wiping baseboards.
   • Thursdays: Light duties such as watering plants.
   • Fridays: No tasks, allowing for flexibility.
   • Saturdays: Outdoor chores like mowing the lawn and deep cleaning appliances.

   This structured yet flexible approach ensures consistency while accommodating life's unpredictability.

Cleaning Products: DIY vs. Store-Bought

DIY Cleaning Solutions ([26:32] - [35:34])
Jen and Jill advocate for homemade cleaning products to save money and reduce chemical usage. They highlight several mixtures:

• All-Purpose Cleaner: "Equal parts white vinegar and water," with optional lemon peel or essential oils for fragrance. Jill adds, "Countertops, cabinets, tables, desks... everywhere."

• Window/Glass Cleaner: "1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water," plus rubbing alcohol to speed up drying.

• Wood Cleaner: Although Jen hasn't tried it, the recommended mix is "olive oil and lemon juice" for polishing wooden surfaces.

Jill shares her experimentation with DIY laundry and dishwasher detergents, noting the trial and error involved. While her homemade laundry detergent is successful, the dishwasher version leaves a milky residue, possibly due to hard water.

Store-Bought Recommendations ([35:34] - [36:29])
Jen praises Cascade Platinum Plus dishwasher pods, stating, "According to Consumer Reports and Wirecutter, this is unbeatable." She also mentions Bar Keepers Friend as a reliable, semi-natural cleaner for stainless steel and other surfaces.

Sustainable and Cost-Effective Choices ([36:29] - [49:57])
The hosts discuss the balance between sustainability and effectiveness. Jen introduces the Drops Ultra Wash Plus dishwasher detergent pods, noting their comparable performance to Cascade but with a more sustainable profile. Jill adds savvy shopping tips, such as purchasing cleaning products at yard sales or thrift stores to further reduce costs.

Interactive Segments

Bill of the Week ([36:35] - [38:51])
Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite recurring bills that offer significant value. A caller, Carol, shares her appreciation for the YMCA membership, highlighting its multifaceted benefits: "My YMCA membership costs $78 a month, which includes childcare, fitness equipment, free classes, and community events." Both hosts applaud the value, with Jill noting, "It's a combination of a gym membership along with them being able to watch your kids."

Lightning Round ([42:32] - [56:02])
In this segment, listeners submit quick questions related to cleaning. For instance, when asked about a cleaning product everyone should DIY, Jill recommends the all-purpose cleaner: "All Purpose cleaner. I think white vinegar and water doesn't have to be super complicated." Jen counters with a favorite product they believe listeners should purchase: the Dremel Versa Power Scrubber, which "does the scrubbing for you" and is particularly effective on glass oven tops and bathroom tiles. Despite its higher cost, Jen asserts it's a worthwhile investment for the time saved.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Jen and Jill emphasize the importance of flexibility in maintaining a cleaning schedule. They acknowledge that life circumstances, such as illness or busy seasons, may require adjustments. "If you are consistently like falling behind or not coming through with your plan, then at that point you may need to reevaluate it and make it more realistic," Jill advises.

The hosts also encourage listeners to engage with their content by leaving reviews and sharing their own cleaning tips and routines. Jen concludes with a light-hearted reflection on her perpetual battle with kitchen messes, keeping the conversation relatable and grounded.

Notable Quotes:

• Jen ([05:37]): "I'm never ready to clean."
• Jill ([09:46]): "This makes the whole thing feel less daunting."
• Jen ([15:19]): "If I make a list... it never gets crossed off because it only gets half done."
• Jill ([26:32]): "Once I've realized how long these tasks take, the barrier to entry is so much lower."
• Carol ([36:38]): "My YMCA membership... includes 10 hours a week of childcare, fitness equipment, free classes..."
• Jen ([45:33]): "It is the Dremel Versa Power Scrubber... it's what Amazon is telling me."

Final Recommendations:

• Adopt a Personalized Cleaning Schedule: Identify your home's specific needs and assign realistic frequencies to tasks.
• Utilize DIY Cleaning Products: Save money and reduce chemical exposure with simple homemade solutions.
• Invest in Essential Tools: Quality products like the Dremel Versa Power Scrubber can streamline your cleaning routine.
• Stay Flexible: Regularly reassess and adjust your schedule to fit your lifestyle and seasonal demands.
• Engage and Share: Participate in community segments like "Bill of the Week" to discover new value-added services and share your own tips.

By implementing these strategies, listeners can achieve a cleaner home environment while adhering to frugal living principles.