Cleaning the bathroom

You will need to clean the shower and the shower floor, the bath, the toilet, the handbasin, the bathroom floor and the wall tiles. For an average bathroom this should take less than half an hour. You don't have to buy a lot of expensive stuff to clean it either. Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and a good sponge will clean the tub and sink really well. Sprinkle it on, dry, and move it around with a damp sponge. For the jobs you don't want to touch, USE GLOVES.  

Vacuuming

Someone will need to vacuum the carpeted, shared areas of the house such as the living room and hall. Each person should vacuum their own room.  For the living area of an average house you should allow about 15 minutes.   Don't forget to change the bag inside the vacuum when it's full or you will be wasting your time.

Washing the floors

You will need to wash or mop all of the floors which are not carpeted such as the kitchen, the bathroom, the toilet and laundry. If you start with hot water and a good splash of floor cleaner or vinegar, the job will be much easier.

Cleaning the bedroom

It is a good idea to put your doona outside on the line for a couple of hours each week on a nice day.  This will lengthen the life of a doona greatly.  While your doona is on the line it is a good time to wash and change your doona cover and sheets.

Washing dishes

Try not to let things build up too much. Rinse off dishes as soon as you finish with them to avoid hard scrubbing later.  If they are really dirty, leave them to soak with detergent before washing.  Try to keep things stacked up, and not all over the place. A drying rack is useful because then your dishes can drip dry. If you have a dishwasher, its best not to use it until there is a reasonable amount to wash.  If you leave dishes around, you'll get a lot of new pets around the place: COCKROACHES and ANTS.

Putting out the rubbish

Rubbish is collected once a week.  You will need to find out what day the rubbish will be collected in your street and put the rubbish out the night before.  Empty inside bins regularly.  You can recycle paper, glass and cans in a recycle bin. Most cities and towns in Australia now offer a recycling bin along with a bin for non-recyclable rubbish.

Washing and drying clothes

You will need to wash your clothes after you wear them to keep them looking and smelling good – especially the layers that have been closest to your body. You don't have to wash things like jackets or jeans or scarves every time you wear them.  Try to pick a windy but sunny day to do your washing as it is always better for clothes to dry in the open air.  If you can, wash your colours, whites and blacks separately.