List of Household Chores for Adults and Couples

Daily household chores are a necessary part of adult life. They are the tasks that need to be completed to keep a home running smoothly and efficiently. While some people may enjoy doing household chores, others may find them tedious and time-consuming.

Some common daily household chores for adults include cleaning and organizing the home, doing laundry, washing dishes, and preparing meals.

Due to the volume of chores that need to be done each week, it is important to establish a routine so they are done consistently and efficiently.

In this article, we put together a complete list of common household chores that need to be done on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. By the end of the article, you (and your partner) will have a better understanding of the tasks that need to be completed to keep a home clean and organized.

So, let’s dive in and start making your to-do list!

Daily Household Chores:

Here is a list of the most common household chores that occur on a daily basis:

Morning:

• Make the bed
• Make coffee/tea
• Make breakfast
• Prepare lunches and snacks
• Wash breakfast dishes or load the dishwasher
• Wipe down kitchen counters and stove
• Put away any clutter or items left out from the night before
• Walk and feed pets
• Water plants
• Childcare:
  • Change diapers
  • Bathroom routines
  • Get dressed
  • Prepare backpack, school supplies

After Work:

• Sort and handle mail
• Put away any items left out from the morning routine
• Prepare and cook dinner
• Wash dishes or load the dishwasher
• Wipe down kitchen counters and stove
• Sweep or vacuum kitchen floor
• Start a load of laundry, if needed
• Fold and put away clean laundry
• Clean up any spills or messes
• Take out the trash and recycling
• Walk and feed pets
• Childcare tasks:
  • Pickup kids from school or daycare
  • Take kids to after school activities
  • Help with homework or reading assignments
  • Bath and bedtime routines

Before Bed:

• Unload the dishwasher
• Put away any items left out from the evening routine
• Prepare items needed for the next day, such as make lunch or wash work clothes
• Set out clothes for the next day
• Turn off lights and electronics
• Lock doors and windows

Weekly Household Chores:

Weekly household chores that are typically not done on a daily basis:

Financial tasks:

• Review bank account balances and transactions
• Pay any bills that are due
• Check credit card balances and make payments
• Update budget and track expenses
• Discuss any upcoming expenses or financial goals
• Review upcoming paychecks and plan for expenses accordingly
• Review any subscriptions or recurring charges and cancel any unnecessary ones

Meal planning:

• Make grocery list
• Grocery shopping
• Meal prep and planning

Errands:

• Pick up prescriptions
• Dry cleaning dropoff and pickup
• Medical appointments

Interior household tasks:

• Fixing and repairing household items as needed
• Vacuuming carpets and rugs
• Cleaning hard floors
• Dusting furniture and surfaces
• Cleaning bathrooms (sink, toilet, shower/tub)
• Changing bed sheets and pillowcases
• Cleaning kitchen appliances (oven, microwave, refrigerator)
• Wiping down kitchen cabinets and drawers
• Cleaning mirrors and windows
• Disinfecting high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, etc.)
• Cleaning and sanitizing indoor garbage bins
• Washing and folding towels
• Dusting blinds and curtains

Exterior household tasks:

• Maintaining outdoor spaces:
  • Mowing the lawn
  • Weeding the garden
  • Sweeping outdoor areas (porch, patio, deck)
• Move garbage cans on garbage day

Car-related tasks:

• Clean car interior
• Filling car gas tank
• Check tire pressure and engine fluids

Monthly Household Chores:

Here is a list of monthly household chores that are typically not done on a daily or weekly basis:

Financial tasks:

• Pay rent or mortgage
• Review monthly budget and make adjustments as needed
• Review credit card statements for errors or fraudulent charges
• Review investment portfolio and make any necessary adjustments
• Review and pay any outstanding debts or loans
• Review and update retirement plans
• Review and update financial goals and progress

Interior household tasks:

• Kitchen cleaning and organizing:
  • Pantry
  • Fridge and freezer (interior and exterior)
  • Oven and range hood (interior and exterior)
  • Dishwasher
  • Cabinets and drawers (interior and exterior)
• Cleaning and organizing other spaces as needed:
  • Garage or basement
  • Attic or storage space
  • Tool shed or workshop
  • Linen closet
  • Medicine cabinet
  • Home office
  • Craft room or hobby area
  • Outdoor furniture and grill
• Cleaning and organizing household items:
  • Closets and drawers
  • Polishing furniture and wood surfaces
  • Disinfecting the trash cans
  • Dusting light fixtures and ceiling fans
  • Air vents and replacing air filters
  • Tile grout
  • Carpets and upholstery
  • Disinfecting pet areas

Car-related tasks:

• Car wash
• Routine maintenance per manufacturer

Common Monthly Bills to be Paid:

Here is a list of the most common monthly bills that couples pay:

• Rent or mortgage payment
• Utilities (electricity, gas, water, etc.)
• Internet and cable or satellite TV
• Cell phone bills
• Car payments
• Insurance (auto, home, life, health, etc.)
• Credit card payments
• Student loan payments
• Personal loan payments
• Subscription services (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc.)
• Gym memberships or other fitness-related expenses
• Childcare or education expenses
• Groceries and household supplies
• Entertainment expenses (movies, dining out, etc.)
• Charitable donations or church contributions
• Home maintenance and repairs
• Transportation expenses (gas, tolls, public transportation, etc.)
• Pet-related expenses (food, vet bills, etc.)
• Personal care expenses (haircuts, salon services, etc.)
• Retirement savings or investment contributions
• Medical bills and copays

Yearly Household Chores:

Here is a list of yearly household chores that are typically not done on a monthly, weekly or daily basis:

Financial tasks:

• Check credit scores and report any errors or discrepancies
• Collect tax documents
• Prepare and file taxes
• Review and update estate planning documents
• Review and update emergency fund savings
• Review insurance policies, get new quotes from competitors, and make any necessary changes

Exterior household tasks:

• Cleaning the gutters and downspouts
• Pressure washing the exterior of the house
• Cleaning and sealing the deck or patio
• Cleaning chimney and fireplace
• Maintaining the septic or sewer system
• Cleaning the water heater
• Inspecting and cleaning the roof
• Inspecting and cleaning the windows and screens
• Organizing and storing the holiday decorations
• Organizing the photo albums and digital files
• Deep cleaning and decluttering the entire house.

Pet Chores and Routines:

Here is a list of the most common pet-care chores and routines:

• Feeding pets (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) daily
• Providing fresh water for pets throughout the day
• Cleaning litter boxes or cages on a regular basis
• Walking dogs or providing exercise and playtime for pets
• Grooming pets (brushing, bathing, trimming nails, etc.)
• Administering medication or supplements as needed
• Purchasing toys and other forms of stimulation for pets
• Training pets in basic obedience and behavior
• Taking pets to the vet for regular check-ups and vaccinations
• Cleaning up any messes or accidents made by pets
• Socializing pets with other animals and people
• Monitoring pets for signs of illness or distress
• Providing flea and tick prevention and treatment as needed
• Cleaning and maintaining pet beds, crates, and other accessories
• Keeping pets up-to-date on licensing and registration requirements
• Purchasing pet insurance or emergency care plans in case of illness or injury

Childcare Responsibilities:

Here is a list of the most common childcare chores parents need to complete daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly:

Daily:

• Preparing meals and feeding children
• Changing diapers or helping with potty training
• Bathing and dressing children
• Brushing teeth and hair
• Helping children get ready for school or daycare
• Reading books or engaging in other educational activities
• Playing with children and purchasing age-appropriate toys and activities
• Monitoring children for signs of illness or distress
• Providing lots of love and attention to children on a daily basis

Weekly:

• Doing laundry for children’s clothes and bedding
• Cleaning and disinfecting toys and play areas
• Planning and preparing meals and snacks for the week
• Organizing and restocking diaper bags or other supplies
• Attending parent-teacher conferences or other school-related activities
• Scheduling playdates or other social activities for children
• Taking children to extracurricular activities or appointments
• Reviewing and updating child-related schedules and routines
• Cleaning and disinfecting high chairs, car seats, and other child-related equipment
• Engaging in family activities or outings on a weekly basis

Monthly:

• Reviewing and updating child-related budgets and expenses
• Updating child-related insurance policies or other financial documents
• Scheduling and attending well-child checkups and vaccinations
• Cleaning and organizing children’s closets and drawers
• Planning and organizing birthday parties or other special events
• Reviewing and updating emergency contact information and plans
• Scheduling and attending parent-teacher conferences or other school-related activities
• Reviewing and updating child-related schedules and routines
• Reviewing and updating child-related goals and progress
• Engaging in family activities or outings on a monthly basis

Yearly:

• Planning and organizing summer camps or other seasonal activities
• Updating child-related legal documents or wills
• Reviewing and updating child-related education plans
• Planning and organizing family vacations or trips
• Reviewing and updating child-related health and safety plans
• Reviewing and updating child-related financial plans
• Planning and organizing holiday events or traditions
• Reviewing and updating child-related goals and progress
• Planning yearly family traditions and activities

How to Fairly Divide Household Chores and Responsibilities

Dividing household chores can be a source of conflict for many couples. It’s important to establish fair and achievable expectations that work for both partners. Here are some tips and conversation scripts to help you divide chores fairly.

Start by discussing your individual expectations and preferences.

It’s important to understand what each partner expects in terms of household chores. Discuss your preferences and any tasks that you particularly dislike or enjoy doing. This will help you create a chore list that works for both of you.

Make a list of all the household chores that need to be done.

Write down all the chores that need to be done on a regular basis, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and shopping. Be specific and include all the tasks that need to be done.

Assign tasks based on preferences, availability, and workload.

Once you have a list of all the household chores, assign tasks based on your preferences and availability. Be flexible and willing to negotiate if one partner has a particularly busy week.

Another approach is to assign points to each chore based on how difficult or time-consuming it is, and then divide the points equally between partners. This ensures that each person has an equal share of the workload.

Rotate tasks to avoid resentment and boredom.

It’s important to rotate tasks to avoid resentment and boredom. No one wants to do the same task week after week. Rotate tasks on a regular basis to keep things fresh and interesting.

Be willing to compromise.

It’s important to be willing to compromise and make adjustments as needed. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes if one partner feels overwhelmed or underappreciated.

Express appreciation for each other’s efforts.

It’s important to express appreciation for each other’s efforts and acknowledge when one partner goes above and beyond. This can help build a positive and supportive environment.

What to Do if Your Spouse Won’t Help

If your spouse won’t help with household chores, it’s important to have a conversation with them about it. Start by expressing how you feel and why it’s important to you that they help out.

For example, you might say, “I feel overwhelmed and stressed when I have to do all the household chores by myself. It would mean a lot to me if you could help out more.”

Be specific about what you need help with and how often. You might say, “I need help with the dishes every night after dinner” or “Could you please vacuum the living room once a week?”

Remember to be open to compromise and be willing to listen to their perspective as well.

By having an honest conversation and working together, you can find a solution that works for both of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my partner to help with the household chores without nagging?

One way to get your partner to help with household chores without nagging is to have a conversation about it. Be honest about how you feel and why it’s important to you that they help out.

Avoid blaming or criticizing your partner and instead focus on finding a solution that works for both of you.

Be specific about what you need help with and how often. You can also try setting up a chore chart or schedule to make it clear who is responsible for what tasks.

Remember to be patient and understanding, and to show appreciation when your partner does help out.

What if my partner doesn’t see the value in doing household chores?

If your partner doesn’t see the value in doing household chores, it’s important to have a conversation about why it’s important to you.

Explain how doing household chores together can make your home a more comfortable and pleasant place to live, and how it can reduce stress and improve your overall quality of life.

You can also try to find ways to make household chores more enjoyable or rewarding. For example, you could listen to music or a podcast while doing chores, or plan a fun activity or treat for after the chores are done.

It’s also important to remember that everyone has different priorities and values, and it may take time for your partner to see the value in doing household chores. Be patient and understanding, and try to find a compromise that works for both of you.

You might also consider seeking the help of a couples therapist or counselor to work through any issues related to household chores and division of labor in the home.

How can I motivate my partner to help with the household chores?

Motivating your partner to help with household chores can be a challenge, but there are a few strategies that can be effective.

One approach is to offer positive reinforcement and rewards for completing household chores. For example, you could offer to cook their favorite meal or plan a fun activity for after the chores are done.

Another approach is to make household chores a shared responsibility and emphasize the importance of teamwork in the relationship.

It’s also important to communicate openly and honestly about how you feel about the division of household chores. If one person feels overwhelmed or feels that the division of chores isn’t fair, it’s important to address those concerns and find a solution that works for both partners.

What if my partner only helps with the household chores when I ask them to?

If your partner only helps with the household chores when you ask them to, it’s important to have a conversation about it.

Explain how you feel and why it’s important to you that they take initiative and help out without being asked. Be specific about what you need help with and how often.

It may be helpful to set up a chore chart or schedule to make it clear who is responsible for what tasks. This can help your partner take more initiative and feel more responsible for completing household chores.

You can also try to make household chores a shared responsibility and emphasize the importance of teamwork in the relationship.

Remember that change takes time, and it may take some time for your partner to get into the habit of helping out without being asked.

How can I get my partner to take initiative with household chores?

Getting your partner to take initiative with household chores can be a challenge, but there are a few strategies that can be effective.

One approach is to make household chores a shared responsibility and emphasize the importance of teamwork in the relationship. This can help your partner feel more responsible for completing household chores and take more initiative.

Another approach is to set up a chore chart or schedule to make it clear who is responsible for what tasks. This can help your partner take more initiative and feel more accountable for completing their assigned tasks.

It’s also important to communicate openly and honestly about how you feel about the division of household chores. If one person feels overwhelmed or feels that the division of chores isn’t fair, it’s important to address those concerns and find a solution that works for both partners.

What if my partner doesn’t do the household chores properly?

If your partner doesn’t do the household chores properly, it’s important to have a conversation about it. Be specific about what needs to be done differently and why it’s important to you.

Avoid blaming or criticizing your partner, and instead focus on finding a solution that works for both of you.

It may be helpful to demonstrate how to do the chore properly, or to provide written instructions or a checklist. You can also try to make household chores a shared responsibility and emphasize the importance of teamwork in the relationship.

Remember to be patient and understanding, and to show appreciation when your partner does help out. It may take some time for your partner to learn how to do the chore properly, so be willing to offer guidance and support.

How do I avoid arguments and resentment when discussing household chores with my partner?

Discussing household chores with your partner can sometimes lead to arguments and resentment, but there are a few strategies that can help avoid these negative outcomes.

First, it’s important to approach the conversation with a positive and constructive attitude. Avoid blaming or criticizing your partner, and instead focus on finding a solution that works for both of you.

Use “I” statements to express how you feel and why it’s important to you that you share the responsibilities of household chores.

Second, listen to your partner’s perspective and be open to compromise. Remember that everyone has different priorities and values, and it’s important to find a solution that works for both partners.

Be willing to adjust the division of chores as needed, and show appreciation and gratitude for each other’s efforts.

Third, set up a chore chart or schedule to make it clear who is responsible for what tasks. This can help avoid confusion and misunderstandings, and make it easier to hold each other accountable.

Finally, remember to prioritize your relationship and make time for fun and enjoyable activities together.

How can I make household chores a more enjoyable experience for both of us?

Making household chores a more enjoyable experience can help motivate both you and your partner to participate more willingly and happily. Here are some tips to make household chores a more enjoyable experience for both of you:

• Play music or a podcast while doing chores. Listening to music or a podcast can make chores feel less tedious and more enjoyable.
• Turn chores into a game. You can make a game out of household chores by seeing how quickly you can complete them or by competing against each other.
• Reward yourselves for completing chores. Plan a fun activity or treat for after the chores are done, such as watching a movie or going out for ice cream.
• Work together. Doing household chores together can make the experience more enjoyable and create a sense of teamwork in your relationship.
• Change up the routine. If you find yourself getting bored with the same chores every day, try switching up the routine. For example, you could cook a new recipe or rearrange the furniture.
• Make it a self-care activity. Instead of thinking of chores as a burden, think of them as a way to take care of yourself and your home. You can light candles, use your favorite cleaning products, or wear comfortable clothes while doing chores.

What if my partner has a different standard of cleanliness than I do?

If your partner has a different standard of cleanliness than you do, it can be challenging to find a compromise that works for both of you.

One approach is to set a standard based on the outcome rather than the process. This means agreeing on what the end result should look like, rather than focusing on how the chore is done.

For example, if you and your partner disagree on how to clean the kitchen, you can agree on a standard for how clean the kitchen should be. This can help avoid arguments and resentment, as both partners are working towards the same goal.

Another approach is to watch a YouTube video together on how to objectively do the chore. This can help both partners learn new techniques and find a common ground for how to complete the chore.

Bottom Line

Creating a list of household chores that need to be completed is important for couples because it helps to establish a clear and organized system for sharing the responsibilities of maintaining their home. By having a shared understanding of what needs to be done on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, couples can avoid misunderstandings and confusion about who is responsible for what tasks.

Having a list of household chores can also help couples plan their time more effectively and avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed out by the responsibilities of managing their home. By working together as a team and sharing the workload, couples can reduce stress and tension in their relationship and create a happier and more harmonious home environment.

Overall, creating a list of household chores is an important step in effective communication and teamwork in a relationship. It helps to establish clear expectations and responsibilities, and can contribute to a more efficient and harmonious home life.