Behind the Model

As part of our work on an automated chores scheduler, Maidomatic created a patent-pending model of house cleaning skills development. The model consists of nine stages ranging from "I don't really have a cleaning program and I'm depressed about it" to "we should be in the housekeeping hall of fame."

A key feature of the model is that each stage is defined so that, to get to the next stage, improvements are mainly needed in just 1 or 2 discipline areas. This approach makes it possible for a family to focus their improvement efforts on the most important issues typically found at their level of house cleaning effectiveness.

Below is a brief outline of the different stages, disciplines, and improvement options.

The Nine Stages of House Cleaning Skills Development

We don't really have a cleaning program
We have a few routines, but nothing formal
We think we have things under control, but, just barely
We have good routines going, but, my (husband, kids, ...) mess things up all the time
Our routines and behaviors are under control, but, clutter is a problem for us
We have good routines, personal behavior, but, have to resort to blitzes to deal with the clutter
We have good routines, personal behavior, and clutter management. Better space organization is our next challenge
We are on top of things, but, need to blitz-clean from time to time
Our home always look's great. We're busy making the place look even better

The Nine Disciplines
	Morale (of the Homemaker)
	In denial, overwhelmed, despondent (1) Engaged, but chronically frustrated (2) An uneasy truce exists in the home (3) Feels content, but, also feels a need to be vigilant (4-7) Happy, confident that all is in order (8-9)

	Daily/Weekly Routines
	Don't really have any daily or weekly routines (1) Following some standard daily and weekly routines (2-4) Working to make daily/weekly routines more efficient (5-9)

	Deep Cleaning Routines
	We do deep cleaning when it needs to be done, like when someone is coming over . . . (1-2) We routinely give each room in the house a heavy cleaning (3-9)

	Family Member Behavior (i.e., monitor own behavior, have assigned chores, good attitude)
	Family members commonly leave public spaces in disorder (1-2) Kids/spouse behave, but, still seem to think there's a maid in the house (3) No one leaves public spaces messy, some helping out by the kids with the chores (4-6) Every family member is an enthusiastic participant in cleaning, clutter mgmt. and use of space (7-9)

	Clutter Management
	More junk is going in the home than is coming out (1-2) We use seasonal blitzes to deal with clutter buildup (3-4) Clutter exists, but we don't let it build up (5-6) There's no clutter (7-9)

	Tools & Techniques
	Tools/supplies are incomplete and not near where used (1-3) Beginning to put tools where most commonly needed. Also, trying new techniques/methods (4-6) Cleaning supplies/tools part of "place for everything, everything in its place" philosophy (7-9)

	Space Organization
	No one seems to know where anything is supposed to go (1-3) Most things have a defined place (4-6) Growing expertise in how family manages space and storage (7-8) Well-organized. Focusing on reducing/simplifying storage requirements (9)

	Style/Design Elements
	What style? This place is a pit (1-2) Clutter makes it hard to appreciate personal taste, style, design elements (3-4) Style/Design elements gaining prominence (5-7) Place is stylish and easy to keep clean/tidy/organized (8-9)

	Goal Setting
	No housecleaning goals or suffering from a reality gap (1-2) We have some housekeeping goals, but nothing very ambitious (3-4) We have specific housekeeping goals (5-7) Our goals have evolved. We see the home as a way to express who we are (8-9)

General Options for Improving Housecleaning

Work more hours
Get family members to clean up after themselves and/or help with the cleaning
Try new techniques and tools to improve efficiency
Organize the work differently (that is, change the mix, frequency, or amount of time spent on each task)
Get rid of clutter
Organize space and storage better
Re-evaluate your goals: Progress goes fastest in baby steps. Conversely, constant stress kills morale and motivation

Everyone has an inkling that no two households go about house cleaning the same way. The Maidomatic house cleaning skills development model represents a way to classify important differences between households so that the Maidomatic automated chores scheduler can produce an appropriate schedule for your particular situation.