In many homes, chores get shared out by default: whoever notices the dust first ends up doing everything. Drawing tasks at random makes the split visible and stops it turning into a running argument.
Every task on the wheel comes with a rough time and the right method, the one that saves doing the job twice. The Kids variant offers age-appropriate tasks along with the age children can usually manage them. Helping from age three, even a little, builds the habit for later.
How to use it
- List the week’s chores and estimate the total time; aim for a roughly equal load for each adult.
- Take turns spinning until every task has an owner. A task someone drew the previous week can be swapped.
- Write the schedule somewhere visible, on the fridge or in a shared calendar, with the day each task is due.
- Review it at the end of the week: anything left undone goes first next week.
All the options
- Vacuuming
- 20 to 30 minutes for a two-bedroom flat. Clear the floor and put chairs up on the table, then work from the room furthest away towards the front door.
- Mopping the floors
- 20 minutes, always after vacuuming. Use two buckets, one soapy and one clean for rinsing the mop, and work backwards towards the door so you never step on the wet floor.
- Cleaning the bathroom
- 30 minutes. Apply cleaner to the basin, shower and toilet and let it work while you do the mirror, then scrub and rinse. Never combine two products, especially bleach with a limescale remover.
- Emptying the dishwasher
- 5 minutes. Start with the bottom rack, so water pooled on upturned mugs at the top does not drip onto dry plates.
- Washing up by hand
- 15 to 20 minutes. Go from cleanest to dirtiest (glasses, cutlery, plates, then pans) and change the water as soon as it turns greasy.
- Changing the beds
- 15 minutes per bed. Let the bare mattress air for ten minutes, then fit the bottom sheet starting with two opposite corners.
- Doing a load of laundry
- 10 minutes of effort; the machine does the rest. Sort whites, colours and darks, empty pockets, zip up zips, and hang it out as soon as the cycle ends to avoid a musty smell.
- Taking the bins out
- 5 minutes. Check which bin goes out on which day, tie the bags firmly and put a fresh liner in straight away.
- Dusting
- 15 minutes. Work from top to bottom (shelves, furniture, skirting boards) with a slightly damp microfibre cloth, which traps dust instead of spreading it; vacuum afterwards.
- Cleaning the kitchen
- 20 minutes. Empty the sink, degrease the worktops and hob, then wipe appliance fronts and cupboard handles, which are easy to forget.
- Cleaning the fridge
- 20 minutes, ideally the day before the big shop. Empty one shelf at a time, bin anything past its date, wash with warm soapy water and put what expires soonest at the front.
- Cleaning the windows
- 10 minutes per window. Pick an overcast day, because in sunshine the cleaner dries too fast and streaks; squeegee from top to bottom, then dry the edges with a microfibre cloth.
- Food shopping
- 45 minutes to an hour. Write the list by aisle from the week’s meal plan and check the fridge before you leave so you do not buy things twice.
- Tidying the hallway
- 10 minutes. Shoes on the rack, keys in the bowl, post sorted on the spot; anything that does not belong goes back to its room.
Frequently asked questions
How do you split household chores fairly?
List every task, including invisible ones (planning meals, booking appointments), estimate how long each takes per week and share out the total time rather than the number of tasks. Rotate the least popular jobs from week to week.
What chores can children do at each age?
Around 3: putting toys away, pairing socks, clearing their plate. Around 5 or 6: setting the table, making their bed, feeding a pet. Around 8: peeling vegetables with supervision, emptying small bins, using a light vacuum.
How often should you change your bed sheets?
Once a week is the most common advice, and every two weeks at the latest. Wash them at 60 °C if the label allows, especially if someone is allergic to dust mites.
Is it safe to mix cleaning products?
No: bleach mixed with an acidic product (limescale remover, vinegar) or with ammonia releases toxic gas. Use one product at a time, rinse in between and keep the room ventilated.