FlyLady Weekly Home Blessing Hour
What is the FlyLady Weekly Home Blessing Hour?
The FlyLady Weekly Home Blessing Hour (WHB) is a core component of the FlyLady cleaning system, designed by Marla Cilley aka The Flylady to help you maintain a tidy and comfortable home without feeling overwhelmed. This simple, structured routine focuses on completing essential cleaning tasks in just one hour each week. It’s perfect for busy individuals who want to keep their home in order without dedicating hours to deep cleaning.
Why is this weekly cleaning routine called a "Blessing"?
The term "Blessing" reflects the idea of caring for your home as a gift to yourself and your family. Instead of viewing cleaning as a chore, the Weekly Home Blessing Hour encourages you to see it as a way to create a welcoming and peaceful environment.
What tasks are included in the Weekly Home Blessing Hour?
The Weekly Home Blessing Hour(WHB for short) consists of 6 or 7 quick and manageable tasks. Each task is designed to target high-impact areas of your home and can be completed in 10 minutes or less. The tasks include:
- Vacuuming – Focus on high-traffic areas and skip moving heavy furniture.
- Mopping – Quickly mop hard floors in key spaces like the kitchen and bathroom.
- Dusting – Use a feather duster or microfiber cloth to remove surface dust.
- Polishing Mirrors and Doors – Wipe down mirrors and glass doors for a streak-free shine.
- Emptying Trash – Gather and empty all household bins.
- Changing Bed Linens – Refresh your bedroom by changing your sheets.
- Magazines, newspaper & mail and paperwork – Spend a few minutes decluttering and organising papers.
How does it work?
The idea is to spend no more than one hour completing all seven tasks. If you’re short on time, you can split the tasks across a few days or focus on the most urgent ones. The key is to keep things light and manageable, avoiding perfectionism.
Benefits of the Weekly Home Blessing Hour
- Efficiency: Focuses on the most visible areas of your home for maximum impact.
- Consistency: Helps you stay on top of cleaning, reducing the need for deep cleaning sessions.
- Stress-Free: By keeping tasks short and straightforward, it prevents cleaning from becoming overwhelming.
- Family-Friendly: The routine is easy to follow, and tasks can be shared among family members.
Why does the weekly home blessing hour take me more than an hour?
The FlyLady Weekly Home Blessing Hour can sometimes take more than an hour due to a few common reasons. Here’s why it might feel like it stretches beyond the intended time and how to adjust:
1. Perfectionism
One of the main reasons is trying to do tasks too thoroughly. The Weekly Home Blessing Hour is meant to be a quick, surface-level clean—not a deep clean. For example, if you find yourself moving furniture to vacuum or scrubbing stubborn stains, it’s likely adding extra time.
Solution: Focus on progress, not perfection. Remember, the goal is to tidy up, not to create a spotless home in one go. Save deep cleaning for your zone cleaning sessions.
2. Getting Distracted
It’s easy to lose track of time when multitasking, answering phone calls, or taking breaks between tasks.
Solution: Use a timer! Set 10-minute intervals for each task and stick to them. If a task isn’t completely finished, move on and come back to it next week.
3. Overloading the Tasks
If you add extra chores (e.g., organising a cupboard, washing windows, or scrubbing grout), it’s no longer a Weekly Home Blessing—it becomes a deeper cleaning session.
Solution: Keep it simple! Stick to the seven core tasks: vacuum, mop, dust, empty trash, clean mirrors, change sheets, and declutter paperwork.
4. Interruptions
Life can get in the way—family, pets, or unexpected tasks may interrupt your flow.
Solution: Let everyone in your home know you need an hour of focused time. If you have young children or pets, try to schedule the hour during nap time or quiet moments.
5. Starting With a Messy Home
If your home hasn’t been maintained regularly, the tasks may take longer because there’s more to tidy up.
Solution: Over time, as you stick to the routine, the tasks will become quicker and easier to complete. Be patient with yourself and your home as you build consistency.
6. Not Having the Right Tools Ready
Searching for cleaning supplies or dealing with a full vacuum bag mid-task can slow you down. I know its happened to me.
Solution: Before you start, gather everything you need—vacuum, mop, cleaning cloths, bin bags, etc.—so you’re ready to go. I have a small WHB basket that i carry around the house or you could use a cleaning caddy.
Tips for Success
- Use a timer: Set a 10 minute timer for each task to stay on track.
- Play music: Add some fun to your cleaning by playing your favourite playlist, listening to an audiobook or podcast or chat to a friend while you clean.
- Involve others: Encourage family members to join in and divide tasks.
- Focus on progress: Remember, this is about blessing your home, not achieving perfection.
Join Me on Clean With Kate
If you’re looking for inspiration or guidance, check out my FlyLady Weekly Home Blessing Hour videos on YouTube. I’ll walk you through the routine in real time, sharing tips and motivation to make the process enjoyable and effective. Together, we can keep your home feeling fresh and welcoming, one hour at a time!