24+ Sample Sample Chore Chart Templates

What Is a Chore List?

If cleaning and organizing matters to businesses, then it also applies to the basic level, which is your family. According to Braun Research’s survey, 82% of adults have been doing chores since they were little. It proves how chores matter to every family member, no matter the age. And a well-planned household chore list is just the right ingredient to keep the house tidy and in impressive shape. This cleaning checklist helps you identify and describe the chores to fulfill, specify who will do them, and remember when to manage them.

Braun Research stated that 82% of adults have dealt with chores since they were young.

Meanwhile, another study proved that husbands made around an extra seven hours of weekly chores for their wives. Yet, wives save their husbands from an hour of weekly housework.

On another note, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reported that chores benefit children as early as three years old.

Why Do You Need Chore Lists?

Thanks to the list, all tasks to be done will be managed harmoniously.

chore-list-templates

When each family member gets too busy with their daily lives, a chore list is around to ensure no one forgets or ignores the household chores. Many people are aware of how important chores are, but they sometimes forget to manage them. And when you have a document where all chores are laid out, tasks will already be organized. Thus, treat the chore list as your official to-do list or checklist at home.

Who Creates the Chore List?

Anyone can make the chore list. Whether you make a list for someone’s chores or create it for your chores, it is up to you. But, it works best to ensure you craft a chore list that you will do. That is because you know what works best for how many chores you could finish in a day or how long you could do it. Just make sure to find time in planning the whole list where it is achievable on your part.

The Sweeping Benefits of a Chore List

Indeed, chore lists are essential, but you might be unfamiliar with how important they actually are. Even a basic-looking chore list already helps you in many ways. In this segment, we outlined some of the sweeping benefits of a chore list.

Effective Reminder: If you are forgetful or know someone who forgets easily, then allow a chore list to work as an effective reminder. Chore lists already contain the many tasks to fulfill, so you need not memorize everything since such lists are your basis. And a tip is to put the task list somewhere visible so it will be noticeable enough to remind you of the cleaning duties.Division of Tasks: Sometimes, what drives people to get lazy in fulfilling all tasks is when lots of chores are at hand. But there is no need to manage everything if you are living with your family. Divide the tasks instead. Let the chore list specify who is assigned for certain duties. An example is from the National Science Foundation (NSF) research survey, where husbands made about extra seven hours of weekly chores for their wives. But, wives save their husbands from one hour of weekly chores. As the couple will share the housework, duties feel more lightweight rather than being daunting.Progress Tracker: Do you need help tracking your chores? Yes, the list serves as an effective progress tracker, too, rather than just a reminder. For example, you might have finished steps one to seven. Since your current progress is at number seven, expect to do number eight next. You can always put marks on the tasks you have finished and not finished yet to track your progress. And your goal is to complete them all.On Schedule: One of the reasons why chore lists are effective is when associated with the corresponding schedule. You can place the time and date of when to establish every duty on the list. More so, you can come up with daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly chore lists. Ensure that you have practical schedules assigned for the tasks to achieve them one by one.Creative: Why settle for a simple chore list when you can be more creative in designing the list too? In fact, adding creativity to the list is the best way to make children participate in the process. There is even a survey that said chores could benefit children as young as three years old. You can help them design the sheet with colors, stickers, sketches, and other examples. So after listing the tasks, edit the list’s design.Organized: A chore list would not work without some organization. Organized lists help boost the success rate in finishing all duties. Treat the list as your reliable planner since each chore is laid out smartly. For example, a master list for your chores can be divided into individual lists. You can also add categories to arrange the tasks and decide how the sequence goes.Versatile: Chore list templates can be printed or downloaded. Also, you may choose if you prefer it in PDF or MS Word format. Thus, these chore lists are versatile. And to prove how flexible it is, do not assume that the list only applies at home. There are different duties and chores to do in school, at work, or anywhere. At least many applications can benefit from the list.

How to Make an Effective Chore List

Now that you know a chore list’s definition, importance, and benefits, are you ready to craft the list itself? Keep in mind that the process is so easy since we have templates prepared for you. Just check and review the sample chore list templates above and select which best applies to your purpose. After you have selected a template, follow these six simple steps in coming up with an effective chore list:

Step 1: Plan and Assign the Chores

Always begin with a plan. The first step is to recognize the possible chores to do. Be sure to consider the house size, cleaning equipment, and environment in determining the possible tasks. Otherwise, there might be unnecessary tasks listed on the sheet. An example is when you add cleaning the swimming pool to your list, yet you do not have a pool in the first place. Next, assign the chores. Who should do this and that? Identify everyone to assign first and introduce them to the tasks at hand. Keep things fair by not giving all the difficult ones to one person while the rest get to manage the easiest duties. You can always rotate the assignments anyway so people will not have to get bored afterward.

Step 2: List All Chores in the Template

After planning, put your plans into writing to the template of your choice. List each chore and who will be assigned to fulfill them. Do not forget to begin with a title, and a “Chore List” is enough. But you can also be more specific than that. Add a brief introductory statement next to expound whoever checks the document on what the whole list is for. After that introduction will be the list of chores. Also, list detailed chores. Do not simply say, “Sweep the floor.” Sweep the floor with what? And which floor is that? Specify it. Anything that lessens confusion is encouraged on the list.

Step 3: Associate Time and Date for Every Chore

Note the time and date for each chore enlisted. That way, it will be clear on what days certain chores must be done or how long they would have to take. It will be easy when you base with a calendar to specify the dates, so nothing goes wrong. And when you estimate the possible time it takes to do certain tasks, be realistic about it. Do not assume that wiping all the windows in the house would take five minutes. Add some allowance to the duration.

Step 4: Organize Everything

Are you done plotting the schedule? Great! Proceed to organize the entire list. Are they sequenced properly, or are there still some mishaps left? An example is when one step involves washing the dishes, and the next step is cutting the grasses in the garden. Wouldn’t it be better to gather all the kitchen-related tasks in one group and the garden-related work in another? Thus, it is smart if washing the dishes is paired with all the kitchen duties. Also, check if the lists are understandable. Hard-to-follow chore lists are discouraged.

Step 5: Mind the Format and Design

Create some adjustments to the template’s format and design if needed. Maybe certain texts were too small, so you need larger fonts. And to highlight some significant tasks, be sure to write them in capital or bold letters. Also, do you want a basic chore list or something cute or artistic? There is room for designing the whole template. You can even add a chart or visual organizer, so not everything has to be wordy. And once you are satisfied with the document’s overall presentation, then you did it well.

Step 6: Update the List Regularly

Launch your chore lists, but the job is not done yet. You will have to update the chore list regularly for possible new tasks and changes. An example is when you change the schedule if some family members are busy on certain days. Also, you can update the list in changing assignments, so repetitive tasks are lessened. Be sure to add a “Notes” section in the chore document as it gives room to add details not mentioned in the list.

FAQs

When is the chore list needed?

A chore list is needed for any event where people must settle terms in assigning chores and planning when to do such tasks. And it is best to prepare the list before doing the chores themselves.

How do you keep children responsible for following a chore list?

You can help the kids be responsible for doing the chores from the list by adding incentives. For example, you treat children with new toys or desserts after completing all the chores expected of them. But as they slowly grow, stop giving incentives, or they might expect rewards every time they complete something.

What are the examples of daily chores?

The following are some examples of chores you can manage daily:

  • Sweeping
  • Mopping
  • Vacuuming
  • Dusting
  • Preparing the food
  • Washing the dishes
  • Feeding pets

Chores are necessary but may cause some headaches for families, roommates, and everyone. But at the end of the day, implementing chores is not about adding workload only. Remember it as an element for happy housework. As everyone is held accountable for chores and will help one another, stress will surely be lessened. More so, pre-made chore list templates are available, which aim to keep things even easier. Appreciate every duty and accept that sometimes it gets a little hard. Because as quoted by Danielle Raine, “The cruel irony of housework: people only notice when you don’t do it.” Instead, focus on what you have done rather than what you have not yet done.