How to use Apple Reminders to track your house chores

Introduction

The Apple Reminders app is a useful tool for managing tasks and to-do lists, as it is a built-in feature on Apple devices and is available for free to all Apple users. Its simple and user-friendly interface makes it easy to create and organize reminders, set due dates and times, and even assign tasks to specific people. Additionally, the app allows for sharing of lists with other Apple users, which is particularly useful for households.

While the Apple Reminders app is a good option for Apple users, it is not the only one available. There are other alternatives such as Todoist, and Google Keep, which offers similar functionality but may come with a cost for certain features, particularly for shared lists.

Personally, I use this approach to keep on top of all our household chores and really like the ability to share the chores with members of the household. Typically on an ad-hoc base we also negotiate and trade chores as we become bored of repeating them every week. Different chores have different weightings depending on the member of the household, so eventually, the workload evens out.

Start with a list of chores

Breaking down tasks into manageable chunks is an effective way to increase productivity and make it easier to complete the tasks. This can be achieved by dividing a larger task into smaller, more manageable parts. Each part should be able to be completed within a set time frame, such as 15-30 minutes.

For example, if you have a task to clean the house, you could break it down into smaller tasks such as:

1. Cleaning the kitchen (dishes, countertops, sink)
2. Vacuuming or sweeping the living room
3. Dusting the bedrooms
4. Cleaning the bathrooms (toilet, shower, sink)
5. Doing the laundry
6. Cleaning the windows

Each of these smaller tasks should be able to be completed within 15-30 minutes. This will allow you to focus on one specific task at a time and not feel overwhelmed by the larger task.

Creating a Chore Schedule: How Often Should Tasks be Completed?

Determining how often tasks or chores should be completed is an important step in creating an effective cleaning or maintenance schedule. The frequency of tasks will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the space, the number of people living or working in the space, and the level of use or activity in the space.

For example, tasks such as cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms should be done more frequently than tasks such as dusting the bedrooms or cleaning the windows. The kitchen and bathrooms are high-traffic areas that are used daily and are more likely to get dirty or cluttered quickly, while the bedrooms and windows may not require as much attention.

Getting Organised: Adding Start Dates to Your Chore List

Now that you have the frequency set for all the chores, you will need to set a starting date. This can typically be the same day, as the frequency will space everything out accordingly.

Assigning the chores to household members

Within the apple reminders app, you are able to share lists with members of your household. Once the list has been shared, an option appears on each task to "assign to".

Schedule a Check-in

Additionally, it's important to review the schedule periodically and make adjustments as needed. For example, if you notice that certain tasks are taking longer than expected or certain areas are getting dirty more quickly, you may need to adjust the schedule or increase the frequency of certain tasks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Apple Reminders app is a useful tool for managing chores, and it's a great option for Apple users. Its simple and user-friendly interface makes it easy to create and organize reminders, set due dates, and even assign tasks to specific people. However, it's important to note that there are other alternatives available such as Todoist, and Google Keep that offer similar functionality, but typically at a cost. When creating a cleaning or maintenance schedule, it's important to list out all the chores first, breaking down tasks into manageable chunks, adding frequencies to all the chores, adding a start date, and assigning the chores to members of the household. Finally, it's important to review the schedule periodically and make adjustments as needed.