Key Takeaways
- Clean for only 30 minutes a day, Monday to Friday.
- Follow a three-level system to ensure no area is neglected.
- Prioritize consistency over perfection to reduce the mental load.
In a world where we are constantly juggling work, family, and personal time, keeping a house clean can feel like a never-ending uphill battle. Enter the tomm cleaning method—originally known as The Organised Mum Method and recently rebranded as The Organised Method (TOM). Created by Gemma Bray, this structured routine has revolutionized how hundreds of thousands of people approach housework. The core promise is simple: spend just 30 minutes a day on focused cleaning, Monday through Friday, and earn your weekends back entirely.
TOMM Cleaning Explained: The Three-Level System
The reason the tomm cleaning guide is so effective is its hierarchical structure. It isn't just a random list of chores; it is a strategic system divided into three distinct "Levels" that ensure your home stays both functional and deep-cleaned over time.
Level 1: The Daily Dos
Level 1 tasks are the non-negotiables. These are the small habits that prevent your home from descending into chaos. They should take no more than 15 minutes in total.
- Making the beds: Instant visual impact.
- One load of laundry: Keeps the "floordrobe" at bay.
- A quick kitchen wipe: Focus on counters and the sink.
- A quick floor sweep/vacuum: Targeting high-traffic areas.
Level 2: The 30-Minute Clean
This is the heart of the tomm cleaning routine. Every day from Monday to Thursday, you focus on one specific area of the house for exactly 30 minutes.
| Day | Focus Area | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Living Room | Dusting, vacuuming under cushions, polishing surfaces. |
| Tuesday | Bedrooms | Changing sheets (if needed), dusting surfaces, mirrors. |
| Wednesday | Hall & Stairs | Removing clutter, vacuuming stairs, cleaning front door. |
| Thursday | Kitchen | Cleaning appliance exteriors, wiping cupboards, deep floor clean. |
Level 3: Friday Focus
Friday is slightly different. Instead of a standard room, you tackle a rotating deep-clean area. This follows an 8-week cycle, meaning every "problem area" in your home (like the fridge, the windows, or the kids' toy boxes) gets a thorough cleaning once every two months.
Why the "Stop Rule" is a Game Changer
One of the most radical aspects of the tomm cleaning method is the strict 30-minute timer. Gemma Bray emphasizes that when the timer goes off, you must stop—even if you haven't finished everything on your list.
This rule is designed to combat "cleaning burnout." When we see an endless list of chores, we often feel defeated before we begin. By capping the work at 30 minutes, the method becomes psychologically manageable. You learn to prioritize the "visual" and "functional" tasks first—the things that make the biggest difference to how the room feels.
Example 1: The Busy Professional
Consider "Mark," a lawyer who works 50 hours a week. Before finding tomm cleaning, he spent his entire Saturday cleaning the house. Now, he sets a timer for 15 minutes before work and 15 minutes as soon as he walks through the door. By Thursday evening, his house is spotless, and his Saturday is completely free for hiking and rest.
Recent Updates: Transitioning to The Organised Method (TOM)
As of 2024 and heading into 2025, the method has undergone a significant rebranding. Formerly "The Organised Mum Method," it is now officially The Organised Method (TOM). This change reflects a more inclusive approach, acknowledging that it isn't just "mums" who need a structured home—it’s everyone from students in flat-shares to retirees and single professionals.
The Rise of "Mental Health Maintenance"
In 2025, the community has shifted its focus from "perfection" to "mental load." The method is now widely recommended by mental health professionals for individuals dealing with anxiety or depression. The structured nature of the routine provides a sense of control and accomplishment without the overwhelming pressure of a "to-do" list that never ends.
Implementing the 1-Week Bootcamp
If your house is currently in a state of "disarray," jumping straight into a 30-minute maintenance routine might feel impossible. This is where the TOMM 1-Week Bootcamp comes in.
The Bootcamp is a seven-day "reset" designed to get your home to a baseline level of cleanliness. During this week, the sessions are longer (usually 45-60 minutes), and the focus is on heavy decluttering and clearing backlogs of laundry and mail. Once the Bootcamp is complete, you transition into the standard 30-minute daily schedule.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While the tomm cleaning guide is straightforward, beginners often fall into a few common traps that can hinder their progress.
1. The "Catch-Up" Trap
If you miss Monday's living room clean because of a late meeting, do not try to do the living room and the bedrooms on Tuesday. This leads to an hour of cleaning, which breaks the "30-minute rule" and leads to burnout. Simply skip the missed day and move on. The cycle will bring you back to that room next week.
2. Cleaning Around Clutter
You cannot clean a house that is full of clutter. Experts recommend a "pre-TOMM" declutter. Cleaning is 50% faster in a home with less "inventory." If you spend 20 of your 30 minutes just moving toys and papers, you won't have time to actually clean.
3. Forgetting the "Shared Burden"
A common error is the primary caregiver doing all 30 minutes alone while the rest of the family watches. To make this sustainable, delegate Level 1 tasks. For example, the kids can handle the floor sweep, and a partner can manage the laundry load.
4. The "Dishes" Gap
A common critique of the method is that it doesn't explicitly list "doing the dishes." In the TOM system, "Kitchen Maintenance" (cleaning as you go) is an assumed underlying habit. You should aim to keep the sink clear as part of your daily "closing shift."
Example 2: The ADHD Success Story
"Sarah" struggled with executive dysfunction. She would start cleaning the kitchen, see a stray toy, go to the playroom, realize the playroom needed vacuuming, and end up three hours later with four half-finished rooms. By using the tomm cleaning method's 30-minute timer and room-specific focus, she stays in one zone. Even if she doesn't finish, the kitchen is better than it was, and she hasn't exhausted herself.
Advanced Strategies for 2025-2026
As we move toward 2026, the community is embracing new trends that complement the core routine.
- Sustainable Cleaning: There is a massive shift toward "Green Cleaning." Users are swapping harsh chemicals for concentrated eco-friendly refills. This aligns with the "clean house, clean planet" ethos growing in the community.
- The Nightly Reset: To ensure "Level 1" tasks don't pile up, many implement a 10-minute "closing shift" before bed. This is a family-wide blitz to put away dishes and toys so the house starts at "zero" the next morning.
- Customizable Digital Checklists: The 2025 app updates now allow for custom rooms. If you live in a small apartment or have a dedicated home office, you can swap the "Hall & Stairs" day for a "Tech & Office" day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I work full-time?
Do I really get the whole weekend off?
How much does the TOM app cost?
Where do I start if my house is a total mess?
Does this method work for small apartments?
Conclusion: Consistency Over Perfection
The tomm cleaning method is not about having a showroom-perfect home every second of the day. It is about cumulative consistency. By doing a little bit every day, you prevent the "shame spiral" that comes with a messy house.
Whether you are a busy parent, a full-time professional, or someone looking to manage their mental health, the structured nature of The Organised Method provides a roadmap to a calmer, cleaner life. Remember: it's only 30 minutes. You can do anything for 30 minutes.
Example 3: The Empty Nester
"Linda" found herself overwhelmed by the size of her home after her children moved out. She felt like she was cleaning rooms she didn't even use. By adopting the TOM schedule, she consolidated her cleaning into a morning routine, allowing her to spend her afternoons pursuing hobbies without feeling like the house was "growing over her."
