25 House Rules So You’re Not Doing It All (Free Printable Poster)

If you’re the person in your house who notices when the toilet paper is running out, knows the dishwasher is clean, remembers the package that needs returning and somehow always spots the empty trash can that still needs a new bag… this list is for you. Print it out as your house rules poster.

Because running a home isn’t just about doing the obvious jobs. It’s all the tiny bits of noticing, remembering, reminding and finishing that quietly pile up on one person. And very often, it isn’t the big chores that wear you down. It’s putting away the thing someone left beside where it belongs. Replacing what someone used up. Finishing the last two minutes of a job that somebody else considered finished.

A few simple house rules can make a surprisingly big difference. Not rigid rules or some color-coded household system everyone will ignore by Tuesday. Just clear little expectations that mean the person who notices everything doesn’t automatically have to deal with everything too.

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I’ve put all 25 house rules into a free printable you can keep somewhere visible… whether that’s on the fridge, inside a family command center or somewhere the rest of the household might accidentally read it. You can download the free printable at the end of this post.

25 House Rules That Help Everyone Pull Their Weight

1. If you use the last one, add it to the grocery list

Empty the milk? Finish the cereal? Use the last roll of paper towels? The person who discovers it shouldn’t also have to be the person who remembers to replace it.

2. If the trash is full, take it out and replace the bag

Taking out the trash is only half the job. Putting a fresh bag in means the next person isn’t standing there holding garbage and wondering why the can is empty.

3. Dishes go in the dishwasher — not beside the sink

Putting the plate three inches away from where it actually needs to go doesn’t make it somebody else’s job.

4. If the dishwasher is clean, empty it before adding more

Otherwise you end up with clean dishes trapped inside, dirty dishes piling up outside and one person eventually sorting out the whole situation.

5. Dirty clothes go in the hamper — not on the floor

Not next to the hamper. Not draped over a chair. Not abandoned wherever the socks came off. Actually in it.

6. Wet towels get hung up where they can actually dry

A towel scrunched on the floor is not going to magically become dry before somebody needs it again.

7. Shoes come off and go straight to their usual spot

Giving everyday things a predictable home saves everyone from the morning hunt for the missing sneaker.

8. Keys return to the same place every time you come home

This is one of those tiny habits that can save ten frantic minutes at exactly the wrong time.

9. Backpacks and work bags get repacked the night before

Put back the paperwork, charger, water bottle or whatever else needs to leave the house tomorrow while there is still time to find it.

10. Mail gets opened, filed or recycled — not moved around

Mail has a strange ability to travel from the kitchen counter to the dining table to a random pile without anyone actually dealing with it.

11. Empty boxes get broken down and recycled immediately

Once whatever was inside the box has been removed, the box has completed its mission. It does not need to live in the hallway for three days.

12. If you bring something downstairs, take something back up

There is almost always something sitting on the stairs waiting for the mysterious person responsible for transporting everything.

13. If you finish a toilet paper roll, replace it then and there

Preferably before somebody discovers the situation at a less convenient moment.

14. If you spill it, wipe it up — don’t leave it for later

A thirty-second wipe now usually prevents a much more annoying job later.

15. If you open a package, throw the packaging away

Open the delivery, keep what was inside and finish the job by getting rid of the box, bag, bubble wrap or envelope.

16. If you take food out, put it back before leaving the kitchen

Milk, butter, cheese, condiments — if you used it, put it away instead of leaving someone else to discover it later.

17. If leftovers go in the fridge, label them with the date

No more opening mysterious containers and trying to work out whether dinner happened yesterday or sometime last week.

18. If something needs returning, put it by the door that day

The easier it is to grab on the way out, the less likely it is to sit around until the return window closes.

19. If you notice something is nearly out, don’t assume someone else will deal with it

Add it to the list, mention it or replace it. Noticing counts as useful information only if something happens next.

20. Everyone takes a turn clearing dishes away after eating

The person who cooked dinner should not automatically become the person who clears everyone’s plates too.

21. Everyone gets one basket for belongings left in shared rooms

Shoes, chargers, books, hair ties and all the other wandering possessions have somewhere to go — without one person having to put every item away.

22. If you borrow the scissors, tape or charger, put them back

Especially the scissors. Somehow they are always missing exactly when someone needs them.

23. Donations leave the house on the next suitable errand

A donation bag sitting in the hallway for six weeks is really just clutter with good intentions.

24. Tomorrow’s must-take items go by the exit before bedtime

Library books, returns, forms, bags, packages — put them where it will be difficult to walk out without them.

25. If a job takes under two minutes, finish it instead of announcing it

Possibly the most useful house rule of them all.

If you’ve ever heard, “The trash is full,” “We’re out of milk,” or “There’s a package by the door” from someone who was completely capable of dealing with the situation themselves… you already understand this one.

Download the Free House Rules Printable

Want all 25 rules in one easy-to-save page?

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Download the free “25 House Rules So You’re Not Doing It All” printable here and keep it somewhere the whole household can see it.