Home Routines is an iPhone and iPad app for what we like to call Repeaty Stuff.

You create lists of jobs that need to be done around the same time, or on the same day.

These lists are called Routines.

These appear to remind you when you need them, and when you mark each task as complete you get a gold star.

The tasks’ completion stars can automatically reset in time for your next time through the routine. Nobody wants to be faced with a hangover of missed jobs from the day before, as well as the ones you have to do today. Some days are hard enough as it is. (Besides, you don’t need to sweep the floor twice in a row if you missed it one time)

Up the top of the homepage is a little daily reminder bar. You can use this to remind yourself of the day’s focus (Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday!) or a regular event, or use it for a positive message to yourself (I always recommend “Rock on!”)

On each screen of the app you’ll find a small timer. Merlin Mann talks about using a timer to “Run a dash”, and The FlyLady says “You can do anything for 15 minutes.” 9/10 productivity experts* recommend setting a timer to help you get started and get focused!

There’s a “Focus Zones” section where you can keep your own detailed cleaning lists for each room or area of your place. These can rotate per day of the week, or each week of the month, to help you steadily do that little extra to keep ahead of the creeping Mess of Doom. (If you’re a Flylady “graduate” this might come in extra handy)

There’s also a little simple To Do list, included to help you focus on what you’re actually working on; if you think of something you “just need to do”, tap it in and finish what you’re working on. It’ll keep.

The Accomplishments list is my favourite part of the app. It’s a happy little place where you can see (and share) everything you’ve marked as complete today.

There’s free syncing between devices with our my.homeroutines server, so you can keep more than one device in sync, or share your lists with another human being so you can work together.

It’s a glorious app that makes you feel good about all the things you need to do, and shows you how much you’ve got done even on days when you don’t feel like you have.