How to get Motivated to Clean & Declutter Your House
Struggling to find the motivation to tackle household chores? Today we’ll share practical tips and strategies to inspire you to start cleaning and transform your living space into a clean, organized haven you’ll love.
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How to Get Motivated to Clean
You know that feeling you get when you glance around your home and realize it’s in complete chaos? The dishes are piling up, dust bunnies have formed a small army, and you can’t even remember the last time you saw your countertops.
Trust me, we’ve all been there – overwhelmed and frustrated with the never-ending battle of keeping our home clean and tidy.
It’s like you clean one room, and by the time you move to the next, the first one has already started a rebellion, staging a messy uprising. And let’s not even get started on the laundry basket that’s overflowing with dirty clothes.
But fear not, my friend, because today we dive into practical and achievable strategies to break free from the cleaning chaos and finally find the motivation you need to maintain a clean and welcoming home. So, grab your cleaning supplies and let’s conquer the clutter together!
Why is it so Hard to Find Cleaning Motivation?
Facing a messy house can be an utterly daunting task. The disarray seems to mock any attempts at order, and the thought of restoring cleanliness can feel like an insurmountable challenge.
Getting motivated to clean such a mess can be a challenge for several reasons:
The Overwhelm
The sight of a messy or cluttered space can be overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like there’s too much to do and not know where to start.
The sheer magnitude of the task, coupled with the constant demands of our daily lives, can create a sense of helplessness.
The never-ending cycle of cleaning and tidying it all at once can be paralyzing. The emotional toll of an untidy home can exacerbate this overwhelm, leading to frustration and a feeling of being perpetually behind.
However, by breaking down the cleaning process into smaller, manageable steps and adopting effective strategies, we can conquer that initial sense of overwhelm and regain control over our living spaces.
Procrastination
Unless you’re that “first child clean freak type” then cleaning sucks! Cleaning is a task that’s easy to put off because it’s hard work and no fun.
Just know that if you are putting off cleaning chores then you have a lot of people that can relate to that. You’re not alone. Many people tend to procrastinate because they find it less enjoyable than other activities.
Unfortunately, procrastination only leads to an even messier house and then you really don’t want to clean it.
Busy Schedules
Modern life can be hectic, leaving little time and energy for cleaning. Who wants to come and clean after a long day of work and/or mom duties.
Boredom
For some, cleaning can be boring, and the monotony of repetitive tasks can make it hard to stay motivated.
I used to think I was just lazy and that’s why I never had a clean house. But in reality, I just needed to find ways to make cleaning fun.
Maybe you’re like me and you just need the right motivation! Good thing I’ve got some tips to share with you that should make cleaning a bit more tolerable.
Tips for Getting Motivated to Clean
Getting motivated to clean your house can be a challenge, but it’s essential for maintaining a clean and organized living space. We’ve got the tips you need to get motivated to clean that messy house with more detailed info to follow if you need it.
Here are some tips to help you find the motivation to clean your house:
1. Set clear goals: Define what you want to accomplish with your cleaning. Whether it’s decluttering, deep cleaning, or just tidying up, having clear, realistic goals in mind can give you a sense of purpose.
2. Break things into smaller tasks: Cleaning your whole house can be overwhelming. Break it down into smaller, manageable tasks like cleaning one room at a time or focusing on specific areas like the kitchen or bathroom.
Small steps is always the way to go to when you’re overwhelmed in any task. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
3. Create a checklist: Make a to-do list of the cleaning tasks you need to complete. As you check off each item, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue.
4. Set a timer: Use the Pomodoro technique or another time management method to work in short, focused bursts. Set a time frame of 20-30 minutes, clean as much as you can in that time, and then take a short break. This helps prevent burnout.
5. Play music or listen to a podcast: Put on your favorite upbeat music or an engaging podcast to make the cleaning process more enjoyable. Music can boost your mood and keep you entertained while you work.
You can even make a cleaning playlist so you have your favorites songs on hand. Sometimes it takes me a good 10 minutes just to pick out a playlist to fit my mood and that’s 10 minutes wasted when it comes to a cleaning session.
Don’t watch TV unless you are doing something stationary like folding clothes or washing dishes. You might get too distracted otherwise. Trust me, I know from experience.
6. Invite a friend or family member: Cleaning can be more fun and motivating when you have someone to help you. Ask a friend or family member to join you, and you can turn it into a social activity.
I had a friend hop on facebook and say that all she wanted for her birthday was a clean home and asked if anyone was willing to help her out. How great is that? We should be willing to ask for help when we need it.
A couple of us responded and we had a great time cleaning together. We got to spend time with her on her birthday and she got a clean house.
Because there were a couple of us there we we done in about two hours. It was great!
Don’t be afraid to ask a friend over to help. Even if all they do is chat while you clean. It will get the job done and you’ll have more fun.
7. Get your family members involved: Honestly, this is my favorite motivation tip. A clean house is not a one person responsibility. The whole family should be involved.
One of the best things you can do for your kids is instill good habits now so they don’t have to learn them once they have their own home.
8. Reward yourself: Set up a small reward for yourself after completing a daunting task. It could be a treat, a movie night, or some free time to do something you enjoy.
Rewards can be a great motivator for yourself but also for little kids who are helping you clean. It’s great for your littles to learn that it’s okay to reward themselves after some hard work.
9. New cleaning supplies: Speaking of rewards, buying new cleaning products can be a great way to bring your energy levels up when it comes to cleaning. Especially if you get yourself some nice seasonal scents like Mrs. Meyers has.
10. Visualize the end result: Imagine how nice your home will look and feel once it’s clean and organized. This can be a powerful motivator.
People can stop by and you won’t have to stand with the door mostly closed to hide what the living room looks like. You can walk freely with out stepping on something. You can eat dinner at the table with your family because the table isn’t stacked full of clutter.
What could a clean home do for you?
11. Declutter as you go: While cleaning, take the opportunity to declutter and organize your belongings. Getting rid of items you no longer need can make the cleaning process more satisfying and less daunting.
It’s pretty much impossible to keep a clean home when it’s full of too much stuff. A clutter-free home means less time cleaning. Full stop.
12. Use the “one-minute rule”: If you notice a small task that takes less than a minute to complete, do it immediately. This habit can help you maintain a cleaner space without feeling overwhelmed.
13. Focus on the health benefits: A clean and tidy home can improve your physical and mental health. Remind yourself of the health benefits of a clean space, like reduced stress and improved air quality.
14. Set a schedule: Establish a regular cleaning schedule so that you don’t let things pile up. Consistent maintenance can make the cleaning process less daunting. Soon cleaning will become second nature.
Setting up a cleaning schedule that works for you is key so be sure to check out our post so you can learn how to do this for yourself.
15. Cleaning Inspiration: Watch cleaning and organization videos or read articles about cleaning tips and hacks. Sometimes, seeing others tackle their cleaning tasks can inspire you to do the same.
But don’t forget to actually clean after said inspiration. Watching cleaning videos all day isn’t going to fix your messy house.
16. Join a cleaning group: Facebook has tons of cleaning groups that can help you stay motivated. You can often find groups with a cleaning challenge that give you daily tasks to do. Or before and after photos for some inspiration from real people who have been in the same place you are now.
17. Hire a cleaning service: There is no shame in hiring the clean up out to a professional especially if you are so overwhelmed you don’t know where to start.
If you have the money then do it. If you don’t have the money then maybe it can be a combo birthday/Christmas gift.
Once the big stuff is done then it will be much easier for you to set up daily tasks that will help you keep a tidy house on a regular basis.
Remember that motivation can be elusive, so don’t wait for it to magically appear. Sometimes, you have to start cleaning, and the motivation will follow as you see progress and the positive impact on your living space.
How to Start Cleaning Your Home When You’re Overwhelmed by the Mess
Starting to clean your house when you don’t know where to begin can be overwhelming, but you can use a systematic approach to make it more manageable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
Before you start cleaning, make sure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies such as cleaning agents, disinfectants, brushes, mops, vacuum cleaner, garbage bags, and microfiber cloths. Having everything ready will prevent interruptions during the cleaning process.
We have a post about creating a cleaning caddy so you can easily carry cleaning products from room to room. We also have a post about making your own cleaning products.
2. Create a Cleaning Checklist
List the areas and specific tasks that need attention in your home and then break things down into manageable sections. For example:
- Kitchen: clean countertops, wipe appliances, wash dishes, and organize pantry.
- Living room: dust surfaces, vacuum the carpet, and organize the entertainment center.
- Bathroom: clean the sink, toilet, shower, and organize toiletries.
- Bedrooms: change bed linens, dust surfaces, and declutter.
- Common areas: sweep and mop floors, dust shelves, and vacuum carpets.
3. Prioritize Tasks
Decide which areas or tasks are the most urgent or important. If certain areas need immediate attention, start there. If not, you can start with a room that motivates you the most or choose a smaller, manageable space like a bathroom or a closet to begin with.
4. Make it fun!
Put on your playlist and set your timer then get to cleaning. Don’t forget to have that reward waiting for you. Basically, do what you need to do to make it happen.
5. Declutter as You Go
While cleaning, make decisions about items you come across. If you find things that don’t belong or are no longer needed, set them aside in a designated “donate” or “discard” pile.
This does not mean you should start a huge decluttering project. You are only decluttering items that you come across as you clean. Things that are sitting out and need to be put away.
Decluttering can make cleaning more efficient and help maintain a tidier home. The good news is, once the clutter is gone the cleaning gets even easier and you only need to declutter occasionally after that.
6. Tackle One Task at a Time
Stay focused on the task at hand and avoid getting distracted by other cleaning tasks. Complete one area or chore before moving on to the next.
7. Work From Top to Bottom
When cleaning a room, start at the top and work your way down. Dust high surfaces, shelves, and fixtures first, and then clean lower surfaces and the floor. This prevents dust and debris from falling onto already cleaned areas.
8. Work in Sections
If a room is particularly messy or cluttered, divide it into sections and tackle one section at a time. This makes the task seem more manageable and provides a sense of accomplishment as you complete each section.
If the room is especially big and messy then take plenty of time to tackle it. You don’t need to work on it all day. Use the whole week.
9. Maintain a Regular Cleaning Routine
To prevent future overwhelm, establish a cleaning schedule that suits your lifestyle. Regular maintenance can make cleaning less daunting and time-consuming.
If you aren’t sure where to start then check out our post that teaches you how to create a cleaning routine that works for you and your home.
Remember that cleaning your entire house doesn’t have to happen in one day. Consistent effort and a systematic approach will help you gradually achieve a clean and organized home.
I hope these tips will help motivate you to take the first step in turning your messy home into the clean and fresh space you’ve been hoping for.
What are your favorite tips and tricks to help you clean your home when you are overwhelmed by the mess? Please let us know in the comments below.
