When you need to clean but have no motivation, it can be a challenge to keep your home clean and tidy. A clean and organized home is essential for many reasons, including health, safety, and mental well-being. However, feeling unmotivated can easily make cleaning fall to the bottom of the to-do list (as it often does for me).
Luckily, there are many ways to get your cleaning mojo by making the task feel a lot less like a colossal effort. From setting achievable goals to creating a cleaning schedule, small changes can make a big difference in keeping a clean house. In this blog post, we’ll look at some tips and strategies for boosting cleaning motivation and making cleaning a (hopefully) more enjoyable and manageable task.
Benefits of a Clean Home
A clean home has numerous benefits that can positively impact our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Here are some of the benefits of having a clean home:
- Reduced Stress: A cluttered and messy home can cause stress and anxiety. A clean and organized home can help reduce stress levels and create a calming environment.
- Improved Health: A clean home can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, which can lead to illness. Regular cleaning can also help improve indoor air quality, which is essential for those with allergies or respiratory issues such as asthma.
- Increased Productivity: A clean and organized home can help increase productivity and focus. It can be challenging to concentrate in a cluttered and messy environment.
- Enhanced Mood: A clean and tidy home can help improve one’s mood and overall well-being. It can be challenging to relax and unwind in a cluttered and disorganized space.
- Better Sleep: A clean and organized bedroom can help improve sleep quality. A messy room can cause distractions and make it challenging to fall asleep.
- Safer Space: Tidying up can help to prevent accidents, such as tripping over toys or other objects, as well as providing an overall sense of peace in the home. Also, cleaning and organizing can help identify potential safety hazards, such as exposed wiring or loose stair rails, that can be addressed and fixed before they cause harm.
- Creating a More Enjoyable Space: A clean home is more inviting and enjoyable to spend time, and is a great place to relax. It can also be a great source of pride and give us a sense of accomplishment.
- Healthier Environment: Keeping surfaces clean helps reduce the spread of bacteria and germs, which can lead to illness or infection.
Tips for Finding Cleaning Motivation
Keeping a clean home can be a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right mindset and approach, cleaning can be a satisfying and fulfilling activity. Here are some tips for finding cleaning motivation:
Using Rewards
One way to motivate yourself to clean is by using rewards. Set a goal for yourself, such as cleaning the kitchen, and then reward yourself once you have completed the task. The reward can be something big, like a night out with friends, or small, like getting a coffee and your favorite slice of cake at your local cafe.
Taking Before and After Photos
Take a photo before you get started to remind you of your reference starting point. Then take a step back and look at how great the space looks after you’ve finished your first cleaning or
Playing Music
Upbeat music can be a great motivator for cleaning. Put on your favorite tunes and let the music energize you as you clean. You’ll find yourself dancing around the house as you tidy up in no time. This Spotify Cleaning Motivation 2023 playlist from LoudKult includes 220 upbeat songs to keep you going for 10+ hours with great tracks including As It Was by Harry Styles and Flowers by Miley Cyrus.
Creating a Cleaning Routine
Having a cleaning routine can help make cleaning feel less like a chore. Set aside a specific time each day or week to clean certain areas of your home. This will help you stay on top of cleaning tasks and prevent them from piling up.
Breaking Tasks Down
Cleaning can feel overwhelming when you look at it as one big task. Break house cleaning tasks down into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, instead of cleaning the entire kitchen, focus on just cleaning the countertops one day and then the floor the next.
Focus on the Joy of Cleaning
Focusing on the joy of cleaning can help get cleaning motivation because it helps turn cleaning from a chore into something that can be seen as an act of self-care. When you reframe cleaning as a way to treat yourself, your living space, and your future self with kindness, it helps to make the process more enjoyable.
Inviting Someone Over
Inviting someone over can be a great motivator for cleaning. Knowing that someone is coming over can give you the extra push you need to tidy up your home. Plus, having a clean home can make the space more zen and pleasant when you catch up with your friends for a chat, a glass of wine and cheese, or to watch a movie or Netflix series together, play a card game like Cards Against Humanity or have a karaoke night.
Ask for Help if Necessary
If you’re living with family or roommates, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Cleaning should probably be a shared responsibility anyway. Let them know what tasks you are struggling to do and how they can help you. Ask your partner to help out with specific tasks, and if you have kids, give them age-appropriate chores. You can also ask a friend over to help. Or if it’s a particularly challenging or overwhelming task, you can always look into hiring a house cleaner or an expert for the more specialist tasks like gutter cleaning or hard to reach high windows or skylight windows.
Watch Cleaning Videos Whilst Cleaning to Stay Motivated
Here’s are 6 great cleaning videos on YouTube by top cleaning experts to show you the secret tips and hacks to a clean house:
21 Cleaning Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind! by Melissa Maker of Clean My Space
Spring Clean With Me | entire house deep cleaning & extreme cleaning motivation 2023 by Gemma Lousie Miles
12 Mind-blowing Cleaning Tips from Professional Housekeepers! by Brittany Vasseur
How to (deep) clean your entire home in 1 week by Krist Yu
2023 Extreme Weekly Motivational Cleaning Video by Melissa Shereen
Declutter Your Entire Life in 10 Steps by Mariana Vieira
New Cleaning Tools and Products to Try
Cleaning Caddy Essentials
Keeping a well-stocked cleaning caddy is essential for efficient cleaning. Here are some items that should be included in your caddy:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Floor cleaner
- Duster
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths
- Gloves
New Cleaning Products
Trying out new cleaning products can be a great way to motivate yourself to clean. Here are some new products worth trying for example:
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Steam mop | A steam mop can clean and sanitize floors without the need for harsh chemicals. |
| Robotic vacuum | A robotic vacuum can clean floors automatically, saving you time and effort. |
| Stain remover | There are many new stain removers on the market that can help you tackle tough stains on carpets and upholstery. |
Organizational Tools
Keeping your cleaning supplies organized can also help motivate you to clean. Here are some organizational tools to consider:
- Cleaning supply caddy
- Hanging cleaning organizer
- Storage containers for cleaning supplies
- Label maker for organizing supplies
Overcoming Procrastination
Procrastination is a common obstacle that can slow down even the most motivated individuals from achieving their cleaning goals. However, by understanding the root causes of procrastination and implementing simple strategies to overcome it, you can find the motivation needed to tackle even the most daunting cleaning tasks.
Creating a Schedule
One of the best ways to overcome procrastination is to create a schedule. By setting specific times for cleaning tasks, it becomes easier to stay on track and avoid distractions. It’s important to be realistic when creating a schedule and to allow for breaks and unexpected interruptions.
When creating a cleaning schedule, start by identifying the most important tasks and assigning them specific times. For example, if cleaning the bathroom is a top priority, schedule it for a time when there are no other distractions. It’s also helpful to break larger tasks into smaller ones and assign them to different days or times.
Making a List
Another effective way to overcome procrastination is to make a list of cleaning tasks. This helps to break down the overall cleaning process into smaller, more manageable steps. It’s important to prioritize tasks on the list and tackle the most important ones first.
When making a cleaning list, start with the most important tasks and work down from there. This could include tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, or washing dishes. It’s also helpful to set a time limit for each task to avoid getting bogged down in one area.
Overall, creating a schedule and making a list are two effective ways to overcome procrastination when it comes to cleaning. By breaking down tasks into smaller steps and setting specific times for them, it becomes easier to stay on track and avoid distractions.
Cleaning Quotes to Inspire You to Clean
“The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.” — Marie Kondo
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.” — John Wesley
“Nothing inspires cleanliness more than an unexpected guest.” — Radhika Mundra
“Cleaning is not a chore, it’s a form of therapy.” — Unknown
“Cleaning and organizing is a practice not a project.” Meagan Francis
Conclusion
In conclusion, motivation is key to maintaining a clean and organized home or workspace. By setting achievable goals, creating a routine, and finding ways to make cleaning more enjoyable, we can develop the motivation and habits to clean with minimal fuss and fanfare.
It is important to remember that cleaning does not have to be an overwhelming task. By breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks, we can save time and energy in the long run. Additionally, finding ways to incorporate cleaning into daily routines, such as tidying up before bed or while cooking, can help make it feel less like a chore.
For those who struggle with finding the time to clean, prioritizing tasks based on importance can be helpful. By focusing on the most important areas first, we can ensure that our space is clean and organized, even we don’t have time to tackle everything all at once.
Overall, motivation is key to maintaining a clean and organized home or workspace. By incorporating these tips and tricks into our daily routines, we increase our motivation to clean and enjoy the benefits of a clean and stress-free environment.
FAQ’s
What is Cleaning Motivation?
Cleaning motivation is the drive or inspiration that individuals feel to clean their living spaces. It can be influenced by various factors such as personal preferences, cultural norms, social pressures, health concerns, and environmental awareness.
Some people may be naturally motivated to keep their surroundings clean and organized, while others may need external motivators such as rewards, deadlines, or accountability partners to get started. Regardless of the source of motivation, cleaning can have numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being, including reduced stress, improved productivity, and better hygiene.
Why do I have zero motivation to clean?
Lack of motivation to clean can be caused by many factors, such as feeling overwhelmed, having a busy schedule, or simply not enjoying the task. It’s important to identify the source of your lack of motivation and find ways to overcome it. Try mixing things up by trying a new cleaning product or method, or organizing your cleaning tasks in a different order. You can also try cleaning with a friend or family member to make it more fun.
How do I motivate myself to clean?
There are many ways to motivate yourself to clean, such as setting achievable goals, creating a cleaning routine, using rewards, turning it into a game, or playing music while you clean. Examples are: you could turn it into a workout by dancing while you clean, or challenge yourself to beat the clock with the task at hand for added excitement, or make cleaning a group activity with friends or family, or treat yourself to a delicious snack or beverage while you clean and tidy up.
How do you get motivated to clean when overwhelmed by mess?
When you’re feeling overwhelmed by a messy space, it can be helpful to start with one small area. Focus on
What motivates people to clean?
People can be motivated to clean for various reasons, such as health concerns such as reducing allergies and asthma symptoms, wanting a calm and peaceful environment, cultural expectations, feeling a sense of accomplishment or wanting to impress guests. Some people may be naturally motivated to keep their surroundings clean and organized, while others may need external motivators such as rewards or accountability partners to get started.
