It’s Not Gonna Clean Itself
I’m wondering where the technology is that we were promised in the ’60s? You know, the self-cleaning home! Oh well, I guess we’re still on the hook to do it ourselves. I know I’m not the only one who has a difficult time figuring out how to get motivated to clean and declutter the house. It’s strange though. Because once I start it’s like a cleaning typhoon. I don’t stop until it’s done. So how exactly do you get motivated to clean and declutter? Well first, we have to look at the “why” of the matter.
Why Do We Get Overwhelmed by Cleaning?
Who else can totally relate to the statement, “If you people would just stop living here the house would stay clean”?!? And I find it funny that even though our daughter no longer lives with us, the kitchen still looks like it exploded on a nightly basis! I can’t even imagine how all of you with kids living at home deal with it! I salute you!
There are many reasons to feel completely overwhelmed by keeping your house clean.
- It could be the number of people living in your home. Let’s face it keeping a house clean when you have no kids is a lot easier then if you have four!
- Many of us have tons of things besides house cleaning that also demands our time. Work (whether from home or away) can be tiring, extracurricular activities, family and friends, meetings, appointments, etc…
- You have too much stuff! For most western families this is a real problem. That’s why I highly recommend a declutter/purge first!
- We know it will just have to be cleaned the next day, and the next, and the next. Monotony never inspired anyone to do anything!
- It always feels like a bigger task then it actually is. Trust me every time I look at the kitchen at the end of the day I feel like it’s going to take FOREVER to clean. In reality, it takes 20 minutes tops.
- You feel like what you do around the house isn’t appreciated anyway. So why bother?
Finding the motivation to clean is truly a mindset thing. If you can just put all of these self-defeating thoughts away. Or “put your four-year-old in the corner”, as I like to say. You can get over the hump.
How to Get Motivated to Clean and Declutter
There are multiple ways to approach this beast. Don’t worry Aunt Bob’s(that’s the nickname my nieces and nephews gave me), here to help.
- Start by downloading my free 5 Tips motivational printout (free when you sign up for our mailing list)
- Start small and build up to bigger tasks so you have a better sense of what you’ve accomplished
- Get realistic about your expectations- what level of messiness can you live with? Let’s face it some of us don’t have time to do a top to bottom clean every day! But I will say there is a happy medium between Suzy Homemaker and Hot Mess mom!
- Start with one room and don’t move to another room until the first one is done
- Take one weekend and get everyone involved and do a thorough cleaning so throughout the week you will only need to do maintenance cleaning. (check out my post with spring cleaning list)
- DELEGATE! Get others to be responsible for one area of the home. Knowing you have help can really make a difference in your mood to get you started with the cleaning.
- Keep the thought in your mind about how good it will feel to have a clean and decluttered home!
The Key to Keeping the House Clean is Maintenance
Seems logical doesn’t it? The way to keep your house clean is by doing little things every day. But how is it possible to make sure you only have a small amount of cleaning every day? Set a routine and stick to it! One of my best tips is to break your cleaning down into manageable stages. 4 yearly big purge/cleanups, monthly chores, weekly chores, and daily small tasks.
The Two Necessary Evils: Laundry and Dishes
A great tip is to take all of your dirty
Another great tip for the kitchen is to try to clean up the kitchen before you cook. Have the dishwasher or sink ready to do dishes after dinner quickly. Clean as you cook is a great motto I have always tried to live by. It really makes clean up after dinner a breeze.
A Clean Home is a True Sanctuary
Once you figure out what works for you to get and stay motivated to clean, things become easier. You won’t dread cleaning as much if you have an established routine. The true key to
Get your free 5 Tips to Get Yourself Motivated to Clean Your Home printable when you sign up for our newsletter. Never miss out on any updates or new stuff on Making It Home!
Like this post? You might like these as well!
Spring Cleaning List ~ How to Purge and Clean Your Home
Turning Your House Into a Home
Products That Make Homemaking a Breeze
Leave a Reply