How to Motivate Yourself to Clean: Expert-Backed Tips & Tricks for a Spotless Home

Let’s face it: cleaning is often the last thing we want to do. Whether it’s the sheer monotony of the tasks, underlying mental health concerns, or simply feeling overwhelmed by a messy space, finding the motivation to clean can be a real struggle. 

You’re not alone if you find yourself constantly putting it off. This article is designed to provide you with a comprehensive toolkit of strategies, all backed by experts for cleaning services in Roslyn, NY, to help you conquer cleaning procrastination and create a home you love.

How to motivate yourself to clean?

Many people struggle with finding the motivation to clean, but there are several strategies you can use to kickstart your cleaning routine! Let’s take a more in-depth look at expert tips and tricks that will help you overcome procrastination and create a spotless home.

Understanding Your “Why” and “Why Not”

Before diving into specific techniques, take a moment to connect with your personal reasons for wanting a clean space. What do you hope to gain from it? Visualize the benefits: a peaceful sanctuary, a sense of pride in your home, reduced stress, or more time for hobbies and loved ones.

Conversely, think about the negative consequences of not cleaning. Do you dread waking up to a messy kitchen? Are you embarrassed by the thought of unexpected visitors seeing your home in disarray? Visualizing these “Why Nots” can be a powerful motivator.

Ultimately, reframe cleaning as an act of self-care. You deserve a clean and comfortable home, and taking the time to create that space is an investment in your well-being.

The Three “S’s”

Clutterbug, a cleaning expert, refers to the “three S’s”: State, Story, and Strategy. According to Clutterbug, you can use this method to achieve instant motivation. Change your physical state. If you were excited to clean, what would you feel like, physically? Do jumping jacks, clap your hands, or make energetic motions. Alter your internal “story” by reframing cleaning as something you “get to do” rather than something you “have to do”. While having a cleaning strategy or plan can be helpful, it is less important.

Quick and Easy Starting Strategies

Sometimes, the hardest part is simply getting started. When feeling overwhelmed, try these quick and easy strategies:

• The 5-Minute Rule: Set a timer for just five minutes and focus on cleaning one specific area. Even a short burst of cleaning is better than nothing and can provide enough motivation to keep going.
• 100-Second Bursts: If even five minutes feels daunting, commit to cleaning for only 100 seconds at a time.
• Start Small: If you have to clean your entire apartment, start with just one room or even one part of the room. Begin with just one area and take it from there.

Gamification and Rewards

Turn cleaning into a game and reward yourself for your efforts:

• Reward System: Promise yourself a reward upon completion of a cleaning task. Setting goals with rewards can provide incentives to remain motivated. For example, set a goal to have the kitchen and bedroom completely clean within one week could be rewarded with a planned manicure or a nice outing to one of Hempstead Bay beaches.
• Cleaning Candy: Buy a favorite candy, but don’t eat it until it’s time to clean. Eating a “cleaning candy” you enjoy while you work gives you something to look forward to and can even make you want to clean.
• Cleaning Apps: Use cleaning apps, like Tody, that allow you to manage chores and track your cleaning schedule. Apps like Sweepy award you points and achievements for doing stuff around the house.

Make it Fun and Engaging

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a drag. Make it fun and engaging with these ideas:

• Music and Entertainment: Turn on upbeat music, podcasts, audiobooks, or cleaning videos to make the task more enjoyable.
• Body Doubling: In real life, you can try an ADHD focus method called “body doubling”. Basically, someone sits with you while you work to keep you accountable and from wandering off.
• Cleaning Parties: Everything is more fun with friends involved! Have them over for a cleaning party. As a bonus, you’ll probably get more done than you expected. Just be sure to pay them back with pizza, drinks, or some other sort of perk.

The Importance of a Cleaning Routine and Schedule

• Set a Schedule: Schedule specific times for cleaning each week and stick to the schedule. Things that are scheduled are more likely to get done.
• Have A Routine: A great way to effectively use your time while cleaning is to have a routine—a list of cleaning tasks that you will follow to help you stay on track.
• Build Cleaning into Daily Habits: Incorporate cleaning tasks into existing daily habits. For example, wipe down the bathroom sink after brushing your teeth or clean up dishes while cooking.

Tackling Overwhelm and Procrastination

• Break Down Large Tasks: If you’re not feeling super lazy, just overwhelmed or dreading cleaning a whole room, I use what I call a “micro checklist”.
• The “Frog” Method: If you have to do something and you have been procrastinating, I tell myself I’m going to “just take a look at it”. Imagine you have to clean the fridge, and you feel bad about it. You keep avoiding doing it. Then you go “take a look at it”. Now you are in the fridge, but not cleaning it, and you think to yourself, “Oh, this isn’t even that dirty!” Next thing you know, you’re just cleaning it!
• Confront the Mess: One way of using negative cleaning inspiration is to take a photo of each room.
• Pre-Cleaning: If I know I have to clean my kitchen, but I don’t want to, I organize the mess a bit. Put the condiments away, stack the dirty dishes, and throw out the fliers and containers. I haven’t committed to cleaning so my brain tricked into thinking I’m doing something else.

Environmental and Practical Considerations

• Convenient Supplies: If your cleaning motivation is lacking because it’s a pain to gather what you need and you don’t feel like going on a cleaning product scavenger hunt, make up a little caddy for that chore.
• Declutter First: Getting rid of the stuff is my issue. I’ve hired someone to clean the house but I need to clean out the closets where I hide the stuff when they come.
• Evaluate and Improve: Take the time to evaluate the most time-consuming or difficult parts of cleaning. How can you make them easier and faster?

Mindset and Motivation Techniques

• Change Your Story: Transform “I have to clean” into “I get to have a clean space”.
• Visualize Success: Doesn’t it look stunning? That should help motivate you.
• Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Allow for some mess and imperfection.
• Remember Why You’re Doing It: It’s been proven time and time again that a clean home leads to a happier life.

Seeking Help and Accountability

• Enlist Help: Everything is more fun with friends involved! Have them over for a cleaning party.
• Accountability Partners: If you need cleaning encouragement, find someone to hold you accountable. Either in real life or online.
• Drastic Measures: Invite someone you respect over to your house. The thought of them coming over can get you in a “cleaning frenzy”.

Dealing with Specific Challenges

• ADHD and Executive Dysfunction: Use timers, body doubling, and distraction techniques.
• Depression and Fatigue: Get dressed, start with small tasks, and visualize the end result.
• Physical Limitations: Plan your day, do tasks in small bursts, rest in between.

Maintaining Momentum and Preventing Burnout

Recognize that cleaning motivation can fluctuate. Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism. Revisit and adjust your strategies as needed. Most importantly, celebrate your accomplishments and take the time to enjoy your clean space.

Where can I find expert cleaning services near me in Roslyn, NY?

At Maid Brigade, you can find all the help you need to keep your home pristine and your free time intact. Whether you want to keep your home healthy for your kids or make it easier for your aging loved ones to function – or simply don’t want to bother with chores – our expertise and preparedness make it possible for you to have the best of both worlds. Get in touch with us today and let’s get started!