Overwhelmed with Cleaning? Here's your step-by-step guide to cleaning your home without the stress.
The Impact of a Clean Home on Your Wellbeing
Cleaning your home can feel like an overwhelming chore, especially if you let tasks build up. However, maintaining a clean and tidy space can significantly impact your overall wellbeing, contributing to a sense of happiness and relaxation. Research shows that a clean environment can reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance productivity. Yet, many of us struggle to find a cleaning routine that fits our busy lives.
This post aims to simplify your cleaning routine, offering practical tips and strategies to help you keep your home clean and organised with minimal stress. By understanding your cleaning style and establishing a manageable routine, you can enjoy the benefits of a tidy home without feeling overwhelmed.
Understanding Your Cleaning Style
What's your cleaning style? Do you enjoy cleaning, or do you find yourself procrastinating? Some people prefer to clean in small, regular bursts, while others opt for occasional cleaning marathons.
Knowing your style will help you develop a routine that fits your lifestyle and keeps your home clean without feeling overwhelmed.
Getting Organised with a Cleaning Routine
A cleaning routine is your tool for taking control. It's about being intentional with what you need to do and when you will do it, empowering you to maintain your home without feeling overwhelmed.
A routine comprises two parts: your time and your method.
Routines can sound dull and inflexible, but once they become habits, they require little thought or effort.
I love the feeling of everything being clean all at once, but I don’t want to spend a whole day cleaning. So, I do a few cleaning tasks every day, which gives me that feeling. A cleaning schedule has really helped maintain our home to a level I'm happy with. With a routine in place, it's easy to get the family involved because they know what needs to be done on any given day, and I don’t have to explain it repeatedly. Everyone at home who isn't working helps with the tasks for that day. The house gets dirty because four people live in it, so it gets cleaned with all four people pitching in.
Time Management and Efficiency
Whether or not we want to admit it, we all have limited time and energy. There are only 24 hours in a day, and most of us want/need to sleep, eat, work, spend time with family, etc. Your actual 'free time' available for housework is probably pretty limited.
Use time blocks to create boundaries. If you want to spend less time cleaning, consider deciding how much time you want or can spend cleaning first and then working backwards from there. I found this approach very useful because cleaning can seem like a never-ending job. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with constant tasks, so establishing boundaries is crucial for achieving peace of mind!
Try and commit to 30 minutes per day (or even 10-15 minutes to begin with) and see what happens. Sometimes, that's all it takes to make the world of difference. It wasn't until I focused on the simplest, smallest habits that I finally saw I was making progress. Personally, I find having boundaries makes me so much more productive, and I actually surprise myself with what I can achieve in 30 minutes.
Time-Saving Strategies: For those with busy schedules, consider setting a timer for short cleaning bursts. Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can make cleaning less overwhelming and more achievable.
Set Boundaries: Determine how much time you want to spend cleaning each day and stick to it. This approach allows you to maintain a clean home without sacrificing your personal time and wellbeing.
Whether you prefer to tackle a little bit each day or have weekly deep cleans, a structured approach to cleaning can help you stay on top of household tasks and reduce your need to think too much about what needs to be done.
Find Your Flow with a Cleaning Method
In addition to being intentional with your time, choosing a cleaning method will help you find your flow, which will make cleaning less stressful.
I find the easiest and most efficient method for me is to work my way around the house, room by room.
I start on one side of the house and work my way around throughout the week. This method, sometimes known as 'The Mount Vernon Method', s a systematic approach to cleaning. It involves following a routine, providing enough variety to keep you interested, and not requiring too much time or focus. It's particularly effective for those with ADHD (and those without) as it provides a clear structure and prevents decision fatigue.
Choose a starting point in your home—it could be the front door or the room that will have the most impact.
Work your way around your home, room by room.
Focus on the simple tasks: Put things away (use your 'Clutter Categories' such as 'things to donate ', 'things to throw away ', and 'things to sell' if there is anything that no longer needs to stay), dust or wipe the surfaces, sweep or vacuum the floors, and change the beds.
If you have more time or energy, you can do more in each room or move on to the next room.
In your next block of time, you can pick up where you left off and carry on.
This method helps to reduce procrastination and decision fatigue. It's not meant for deep decluttering or heavy cleaning, but once you have decluttered a room, this method will help stop the clutter from accumulating again.
As a rule of thumb, if you are taking more than one hour per room and the rooms have been decluttered, you are probably cleaning too heavily, getting distracted, or going into micro-focus. The tendency for those with ADD/ADHD is to overdo it, so pace yourself with time blocks.
I combine it with The 'See it, Clean It' method. Clean as you go. If you see a mess, take care of it immediately.
If I see a mess on the floor - I vacuum it. If I see the bathroom sink is coated in toothpaste - I clean it. If it takes less than 5 minutes, I do it there and then. Some people ask if I am constantly cleaning! The answer is no, because once you establish this way of life, things stay relatively clean, which means you arent having to scrub and scrape every surface every single day.
Another method you can use is working through task by task instead of room by room - dusting, hoovering, windows, laundry, etc.
Creating your Cleaning Schedule
Start a checklist of the tasks you need to do each week to keep things ticking over—start slow, start with just one or two, and do that for several weeks before adding more.
Consistency is critical to maintaining a clean home.
Here are some examples of regular tasks that you can add to your cleaning schedule:
Daily Tasks:
Incorporating small daily habits contributes to a cleaner home. These habits prevent messes and clutter from accumulating, making weekly cleaning less daunting.
Make the bed each morning.
Wipe down bathroom surfaces after use.
Do the dishes
Wipe down kitchen counters
Quick tidy-up of common areas
Weekly Tasks:
Vacuum and mop floors
Dust surfaces
Clean bathrooms
Change bed linens
Take out the rubbish and recycling
Monthly Tasks:
Deep clean the kitchen
Wash windows
Clean appliances
Seasonal Tasks:
Deep clean carpets and upholstery
Inspect and clean outdoor areas
The only way a cleaning routine will work for you is not to make it too overwhelming or time consuming that you don't keep up with it.
You can implement a more detailed cleaning schedule later (if you want to), but if you're already feeling overwhelmed, just do the basics for now. I often advise my clients that if they are in a state of exhaustion and overwhelm, they should ONLY focus on the habits at first. The habits of doing the dishes and keeping the surfaces clean often lead to a desire to declutter.
When time is limited, prioritise cleaning high-traffic areas to maintain a sense of cleanliness and order. Areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room tend to accumulate dirt and dust more quickly, so focusing on these spaces can make a significant difference.
Try to resist the urge to procrastinate on small daily jobs. The feeling and result of putting them off are worse than what needs to be done in that moment. The longer you put it off, the longer it will take. If you really don't have the time or energy some days, that's okay; just pick up and carry on when you can.
Get it out of your head and Make it visible
Here is an example of a cleaning routine checklist—you can download a blank copy from the resources page and create your own. I have my routines and list laminated inside the utility cupboard door so everyone at home can reference it (and hopefully help with the tasks). They're also added as time blocks to my digital calendar so that I can see at a glance what needs to be done and where it fits into my day.
Of course, every household and family are different, so alter the schedule to suit your needs. The time it takes to do a basic clean will vary from home to home. You need to find your flow and monitor the time it takes you to do the basics.
If you prefer to clean once or twice a week, you can simply combine areas of your home into one.
Decluttering your Home reduces Time Spent Cleaning
If you feel you are spending too much time on your basic cleaning tasks in each room - declutter and simplify the space. Cleaning is always a much simpler task in a less cluttered space. When there is no clutter on your surfaces, wiping them down is easy. When there aren't piles on the floor, it's easy to sweep or vacuum. When there aren't 17 bottles in the shower, it's easier to clean. If you have to move stuff to clean the house, get rid of some of the stuff.
Maintaining a clean and tidy home requires two things: regular cleaning and eliminating excess. You can't have one without the other, or you'll find yourself exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
Regularly assess your belongings and donate or discard items you no longer need.
Streamline your Cleaning Supplies
Having numerous cleaning products can be overwhelming and might lead to procrastination. To make your cleaning routine simpler, reduce the number of cleaning supplies you use. Choose multi-purpose cleaners that work on various surfaces, minimising the need for multiple products.
Having a well-organised cleaning caddy or cupboard can also save time and effort.
Done is Better than Perfect
There isn't a perfect way to maintain your home. So, if you're trying to achieve that, it's time to stop.
Change your expectations about having a perfectly clean home all the time. I'm not saying live in a mess, but you have to let go of unrealistic expectations.
Reflect on what truly matters to you. Is having a spotless home your top priority? Your standards are unique to you, but if maintaining your house is causing significant stress despite having a routine, it's worth reevaluating your expectations. While cleaning routines can be beneficial, no strategy will work if your expectations are unrealistic given the time you have available. It's essential to find a balance that works for your life.
Just do a little bit on a regular basis. Follow your schedule as much as you can, but if you miss a day (or a few) and get out of your routine, it doesn't matter; just start again on the day it is and get back in your flow. Don't worry too much about catching up.
I tell myself that I just need to do as much as I can in the room on my list each day, which really reduces stress levels and makes me feel accomplished. Once I am done… I am done for the day, and I have time to do everything else I want and need to do for the day. When I have more time, I will schedule the deeper cleaning tasks that take more time and effort.
Be kind to yourself. It's easy to feel discouraged if things don't go as planned. Remember that progress, no matter how small, is still progress. Celebrate your achievements, even if it's just cleaning out a drawer or getting on top of the laundry for the day.
Involve the Whole Family
If you're not the only one who lives in the home, get your family or housemates involved to share the load. Assign age-appropriate tasks to kids to encourage everyone to pitch in.
Seek Help if Needed
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we might need a little extra help. Hiring a professional cleaner for a deep clean can give you a fresh start. Alternatively, asking a friend or family member for help can make the process less daunting.
Maintain a Positive Mindset
Keeping a positive mindset is crucial. Instead of seeing cleaning as a chore, try to view it as an act of self-care. A clean and organised home can significantly impact your wellbeing.
Make a note in your journal or planner to track your progress, and reflect on how a cleaner space makes you feel.
Remember, you do not have to do everything perfectly. The goal is to create a living space that feels comfortable and welcoming for you.
Create a cleaning routine that fits your lifestyle and reduces stress (not adds to). Break the process down into manageable steps, set realistic goals and be kind to yourself.
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