{"id":100668,"date":"2025-05-09T11:55:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T18:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=100668"},"modified":"2025-05-09T12:31:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T19:31:05","slug":"how-to-stay-motivated-to-clean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-stay-motivated-to-clean\/","title":{"rendered":"Staying Motivated to Clean: Expert-backed Tips for a Tidier, Calmer Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s face it, finding the motivation to clean your home can feel like an uphill battle. Dishes pile up, laundry overflows, and somehow dust bunnies multiply overnight. Procrastination sets in, and soon even the smallest cleaning task feels insurmountable. If you\u2019re nodding along, you\u2019re not alone. Many people struggle to maintain a consistently clean space amidst the hustle of everyday life \u2014 and figuring out how to stay motivated to clean is often the hardest part.<\/span><\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the thing: a clean home can make a big difference. It boosts your mood, reduces stress and anxiety, and creates a more inviting, restful space. This guide offers practical strategies to reframe your mindset and shares simple habits and expert-backed tips to help you stay consistent. Whether you\u2019re a busy professional with an <\/span>apartment in New York, NY<\/span><\/a>, a parent juggling it all in <\/span>Knoxville, TN<\/span><\/a>, or looking for hacks to keep your new <\/span>home in Seattle, WA<\/span><\/a>, clean, these ideas will help you turn cleaning from a dreaded chore into a manageable part of your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/p>\n

1. Build a daily cleaning habit<\/span><\/h2>\n

Staying motivated to clean is easier when it becomes part of your routine. Rather than letting messes accumulate into something overwhelming, build cleaning into your day in small, consistent ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuild simple daily habits, like a 10-minute tidy-up at the same time each day, right into your schedule,\u201d advises Lori Vande Krol, organization and productivity consultant and creator of <\/span>The ProAction Planner<\/span><\/a>, a planning and scheduling tool. \u201cConsistency turns cleaning into a no-brainer, not a burden.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rinea Blanchard, owner of <\/span>Superior Contract Cleaning<\/span><\/a> in Lafayette, LA, adds, \u201cMost people don’t like to clean, so you just have to start. The more you do it, the more it becomes a habit. Then it won\u2019t even cross your mind that you lack motivation, you\u2019ll just do it.\u201d She also notes there\u2019s science to back this up: \u201cCleaning gets you moving, releasing endorphins like a workout. That feeling of accomplishment and a fresh home is powerful motivation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Use quick wins to build momentum<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. That\u2019s where the 5-Minute and 2-Minute Rules come in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMotivation is sneaky and rarely shows up on time,\u201d says <\/span>D. Allison Lee<\/span><\/a>, CPO\u00ae and Digital Productivity Coach. \u201cBe your own hype girl and trick your brain into getting started. Set a timer for just 5 minutes and tell yourself that\u2019s all you have to do. Then start with quick wins, or anything that takes 2 minutes or less. Momentum will do the rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Psychiatrist <\/span>Dr. Jennifer McManus<\/span><\/a> agrees: \u201cHumans tend to overestimate how difficult cleaning will be, while underestimating the satisfaction afterward. Committing to just five minutes helps you push past the initial resistance and keeps things moving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Start small when motivation is low<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, zoom in. Focus on just one tiny area to gain traction and stay motivated to clean.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby Schulz, CEO of <\/span>Maid2Match<\/span><\/a>, recommends: \u201cStart by wiping the sink or tidying a drawer if something big, like scrubbing the whole shower, feels too much. These small tasks help get that ‘inertia’ going.\u201d He also suggests pairing chores with something enjoyable, like a podcast, and stacking tasks efficiently for better flow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interior designer <\/span>Nitya Seth<\/span><\/a> echoes this: \u201cBegin with a single space, such as one drawer or a small countertop. These smaller tasks bring faster wins, which keep us going. Doing household chores alongside music or podcasts turns them into relaxing activities instead of unwelcome work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Pair cleaning with enjoyable activities<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019re more likely to stay motivated when cleaning doesn\u2019t feel like a drag. Turn it into something you actually enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my favorite ways to stay motivated while cleaning is to pair it with something enjoyable, like a podcast or an upbeat playlist,\u201d explains Erik Fisher of the podcast <\/span>Beyond the To-Do List<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt transforms the task into something more fun and helps the time fly. I also recommend starting with a quick \u2018reset zone.\u2019 Choose one small area to tidy first thing each day. Seeing that space consistently clean builds momentum and makes it easier to tackle more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Elizabeth Grace Saunders<\/span><\/a>, time management coach and author, also weighs in on this: \u201cIt’s easier to clean when you’re not thinking about cleaning. Talk to a friend, listen to a show \u2014 before you know it, your space is sparkling. Before you know it, your home will be sparkling, and you’ll have also done something you enjoyed. It’s a win-win strategy.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Turn cleaning into self-care<\/span><\/h2>\n

Instead of thinking of cleaning as a chore, treat it as a way to care for your future self.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVisualize how great it\u2019ll feel when it\u2019s done,\u201d says professional organizer Cathy Chalfant of <\/span>Taft Street Interiors<\/span><\/a> in Carmel, IN. \u201cGather all your supplies, focus on one area at a time, and energize yourself with a fun playlist. Afterward, reward yourself. Light a candle, enjoy a snack in your fresh kitchen, or unwind in a clean tub. It\u2019s about transforming cleaning into an act of love for yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Start with a vision<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before diving into a deep clean, get clear on why you want to do it. A meaningful \u201cwhy\u201d makes motivation easier to find.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCreate a quick mood board that captures the feeling you want the space to evoke, whether that\u2019s calm, energized, or minimal,\u201d suggests professional organizer Marcelle from <\/span>Soul Cove<\/span><\/a> in New York. \u201cThink: \u2018a peaceful spot to enjoy my morning coffee\u2019 or \u2018an organized entryway that makes mornings easier.\u2019 When you design with intention, motivation follows naturally.\u201d It\u2019s a simple way to stay motivated to clean and maintain your space.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Break cleaning up into manageable tasks<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trying to tackle the entire house at once is a recipe for burnout. Instead, establish a rhythm of daily and weekly tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cleaning company <\/span>My Mopps<\/span><\/a> in Easley, SC, recommends something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n