With life being so busy, it can be almost impossible to stay on top of the housework. It feels like once you’ve made one spot sparkling clean, another demands your attention. Even if you know you need to clean the house and do the dishes, it can be challenging to motivate yourself, and eventually, it becomes so overwhelming that you hope it just goes away. The problem is that it doesn’t go away, which creates a vicious cycle. If you’re struggling to stay on top of your chores, here are four ways to overcome it.
1. Create a Cleaning Schedule (And Stick to It)
A cleaning schedule is one of the best ways to make sure you stay on top of everything, but it’s not enough to merely create a pretty program of everything you need to do. You must stick to it. Instead of doing a deep clean after work or losing hours at the weekend, designate different days to tackle parts of the house.
You can clean upstairs on a Wednesday, downstairs on a Friday, and then work on the main rooms, such as the living room and kitchen, on a Saturday or Sunday. These are just examples, of course, so choose days that fit your schedule and make sure you stick to it. Once you get started, you’ll get into the zone quickly.
2. Do a Little At a Time
If you don’t even feel you have the time to spend a few hours on these days to clean the house, you can still keep on top of your chores by doing a little at a time. This is most effective in rooms that see plenty of action, such as your kitchen or around the front door.
Doing a little cleaning each day can create order in your home, and it prevents the mess from building up to overwhelming levels. You can still reserve a day each week for a more thorough clean, and as you’ve done a little here and there, it won’t take as long.
3. Bring In Reinforcements
No one should be solely responsible for cleaning, so make cleaning the house everybody’s job. Ask your partner and kids to clean up after themselves, especially after cooking a meal, to reduce the number of dishes that pile up.
You can also consider cleaning services to help. Hiring a professional maid will reduce the effort you need to put in to clean the house, and you’ll know it was done right every time.
4. Clean As You Go
If you love to cook but hate washing up afterward, make it a habit to clean as you go. Once you’re finished with a pan, give it a quick rinse with a soapy sponge and leave it to dry. This prevents food from sticking to your kitchen utensils and will minimize the amount of time you need to spend cleaning up after you’ve stuffed your face with a delicious meal.
A clean and tidy home will make you happier and ensure you enjoy spending time in your home. With these tips, you can make sure you take the stress out of cleaning and finally get the opportunity to relax.
