If you're having trouble motivating yourself to clean, one "trick" is to start small! When large chores like scrubbing the shower feel daunting, start by wiping the handles or quickly washing the sink. The idea is to get that "inertia" going -- do one or two little things to get over the hump, then work your way up to the big chore(s). Find a playlist, podcast, or YouTube video to put on so you can work within that timeframe! Make it upbeat and exciting so you feel more energetic about doing your chores. The set time limit should also help, since you can remind yourself that you only need to work for X hours. Pick a chore that aligns with something you have to do. Do you have dishes to unload? Take the extra step to clean your dishwasher afterwards. Going to shower in a bit? Set aside five extra minutes to scrub the toilet. You already need to be in that space, so go just a little further by adding a chore to get done. Stack as many chores as you can -- the more you can do in one go, the better. (Don't cut corners with half-done chores, though!) If you're cleaning the dishwasher, then wash the sink and wipe your countertops. Make the most of your time and effort with an efficient cleaning routine! Take advantage of any bursts of energy or motivation. If you get the sudden urge to clean the microwave, then do just that -- so long as it doesn't get in the way of something else. It's fine even if it's a weird or random time; you shouldn't trap yourself into thinking that you must do chores at fixed times/intervals. Yes, you can clean the shower at 8:00 PM if that's when you feel like doing it... but maybe don't do something noisy, like vacuuming, late at night.
It's about the routine; you could also call it discipline. Most people don't like to clean, and there's very little to cleaning that will change their mind to liking it. So, you just have to start. The more you do it, the more it becomes a habit. Then, it will not even cross your mind that you have no motivation; you'll just do it. There's also some science to it that will help keep you disciplined. During cleaning, you're moving around and being active, releasing endorphins, like you're in the gym. That feeling is great, plus the sense of accomplishment and the joy of having your house clean and fresh. Let those feelings and achievement be your motivation, not the cleaning itself.
My trick? Start by cleaning just one small, visible area--like your coffee table or bathroom sink--and style it like you live in a design magazine. Once one corner looks fabulous, the rest of the mess starts to feel personally offensive. Suddenly, you're wiping down counters with the vengeance of someone who just watched a home makeover show. It's a domino effect... with better lighting.
Treat your home like a model home--even if no one's coming over. I use a simple, manageable 5-line checklist that applies to every room: clear all countertops, sweep or vacuum, dust ceiling fans, wipe blinds--and yes, always make the bed. It's not about being perfect; it's about mastering daily accomplishment. When your space looks clean, you feel more in control--and that's powerful.
A mental trick for me is to set a timer for just 10 minutes and tell yourself you only have to clean until it goes off, once you start, the feeling usually kicks in and its easier to keep going. also, putting on music or a podcast turns it into "me time" rather than a chore, changing the mindset from "i have to clean" to "im resetting my space" really helps too. Thank you! Lina DaSilva, Founder at TorontoShineCleaning.ca/ linkedin.com/in/lina-dasilva/ 300+ Google Reviews - g.page/r/Cf1-Hi3QpScjEB0/
I do not believe motivation should be hunted. I believe it is built. Instead of trying to get inspired to clean, decide that the act of cleaning is a declaration of mental clarity. Choose one item (literally one) and move it with intention. The goal is not progress. The goal is contact. You touch your surroundings as a way to confirm you are still in charge of your space. After 3 minutes of interaction, momentum is no longer optional. You are already moving. A clean home is not the prize. The shift in identity is. All that to say, motion creates meaning.
Hi! I'm Anita Lang, Principal Designer and Founder of IMI Design Studio. With over two decades of experience designing luxury interiors focused on wellness and mindful living, I know firsthand that a clean, organized environment is essential for sustaining beauty and balance. Here's my tip: A beautifully designed space loses its magic when it's cluttered -- maintaining order is an act of honoring the space you live in. One of my favorite ways to stay motivated to clean is to focus on the feeling of the space when it's clear and beautiful. Start by resetting just one area -- like your favorite chair or a sunny window nook -- and let that small success inspire momentum throughout the rest of your home. Hope this helps! Best, Anita Lang Principal Designer | Founder, IMI Design Studio
Being an interior designer who can appreciate the influence of space on mood, I will give you my best method for self-motivation: I always kick off my day with a "5-Minute Visual Reset" -- tidy the high-impact zone (e.g., coffee table, sink area) that is the most cluttered to immediately create a "win" and initiate the process. Complement this with "functional beauty" organization (imagine fashionable containers for mess, labeled drawers) to change the act of tidying that not only looks good but also feels like it is done on purpose, not with the intention to get the work done. Clean the house to some happy music or listen to a podcast to enjoy your time alone in the process of cleaning, and ensure you reward yourself by enjoying small pleasures--such as, for one, lightening a candle in your cozy space. Just think and visualize how everything becomes so much easier when it is in order (such as calmer mornings, having guests over) instead of being just an extra burden to you. And finally, observe the shift in motivation from duty to happiness.
When it comes to cleaning, it's really about shifting the mindset. Instead of seeing it as a chore, try framing cleaning as a form of self-care! I know how hard it can be to keep on top of the cleaning in your home. One way I have found works well is to set a timer for 10-15 minutes and focus on just one area. By breaking cleaning and organization down into smaller tasks, it will make the process feel much more manageable. You really will be blown away by how much you can get down by breaking it down into digestible segments. Also, if you really want to maximise this sense of productivity, you can also put on some of your favourite music to help you lock in and get the job down. Trust me, the energy shift can work wonders!
As the managing partner of an interior design firm, I've found the "one room rule" incredibly effective for maintaining motivation. Pick just one room to tackle completely before moving to another - this prevents the overwhelm that kills motivation and gives you a finished space to enjoy immediately. The psychology of starting small is powerful. I tell my staging clients to set a 10-minute timer for decluttering - it's short enough that your brain doesn't resist, but once you start, momentum often carries you well beyond that time limit. Our design team uses the "outside eyes technique" when motivation lags. Take a photo of your space and look at it on your phone - you'll suddenly see clutter and disorganization that you've become blind to in person. This creates an immediate urge to fix what you now clearly see. For sustainable habits, connect cleaning to your values rather than appearance. On my ranch, I maintain our spaces not because messy looks bad, but because organization creates calm for my family and allows us to spend more time doing what we love together rather than searching for misplaced items.
I break tasks into 1-hour segments to creates immediate wins. Small accomplishments trigger dopamine responses in your brain, creating natural momentum that builds throughout your organizing process. The most powerful motivator I've seen is actually having someone start the process with you. One client who struggled with decades of accumulated items after her mother passed, told me "I couldn't face it alone, but having someone beside me who didn't judge made all the difference." This companionship element removes the shame that often paralyzes people from beginning their organizing journey. Music transforms cleaning energy completely - create a dedicated "cleaning playlist" with upbeat songs that last around 3-4 minutes each. This naturally paces your work and makes the time fly by. We've watched clients dance through tasks they previously avoided for months simply by changing the soundtrack of their experience. The "one-touch rule" has revolutionized how our clients maintain their spaces after our initial organization. When you pick something up, immediately place it in its final destination rather than creating temporary holding areas. This prevents the exhausting cycle of moving items multiple times and creates sustainable habits that prevent future clutter from accumulating in the first place.
Not a direct motivator, but an A-B task list makes it easier for me to get started as it psychologically lowers the "barrier to entry." Then, I take some earbuds and turn on some salsa music. My first task is always easy so the friction is even smaller to begin the job (usually vacuuming). So, to wrap it up - have a clear to-do list, laid out in small steps, a good playlist, and make sure the first task is easy.
As someone who manages multiple short-term rentals, I've found that tackling the toughest cleaning task first creates immediate momentum. For me, that's usually bathrooms or kitchens - once those are done, everything else feels easier and I'm already in "cleaning mode." I've learned to integrate cleaning into my regular routine between guest stays, setting a 20-minute timer and focusing completely on one area without distractions. This approach helped me maintain my properties efficiently when I was also managing my limo business and long-haul trucking. One unusual but effective strategy I've developed is the "guest perspective technique" - I literally walk through my rental units pretending to be a first-time guest checking in. This shift in mindset instamtly highlights areas needing attention that I might otherwise overlook. My cleaning kit has strategically placed duplicates throughout different properties, eliminating the "I don't have supplies" excuse. Having identical cleaning caddies in each bathroom and kitchen means everything is always where I need it, making it much easier to start cleaning spontaneously when I have even five free minutes.
Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, Purveyor of Beautiful Things at Rachel Blindauer Interior Design
Answered a year ago
The best thing to do is to have daily chores and read yourself the daily mantras "Doing what I need to do, should do, and want to do is effortless easy and fun." "I accomplish matters efficiently by dealing directly with the root cause and most important part first."
Put on a timer for 20 minutes and pick one room. That's usually enough to trick your brain into starting. Once you're moving, it's easier to keep going. I keep wipes and a small vacuum in each room so I don't waste time running around. Quick wins help. A shiny sink or clean coffee table instantly makes the space feel lighter. Pair cleaning with music or a podcast you enjoy. It turns boring tasks into background noise. I also break chores into morning and evening habits--quick tidy in the morning, reset the room before bed. When the space feels calm, it's easier to stay focused and less stressed. You don't need perfection. You need a rhythm that fits your day.
My advice is always to begin with a small project to stay clear of fatigue. Work on one single space in your home first by cleaning either a drawer, shelf or countertop area. Your results from finishing small duties help you keep moving forward. The smallest steps forward lead to progress in the end. Our background influences our happiness greatly so I advise combining work with enjoyment. Enjoy listening to music or a podcast during cleaning before treating yourself with a reward. Making cleaning a friendly and calming routine makes the task enjoyable while also treating yourself as important. I enjoy setting my phone timer to only 10 or 15 minutes as my cleaning motivator. I set myself a time limit to clean and discover how many tasks I can achieve before my time runs out which makes me work longer. Working in brief periods allows us to achieve much while making the task feel less difficult.
As a therapist specializing in trauma and addiction, I've observed that mental blocks often prevent effective cleaning. The mind-body comnection is crucial here - when we feel overwhelmed emotionally, our physical spaces reflect this chaos, creating a cycle that's difficult to break. I encourage clients to practice "mindful micro-sessions" - just 5-10 minutes of focused cleaning with complete presence. This approach bypasses the overwhelm that triggers avoidance behaviors while allowing you to experience small victories that build momentum. Connect cleaning to self-care rather than obligation. One client with depression transformed her relationship with housekeeping by reframing it as "creating a healing environment" rather than "doing chores." This subtle shift activated internal motivation rather than external pressure. For those with ADHD or anxiety, body-based cues work wonders - try setting a timer for 15 minutes while playing energizing music, and allow yourself to stop when the timer ends. This creates boundaries that make the task feel manageable while engaging multiple senses to keep focus.
As the owner of Sierra Vista Maintenance, I've learned that breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks can greatly boost motivation to clean. For instance, I always advise focusing on one room or even one part of a room at a time, like just cleaning the windows or organizing a single closet. This approach, much like our professional methods, prevents overwhelm and brings a sense of accomplishment with each finished task. Time management is crucial; setting a 15-minute timer can create a sense of urgency and focus, turning cleaning into a short, intense activity. This strategy mirrors how we handle tight deadlines in our business, ensuring high-quality work efficiently. Additionally, the psychological benefits of a clean space are immense. I often remind people of the "fresh start effect," where cleaning aligns with personal renewal, much like the morale boost our team experiences from changing a cluttered space into a spotless one. Embracing these insights from our day-to-day operations can make cleaning both a mental and a physical rejuvenation.
As a therapist specializing in parental burnout, I've found that parents who struggle with cleaning often benefit from the "good enough" approach. The perfectionism that paralyzes many people comes from the same source as parental anxiety - unrealistic expectations that drain your energy before you even start. Try breaking tasks into 10-15 minute chunks rather than waiting for the "perfect time" to clean everything. This matches how I advise overwhelmed parents to take short self-care breaks - even brief periods of focused attention yield noticeable results that build motivation. Consider reframing cleaning as a form of self-care rather than a chore. Many of my clients report feeling significantly less anxious and more in control of their lives when their space is manageable, similar to how setting boundaries in relationships reduces stress. For particularly overwhelming spaces, use what I call the "good enough parent" method for cleaning: focus on consistent, reasonable effort rather than perfection. Just as children thrive with good-enough parenting, your home doesn't need magazine-perfect cleanliness to be a functional, comfortable space.
Building a cleaning routine into an existing habit makes it easier to stay motivated. For example, consider pairing cleaning with something you enjoy, like listening to your favorite podcast or album. This combination can create a positive association with cleaning tasks, making them feel less like a chore and more like a part of a well-rounded experience. Imagine you're sweeping or vacuuming as if you're designing the perfect backdrop for a film scene--using your creativity to transform the tasks into enjoyable moments. Much like a cohesive rug bringing a room together, viewing cleaning as an integral part of your daily life, rather than a burdensome task, can shift your mindset and make it more rewarding.