Get Your Clean On

Getting your clean on is more about headspace than the actual task of cleaning. Seriously, though there is a method to effective and efficient cleaning, anyone can learn it. So why do so many of us struggle to do it? Time after time, I meet people who tell me how they loath the very thought of cleaning, so it's usually the last thing on their task list. Often time, that particular task gets rolled from week to week until a home or office needs a complete overhaul rather than a little touch up.

In this particular post, I'm going to share with you how you can get your head in the game. These tips and tricks don't just work for my regular routine at home, but I apply them when I choose to take on a yearly or biyearly cleaning/household project as well. 1. Turn off the TV. I know, I know. TV is fun. It's the noise that drowns out the silence. It's your reward for a job well done (or not started). It's... a total distraction. I've noticed when I clean my own home with a TV on as "background" noise, I often take between 25-50% more time to clean my home. Let's face it... all of those "minute" or two's of stopping to watch add up. So turn off the TV if you want to be affective and make the most of your time so that you can relax in your clean home and watch a full show from start to finish without half heartedly vacuuming during commercial breaks.

2. Turn on your motivation. My cleaning time is not without it's own entertainment. I love using time spent cooking and cleaning to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, youtube (talking) channals, and even catch up on sermons or news. If I'm cleaning, I like to either turn on some upbeat music or a good audio book (I will use my bluetooth headphones if I'm on a cleaning job or broadcast from my TV if I'm at home in my apartment... sorry neighbors!). Cleaning is admittedly a mundane task, so I find that a good audiobook or podcast is the perfect solution to keep my mind engaged. Listening to something entertaining or intellectually stimulating with serve to distract you from the not so pleasant chore of cleaning while also feeding into your personal development. I've learned so much about business, social development, religion, and even hobbies during this time. Audible is a monthly audiobook subscription service through Amazon that I would highly recommend if you enjoy audio books. I would also recommend your library's digital resource center (many can be downloaded and checked out via your library's app) as a resource for content. I also use Youtube to stream content from teachers I like. I don't watch, I just listen and enjoy as I clean away. Sometimes a good clean is just a few songs away. 3. Break out the smells. This is my go to tip when I'm really in a bind motivation wise. When my heart is just not having it, I will treat myself to my favorite scents as a form of motivation. It's the little things in life that bring the most joy! I enjoy candles and will light them (especially on a cold day because the fire has an ambiance that makes me feel so cozy) but I also have diffusers in every room of my house (ya... I went a little overboard). When I need some cleaning motivation, I will diffuse invigorating scents like lemon, orange, and pine. I realize that the placebo effect may be in full swing, but something about smelling the good clean scents, turning on an energizing playlist, opening the windows to let the sunshine in, and saying, "I can do this" is usually the only thing I need to become a cleaning superhero.

4. It's all about the wardrobe. Dress for the occasion! Some may argue that yoga pants are not for errands, but I've never heard anyone say that they are a bad idea for cleaning. I don't know about you, but if I am not comfortable, I'm not going to clean effectively. I almost exclusively clean in my gym clothes. I don't want to be concerned about getting dirty while I clean and I want full range of motion. The best cleaning is going to be done in multiply positions and you need to be comfortable enough to get on the floor in order to clean well. Sure, you may not end up on the floor, but at least dress in such a way that will allow for it.

5. Shoes. I HIGHLY recommend wearing shoes. I get that you may be proud of your "shoes off house" (I personally don't get that) but for cleaning, shoes are a must. There is nothing more disgusting than stepping in mystery substances while you are cleaning a kitchen or bathroom. Whether it be mystifying crumbles or unnamed fluids, shoes can protect you from the experience of having your sensitive bare feet encounter these terrors. I'm gagging just thinking about it.

6. Embrace the experience. Let's face it. If you do not end up as dirty as the house you just cleaned, there's a chance you didn't do it right. I almost always plan to clean right before I take a shower (then I clean the bathtub right after). Don't worry about getting dirty. You can get clean too! Is there anything better than stepping out of a nice hot shower and into a beautiful clean home for a relaxing evening? The answer is, yes... there are a few things that can beat that... but it's pretty high on the list of things that fill the soul.

7. Remember the End Game. There are many good reasons to keep a clean home. Research shows that people who keep clean homes are less likely to get sick, happier, more productive, and tend to be more satisfied in their relationships. Ultimately, a clean home is a reward in itself. It is not about perfection or being a slave to chores. It's about creating a warm and comfortable environment and only you can define what that may look like. Keep in mind, these are my personal tips and thoughts about cleaning. I'd love to learn more about your tips and tricks as well!