How to Clean Your House Without Getting Overwhelmed or Giving Up Halfway Through
Need some guidance on how to actually clean your house? Here is everything you need to know about how to clean your house like a pro.
Cleaning your house is one of those things that seems super simple, until you’re knee deep and have completely lost motivation.
I can’t tell you how many times my “cleaning mood” suddenly vanishes when I lose interest and cleaning my home suddenly doesn’t seem like such a fun idea anymore. I know I’m not the only one who has gone through something like this.
That’s why it’s SO important to make sure you’re cleaning your house correctly, so you’re not wasting any time or energy for just okay results.
Today, we’re breaking down the exact steps on how to clean your house. Because even though it might seem self-explanatory, there are (at least) a few things you could be doing to make the whole process a lot easier on yourself.
You don’t need to unlearn anything or feel bad about how you’ve cleaned in the past. For this post, we’re just pressing reset and starting with a clean slate! 🙂
I also want to preface by saying that this post isn’t meant to show you how to do an insane deep clean of your home. It’s more so to help you find a reasonable routine and way of cleaning that you can implement into your week for a cleaner home, without sacrificing a ton of time (or your sanity).
This post is all about how people with spotless homes actually clean their house.
How to Clean Your House:
The Mindset Shift That Makes Cleaning 10x Easier
Before we get into the nitty gritty of cleaning, there is one very important mindset shift that needs to happen. And trust me, this little tweak will make such a big difference!
The first thing you need to do is aim for progress over perfection. You’ve probably heard this before (maybe in business, or other areas of your life), but it’s popular for a reason – it works!
Taking the initial pressure off of yourself to achieve this perfectly clean space with not a speck of dust in sight is just not reasonable (and will drive you crazy). Progress will beat perfection every. single. time. and it will keep you from getting burnt out so quickly.
Just constantly remind yourself throughout the process “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Problem #2: cleaning seems pretty straight forward, but when you’re faced with too many decisions and you’re trying to deep clean everything at once… you’ll end up exhausted!
That’s why it’s crucial to clean in layers. Humor me with this one. I know it sounds a little funky, but it will completely change your cleaning game!
Once you follow the right order, cleaning stops feeling overwhelming.
The Golden Rule: The Only Order That Actually Works
Cleaning your house is a hefty job, there is no denying that. So having a clear system and order to your cleaning will take out any mystery of where to start the process… because it will remain the same (and for a very good reason) every time you clean.
In order to build a strong foundation, we’re bringing it back to the basics! If you only remember one thing from this post, let it be this…
Here is the order you should be following while cleaning:
- Trash = instant visual progress + easy way to freshen up your space
- Dishes = clears the biggest mental clutter
- Laundry = put in a load while you’re cleaning, so by the time you’re done you have clothes ready to put away
- Surfaces = start with the highest surface (shelves) and work your way down to counters and shorter (in terms of height) surfaces
- Floors = you want to do these last since they are the lowest surface and will gather dust and dirt as you clean
Now I know what you might be thinking, “Why this exact order?” This list isn’t random, it’s intentional. But the most important aspect of this list, is that these visual wins will boost your motivation and keep you from wanting to give up part way through.
Your brain will get a little dopamine boost from the progress it sees, and those little wins will keep you motivated to move forward and accomplish more.
I’m going to go ahead and guess that you’ve got a lot going on, so there is no need to waste your time or energy where you don’t have to. Which means, no backtracking! The last thing you want to do is ruin your progress by cleaning out of order.
Now let’s actually clean, starting with the easiest win!
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your House (Room by Room):
The 15-Minute Whole-House Reset
This is such an important step to start with! It’s going to get rid of that dread of just starting, because what’s 15 minutes? We’re kind of tricking our brains by telling ourselves that we only have to accomplish a 15 minute reset.
And even if you stop after this 15 minute reset, your house will already feel so much better. This step alone changes everything!
But starting is the hard part. So once those 15 minutes are up, you’ll probably be able to move onto the next step with ease.
Starting with a reset will also keep you from having to tackle everything at once. After you set your 15 minute timer, you’ll want to focus on picking up any trash and removing items that don’t belong in the room.
Don’t let yourself get carried away with cleaning just yet! Once the clutter is gone, cleaning becomes a whole lot easier.
Kitchen: The Fastest Way to Make Your Home Feel Clean
Our cleaning journey is going to begin in the kitchen – probably one of the biggest high-traffic areas of your home. And because of all that goes on in a kitchen, it deserves cleaning priority.
I know that personally, my kitchen is one of my least favorite areas to clean in my home, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.
It also has a lot to do with getting over that mental block. If you were able to tackle cleaning your kitchen, none of the other rooms in your house stand a chance!
Okay, first things first, you’re going to want to clear your kitchen counters (but not wipe them). That means putting any dishes that were left out to dry away. And while you’re at it, you minus well empty the dishwasher (if it’s clean).
Then, shift over to the sink.
Here’s your sink reset guide:
- Empty
- Quick rinse and once over with some cleaner if necessary
- Put a lemon down the garbage disposal and turn it on (will leave your kitchen smelling so fresh!)
Starting with your sink area makes the whole kitchen feel clean. And once that’s covered, you can go ahead and wipe down your appliances, as well as your counters. This might be surprising, but counters matter more than cabinets – so they should take priority.
We’re also not here to completely declutter or organize your kitchen. So don’t go into your pantry and start throwing things out or reorganizing your cabinets. We’re simply here to clean (at least for now).
Even if nothing else gets cleaned today, tackling your kitchen is a HUGE victory!
Living Areas: The ‘Company Could Show Up’ Method
You know when your mom would make you deep clean your room when company would come over, even if no one was coming upstairs? 😂
Yeah, well we are going to take that “company could show up” idea, and tweak it just a little to keep you from going down an unnecessary black whole of cleaning.
We’re trying to avoid the scenario where you get so caught up in cleaning and making everything look perfect, that by the time you stop and look up, hours have passed and you’re still on the same room (we’ve all been there!).
This method will also (hopefully) make cleaning feel a little more manageable.
You’re going to want to…
- Pick up items first
- Straighten pillows and throws
- Wipe visible surfaces only
- Vacuum or sweep main walkways
And if you really can’t get yourself to do any more, that’s totally fine. Here is your guilt-free skip list:
- Shelves
- Decor
- Deep organizing
The one question you want to ask yourself while cleaning your living room is: “If someone walked in right now, what would they see first?” I highly doubt they’re going to be scanning every shelf for dust or opening closed cabinets to see what’s hiding behind those doors.
You don’t have to clean or straighten every inch of your living room in order for it to look nice and presentable. No need to drive yourself crazy when guests won’t notice the difference.
Bedrooms: Clean Enough to Sleep Better Tonight
Nothing feels as good as cleaning your bedroom! Just picture climbing into your bed at the end of the day and just feeling how clean your entire space is. I don’t know about you, but whenever my room has been thoroughly cleaned, I just sleep better. It’s a lot easier to relax in a space that is fresh and tidy!
There is also something to be said about waking up in a room that is clean. It keeps your mind clear and allows you to start your day off on a good note without stressing about when you’re going to deal with that pile of clothes in the corner or tackle those dusty surfaces.
Your bedroom is one of those places where you don’t just notice a difference, but you can actually feel a difference.
Let’s start with your bed – since it’s most likely the focal point of your entire bedroom. And since your bed is the first thing your eyes are drawn to when you enter the room, it’s a good stating place.
Whether you want to wash your sheets or change them out before making your bed is up to you, but make your bed feel nice and clean. This will automatically make your room look 10x cleaner!
Next, put all of your laundry away. If you have a pile of clothes, get them folded and put away ASAP. You can also start a load of laundry so that’s going while you finish cleaning the rest of the house.
I always feel so accomplished when I’ve done a couple loads of laundry while cleaning, even though the laundry doesn’t really require much attention or effort on my part once it’s in the wash. 😂
You’re also going to want to clear your nightstand and dresser – to clear the clutter and make it easier to wipe down the surfaces.
While you’re cleaning your room, avoid any deep closet clean outs or going through your belongings. That’s not the focus right now.
If you want to come back to your closet later, and make it look just as nice and organized as the rest of your bedroom, this post will help you organize your closet in one weekend and keep it that way.
Bathrooms: The 10-Minute Shine Routine
Cleaning your bathroom might seem tedious, but it doesn’t have to be. I get it, bathrooms can get dirty pretty darn quickly, especially if you use the space to do your hair and makeup daily.
But the good news is, cleaning your bathroom will probably be the easiest room you tackle in your entire house.
First and foremost, make sure the counters are clear. Then go in with your spray and let it sit. Anything that might be gooed onto your counter will need a little extra time to soak in the spray before it will come off with a wipe of a paper towel.
While the spray sits for a couple of minutes, use this opportunity to clean your mirrors. You ALWAYS want to tackle cleaning the higher up places first (just like what we talked about in the cleaning order section). That way if any dust or dirt falls, it won’t ruin your progress.
Once the mirrors are thoroughly wiped, it’s time to tackle the counters and the sink (counters first, sink second). Then, tackle your toilet. I know, it’s everyone’s least favorite part of cleaning their bathroom, but it has to be done.
If you’re looking for a less gross way to clean your toilet, I swear by this toilet wand and toilet bowl cleaner combo – makes the whole process a lot more seamless! And it’s way more cleanly than your average toilet brush that gathers all kinds of bacteria. 😖
Again, your bathroom doesn’t have to be perfect, but following these steps will make it feel 1000x better!
Floors: The Final Reveal
The floors should feel like a reward, since it means you’re almost done cleaning your entire home! It’s the last and final step, and it’s the cherry on top to make your home feel really clean.
You always want to save your floors for last because they’ll get even more dirty as you clean. Not all of the dust or dirt on your surfaces is going to be caught by your rag or paper towel – and a lot of it will just naturally fall onto the floor (no big deal if you wait to do your floors until everything else is done!).
At the very least, when it comes to your floors, focus on high-traffic areas like your entryway, kitchen, and bathroom. These spots might need a little more attention, while the rest of your rooms should feel pretty good with a once-over.
The ultimate combo for cleaning tile or hardwood flooring is going in with a vacuum first, then following with some sort of mop or Swiffer. Trust me on this one, your floors will look brand new!
And then for your carpet, it’s nice and simple with the vacuum.
This is when your house finally feels clean!
What to Do When You Lose Motivation Mid-Clean
Nothing is worse than when you lose motivation mid-clean. Sometimes you just can’t help it – and that’s okay. Do as much as you can, then put a pause to your cleaning. You can always pick it back up the next day or later in the week.
The biggest tip I could give you about picking up where you left off is to set a date and time you’re going to continue cleaning. It feels more intentional that way, and when you know exactly when you’re going to finish cleaning, you won’t feel so bad about stopping in the middle.
And cleaning, is not all or nothing! I know it can seem like there is no point starting your cleaning process when you can’t finish it, but every little bit counts. If you only have the time or energy to tackle one or two rooms, so be it. Everything you do adds up!
A partially cleaned house is better than what you started with.
How to Keep Your House Clean After This
Let’s talk about maintenance! The last thing you want to have happen is letting all of your hard work go to waste because you didn’t keep a good schedule or routine.
There are a couple of ways to keep your house as clean as possible…
First, do a ten minute daily reset. You can always spare ten minutes at the end of your day to straighten up your house and do a quick-clean. Set a timer to make it feel like a fun game, and see how much you can get done in those ten minutes.
This will quickly become a part of your daily routine and you won’t think twice about it. But your house will feel noticeably cleaner throughout the week.
Next, is have a consistent weekly cleaning schedule. This will give you a good system that keeps everything consistently clean. Choose one day of the week and dedicate a couple of hours to doing a thorough clean of your house.
I always do my weekly cleaning on Sundays so I can start the week off with a freshly cleaned home, but whatever works for your schedule (just make sure it’s maintainable).
Also incorporate a seasonal clean. Once every 3-6 months, go in and declutter, organize, and clean your entire house. One of my favorite times to do a seasonal refresh is during spring cleaning season. It’s the perfect time to purge and really focus on giving more attention to cleaning out your house.
I have an entire post dedicated to laying out the perfect Spring Cleaning Checklist and how to tackle it all (with a free printable of course!).
Last Notes…
I know that was a lot! But hopefully you were able to find some helpful nuggets throughout this post to help you nail down how to clean your house effectively and efficiently.
At the least, I’m hoping this post gave you a little more peace of mind and helped to make the process seem a little less overwhelming.
Just know, you can always come back to this post when you need a boost of motivation or a quick refresher on the whole process. If you have any questions or helpful tidbits you would like to share, feel free to leave a comment down below (I always love hearing from you guys!).
In the meantime, you can find some more posts on similar topics below to aid you on your cleaning journey. 🙂
This post was all about how people with spotless homes actually clean their house.
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