Whistle While You Work: How To Make Cleaning Fun
Are scrubbing the toilet and chasing dust bunnies such distasteful chores that you haven't yet incorporated them into your routine?
Does your procrastination weigh on you every time you see scum building up in places it shouldn't?
Or maybe house cleaning doesn't daunt you, but other pressing responsibilities push regular cleaning aside.
Establishing a fun, pleasant routine is a great way to perform house cleaning tasks punctually and without resentment.
Here, we share our top suggestions on how to make cleaning fun — and maybe even something you’ll look forward to.
Table of Contents
How Do You Make Cleaning Less Boring?
Anything that takes your mind off an undesirable activity — like cleaning — makes for a more pleasant experience. Of course, you still need to have enough concentration to carry out your tasks. A good distraction might be something you find:
Relaxing: A relaxing distraction, such as music or TV, can turn your cleaning session into a stress reliever.
Stimulating: A stimulating distraction, such as games or the company of a friend, can help you work more quickly.
Useful: A useful distraction, such as a phone call catching up with family, can decrease your anxiety about taking time away from other responsibilities.
10 Ways To Make Cleaning More Fun
#1: Create a Motivating Cleaning Playlist
Listening to music you enjoy is a tremendous way to relieve stress, but you don’t always have the luxury of playing your tunes. What better time to do it than when you're busy cleaning?
Depending on your mood, you might choose slower, more relaxing music to help you loosen up, or faster, more stimulating music to help you pick up the pace. Either way, cleaning while listening to your favorite songs is a great way to reward your efforts on the spot.
#2: Listen To Your Favorite Podcasts or an Audiobook
If you’re interested in podcasts and/or audiobooks, these can also be hard to find time for and are an excellent supplement to your cleaning routine. Not only can they help you pass the time more pleasantly, but they can also be mentally stimulating.
Given the wealth of podcast options available, you can use your cleaning session as a time to:
Explore your interest in art history or homesteading.
Educate yourself about the natural world or current events.
Plug into a wider community of people who share your occupation or hobby.
As for audiobooks, pick your genre and explore the titles available on:
Adding this auditory component will add flavor to an otherwise bland chore time.
#3: Make Cleaning a Game With Your Kids
If you wonder how to make cleaning your room fun for the kiddos, think back to your own childhood. If you were like many kids, you coped with your assigned tasks by making a game out of them. Modeling this for your children can help make the cleaning tasks a little more fun and even motivate them to get involved, especially if there are prizes for stellar work. Here are some ideas:
Assign tasks based on the roll of the dice.
Appeal to your child’s competitive side by having them race to clean their room faster than anyone else.
Break up large tasks into smaller ones by assigning each part to a different person. Form an assembly line so they can see the effectiveness of their teamwork.
Using painter’s tape, put an X or bullseye on hard floors and have your child sweep all the dirt onto it.
Take before and after pictures of the room you’re cleaning, then compare the two.
Dress up in costumes and try to stay in character for the duration of chore time.
Pick up toys or sort laundry by color.
#4: Turn on Some Trash TV
If you turn on something too interesting, you’ll likely end up on the couch.
Try turning on a show that doesn’t require all your attention, such as a nature documentary or reality show to help distract you from the tedium of cleaning.
#5: Phone a Friend
Chore time, especially if you’ll be engaged in deep cleaning or some other time-consuming task, is a good time to catch up with friends and family on the phone.
But don’t strain your neck or make your arm fall asleep trying to hold the phone while cleaning with one hand. Keep your hands free by using a wireless headset during your conversation.
#6: Invest in Nice Cleaning Supplies
Higher-quality cleaning supplies you like using will make your chores easier and leave you feeling more accomplished and pleased with the job you’ve done.
For instance, don’t use a spray with a repulsive scent, a vacuum with poor suction, or cheap paper towels that are only about as thick as toilet paper. Microfiber cloths are a good alternative to paper towels for wiping down almost any surface.
Instead of buying high-end equipment to make cleaning easier, invest in a professional house cleaner from Tidy Up Portland!. We already have all the equipment necessary to achieve the cleanest results in your home.
#7: Set a Timer
If you’d rather not spend hours cleaning everything at once, you can clean just as effectively in spurts.
Set your timer and see how much you can accomplish before it goes off. This will be more feasible if you are a better sprinter than an endurance cleaner.
#8: Use Your Fitness Tracker To Stay Motivated
Try considering your cleaning a workout.
While you clean, let your fitness tracker record your:
Heart rate
Calories burned
Steps accumulated
You might be pleased to find just how strenuous a workout cleaning the house can be!
#9: Pair Up With a Pal
Having company while you clean is a great way to make cleaning fun.
You might ask your friend to just be there to chat while you clean. Or you can offer to help clean their house in exchange for help with yours.
The presence of a supportive person has a healing power that can keep you from becoming weary of the drudgery of cleaning.
#10: Reward Yourself When You’re Finished
Having a reward to look forward to when you’ve finished cleaning will help motivate you during the hours of toil.
Of course, a clean home is its own reward, but you can also treat yourself to a more personal treat. Some ideas include:
A massage at your favorite spa
A glass of wine
Time spent reading or relaxing
Ordering takeout
What’s the Best Way To Make Cleaning Fun? Let Someone Else Do It for You!
The surest way to enjoy your housework is to entrust it to a professional house cleaner. This way you can celebrate the results without all the effort.
Tidy Up Portland! promises timely, reliable, and expert service to our clients. If you sign up for our basic cleaning, we’ll dust, vacuum, mop, and clean all surfaces, including mirrors and appliances.
We will be glad to accommodate your house cleaning needs regularly, whether that be weekly, biweekly, or monthly. You may also contact us for a one-time service.
Contact the professionals at Tidy Up Portland! today to find out more!
