Let’s face it — we’re all a little lazy when it comes to doing housework. I can think of a hundred things I’d rather do than housework, can’t you? Cleaning is labor intensive and it can be icky and dirty.

 

article continues below ↓

What can we do to get motivated?

What makes us get excited about cleaning?

Sometimes it’s music or new cleaning tools or just a rainy day that can motivate us. But the biggest motivator is usually that someone is coming over to visit us! Yes, this is the reason most of us get started on those long-overdue cleaning chores. We want everyone to see our home at its best. After all, our home is our castle and we want to be proud of where we live. So if no one is about to come for a visit, what can we do to get in the cleaning mood?

Everyone has different motivators, but here are a few ideas for getting in the mood to clean, and making the most of that mood once you achieve it.

1. Pick a 1-2 hour time slot (early morning usually works best) when you feel energetic and can concentrate on the job.
   
   
2. Turn on music that makes you feel good.
   
   
3. Put on your “cleaning clothes,” whatever they may be.
   
   
4. Reread your favorite chapter of that “how to be a go-getter” book.
   
   
5. Try a little coffee or soda pop to perk you up.
   
   
6. Turn off the phone or let the answering machine answer your calls.
   
   
7. Turn off the television.
   
   
8. Ask everyone who is not working to get out of the house or out of the way.
   
   
9. Hire a sitter for small children who distract you, or work while they are sleeping.
   
   
10. Gather all your cleaning supplies and chemicals before you start.
    
    
11. Make a list of chores for each family member who is helping.
    
    
12. Have enough supplies for all your helpers.
    
    
13. Buy cleaning tools that will do a lot of the work for you.
    
    
14. Focus on the “after cleaning” feeling. It does feel good when it’s done!
    
    
15. Compete against yourself. Time yourself and see if you can get faster every time.
    
    
16. If you just can’t get motivated to clean no matter how hard you try, it’s time to hire a maid service!

Excerpted from Laura Dellutri’s Speed Cleaning 101: Cut Your Cleaning Time in Half! For more information, visit HealthyHousekeeper.com

 

 

 

 

About Laura Dellutri

Laura Dellutri, The Healthy Housekeeper, is an author, cleaning expert, speed cleaning consultant, radio and television personality, and entrepreneur and owner of the professional janitorial firm America's Cleaning. For more information, visit www.HealthyHousekeeper.com.